Dr Leanne Doherty Presentation

Dr. Leanne Doherty’s talk really drove home how crucial it is to have a solid research plan and to use academic sources effectively in dissertations. She pointed out the need for organisation and being deliberate with your search strategy, things like picking the right keywords, using the best databases, and carefully noting down your search results, along with why you’ve included or left out certain sources. Having this structured approach helps make sure your dissertation is backed by relevant, credible evidence, making your arguments more convincing and rooted in real-world research.

Practical Techniques & Tools

To define our research scope, Dr. Doherty suggested using Venn diagrams to map our main themes (Super-Apps, Western Users, Privacy Laws) with the overlapping section representing our core area. She also introduced citation chaining, a method where you find a key article, check its bibliography for foundational work, and see who has cited it more recently, allowing you to trace the academic conversation. Finally, she emphasised the importance of using a citation management tool like RefWorks from the start to save time.

Academic Writing: Style and Structure

• Writing style should be descriptive and objective.
• Use precise vocabulary to answer the “what” and “how” of research.
• Employ the P.E.E.L structure for paragraphs:
  • Make a Point.
  • Support it with Evidence.
  • Explain how the evidence proves the point.
  • Link it back to the main research question or the next paragraph.
• Maintain a professional and academic tone.
• Avoid contractions like “it’s” or “we’re.”
• Avoid personal opinions like “I think” or “I believe.”
• Use phrases like “The evidence suggests…”

Be concise and avoid redundant words for clarity and focus.

Personal Reflection & Action Plan

While the talk was informative, I found it a bit overwhelming, especially as a creative design student who prefers more visual and practical work. However, the session highlighted how strong research can significantly enhance creative work by allowing me to justify my design ideas with reliable evidence. To improve, I plan to practice using the university's research databases, get better at keeping organised notes, and make sure to seek support when I get stuck. Strengthening these skills will be key to making my dissertation more evidence-based and well-structured.