A Master's dissertation is very different from an academic essay, yet all too often post-graduate students are expected to make the transition without guidance. This invaluable guide brings together advice from a team of experts, drawn largely from the University of Wales at Aberystwyth. Chapters cover: planning and organising a thesis; understanding the role of theory; constructing and interpreting qualitative data; analysing quantitative data; writing; legal and ethical issues; the submission and examination process and publishing. The book includes one-minute summaries, case studies, discussion points and questions and answers. Other key areas covered include: the 3 essential questions re planning a thesis the 4 different types of interview confidentiality and copyright issues the 7 stages of the research process pre- and researcher-constructed data the publication process.