Doing your Dissertation
"Normally, an undergraduate dissertation will be based on a critique of a small selection of evidence and be applied to one focussed aspect of the student’s practice.” (Glasper and Rees, 2012, Evaluating research articles from start to finish). Use this guide to find information resources to help you develop skills for undertaking an undergraduate dissertation.
Last updated:
22/07/2022
Library search tools
How to undertake a literature search
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An interactive guide to take you through your search one step at a time.
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Books, Journals and Databases
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For a dissertation you will also need to complete more thorough searches using our range of databases. It is likely that CINAHL will be the most useful database but we have many others that are worth considering. They are particularly useful in searching for journal articles.
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CINAHL database - introduction
CINAHL database - advanced searching with suggest subject headings
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Guide to searching CINAHL
Guide to British Nursing Index (BNI)
Literature searching video tutorials
Literature searching video tutorials
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You can find our full range of video tutorials here. These offer guidance on using our website and searching for online journals.
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Books
Aveyard H, Sharp P and Woolliams M (2015) A beginner’s guide to critical thinking and writing in health and social care. 2nd edn. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Aveyard H and Sharp P (2017) A beginner’s guide to evidence-based practice in health and social care. 3rd edn. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Aveyard H (2019) Doing a literature review in health and social care: a practical guide. 4th edn. London: Open University Press.
Bettany-Saltikov J (2016) How to do a systematic literature review in nursing: a step by step guide. 2nd edn. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Booth A, Sutton A, Clowes M and James M M-S (2021) Systematic approaches to a successful literature review. 3rd edn. London: SAGE.
Coughlan M and Cronin P (2021) Doing a literature review in nursing, health and social care. 3rd edn. Los Angeles: Sage.
Glasper E A and Carpenter D (2021) How to write your nursing dissertation. 2nd edn. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Blackwell.
Greenhalgh T (2019) How to read a paper: the basics of evidence-based medicine and healthcare. 6th edn. Hoboken: John Wiley and Sons.
Hewitt-Taylor J (2017) The essential guide to doing a health and social care literature review, London: Routledge.
Price B and Harrington A (2021) Critical thinking and writing in nursing. 5th edn. Los Angeles: Learning Matters.
Williamson G R and Whittaker A (2019) Succeeding in Literature Reviews and Research Project Plans for Nursing Students. 4th edn. Thousand Oaks: Learning Matters.
Book subject searches
Use these links to see details of books the RCN libraries hold on each topic.
Journal articles
Watson M (2020) How to undertake a literature search: a step-by-step guide, British Journal of Nursing, 29(7), pp. 431–435.
Key J (2020) How to undertake a literature search: enhancing your search, British Journal of Nursing, 29(8), pp. 481–483.
Use these links for details of journal articles on each topic.
Accessibility resources
MyStudyBar
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MyStudyBar is free assistive software to help learners with literacy-related difficulties including dyslexia. It can offer potential benefits to all learners. It includes mind mapping software, a text to audio reader and screen colour overlays. My StudyBar only works on Windows PCs. It is free to download and can be used from a USB stick.
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Gribben M (2012) The study skills toolkit for students with dyslexia, London: Sage. -
Chapter 8 covers doing a dissertation.
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Hargreaves S and Crabb J (2016) Study skills for students with dyslexia: support for specific learning differences (SpLDs). 3rd edn. Los Angeles: SAGE. -
Includes a chapter on doing your dissertation.
Borrow from RCN library services
Referencing
Pears R and Shields G (2022) Cite them right: the essential referencing guide. 12th edn. London: Bloomsbury.
Royal College of Nursing (2021) Referencing guidelines. London: RCN.
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If you are looking for an example of Harvard referencing you may find our guidelines a useful example. You should always follow the referencing guidelines of your university however. They will be different to these guidelines as there are many versions of Harvard referencing.
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Cathryn Peppard
Editor of this guide
RCN Library and Archive staff
Page last updated - 22/07/2022
