Writing Successful Undergraduate Dissertations in Games Development and Computer Science

Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents
Acknowledgements
How to Use This Book
Dissertation examples
USEFUL TIPS (UT)
1. Introduction to Dissertations
What is a dissertation?
Why is writing a dissertation challenging?
Why academic writing and dissertations are important
Why dissertations in games development and computer science are different
Why preparation is key
Committing yourself to paper
Finding your voice
Summary
References
2. Academic Rigour
Academic rigour explored
Distinguishing between reliable and questionable academic sources
Google search
Wikipedia
Grey literature
Making use of your library
Locating books
Completing your honours specification
The project title
The mandatory details
Project outline example
Choosing your project supervisor
The role of the project supervisor
Summary
Reference
3. Citations, Referencing, and Hierarchy of Academic Sources
What is referencing?
Relationship between citing and referencing
Citations in your dissertation
Harvard referencing style
Applying direct quotations
Citing multiple authors
Citing multiple authors and sources
Citing sources published in same year by same author
Citing sources with no date
How to paraphrase
Social media and the internet
Online blogs
Computer games and software
Illustrations or images
Online reports
APA style
Referencing with Harvard and APA
Plagiarism
Summary
References
Additional referencing guides
4. Research Ethics
Why research ethics?
What quantifies a research study to be ethical?
Ethical considerations for the dissertation
Recruiting participants
Informed consent
1 Providing research details
2 Providing the participant with the choice of participation
3 Clarifying the purpose of the study
4 Justification for having been chosen
5 Transparency that participation is voluntary
6 Informing the participant what they must do
7 Ensuring participant anonymity and confidentiality
8 How results will be disseminated
9 Provide reassurances that research is credibly organised
10 Peer assessment of the research study
11 Providing contact details
Distinguishing between anonymity and confidentiality
Research ethics committee
1 Become familiar with the online application process
2 Work through the form in stages
3 Complete the sections you can first
4 Provide detail
5 Consider what you are being asked
6 Anonymity and confidentiality
7 Ensure supporting documentation completed
8 Treat the form as an academic assignment
9 Be patient
10 Make necessary amendments
Summary
References
5. Dissertation Structure in Games Development and Computer Science
Basic structure
How dissertation structures vary dependent on discipline
A suitable structure for games development and computer science dissertations
1 Title page
2 Project specification/proposal
3 Declaration/cover sheet
4 Acknowledgements
5 Abstract
6 Introduction
7 Methodology
8 Literature review
9 Software development and game development lifecycles
10 Design methodology
11 Design
12 Implementation
13 Testing
14 Evaluation/results
15 Discussion
16 Conclusions, recommendations, and future research directions
17 References
18 Appendices
Producing a table of contents
Producing a mind map of your dissertation structure
Summary
References
6. Research Methodologies and Methods
Research methodologies and methods
What is a research methodology?
Qualitative and quantitative research
Epistemology and research methods
Utilising mixed-methods research
Using research methods
Questionnaires
Interviews
Focus groups
Researching in the "new norm"
Summary
References
7. Formulating Research Questions
Choose a topic that interests you
Keep your dissertation title focused
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Consider the wider implications of your research topic
Why is your subject area worthy of investigation?
Identifying your research questions
Identification of research questions summary
Distinguishing between research aims and objectives
Example research aims
The importance of the literature review
When do know your research questions have been addressed?
Summary
Reference
Further reading
8. Performing a Literature Review
What is a literature review?
Starting your literature review
What is the literature?
Different styles of literature review
Traditional literature reviews
Systematic literature reviews
Literature review and evidence
Systematic literature searches
1 Identify academic databases to search
2 Construct your list of search terms
How to review the literature
Summary
References
9. Selecting a Software or Games Development Life Cycle Methodology
Importance of choosing a development life cycle methodology
Methodology and methods
Traditional SDLCs
The waterfall model
Incremental model/iterative model
The spiral model
Agile model
GDLC methodologies
GDLC components
GDLC Example 1
GDLC Example 2
GDLCs for Agile
Summary
References
10. Selecting a Software Design Modelling Language (SDML)
What is a model?
SDML
Typical SDMLs used
SSADM
Unified modelling language (UML)
The extended entity relationship model (EER)
Flowcharts and structure charts
Rich picture diagrams
User interface design modelling
Summary
References
11. Design
High-level objectives (HLOs)
HLOs from a description (Case study)
HLOs from a literature review
HLOs using a survey
Requirements specification
Example requirements specification
Pseudocode
Example pseudocode
Game design document (GDD)
Game concept and theme
Look and feel
Genre, format, target audience, and competitor analysis
Characters (Main character/NPCs/enemies)
Level design
Pacing
Player experience
Gameplay and mechanics (Game features)
User interface design (UID) - Menus, HUD, screen flow diagram
Photo reference, research, and inspiration
Audio design
3D modelling
Animation
Concept art
Example games design documents
Summary
References
12. Implementation
Technical design document (TDD)
Hardware and software
High-level diagrams and design patterns illustrating software design
Artificial intelligence (AI)
Optimisation
Code and pseudocode
Implementation functionality
Basic functionality
Computer science dissertation example
Computer games dissertation example
Advanced/interesting functionality
Computer science dissertation example
Computer games dissertation example
Version control/source control
Apple Play Store and Google Play
Producing a video/show reel
Demonstrations
Summary
References
13. Testing
Software testing
Games testing
Software testing techniques
Game testing techniques
Game user research/user experience (GUR/UX)
Play testing
Alpha and beta testing
Simulation demonstration
Combinatorial testing
Test flow diagrams
Test plans and test logs
Example 1: Computer science
Example 2: Computer science
Example 1: Games development
Example 2: Games development
Summary
References
14. Evaluation
Evaluation
Formative evaluation
Summative evaluation
Questions for performing an evaluation
What is to be done with information collected?
What are the appropriate forms of measurement?
What is the most appropriate experimental design?
What is an appropriate form of comparison?
What is an appropriate context?
Suggested presentation of an evaluation in a dissertation
Evaluation type
Procedure
Materials/instruments used in the study
Participants
Methodology
Results
Example evaluation: Computer science
Example evaluation: Games development
Summary
References
15. Statistical Analysis Techniques
Type of data
What kind of data will be returned?
Identifying statistical techniques
Descriptive, inferential statistical analysis, or both?
What are the dependent and independent variables?
Does the DV determine parametric or non-parametric?
What is the sample design?
Common techniques
Recommended software
Qualitative analysis
Summary
References
16. Discussion
What a discussion chapter is
Why a discussion chapter is relevant
What should be included
How to structure a discussion chapter
Provide a synopsis of your research area
Address your research questions in turn
Refer to the literature
Provide clarity
Tense is important
Recommendations and future research
Discuss limitations
Summary
References
Further reading
17. Conclusions
The importance of conclusions
What should be included in a conclusion
Answering research questions based on findings
Key findings - Qualitative and quantitative results
Limitations of the research
Future work or future directions of the research
Things to avoid in a conclusion
Summary
18. References
Check for uniformity
Review the style of your citations
Use of external material
Works in order of author surname
Bibliography
Appendices
Summary
19. Appendices
What appendices are
Appendices are supplementary
Things to include in an appendix
Referencing an appendix in the dissertation
Summary
20. Writing Up and Proofreading
General project management tips
Assessment submissions for other courses
Working hours on the dissertation
Holidays and social occasions
Writing up tips
Proofreading
Write-up checklist
Summary
References
21. Data Collection Mechanisms
Using online questionnaires
Survey Monkey and Google Forms
Ease of use
Templates and customising
Choosing question types
Obtaining responses
Analysing responses
Summary
Reference
22. General Questionnaire Design
What a questionnaire is
Who is the questionnaire aimed at?
Basic design
General tips for questionnaires
Deployment
Types of questions
Open-ended questions
Closed-ended questions
Scaled responses
Reporting simple results
Reporting dichotomies
Reporting multiple-choice responses
Reporting matrix questions
Reporting numerical related questions
Reporting open-ended questions
Academic rigour in questionnaires
Using a motivational taxonomy
Using Kolb's experiential learning cycle and learning models
Using taxonomies and categorisations for general structuring of questions
Summary
References
23. Basic Intervention Experimental Design
What experimental design is
Defining your variables and a hypothesis
Sampling strategy
Basic experimental design
Within-subjects design
Between-subjects design
More than two groups
Basic application reporting
Parametric equivalent with two conditions
Non-parametric equivalent with two conditions
More than two conditions
Summary
References
24. General Academic Writing Tips
Academic writing
How to write academically
Academic phrases used in academic writing
Academic writing tips
Summary
References
25. Presenting Research
Presenting - A student nightmare
Doing the groundwork
Preparing for the presentation
First slide
Second slide
Introduction slide
Literature review slides
Design slides
Implementation slides
Testing slides
Evaluation slides
Conclusion slide
Future work/recommendations/limitations slide
Demonstration
Presenting in the pandemic
Questions slide
During the presentation
Presentation questions
Summary
26. Defending Research
Defending and justifying
Making best use of your supervisory meetings
The supervisory relationship
Prepare for supervisory meetings
Addressing questions from your supervisor
Reflection and defending your research
Useful reflective tips
Summary
Reference
27. Summary
Getting started!
Engage in the literature
Completing your project specification/proposal
All things ethical
Keep in touch with your supervisor
Organisation, time management, and planning
Getting the balance right
Write in stages - Perseverance is key
Draft, revise, and proofread
Autonomous learning
What happens if things go wrong?
Final piece of advice
Index