Below one can find the speculations of a former post-graduate student on his future dissertation.

Since I’m just in my first year of a post-graduate course my idea of the dissertation to be submitted in three years is rather hypothetical. Theoretically, I realize it’s to be composed of an introduction, two or three chapters, conclusion, bibliography, supplement, if necessary. Still, I can explain the basic points of my research right now.

To start with, the topic of the thesis sounds like that: “Application of Criminal Retrospection Method to Crime Investigation.” Evidently, the topic of the crime investigation methods is not new in criminalistics. Our research is supposed to contribute to this branch of law since it deals with such a topical problem as developing more reliable methods of crime investigation. Thus, the notion of “retrospection” in criminalistics and the ways of its application to crime detection will be dealt with in the research. On the surface the issue seems to be not innovative at all, but it’s not quite right. Ordinary understanding of the retrospection is enough to find “a lost pen” while we are targeting at the investigation of complicated crimes which needs profound theoretical study. Thus, our research is aimed at providing a practical worker with concrete up-to-date recommendations on retrospective analysis of crime detection.

The law is dynamic and ever-changing; as our society and community changes, the law must also change to fit the new needs and problems that arise.

Our research is supposed to begin with a survey of the literature on the problem under discussion, analysis of the latest achievements in this field, scrutiny of investigation methods to provide a theoretical basis for the research. History and the present state of the retrospection method application will be given particular emphasis to, case studies will be presented, basic rules, principles and the place of retrospection in modern criminalistics are to be defined. Case studies may become the subject of supplement attached to the main body of the research paper.

I realize the significance of the final part of any dissertation since it summarizes the results obtained, stresses the topicality of the research made, suggests the possibility for further research and practical application of theoretical assumptions.

I hope to solve all the tasks facing me as a researcher, and step by step proceed to the ultimate goal of any post-graduate – defence of the dissertation and the award of PhD degree.

This summarizing translation can be helpful for you while working on the topic “My work on the dissertation”.

1. К концу срока обучения в аспирантуре аспирант должен представить текст диссертационного исследования для обсуждения на одном из заседаний кафедры.

2. После обсуждения на кафедре, внесения необходимых изменений и исправлений работа получает рекомендацию к защите.

3. Диссертация предоставляется для рассмотрения членами соответствующего Ученого Совета и заслушивается на одном из его заседаний.

4. На защите претендент кратко излагает основные положения диссертации, цели исследования, обосновывает его актуальность и новизну, полученные результаты и возможности практического применения.

5. Все выносимые на защиту положения должны быть отражены в автореферате диссертации, который в сжатой форме представляет проделанное диссертационное исследование и рассылается за месяц до защиты.

6. После доклада соискателя выступают официальные оппоненты с критическим анализом проделанной работы.

7. Если у присутствующих есть желание выступить, они вправе это сделать.

8. Соискатель обязан ответить на все поступившие в устной или письменной форме вопросы.

9. Ход заседания записывается, чтобы позднее была возможность приобщить стенограмму заседания к документам по его защите.

10. Наконец, после соблюдения всей процедуры защиты, проходит тайное голосование членов Ученого совета относительно присуждения претенденту ученой степени кандидата наук.

Below there follows a summary of the research conducted in the field of linguistics which might serve as a model for describing your research paper. Study it carefully and pick out useful phrases.

Summary

The current paper is devoted to a problem of colloquial or informal speech which has recently moved into the foreground of both theoretical interest of the world's linguists and scholars and practical attempts of language teachers and students. Its significance and practical value in the age of mass communications are axiomatic. Yet, paradoxically many aspects of contemporary informal English (Standard Educated Colloquial/Informal English, SECE in this case) including its status and role in the system of national language (British English), its specific properties as distinct from the so-called “standard English”, according to G. Brown and other prominent colloquialists, “at an infant stage of research and investigation”. Practically underinvestigated are also the basic types of SECE, major settings and motives determining the choice of SECE in a particular communicative situation.

Finally, it's worthy to note an absolutely rudimentary stage of research in Britain and in our country into the status of SECE in modern media, including the British “quality and “popular” press and BBC radio and television broadcasting. Moreover, some pioneer attempts in this direction are sometimes assessed with a considerable share of scepticism.

It would hardly be surprising then that these and other problems relevant to the essentials of contemporary colloquial English and its functioning analyzed in the current paper may facilitate a serious approach to SECE as a sociolinguistic phenomenon worth of theoretical investigating and practical studying and the course itself be used by scholars and students of English as a kind of theoretic introduction into the topic.

Most research papers dealing with informal English published recently in Great Britain and elsewhere concentrate on specifics of SECE in a chosen field. And that is only too natural and rewarding considering an extremely complex nature of informal English and absolutely insufficient level of its investigation. Guided by these considerations the author attempts to follow a systematic approach to the problem in question (undertaken in a number of fundamental works by E. Zemskaya, Y. Skrebnev, B. Gavranek, T. van Dijk, M. Stubbs and other scholars) and tries to present a comprehensive outline of SECE as an entity, relying on an interdisciplinary approach. It is for the reader to judge, however, to what extent such an approach is justifiable and beneficial.

On the basis of analysis of some modern relevant concepts the author dares to offer his understanding of the problem. These considerations have basically predetermined the structure and make-up of the paper, offering the following parts: introductory part, three chapters, conclusions, bibliography, supplement.

The paper is tailored along the programmes of foreign language institutes and departments and may be used by students, postgraduates, teachers and scholars, by all those whose line of activity is linked to English.

The author is fully aware of the futility “to embrace unembraceable” as regards such a complex (and underinvestigated) phenomenon as contemporary colloquial or informal language, therefore the given paper on SECE may only serve as an attempt in the right direction, at best. The author would be very much indebted to any critical remark facilitating further studies of SECE.

Now speak on your research paper dwelling upon the following issues:

– composition of the dissertation;

– problems discussed in the introductory part;

– topicality and novelty of your research;

– research methods applied;

– your findings (anticipated results);

– assessment of the results obtained;

– practical application;

– possibility for further research;

– your reports, articles on the problem under research.

In Focus