Initially you should:
- Identify the area of study
- Develop a plan including for the project milestones, deliverables and development schedule
- Identify the resources needed. Following this the research and development needs to be carried out. This should be based on the techniques and knowledge gleaned from the underlying modules, together with advice from an academic supervisor.
- Finally the report should be produced describing the achievements, techniques used and analytic aspects of the Dissertation.

This is a major piece of work to be carried out on an individual basis. You are expected to highlight two separate strands during your work on the Dissertation: understanding and application. The first part will demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the subject domain. The second part will allow you to demonstrate your abilities through investigation of the problem and the application of appropriate knowledge and skills in providing solutions.

The major aim of the Dissertation is to allow you to extend and unify your understanding of multimedia / web as developed in underlying modules. The production of the Dissertation is supported by an academic supervisor, who will help you develop your ideas.

Before you start the dissertation you must write a dissertation proposal and have this approved. At the same time of completing the proposal you will also fill out an `Academic Ethical Approval' form in order that staff can check you have considered ethical aspects of the project (e.g. considered users and testing issues). You will also submit a literature review with the proposal.

The Dissertation will focus on a particular topic in the Multimedia / web field relevant to your award. This will involve a critical study of recent developments in the field and will be illustrated by a created artefact which may take the form of a software product, a design document (including rigorous specification), framework, or guidelines

Typical deliverables:
Software product - Prototype of a suitable software application, interface or tool.
Design document or specification - A suitable document to include planning, modelling, implementation and testing recommendations together with a rigorous specification.
Framework - Document detailing research into method, components / approach, tools or testing and taken to the production of a small prototype.
Guidelines - Set of recommendations based upon relevant research, developed theorem and models which have undergone some form of trial or testing process.

On starting the dissertation students will be given a handbook that details dissertation content, layout/presentation issues, and other areas such as the role of the dissertation supervisor.

None.

Software and hardware appropriate to the chosen project together with standard computing facilities.

Research papers and standard textbooks appropriate to the area of study.

A good guide for writing dissertations is -
A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations, K Turabian, 1996, University of Chicago Press, ISBN: 0226816273
Doing Your Masters Dissertation (SAGE Essential Study Skills Series), Hart, C (2005), Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd, ISBN: 0761942173

A dissertation of 15,000 words and created artefact.
100% coursework (Learning outcomes 1-4)

A dissertation read and assessed by two Academics and a viva (in addition a demonstration of the artefact will be required but in the main the viva is a presentation and an oral examination of the work written in the dissertation and any relevant background material).