Dissertation 13000 words
Faculty of Business and Law
Leicester Business School
LBPG5017 Dissertation
Academic Year: 2017-2018 (Sept 2017 cohort)
Credit value: 60 credits
Module coordinator: Dr Jillian Yeow
Email: Jillian.Yeow@dmu.ac.uk
Room: HU 4.104
Advice and Feedback hours: TBA
Module Overview
|
|
Assessment 1 |
|
Type |
Other coursework |
|
Length |
12,000 – 15,000 words |
|
Weighting |
100% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contents 1 Introduction 4 2 Purposes of this guidance 5 3 The dissertation defined 5 4 The aims of the dissertation 6 5 Learning Outcomes 6 6 Programme requirements 6 7 Key dates and deadlines, extensions and deferrals 7 8 Reassessment Opportunity 8 9 Criteria for a good dissertation 9 10 The focus of your dissertation 9 10.1 Helping you to choose your focus and identifying a supervisor 9 10.2 Your final choice of topic and completing the Topic Agreement Form 9 10.3 Your Plan of Approach 10 11 Research: key aspects 11 11.1 Choice of Methodology and data collection 11 11.2 Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches 11 11.3 The Ethics form and Fieldwork 11 11.4 Fieldwork Abroad 12 11.5 Data Safekeeping and Availability 12 11.6 Enhancing Research Skills 12 11.7 Getting Started on your Research 12 11.8 Reference Material and Referencing 13 12 Expectations and Responsibilities of the Student 13 13 Expectations and Responsibilities of the Supervisor 14 14 Meetings: Supervisor/Supervisee and the Discussion Record Form 15 15 Writing up your research 15 15.1 The Dissertation Content and Sequence 15 15.2 Literature review 16 16 Dissertation: submission requirements 18 16.1 Word Length, Format and Turnitin 18 16.2 Submission Date, Extension and Deferral Requests 18 16.3 Personal Reflection 18 16.4 Compulsory appendices 18 16.5 Viva Voce 19 17 Frequently asked questions 19 18 The appendices 19 18.1 Appendix 1 20 18.2 Appendix 2 22 18.3 Appendix 3a: De Montfort University Guidelines for Ethical Research 23 18.4 Appendix 3b 24 18.5 Appendix 4: Recommended resources 25 18.6 Appendix 5 27 18.7 Appendix 6: Outline of chapter sequence and content 28 18.8 Appendix 7: Dissertation submission requirements 30 18.9 Appendix 8: Title page template 32 18.10 Appendix 9: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 33
Introduction
The aim of this module handbook is to provide guidance and support for the Dissertation and fulfils a different function from most of the other materials produced on the MSc programmes. The purpose of this handbook is not to provide knowledge, but rather to act as a resource and guide for a project that you will devise yourself. Therefore, the handbook contains details of the expectations of both you and your supervisor, details on proper presentation of the dissertation and guidance on planning the research process.
You should also refer to the materials from your research methodology module (LBPG5018), particularly in recapping any materials on the research process, including research design and specific approaches and techniques to research. The handbook is also supplemented by a range of materials and resources on the module site on Blackboard.
There are three important points to note with regards to the process of researching and writing for the Dissertation:
· The process is fundamentally different from any other element on the Masters programme. Instead of a number of small assignments, this involves one large piece of work in which the topic has to be properly sustained.
· The actual subject for the research is devised by you rather than being set by a tutor. This means that the whole learning process is largely self-initiated and controlled by you. The role of the supervisor is responsive and so depends on material generated by you. The supervisor will not tell you what to look at, what to include or what to write: they will advise, but not control the process. This, however, should be seen as a positive: it is an opportunity for you to look at an issue that really interests you and which you are able to study in some depth.
· It is important to develop a strong relationship with your supervisor. Whilst the supervisor will not direct the process, they will respond to requests for advice and guidance. They will be experienced both in writing academic pieces, but also in the supervision of dissertations. They can therefore act as an important resource and as a sounding board for ideas. There is a direct correlation between working closely with the supervisor and successfully completing a dissertation.
Purposes of this guidance
The dissertation is an element of the Masters degree which requires you to take an independent and self-structured approach to your learning. In order to complete your dissertation successfully you will be required to focus on a particular topic, carry out an investigation and write-up your findings and discussion in a 12000 – 15000 word dissertation. During your period of study you will require and learn skills such as time-management and networking with other people along with the ability to express your ideas in the form of a coherent written text.
The purpose of this guidance is to:
· Set out the technical requirements for your dissertation submission
· Advise you on the processes involved in dissertation preparation
· Provide you with reading material on research and dissertation preparation
It is intended that this guidance should facilitate your ‘research journey’, which we hope will be an interesting and beneficial learning experience for you. Therefore, you should take time to read through this guidance. If you have any questions about any of the content, you should ask your dissertation supervisor for clarification in the first instance or the module leader.
The dissertation defined
The dissertation is an extended piece of scholarship in which you have the opportunity to pursue in some depth an interest in a topic which is largely of your own choosing. This process encompasses:
· the choice of topic;
· searching and reviewing the literature related to the topic;
· the formulation of a research strategy;
· collecting and analysing data and incorporating all of these aspects in your write-up of a comprehensive and integrated text.
Your dissertation is the final written document that embodies all of these activities together with your conclusions and where appropriate, recommendations and reflection. The dissertation should embody two things:
· Focus: it should clearly state what the issue to be considered is; why it is important and then how it is going to be considered.
· Coherence: all the parts of the dissertation need to be related together into a cohesive whole. It is important to always consider the relevance of the material and how it fits in.
In addition, you need to remember that at postgraduate level a dissertation should be properly analytical and reflexive and not merely descriptive. Your dissertation is the final written document that embodies all of these activities together with your conclusions and where appropriate, recommendations and reflection.
The aims of the dissertation
The aims of the dissertation are to:
· Develop your ability to work independently on a task that requires a wide range of analytical and self-organising skills
· Give you the opportunity to deepen your knowledge of business within an international context, by investigating a topic in some depth
· Enable you to utilise and integrate your learning from your programme of study by applying aspects of your learning to a particular topic of investigation
Learning Outcomes
By completing the dissertation successfully you will demonstrate your ability to:
· Identify a research topic which is realistic and manageable
· Learn about your topic in some depth through a review of the literature and the various activities involved in the process of dissertation preparation
· Formulate a research strategy that allows your topic to be properly investigated
· Interpret and analyse ideas, concepts and data which are generated by your research
· Draw appropriate conclusions and make recommendations concerning your investigation
· Reflect upon the implications of your study for the literature and research in this area
· Manage the various elements of the research process within a set timescale
· Produce a clearly written and well-presented text which includes all the elements required for the dissertation
Programme requirements
This dissertation module is part of the following programmes:
MSc International Business and Management
MSc International Business and HRM
MSc International Business and Finance
MSc International Business and Entrepreneurship
MSc International Business and Corporate Social Responsibility
MSc International Business and Marketing
MSc Risk Management
MSc Project Management
MSc Intercultural Business Communication
Each programme has specific requirements for the dissertation. These are outlined in the relevant programme handbooks and have been drafted to ensure that you are able to deepen your programme specific specialist interest through your dissertation work. You need to ensure that programme requirements are followed when selecting your topic of interest.
As a general rule, you need to ensure that your dissertation topic reflects your Master’s specialty.
Key dates and deadlines, extensions and deferrals
Module commences: Week 19 (see Blackboard for details of Introductory workshop)
Topic Proposal Form: Recommended submission by 9th March 2018 (week 23)
Supervisor allocation: by w/c 16th April 2018 (week 29)
Topic Agreement Form: 1st June 2018 (week 35)
Draft literature review: 29th June 2018 (week 39)
Ethics Form: 6th July 2018 (week 40)
Dissertation deadline: 6th September 2018 (week 49) (11.59pm)[footnoteRef:1] [1: It is recommended that you do not wait until the last minute to submit your dissertation in order to avoid any unforeseen computer issues that might jeopardise your submission.]
Feedback and provisional mark:
Normally within 20 working days as per the DMU Assessment and Feedback Policy, if submitted on time and there are no specific problems whilst marking and moderating takes place
Viva: All students must be available and make appropriate arrangements to attend a viva, if requested. Depending on circumstances and subject to prior agreement, video conferencing or Skype may be considered as appropriate alternatives to being present on campus.
Submission deadlines are published in order to ensure equity for students and to facilitate sound administration by assessors. It is expected that such deadlines will be met at all times. Only in exceptional cases, and with the prior consent of the Dissertation Module Leader and / or Programme Leader, will extensions to deadlines be granted.
If in advance of the given submission date you consider that you need an extension of time, you must:
· Discuss the matter with your supervisor, explaining why you consider that an extension is necessary, in order to obtain his or her support. An extension will not be considered, without the support of your supervisor. Appropriate evidence must be provided to the supervisor to support any request for extensions (e.g. medical note, etc).
· Complete the appropriate Extension Application form and follow indicated procedures. An electronic version is available from the Module leader or Programme Administrator.
If you are granted an extension, the first 28 days of the extension are free, but please note that extensions beyond 28 days may incur a fee. The Programme Administrator will contact you in due course should you request an extension to confirm the outcome.
Under exceptional and documented circumstances, you may request a deferral for your dissertation. A deferral can be requested by a student if extenuating circumstances have been experienced which have prevented the student from completing a module assessment by an agreed deadline. A student should only request a deferral if a short extension is not sufficient. The Dissertation Module leader can authorise 14 day extensions, or 28 days with approval of the Head of Studies. A deferral request should be made using the relevant form which is available via the Student Advice Centre and/or Programme Administrator. Please note that relevant evidence must be included by the student with their deferral request to support the extenuating circumstances they have experienced. Should your request be successful when considered by the appropriate deferral panel, you will be given a new deadline within the next assessment period. Please note that this will delay your graduation.
If you submit your dissertation after the published deadline, without an agreed extension or deferral, your mark will be capped to a maximum of 50% (if submission is within 14 days after the published deadline), after this, the dissertation will be marked at 0%.
Reassessment Opportunity
Students are entitled to one reassessment opportunity in each module, including the dissertation. Reassessments must be completed within the maximum period of registration of the programme.
Reassessment is permitted in relation to fail marks only. The outcome of a reassessment will be given on a student’s transcript, together with the original fail mark. A reassessment outcome shall count as a minimum pass mark of 50%.
Students must take reassessments when required by the Faculty.
Criteria for a good dissertation
Your dissertation must demonstrate that it has met the following criteria:
· The focus is on a specific business topic that reflects your programme specialisation.
· The research has been undertaken in a systematic and sustained way
· There is a demonstration of originality in the application of knowledge
· An analytical and critical approach has been taken in the investigation
· Appropriate methods and techniques are applied in the enquiry
· It incorporates an understanding and evaluation of theory
· It demonstrates the implications of any findings for business and management and research
The focus of your dissertation
Helping you to choose your focus and identifying a supervisor
You need to choose a topic that is of interest to you. It might be related to your past or present work experience and one that might be beneficial to your chosen career. The topic needs to be concerned with business and reflect your programme specialty. You also need to make sure that information on the topic is likely to be available. You will be asked to list up to three indicative titles and up to 5 key words or phrases that suitably describe your topic(s) of interest in the Topic Proposal Form (Refer back to key dates and deadlines and see Appendix 1). You will also be asked to show which other modules your proposed topics draw upon so that we can find supervisors who have the relevant expertise in that area. Please note that whilst we will make every effort to match supervisors in relevant topics, this cannot always be guaranteed.
Your final choice of topic and completing the Topic Agreement Form
The dissertation must have a clear focus with definable boundaries. It is your responsibility to agree your topic with your supervisor, so ensure that you have sufficient opportunity to refine your focus. You will need to complete a Topic Agreement Form (refer back to key dates and deadlines and see Appendix 2). This has to be agreed with and signed by your supervisor. It commits you to doing a study in a particular topic area. Whilst moderate changes can be expected as your study progresses, and your knowledge of the subject increases, major topic changes will not be allowed at a later date.
Your Plan of Approach
A ‘plan of approach’ for your topic choice is given in Figure 1. This shows how you might think through your topic ideas in order to complete the Topic Agreement Form.
Figure 1: Dissertation Topic Choice: A Plan of Approach
|
Identify your general area of interest / Review your research proposal (submitted to the Research Methodology module). |
|
Brainstorm/write down topics that are of particular interest to you
|
|
Identify specific ideas for your investigation |
|
Use these to identify key words and a topic |
|
Do some reading around the topic |
|
Start making notes |
|
Discuss your ideas with your supervisor Ask further questions to deepen your research |
|
Update your original ideas with information from your reading and your supervisor’s advice
|
|
Can you identify particular sections where your research is more focused?
|
|
Within one of these can you identify? · Key topics to focus on No NoNNoo· A research question that you would like to try to answer in your research · Emerging arguments Are you in agreement with your supervisor? |
Yes
|
Complete your topic agreement form |
Research: key aspects
Choice of Methodology and data collection
Your choice of methodology and data collection methods must be agreed in advance with your supervisor. You are normally expected to carry out some primary research for your dissertation. You can achieve this for example, by designing a questionnaire to send/give to respondents; to interview managers in a business organisation and interpreting and analysing the data obtained. Exceptionally, a dissertation which uses secondary sources only may be acceptable, especially where there is a tradition of such research, e.g in Finance and Economics. However, be careful not to confuse the literature review with documentary analysis or desk research. A submission that is merely an extended literature review would not meet the Dissertation requirements.
Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches
The approach which you will use in your research will depend on a number of factors and will be heavily influenced by the research question which you set out at the beginning. A quantitative study is predominantly concerned with facts and figures and with any aspects of the investigation, which are measurable. For example if a researcher wishes to compare the extent of ‘diversity of the workforce’ in a number of business organizations this could be carried out by categorizing into male/female; age range; ethnic origin; length of service. So, the comparison would be a breakdown and analysis of measurable data. In contrast, a qualitative approach is less concerned with accurate measurement and the comparison of figures and is more concerned with the depth of information, for example, by obtaining comments and opinions from individuals. So, if a researcher wishes to carry out an investigation about ‘diversity of the workforce’, a qualitative approach might find out from particular groups of employees if they feel that they are given sufficient opportunities to participate in and contribute to the goals of the organization. The opinions and views of individuals are ‘open ended’ and open to interpretation and are not directly measurable and are not set out in the form of a set of figures.
Your research question(s) as well as your data collection and analysis skills should be key considerations when making methodological choices.
The Ethics form and Fieldwork
Your choice of methodology and data collection methods must be agreed with your supervisor. If you are collecting primary data and your proposed fieldwork involves the issuing of questionnaires and/or the carrying out of interviews you must seek agreement to such proposals from your supervisor prior to any fieldwork being carried out. All fieldwork should be managed carefully and appropriately and in accordance with DMU’s ethical guidelines (see Appendix 3a: De Montfort University Guidelines for Ethical Research). Therefore no primary data collection can take place prior to the formal completion of the ethics form (see Appendix 3b). Your dissertation may not be marked without the ethical approval process being completed.
Fieldwork Abroad
If you consider that fieldwork abroad is manageable and an important aspect of your dissertation methodology, then the arrangements must be agreed in some detail with your supervisor and receive his/her approval before you travel to that country where the fieldwork is to be carried out. Any fieldwork carried out abroad which has not been agreed with your supervisor, will not be accepted as a contribution to your dissertation.
Data Safekeeping and Availability
It is essential that all data gathered is kept safe and is protected in accordance with the ethical considerations appropriate to the study undertaken. It is also essential that should the supervisor, module, or programme leader request to view collected data, these are made available to them. Such requests will generally be related to the assessment of the work.
Enhancing Research Skills
During the dissertation, you will attend a number of lectures/ workshops that have been organised to help support the key phases of the dissertation. Attendance to these sessions is compulsory as they are designed to help you progress through your dissertation process smoothly and add to the one-to-one supervision sessions that you will have.
Getting Started on your Research
Once you have identified a possible topic, you will need to invest quite a lot of time in refining it so that you can express it in the form of a clear research question and objectives. In order to help you in this process of refining and clarifying your topic you will need to:
· Read the literature which is relevant to your topic and which examines current issues and perspectives linked to the topic
· Talk to others about your topic, including tutors who might have an interest in your particular topic
· Discuss the topic options and ideas with your supervisor
· Consider whether the topic is feasible as a research project, taking into account availability of data; time taken to collect and analyse data; costs involved in data collection; and access to organizations
· Consider whether the enquiry is realistic and manageable, given your time and other constraints
Reference Material and Referencing
A list of references on the various aspects of the research and dissertation writing process is given in Appendix 4: Recommended resources . These are provided as a guide only and during the course of your research you might also find your own references which might be helpful to you. You should discuss the literature relevant to your topic with your supervisor.
You will be expected to use the Harvard system of referencing for your dissertation. At the end of your dissertation you should provide a full list of references. This is a list of all of the books and articles that you have cited in your dissertation, ordered alphabetically by author surname. You should make use of a wide range of sources.
For further information about the conventions and formatting for different types of resources, refer to the Faculty guidance, available on Blackboard, entitled ‘Referencing in Coursework: Guide to the Harvard System of Referencing’.
Expectations and Responsibilities of the Student
It is important to realise that the dissertation is owned by you; it is topic that you have devised and which you control. This places certain responsibilities and expectations on you which may be different from the other modules you have studied. Accordingly, you are expected to:
· Read and assimilate this dissertation module guide and, if necessary, ask your tutors/supervisor to clarify any aspects which you don’t understand;
· Ensure that you meet all milestone deadlines;
· Select a topic suitable for research within the business context and be prepared to research/obtain data on that topic and to critically analyse material and draw valid and relevant conclusions;
· Complete and submit an Topic Proposal Form as fully as possible, to provide the foundation for initial and on-going discussions ;
· Complete and submit a Topic Agreement Form in consultation with your supervisor;
· Complete and submit the required Research Ethics Approval Form and adhere to the relevant Code of Practice;
· Accept responsibility for conducting a detailed review of relevant and up-to-date texts, articles and case-studies in connection with your topic;
· Take responsibility for remaining in regular contact with your supervisor throughout the dissertation process;
· Engage in effective time management, e.g. produce an outline plan showing key milestones in the dissertation process, taking into account holidays and other commitments;
· Submit written drafts of chapters and research instruments (questionnaires etc) in a timely and presentable fashion and in electronic form;
· Respond to the advice and guidance you receive. If you decide not to respond, to discuss alternative action with your supervisor;
· Advise your supervisor and/or a member of the programme team if you are having problems in progressing any aspect of your research, so that you can be given help to do so;
· Only submit your own work and comply with the university’s guidelines for sound academic writing.
Expectations and Responsibilities of the Supervisor
You are allocated a supervisor who will guide and advise you during the process of your research. In effect, a partnership is established between you and your supervisor. It is essential that you get to know your supervisor and meet with him/her on an on-going basis, throughout the period of your research. For the supervisory relationship to work well, it must be appreciated that you and your supervisor have rights and responsibilities. The supervisor is a resource for you who is there to:
· Comment constructively on the initial thoughts and ideas for your research, suggesting areas for further exploration and development;
· Advise you on how to finalise your topic and will formally agree it with you (with the Topic Agreement Form);
· Critically review and provide written feedback for your Literature Review Chapter. (NB: To preserve the independence and integrity of the dissertation, supervisors will review a draft work ONCE only).
· Advise you if there are likely to be any delays in providing feedback so that alternative arrangements can be made;
· Make you aware of any long periods of non-availability so that alternative arrangements can be made;
· Respond to all forms of communication– acknowledging receipt of communications where there may be a delay;
· With prior agreement, advise on draft sections provided to them in good time;
· When agreed in advance, comment on the structure and presentation of the final, assembled draft dissertation prior to submission. As an indication, if comment is requested on the final complete draft, this must be done at least two weeks before the final submission date;
· Act as a first marker of the completed dissertation.
Meetings: Supervisor/Supervisee and the Discussion Record Form
As already mentioned, there is a direct correlation between working closely with the supervisor and successfully completing a dissertation. There should be regular meetings with your supervisor. You should normally meet (face-to-face or can be online or on the telephone) at least three times whilst you are undertaking your dissertation. You should create a written record after each meeting with your supervisor, outlining the discussion and setting out any agreed actions. This information should be captured on a Discussion Record Form (Appendix 5). The discussion forms are also available on Blackboard. The completed forms should be kept on file by all attendees and at least three forms should submitted with your dissertation.
Writing up your research
The writing-up of your research is a process which begins when you start to think of your topic. You should have the discipline of setting out your ideas and thoughts in writing on a continual basis.
You are advised to provide your supervisor with text that you have drafted, as part of your write-up, as you progress your research. This is in order that you can incorporate any feedback into your subsequent writing. The text which you submit and the deadlines for doing so must be negotiated with your supervisor.
You will be required to formally submit your complete draft of the Literature Review Chapter, through Turnitin. Your supervisor will comment on your draft and provide feedback electronically.
Normally supervisors will only comment on form and structure of the final draft. If your supervisor agrees to comment on the content of the full final draft, you must make sure that this is presented at least two weeks before the deadline to allow time for comment, reflection and redrafting.
The Dissertation Content and Sequence
The dissertation is normally arranged in about six chapters. The chapter structure helps break the dissertation into manageable parts and ensures progression from one theme to another. How the substantive chapters are organised will depend on personal preference and the nature of the research and what you agree with your supervisor. However, you must ensure that your treatment is sufficiently analytical, integrating conceptual and empirical material. This integration may run through the body of the work or it may take place largely in an analysis chapter.
As a guide, a descriptive summary of each chapter is given in Appendix 6: Outline of chapter sequence and content .
Literature review
The purpose of a literature review is to convey clearly and concisely the value of a published body of knowledge to a reader who may not be familiar with the topic in question (see Figure 2). There are many ways in which the material may be organised. One possible sequence is as follows:
· Introduction: The introduction should identify the general topic, issue, or area of concern, thereby providing an appropriate context for the review. It might also establish the writer's reason for reviewing this particular body of work
· Main Body: The body of the review should summarise the individual pieces of work, and compare and contrast the approaches where it is merited. This can be achieved by, for example, presenting chronologically the development of the field. Alternatively a thematic approach can be used, whereby the key issues related to the topic are reviewed critically. This section should clearly focus on the topic being investigated and identify where appropriate the gaps in the literature, hence providing a justification for the proposed study.
· Conclusion: The conclusion should summarise the major contributions of the prior research, maintaining the focus that was established in the introduction. It should evaluate the current "state of the art", and explain the rationale for the focus of the study. It should clearly state the research questions that will be addressed in the study.
Figure 2 Some of the Questions the Review of the Literature can Answer
Themes
What are the key concerns, themes, ideas?
Sources
What are the key sources eg books, journals?
Problems
What are the main problems that have been studied to date?
Literature Search &
Review on your Topic
Issues
What are the major issues, debates about the topic?
Origins
What are the origins and definitions of the topic?
Structure
How is knowledge on the topic structured and organized?
Dissertation: submission requirements
Word Length, Format and Turnitin
You are required to submit a dissertation of 12000 – 15000 words. The detailed requirements, including the format of your submission, are outlined in Appendix 7: Dissertation submission requirements . The dissertation must be a complete piece and include all the compulsory appendices.
You do not need to print your dissertation, you are only required to submit an electronic copy to Turnitin via Blackboard. The electronic copy must be presented in the same way as if were printing it.
Submission Date, Extension and Deferral Requests
Please refer to Section 7 above for details of submission dates, extension and deferral requests.
Personal Reflection
The dissertation is to include a short section at the end entitled ‘Personal Reflection’. In this section you are asked to reflect on the process of researching and writing up your dissertation. You should try to explore your learning experiences during the period of your research and set out how these have contributed to your personal, academic and professional development. Please note the key aspects of this section, as follows:
· The text should be 600-800 words in length (about two sides of A4)
and is additional to the total word count for your dissertation
· The purpose is to reflect on your learning and evaluate the application
of subject knowledge and skills (theoretical & practical) to the issues studied during the period in which you have been working on your dissertation
· The text should be evaluative and self-critical as well as reflective
· It may be referenced to subject based &/or methodology literature
· The quality of this section may be critical if the overall mark achieved in
your dissertation is marginal
Compulsory appendices
In addition to your dissertation, there are several “compulsory appendices” that need to be submitted in fulfilment of the module. These are: Topic Agreement Form, Ethics Form, and a minimum of three Discussion Record Forms. These should not be included in the main dissertation file submitted, but should be uploaded in a separate area on the Blackboard site. Please note that if these appendices are missing from the final submission, you can be penalized for up to 5% of the final grade of the dissertation.
Viva Voce
In accordance with current university taught postgraduate programme regulations, the dissertation supervisor, dissertation module leader, or programme leader can request a viva of any student completing the dissertation module, LBPG5017.
The viva is an oral examination that can sometimes be requested by supervisors or second markers or module leaders (as the dissertation is examined by the supervisor and a second marker and moderated by the module leader).
A viva is normally requested when one or both examiners need some of their questions answered before they can agree a final mark for the dissertation.
Frequently asked questions
You should make a note of any questions which you wish to ask your supervisor or a tutor about your dissertation. There are a number of questions which students tend to ask each year. Typical questions, with answers, are listed in Appendix 9.
The appendices
Reference has been made throughout this guide to the attached appendices. You should take time to read through each of the appendices so that you are clear on all the requirements that are expected of you, in order to carry out your own research and to produce a dissertation.
Appendix 1
|
Tracking No: |
|
Submission date: |
|
Decision date: |
|
Allocation: |
|
Initials: |
Leicester Business School
Topic proposal form
We encourage all postgraduate students to select research topics that reflect the areas within which they wish to deepen their business knowledge.
Please use this form to indicate the area you wish to study, bearing in mind the requirements of your programme of study. We cannot guarantee that students will be supervised by their preferred supervisor.
|
Applicant |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Last Name: |
|
First Name: |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
DMU Email Address: |
|
Student no. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Programme of study: |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The research |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Indicative Titles for possible dissertation topic areas: 1. 2. 3.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
List up to 5 key words or phrases that suitably describe your dissertation topic E.g. organisational behaviour, innovation, technology, consumer behaviour, entrepreneurship, brand management. Please do not use your programme of study as keywords, i.e. NOT International Business, Management, HRM, Finance 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Identify key (seminal) journal articles and/or books that you expect to influence your work, and those authors/ contributors of theories and ideas on whose work you intend to draw upon (in Harvard Style) e.g. Mintzberg, H., & Gosling, J. (2002). Educating managers across borders. Academy of Management Learning and Education, 1, 64–76. Argyris, C. (1980). Some limitations of the case method: Experiences in a management development program. Academy of Management Review, 5, 291–298. 1. 2. 3. 4.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Indicate which modules your proposed topic(s) draw upon |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Signature of Researcher: Date: ………….…….
|
A signed copy of this form must be included in the appendix of the submitted dissertation.
|
Appendix 2
Leicester Business School
Topic agreement form
As part of your dissertation process you are required to formally agree a topic with your supervisor, so that you can effectively progress onto the next stage of your research. Please note that once you have agreed your topic with your supervisor, you may make small adjustments to reflect, for example, a sharper focus or a specific context, but you will not be allowed to change the core subject under study.
|
Applicant |
|||
|
Last Name: |
|
First Name: |
|
|
DMU Email Address: |
|
Student no. |
|
|
Programme of study: |
|
||
|
Supervisor |
|||
|
Last Name
|
First Name: |
||
|
The research |
|||
|
Indicative Title:
|
|||
|
Indicative aims and objectives:
|
|||
|
Summary of the literature/ rationale for the study (about 200 words): |
|||
|
|
|||
|
Indicative data Collection methods (about 80 words) |
|||
|
|
Signature of Researcher: Date: ………….…….
Signature of the Supervisor: .................................................................. Date: .....................
Appendix 3a: De Montfort University Guidelines for Ethical Research
Responsibilities of the Researcher
Within a framework of good governance and appropriate training, responsibility for the conduct of ethical research must ultimately lie with the researchers themselves. They will be expected to recognize the relevant ethical principles, to operate within the spirit of these principles, and be able to justify any research activity that does not accord with these principles.
Principle 1: Protection of the participants’ interests
• Gain informed consent from participants
• Protect the interests of vulnerable groups
• Assure the anonymity of participants
• Assure the confidentiality of information
• Respect the privacy or participants (and avoid undue intrusion)
• Operate with transparency (open dealing with participants)
• Provide equality of treatment
Principle 2: Compliance with the law
• Ensure data security
• Establish ownership of the data (intellectual property & copyright)
• Recognise legal (and moral) sensitivities surrounding the topic of research
• Use legally acceptable methods of research (avoiding fraud, ‘hacking’, ‘spamming’ etc.)
Principle 3: Scientific integrity and beneficence
• Demonstrate the value of conducting the research
• Have the necessary credentials (researcher qualifications and experience)
• Use an appropriate research design (with suitable strategies and methods)
• Be open and honest in dealing with colleagues and funding agencies
The form in appendix 4b may be updated in the course of the programme. Please ensure that you always use the most up-to-date electronic version available from
[http://www.dmu.ac.uk/research/ethics-and-governance/faculty-specific-procedures/business-and-law-ethics-procedures.aspx]
This can be found through the DMU website:
DMU > Ethics and Governance > Faculty Specific Procedures > Business and Law Procedures
Appendix 3b
Faculty of Business and Law
Application to Gain Ethics Approval for Research Activities
All research activity conducted by members of staff or students within the Faculty of Business and Law requires ethical approval. To gain approval a faculty specific form must be completed and submitted to the appropriate designated officer.
Students should complete this form in consultation with their supervisors.
Students should upload their completed forms to Blackboard for approval. More details about how to do so can be found on Blackboard.
The most recent version of the form can be downloaded from:
DMU website section: Ethics and Governance (Business and Law Procedures > Faculty Application Form.
Link for the form: http://www.dmu.ac.uk/research/ethics-and-governance/faculty-specific-procedures/business-and-law-ethics-procedures.aspx
Click here and then click on Faculty application form (Word Doc)
Appendix 4: Recommended resources
Furseth, I. & Everett, E.L. (2013) Doing Your Master’s Dissertation: From Start to Finish, London: Sage.
General
Anderson, V (2004) Research Methods in Human Resource Management
London, CIPD Publishing.
Bryman, A & Bell, E (2011) Business Research Methods, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
Collis, J & Hussey, R (2009) Business Research: A Practical Guide for UG and PG Students, 3rd Edition, Basingstoke, Palgrave MacMillan.
Cresswell, J. W. (2007) Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches London, Sage
Denscombe, M. (2014) The Good Research Guide for Small-scale Social Research Projects, 5th edition, Buckingham, Open University
Easterby-Smith, M (2011) Management Research, London, Sage Publications.
Eriksson, P & Kovalainen, A. (2007) Qualitative Methods in Business Research, Sage Publications.
Fisher, C. (2010) Researching and Writing a Dissertation, Prentice Hall.
Hair, J Money, A Samouel, P & Page, M ( 2007) Research Methods for Business, Wiley
Hobbs , D & Wright R. (2006) The Sage Handbook of Fieldwork, Sage Publications
Jaukowiz, A D (2000) Business Research Projects for Students, 3rd Edition, London
Oliver, P 2004 Writing Your Thesis, London, Sage Publications
Outhwaite, W. and Turner, S. ( 2007) The Sage Handbook of Social Science Methodology, Sage Publications
Phelps, R Fisher, K & Ellis, A ( 2007) Organising and Managing your research: A practical Guide for postgraduates, Sage Publications
Remenyi. D Williams, B Money, A & Swartz, E (2002) Doing Research in Business & Management: An Introduction to Process & Method, Sage Publications
Ryan, B Scapens, RW & Theobald, M (2002) Research Method & Methodology in Finance & Accounting, 2nd Edition, Thomson Learning
Rudestam, K. E. and Newton R. R. (2007) Surviving Your Dissertation: A Comprehensive Guide to Content and Process, London, Sage Publications, 2nd Edition
Partington, D (Ed) 2002 Essential Skills for Management Research, London, Sage Publications
Riley M, Wood RC, Clarke. M.A, et al, (2000) Research & Writing Dissertations in Business & Management, Thomson
Smith, M. (2003) Research Methods in Accounting, London, Sage Publications
Quinton, S. and Smallbone , T. ( 2006) Postgraduate Research in Business : A critical Guide , Sage Pub Skills Series
Yin, R.K. (2013) Case Study Research: Design and Methods, London, Sage Publications
Literature Review
Fink A. (2013) Conducting Research Literature Reviews: From the Internet to Paper, London, Sage.
Ridley D. (2012) The Literature Review: A Step-by-Step Guide for Students, Second Edition, London Sage.
Kimberlin Library Resources
Study Guides to be accessed via
http://www.library.dmu.ac.uk/Support/Guides/index.php?page=359
Study guides that may be of particular interest can include the following:
1. How to find journals and journal articles
2. How to Undertake a Literature Search and Review: for dissertations and final year projects
3. Harvard system of referencing
4. How to avoid Plagiarism and be citation wise
5. De Montfort University Guidelines for Students on Proof Reading
|
A minimum of three signed and dated copies of this form must be included in the appendix of the submitted dissertation.
|
Appendix 5
Leicester Business School
Discussion Record Form
As part of your dissertation process you are required to formally agree how your research project should progress. You are therefore required to keep a record of your discussions and meetings with your supervisor. You will be required to include a minimum of three signed and dated copies in the appendix.
|
Student |
|||
|
Last Name: |
|
First Name: |
|
|
DMU Email Address: |
|
Student no. |
|
|
Programme of study: |
|
||
|
Supervisor |
|||
|
Last Name
|
First Name: |
||
|
Brief Record of Discussion |
|||
|
|
|||
|
Actions by the student |
|||
|
|
|||
|
Supervisor comments |
|||
|
|
Signature of Researcher: Date: ………….…….
Signature of the Supervisor: ................................................................... Date: .....................
Appendix 6: Outline of chapter sequence and content
· An Abstract: The abstract summarises the whole dissertation (200-300 words, one side of A4).
· Introduction: The introductory chapter explains the background to the topic under investigation and the aims of the study. It should also set out the content of the whole dissertation by giving a brief description of the content of each chapter.
· Literature Review: This chapter provides a critical review of relevant literature. This should account for a substantial part of the overall word-count.
· Methodology: This chapter describes and explains your approach to your research and the methods you have used to generate and analyse your data. The chapter should demonstrate your awareness of different methodological approaches and research methods and justify your particular choice. It should also acknowledge any limitations or weaknesses of your research design and methods.
· Case-study: In dissertations that are based on an organizational case study, a chapter that provides relevant information about the organization and the background to the situation or issue that is being explored.
· Findings/Analysis: One or more chapters that present your data analysis and synthesize your research findings. Data analysis should be presented clearly and effectively. The primary aim of this chapter is to give an effective synthesis of the issues explored in the study.
· Discussion: This chapter reflects on the theoretical and conceptual implications of the findings. It includes a discussion of the findings that makes appropriate reference to theory and other aspects covered in the literature review. The research questions must be addressed in this chapter.
· Conclusions: This chapter should summarise the key findings of your research and assess their implications for practice and/or theory. Where appropriate, the chapter may include recommendations for action or for further research that are derived from the conclusions. This chapter should never introduce new materials.
· Reflection: A brief section in which you reflect on the process of researching your project and writing your dissertation. In this chapter you should try to identify how your experience of the dissertation process has contributed to your personal, academic and professional development.
· Reference List: All the works that you have referred to in your dissertation listed in alphabetical order. The list should be accurate, complete and in full detail. You should use the Harvard style.
· Appendices. Appendices should include material not generated by you (eg company organisation chart or material) that is important to the research but is too detailed for inclusion in the main text (which would interfere with the narrative flow of the text). Questionnaire and interview schedules and samples of raw data should be included as appendices, as should a sample of the transcripts of interviews. DO NOT use appendices simply as a way to add quantity to your dissertation. Material in the appendices does not count towards the word length required. Compulsory appendices: Topic Agreement Form, Ethics Form, a minimum of three Discussion Record Forms. Please note that if these appendices are missing from the final submission, you can be penalized for up to 5% of the final grade of the dissertation.
Appendix 7: Dissertation submission requirements
Word Length and Examination
Word Length: The dissertation will normally lie between 12,000 – 15,000 words in length. The title page, acknowledgements, table of contents, abstract, charts and tables, the personal reflection section, references and bibliography (and appendices) are not included in the word count.
· Examination of the dissertation: Following first marking by the academic supervisor, the dissertation will be marked by a second tutor. All dissertations will be made available to the External Examiners for moderation.
· All students should be available for a viva: A sample of dissertations will be selected for a viva.
· Turnitin Submission is compulsory.
Presentation
You do not need to print your dissertation, you are only required to submit an electronic copy to Turnitin via Blackboard. The electronic copy must be presented in the same way as if were printing it:
File type: preference is for an MS Word file
Paper size: set to A4 paper (210mm x 297mm). Margins shall be as follows: Left 40 mm; Other margins 20 mm. Font 11 pt Arial.
Title page: should include the following information in large type font:
· the full title of the dissertation
· the full name of the author
· the award for which the dissertation is submitted in partial completion of its requirements (MSc…)
· that the degree is awarded by De Montfort University
· the month and year of submission
Line spacing: single or 1.5 line spacing can be used in typescript. Indented quotations, tables and footnotes are conventionally single-line spaced.
Page numbering: pages should be numbered consecutively throughout the submission, including appendices, photographs, diagrams, figures, etc. Page numbers shall be located centrally at the bottom of the page and 20 mm above the edge of the page.
Chapters and sequence
The following is a suggested standard approach for structuring a dissertation.
Title, Abstract, Acknowledgements, Contents, List of Tables, List of Figures, List of Abbreviations/Acronyms
Chapter 1: Introduction – overview, rationale, context, scene setting, about you, aims, objectives, summary of chapter contents
Chapter 2: Literature Review – policy, research, published & grey ‘literature’, approach, definitions, gap in knowledge, themes, evaluative framework, justify research
Chapter 3: Methodology – reflective, process, past tense, strategy/methods, logistics, details, sampling, response rates, link to aims/question, ethics, replicability, validity
Chapter 4: Findings – systematically reporting each method or emerging themes, presenting data
Chapter 5: Analysis – review findings, link back to literature review and aims (Findings and Analysis chapters could be combined
Chapter 6: Conclusion – include recommendations, auto critique, reflect if met aims/objectives, next steps…? (no new information)
Appendices: e.g. questions/questionnaires, forms
Abstract
The abstract should state the nature and scope of the work undertaken and the findings or results of the investigation. Abstracts should:
(1) Be 200 - 300 words; be produced on one side of A4 paper in single spaced type.
(2) show the author and title of the dissertation in the form of a heading.
Appendix 8: Title page template
TITLE PAGE
DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY
LEICESTER CASTLE BUSINESS SCHOOL
[Full Title of Dissertation]
FULL NAME [and qualifications]
A dissertation submitted in part requirement for the award of
MASTER IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND (specify pathway)
or
MASTERS IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT
DATE [Month and year]
Appendix 9: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
In terms of giving weight to each of the chapters, should the Literature Review be given more emphasis in terms of word length?
There are no set rules about word length for each of the chapters. It is important to make your own judgment as to how you progress your write-up but seek advice from your supervisor as well. The literature review is an important chapter as it is in your reading that you will build up and develop your knowledge on the subject. In general, the literature review should be fairly substantial and is usually about 30% of your dissertation.
How much time do I have with my tutor?
Each tutor has allocated hours for supervision in his/her timetable. The amount of time the tutor devotes to you will depend on a number of factors and especially your commitment to the research process and your willingness to keep in touch with your tutor. It is expected that you should have regular one-to-one meetings and also communicate regularly by email. It is also expected that you should keep a record of the issues discussed during meetings.
Can I do case-study research that looks at more than one organization?
If your research is case study based, it is normally expected that you look at one company/organization in some depth and from a number of perspectives. It is possible to compare two organizations in this way but, but given your time and other constraints, this might be unrealistic.
Am I required to carry out research abroad, in another country?
No, this is not a requirement and is not essential. However, if you intend to carry out primary research, eg interviews or issuing of questionnaires in another country, this must be discussed and agreed in advance with your supervisor. Also if you intend to be abroad to collect data, you must seek authorization to leave the country from your programme leader.
Must the research be carried out only on multi-national companies?
No, you can carry out research on any company or business organization and it does not have to be a multi-national company.
Must my research be useful to the company that I am researching?
If you are researching a particular company or organization, it is making best use of your research to set out recommendations that might help to improve the ways that the company operates.
Do I need to collect primary data, for example, carry out interviews and issue questionnaires or is it OK to use secondary data only by using material such as books and the internet for my enquiry and write up?
As stated in Section 9.1, you are normally expected to carry out some primary research for your dissertation. Exceptionally, a dissertation which uses secondary sources only may be acceptable, especially where there is a tradition of such research, e.g in Finance and Economics. This is a matter for you and your supervisor to decide, depending on the topic that you choose and, for example, the personal contacts that you might have in an organization.
If I interview people or ask them to complete a questionnaire, how many should I choose for my sample?
There are no set rules for this. The sample that you choose will depend on a number of factors, including the amount of time that you have to carry out the fieldwork. The choice of sample and numbers involved must be agreed with your supervisor.
What is meant by the ‘literature review’?
Your purpose in writing the review is to convey to your reader the knowledge and ideas that have been established on the topic. The review needs to be organized and evaluative and should not just be a descriptive list of available literature.
I’m concerned that the topic I choose might already have been researched by another student. How do I check on this?
Firstly, it is possible to research a topic which is similar to a previous dissertation. However, your approach must be original, for example using a different company or a different concept. You can check on what has been researched previously by students by consulting previous dissertations which are held in the Student Advice Centre.
How do I go about choosing a topic to research?
Your choice of topic will be dependent on a number of factors: your interest in a particular aspect of business, your programme of study; the availability of information on the topic; its originality ie if little research has been carried out on it previously; and availability of access to a business organization if doing primary research. You need to think of all of these matters when making your choice. You will find it helpful to discuss your possible topic choice with your supervisor and other tutors.
|
Programme: |
MSc International Business Suite; MSc Risk Management; MSc Project Management; MSc Intercultural Business Communication |
|
Module Credit Value: |
60 |
|
Module Credit Level: |
7 |
|
Module Leader: |
Dr Jillian Yeow |
|
Acknowledgments: |
Mrs Ros Lishman, Dr Hulya Oztel |
|
Revised: |
28 September 2017 |
|
Version:
|
2.0 |