Digital Transformation and Supply chain efficiency (Dissertation)

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DEGREE: BSc (Hons) Computer Science and Digitisation Module: Dissertation

Learner declaration I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own and research sources are fully acknowledged.

Harvard Referencing: The Harvard Referencing System must be used. The Wikipedia, UKEssays.com or similar websites must not be used or referenced in your work.

___________________________________________________________ Assignment Title: Dissertation Assignment Type: Dissertation Word Limit: 15,000 words Weighting: 100% Issue Date: 29-10-2025 Submission Date: 14-01-2026 Feedback Date: 30-01-2026 Issued by: ___________________________________________________________ Plagiarism: When submitting work for assessment, students should be aware of the InterActive/Canvas guidance and regulations in concerning plagiarism. All submissions should be your own, original work. Please note that you must not submit the same assignment for two different modules within your course. You must submit an electronic copy of your work. Your submission will be electronically checked.

Student signature: Date:

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Introduction

Learning Outcomes: LO1. In-depth knowledge and critical understanding of an interdisciplinary or specialist organisation pertinent to your research enquiry in computer science

Assessment Criteria: Weighting 100%

15000 words

LO2. The ability to formulate questions and design a methodology to investigate and explore further

LO3. Theoretical concepts and expertise through critical analysis

LO4. Demonstrate a logical and appropriate approach to problem resolution by completing a research based dissertation which is at the forefront of knowledge in your subject discipline

Thesis Assignment Guidelines:

ABSTRACT

It should be approximately 200 - 400 words and serve as a concise summary of both your Introduction and Conclusion. Logically, this is the final section written after completing the entire dissertation.

INTRODUCTION (1000 words)

It must include the following elements:

1. Background & Context (~200 words)

Start by giving the reader an overview of the research area.

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Introduce the broad field (e.g., Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Data Science). Narrow it down to the specific topic you are researching. Mention why this field is important in today’s world (social, industrial, or academic relevance).

* Tip: Keep it focused—don’t write a full history of the topic, just enough to set the stage.

2. Trigger & Rationale (Why This Topic?) (~250 words)

Explain what motivated you to choose this research area.

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• Was it personal interest, career relevance, a gap in existing studies, or a currenttrend? • What problem or challenge in the real world inspired this research? • Why is it worth studying at this stage in your degree?

* Tip: Add a personal touch here. For example: “My interest in cybersecurity grew after I saw how data breaches affect small businesses, which encouraged me to explore better solutions.”

3. Research Aims & Objectives (~150 words)

Clearly state:

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Your overall aim (the big goal of the dissertation). 2–4 specific objectives (smaller steps that help achieve the aim). Optionally, include research questions to be answered.

* Example:

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Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of machine learning algorithms in detecting phishing websites. Objectives:

1. To review existing methods of phishing detection. 2. To implement and test selected machine learning models. 3. To compare their accuracy and efficiency.

4. Research Methodology Overview (~300 words)

Give a short preview of how you will conduct your research.

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State whether you are using primary data (e.g., surveys, interviews, experiments, prototypes) or secondary data (e.g., existing research, datasets, case studies). Explain why this method is appropriate for your research. Mention any tools, technologies, or frameworks (e.g., Python, MATLAB, survey software). Briefly highlight possible limitations (time, resources, access to participants). •

* Tip: Don’t go into full detail here—you will expand this in the Methodology chapter. Just give the reader an idea of your approach.

5. Dissertation Roadmap (Structure) (~100 words)

Conclude the introduction with a short summary of how the dissertation is organised.

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Chapter 1: Literature Review – critical discussion of previous research. Chapter 2: Methodology – detailed explanation of your research design. Chapter 3: Implementation & Results – practical work, findings, and outputs. Chapter 4: Analysis & Discussion – interpretation of results in relation to the literature. Conclusion – summary of contributions, limitations, and suggestions for future work.

* Tip: This section works like a map—it tells the reader what to expect in therestofthe dissertation.

* Key Points to Remember

• Use clear and simple academic language. • Keep each section focused—avoid unnecessary detail. • Connect the introduction to your research aim and the problem you are solving. • Write the introduction last (after finishing the other chapters), so it truly reflects your

work.

CHAPTERS

There are 4: One for literature review, one for methodology, one for implementation, and results, and one for analysis, and discussion. Chapters should be numbered and have a Title as well. All Chapters should also have symmetry regarding size and start from a new page.

Chapter One: Literature Review (3000 words)

Chapter 1: Literature Review (3000 words)

The literature review provides a critical overview of existing research relevant to your topic. It should not only summarise what has been published, but also evaluate and connect previous studies. In this chapter, you should:

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Use proper referencing throughout (Harvard system) to support every claim or idea that is not your own. Examine key studies, books, and academic sources that have informed your research. Compare and contrast findings, identifying areas of agreement, disagreement, and debate. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of existing work. Identify theoretical frameworks, algorithms, or methodologies used in prior studies.

• Highlight research gaps—what has not been studied, or what remains unresolved, that your dissertation will address.

* Tip: References are essential here—this chapter shows how well you understand the academic conversation around your topic. Every paragraph should normally include at least one citation.

Chapter 2: Methodology (2000 words)

This chapter should explain how you conducted your research in a transparent and logical way so that someone else could replicate it. You need to:

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Identify your research approach (qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, experimental, case study, etc.) and explain why it is suitable. Describe tools, techniques, and technologies used (e.g., programming languages, simulation environments, algorithms, datasets).

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Explain your data collection methods (e.g., surveys, interviews, coding experiments, system design). Discuss data analysis techniques (e.g., statistical analysis, model evaluation, thematic analysis). Include ethical considerations, such as informed consent, data protection, or bias.

* Tip: Be honest about limitations (e.g., time, access, resources). This shows critical thinking, not weakness.

Chapter 3: Implementation and Results (3000 words)

This chapter presents the practical work and findings of your project. It should:

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Clearly explain what you built or tested (system, algorithm, prototype, or experiment). Include technical details (architecture, coding approach, tools, testing environment) but keep explanations understandable. Present your results using visuals (charts, graphs, tables, screenshots) to make them clear.

• Compare the results with your initial objectives or expectations—did your solution meet the goals? If relevant, include raw data or outputs in appendices to avoid cluttering the main text.

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* Tip: Don’t just report results—explain what they mean and how they connect to your research aim.

Chapter 4: Analysis and Discussion (3000 words)

This chapter brings your research together by interpreting the results and showing how they fit within the wider academic and practical context. It is not just about repeating your results, but explaining what they mean.

In this chapter, you should:

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Interpret results: Go beyond describing numbers or outputs. Explain what they reveal about your research question. Compare with literature: Link your findings back to the studies, theories, and frameworks discussed in Chapter 1. Show where your work supports, challenges, or extends existing knowledge. Use references actively here. Identify patterns, discrepancies, or surprises: Discuss unexpected outcomes and provide possible reasons for them. Broader implications: Explain how your findings matter for the field of computer science (e.g., for industry, research, or practice).

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• Critical reflection: Point out the strengths and weaknesses of your work. What worked well? What didn’t? Future research: Suggest how others could continue or improve upon your work. •

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* Tip: This chapter should feel like a conversation between your results and theacademic literature. Always link back to your objectives and research questions.

CONCLUSION (1000 words)

The conclusion provides a clear and concise summary of your entire dissertation. It should not introduce new data or arguments but instead tie everything together. In this chapter, you should:

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Restate your aim and objectives: Briefly remind the reader of what you set out to do. Summarise key findings: Highlight the most important results from your analysis, showing how they answer your research questions. Connect to the literature: Explain how your work has confirmed, contradicted, or added to previous studies. Highlight contributions: State clearly what your research has contributed (e.g., a new approach, insight, or application). Acknowledge limitations: Be transparent about the boundaries of your research (e.g., sample size, scope, time). Suggest future work: Recommend directions for future research based on the gaps or challenges you identified.

* Tip: Think of the conclusion as your final opportunity to convince the reader that your work has made a valuable contribution. Keep it focused, logical, and reflective.

APPENDIX – APPENDICES

You can include more than one. They do not count towards the word limit (only the Introduction, Chapters, and Conclusion count). Here you can include elements such as questionnaire templates, legal documents, maps, statistical documents, photographs, charts, programming codes, etc. You can include those elements that if you insert them in the Chapters will alter the structure and character of the document. In other words, you can include graphs in the Chapters but not 30 of them in a sequence. Similarly, you can include and comment on parts of legislation in the Chapters but not the actual law document.

(ONLY CHAPTERS ARE NUMBERED).

Additional Information:

Reading List and Resources

Bryan Greetham (2019). How to Write Your Undergraduate Dissertation, Macmillan Study Skills. Paperback Kate Williams (2018). Planning Your Dissertation, Pocket Study Skills. Paperback – Illustrated, 20 Sept. 2018 Gary Thomas (2017). How to Do Your Research Project: A Guide for Students Paperback.

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Databases: Guides

Dissertation Guide.

Dissertation Template

UCA Harvard Referencing Guide, Vol 2.2 (Sept 2020).

Student Support

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GUIDANCE ON ASSESSMENT Allmaterials must beproperly referenced under Harvard conventions. The length required is 15000 words with tasks equally weighted. The writing style should be formal academic /

report writing style with in-text referencing to support your comments and observations. Originality, quality of argument, and good structure are required. The 4000 words should

demonstrate a sound understanding and ability to apply knowledge and theory of 7000 words. Additional marks are being awarded for juxtaposition and insight into issues.

Grading Criteria

Generic Criteria Knowledge of contexts, concepts, technologies and processes

The extent to which:

relevant contextual or theoretical issues are identified, defined and described historical or contemporary practices are identified, defined and described appropriate technologies, methods and processes are identified defined and described

90 - 100 80 - 89 70 - 79 60 - 69 50 - 59 40 - 49 30 - 39 0-29

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Understanding through application of knowledge

The degree to which research methods are demonstrated: relevant knowledge and information is compared, contrasted, manipulated, translated and interpreted knowledge and information is selected, analysed, synthesized and evaluated in order to generate creative ideas, practices, solutions, arguments or hypotheses

Exceptional ability to produce a range of creative practices and to critically evaluate them in a wider context, generating sustainable arguments and highly effective and individual results

Exceptional application of a range of research methodologies to projects and problems and hypotheses, with evidence of highly focused independent thought and some new insights into the subject

Exceptional breadth and depth of knowledge of contextual and theoretical issues, some of which are at the forefront of the discipline, and their relationship to a range of historical and contemporary practices

Exceptional knowledge of a range of relevant specialist techniques and processes

Systematic and thorough application of a range of research methodologies to projects and problems and hypotheses, with evidence of highly focused independent thought and some new insights into the subject

Outstanding ability to produce a range of creative practices and to critically evaluate them in a wider context , generating sustainable arguments and highly effective and original results

Outstanding breadth and depth of knowledge of contextual and theoretical issues, some of which are at the forefront of the discipline, and their relationship to a range of historical and contemporary practices

Extensive knowledge of a range of relevant specialist techniques and processes

Rigorous application of a range of research methodologies to projects , problems and hypotheses with evidence of highly focused independent thought and critical analysis

Strong ability to produce a range of creative practices and to critically evaluate them in a wider context, generating sustainable arguments and highly effective results

A breadth and depth of knowledge of contextual and theoretical issues, some of which are at the forefront of the discipline, and their relationship to a range of historical and contemporary practices

Significant knowledge of a range of relevant specialist techniques and processes

Confident ability to apply a range of research methodologies to projects, problems and hypotheses with clear evidence of independent thought and critical analysis

Confident knowledge of a range of relevant specialist techniques and processes

Strong ability to produce a range of creative practices and to evaluate them in a wider context , generating effective results

Confident knowledge of a range of contextual and theoretical issues, some of which are at the forefront of the discipline, and their relationship to a range of historical and contemporary practices

Sound knowledge of a range of relevant specialist techniques and processes

Sound ability to apply a range of research methodologies to projects, problems and hypotheses and to demonstrate independent thought and critical analysis

Familiar with a range of contextual and theoretical issues, at least some of which are at the forefront of the discipline, and their relationship to a range of historical and contemporary practices

Sound ability to produce arange of creative practices and to evaluate them in a wider context, generating effective results

Competent ability to produce a range of creative practices and evaluate them in a wider context to generate effective results

Familiar with a range of contextual and theoretical issues and their relationship to a range of historical and contemporary practices

Adequate knowledge of a range of relevant specialist techniques and processes

Competent ability to apply a range of research methodologies to projects, problems and hypotheses with some element of independent thought and critical analysis

Limited knowledge of a range ofrelevant specialist techniques and processes

Ability to apply a limited range of research methodologies to projects, problems and hypotheses with little evidence of independent thought or critical analysis

Limited ability to produce a range of creative practices and to evaluate them in a wider context to generate effective results

Some knowledge of a range of contextual and theoretical issues and their relationship to arange of historical and contemporary practices

Limited knowledge of contextual and theoretical issues and their relationship to a range of historical and contemporary practices

No significant knowledge of a range of relevant specialist techniques or processes No significant ability to apply research methodologies to projects, problems and hypotheses, and no evidence of independent thought or critical analysis

No significant ability to produce a range of creative practices or to evaluate them in a wider context to generate effective results

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Application of technical and professional skills

The degree to which:

appropriate materials and media are selected, tested and utilised to realise and present ideas and solutions

appropriate technologies, methods and processes are demonstrated

transferable, professional skills are effectively demonstrated

self management and independent learning are demonstrated Exceptional ability to

manage own learning in a sustained manner and to critically evaluate own progress, making use of a wide range of feedback sources

Exceptional,individual andfluentapplication ofa range of specialist practical and technical skills

Outstanding accomplishment of a range of advanced transferable and professional skills applied to complex situations and problems

Outstanding ability to manage own learning in a sustained manner and to critically evaluate own progress, making use of a wide range of feedback sources

Accomplished,original andfluentapplication ofa range of specialist practical and technical skills

Outstanding accomplishment of a range of advanced transferable and professional skills applied to complex situations and problems

Accomplished application of advanced transferable and professional skills to complex situations and problems

Very high ability to manage own learning in a sustained manner and critically evaluate own progress making effective use of feedback

Accomplished and original applicationof a range of specialist practical and technical skills

Strong ability to manage own learning in a sustained manner and to critically evaluate own progress making effective use of feedback

Confident application of advanced transferable and professional skills to challenging situations and problems

Confident and imaginative application of a range of specialist practical and technical skills

Sound application of advanced transferable and professional skills

Sound application ofa range of specialist practical and technical skills

Sound ability to manage own learning in a sustained manner and critically evaluate own progress making effective use of feedback

Competent application of advanced transferable professional skills

Competent ability to manage own learning in a sustained manner and make effective use of feedback

Competent application ofa range of specialist practical and technical skills

Limited application of advanced transferable and professional skills

Basic application of a range of specialist practical and technical skills

Basic ability to manage own learning in a sustained manner and make use of feedback

Rudimentary application of a range of specialist practical and technical skills

Ineffective application of advanced transferable and professional skills

Evidence of a basic ability to manage own learning