Ethical approval
Session outline
Module overview
Blackboard site: LBPG5017-2018-X
Research skills support sessions
Dissertation pro forma
Overview of the dissertation/ process
Blackboard site: LBPG5017-2018-X
Module handbook
Key dates and deadlines
Forms and additional info/ links
End May – beginning of Sept (~ 15 weeks)
Submission date: 6th September 2018 (Thursday)
Electronic submission only; 11.59pm
12,000 – 15,000 words in total
Necessary paperwork to support submission
Aims of the dissertation
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
Criteria
A specific business topic that reflects your programme specialisation
A small, feasible study; realistic and manageable
Collect and analyse (primary) data
A dissertation which uses secondary sources only, may be acceptable where there is a tradition of such research, e.g. in Finance and Economics.
Conducting a literature review ≠ documentary analysis/ secondary data.
A submission that is merely an extended literature review would not meet the Dissertation requirements.
Properly referenced and cited using the Harvard system
Activity 1
Go to https://answergarden.ch/562984
What skills do you think are required to conduct research/ complete a dissertation?
Roles and Responsibilities
You (the student)
Read and assimilate the dissertation module guide
If necessary, ask your supervisor/ module leader to clarify any aspects which you don’t understand
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
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
Meet with supervisor at least 3 times
Documentary evidence of meetings needs to be submitted
Agree a meeting strategy/ schedule at first meeting
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
You (the student)
Ensure that you meet all milestone deadlines
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 a draft Literature Review chapter
Complete and submit the required Research Ethics Approval Form and adhere to the relevant Code of Practice
Submit written drafts of chapters and research instruments (questionnaires etc) that you wish to gain advice and feedback on in a timely and presentable fashion
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.
The supervisor
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);
Advise and agree Ethics Approval application
Ethics has to be approved by the supervisor AND module leader BEFORE you collect any data
Critically review and provide written feedback for your Literature Review Chapter.
To preserve the independence and integrity of the dissertation, supervisors will review a draft work ONCE only).
With prior agreement, advise on draft sections provided to them in good time;
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.
The module leader
Provide appropriate module learning materials;
facilitating the introductory workshop;
allocating supervisors and second markers;
supporting supervisors, second markers and programme leaders;
ensuring that the assessment is completed on time;
liaising with the External Examiner;
undertaking quality assurance activities;
supporting you when you need me.
In essence
The dissertation is an opportunity for you to work independently on a task
The supervisor (and module leader) are there to advise, guide and support
Not write the dissertation for you
You need to be proactive, self-motivated
Make a list of tasks you need to do and when you need to do them by (Research project schedule)
Agree it with your supervisor
Turn up for meetings (on time), do the work, report on progress (or if having difficulties)
Key dates, deadlines and milestones
| WEEK | ACTIVITY | DEADLINE | SUBMISSION METHOD |
| Week 23 | Topic Proposal Form | Recommended submission by 9/3/18 | Turnitin |
| Week 35 | Workshop session on Literature review | ||
| Week 36 | Topic Agreement Form | Recommended submission by 8/6/18 | Turnitin |
| Week 39 | Draft Literature Review due | Recommended submission by 29/6/18 | Turnitin |
| Week 40 | Ethics Approval Form due | Recommended submission by 6/7/18 | Turnitin |
| Week 41 | Workshop session on analysing qualitative data | ||
| Week 42 | Workshop session on analysing quantitative data | ||
| Week 46 | Workshop session on writing up | ||
| Week 49 | Final Dissertation due | 6/9/2018; 2359hrs | Turnitin |
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6
Milestone 1
Dissertation Topic Proposal Form (2 pages)
Up to three topics/ titles
Up to five relevant keywords
Identify key influential articles, authors, theories
Which modules your proposed topic(s) draw upon
Best not to have widely differing topics
Finance
Entrepreneurship
Marketing
MUST BE programme-related
Suitable supervisor allocated
Choosing a topic/ shortlisting
Topic proposed in research methodology assignment (LBPG5018)
A completely new topic
Review of literature
Methodology
Time, scope, feasibility of execution
Exercise that might help
Feedback from RM assignment
Personal SWOT analysis
Personal reflection
Activity 2
Brainstorming task (10 mins)
Take out a sheet of paper
| Strengths What did you do well in your assignment? What streams of literature do you have a strong knowledge of? Are there any particular research methods and data analysis skills are you good at/ comfortable with? | Weaknesses What areas in your assignment do you need to improve? Are there any research methods you are not comfortable using/ don’t think you have adequate skills in? Do you have time/ resources to improve those skills? |
| Opportunities Do you have access to a fieldwork/ research site? Do you have contacts that you can mobilise for access? Have you already read widely around the topic and know what you would like to focus your dissertation on? | Threats Are you still unsure about what topic you might undertake for your dissertation? Have you set aside enough time for all the stages of the dissertation process? Illness/ computer issues/ research & writing skills |
Week 35/36
Week 23
Week 31/32
Identify your general area of interest/ review your research proposal
Brainstorm topics that are of particular interest to you
Identify specific ideas for investigation
Identify key words associated with the specific topic/ idea
Complete Topic Proposal Form
Make notes, read, develop ideas
Discuss with supervisor
Update original idea with informed reading and supervisor’s advice
Identify aim and objectives of study and suitable research question(s)
Complete Topic Agreement Form
Gaining and improving relevant skills
Library
Business subject guide
http://libguides.library.dmu.ac.uk/lg/bal
Maths Learning Centre
Help with SPSS and statistics
Learning and study support
Centre for Learning and Study Support (CLaSS) http://libguides.library.dmu.ac.uk/class/
One-to-one tutorial, writing workshops, guides and resources
Upcoming CLaSS workshops (From 1st March 2018)
| Session | Date |
| Planning and structuring your literature review | 5th March |
| Researching your dissertation | 6th March |
| Writing about qualitative research | 6th March |
| Writing your methodology | 9th March |
Dissertation skills support sessions
Workshops scheduled during dissertation phase
Sessions will cover:
Literature review
Quantitative data analysis
Qualitative data analysis
Writing up
To assist with specific stages of dissertation process
Milestone 2
Topic Agreement Form
Your responsibility to agree a topic with your supervisor
Complete Topic Agreement Form; supervisor signature required
By week 35/36; SUGGESTED DEADLINE
Upload completed form onto Blackboard
Moderate changes allowed during dissertation period; no major changes allowed
Milestone 3
Draft literature review chapter
No word limit; usually around 3000-4000 words
By week 39; SUGGESTED DEADLINE
Formative feedback; make sure you’re on the right track, identified relevant sources of literature
Milestone 4
Ethics Application Form
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.
By week 40; earlier if you wish to start data collection sooner
Complete form (signed by student AND supervisor) upload onto Blackboard Signed off by Designated Officer Receive e-mail notification of approval Commence data collection
CANNOT COMMENCE DATA COLLECTION WITHOUT FIRST RECEIVING ETHICAL APPROVAL
Questionnaires
Interviews
Observations
Exceptions: Dissertations based on secondary data only (would only apply to a handful of you)
Milestone “5”
Meeting Discussion Record Forms
Requirement to submit at least 3
Electronic submission
Regular meetings with your supervisor
Create written record after each meeting, outlining/ summarising what was discussed and any agreed actions
First one to be uploaded by week 38
Milestone 6
Submit final dissertation!
Due 6th September 2018, Thursday 11.59pm
Do not leave submission to the last minute
Electronic submission only
Follow formatting guidelines set out in module handbook
Accompanying forms all already on Blackboard/ TII
Topic Agreement Form
Ethics Approval Application
Meeting Discussion Records x 3
Example dissertation topics
Flexibility in the workplace: work-life balance of female academics
Business innovation models: The development of internet-based business model in financial innovation
Cluster dynamics and knowledge spillover in two Chinese high-tech zones
Public procurement of innovation: The case of Malaysia