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The MSc in Management Internship Thesis Guidelines

Dr Leila Alinaghian; Professor Michael Dickmann

BACKGROUND AND THE CONCEPT OF EVIDENCE-BASED MANAGEMENT THESES 2

THESIS MODULE AIM 3

THESIS MODULE INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES 3

STRUCTURE AND LENGTH OF THE THESIS 4

REFLECTIVE REPORT 10

MILESTONES AND SUBMISSION 11

THESIS OUTCOMES 13

THESIS MARKING PROCEDURE 13

ETHICS FORM (MANDATORY SUBMISSION) 14

MINUTES OF SUPERVISION MEETINGS (MANDATORY SUBMISSION) 14

NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS 15

THESIS RESTRICTION 15

PROOFREADING 15

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Background and The Concept of Evidence-based Management Theses

The thesis module represents 90 credits (40% of total credits). To complete the MSc successfully, each student must pass their thesis.

Evidence-based management is about making managerial decisions and introducing organisational practices informed by the best available scientific evidence. This approach to management mirrors what has already become a powerful movement in the fields of medicine and education. Adopting an evidence orientation for the MSc Management thesis affirms a belief that managerial decision quality is a direct function of available facts. The alternative is for managers to make decisions based upon intuition, personal preference, haphazard experience and prejudice. Regarding the thesis for the MSc in Management, two forms of evidence-based management decision-making are recognised: 1) macro and 2) micro. Macro-evidence denotes “...generalizable knowledge regarding cause-effect connections (e.g. specific goals promote higher attainment than general or vague goals) derived from scientific methods...” (Rousseau, 2005). In contrast, micro-evidence is local or organisation-specific, as exemplified by data which has been methodically collected in a particular setting to inform local decisions.

Candidates are expected to identify a management-related issue for exploration. The chosen topic must have a clear connection to management decision-making. Specifically, the thesis element of the programme provides a mechanism for candidates to learn how to apply research, and analytical methods, to inform management decisions. Given emphasis upon evidence-based management decision-making within the programme, candidates are expected to focus upon analysing empirical data that either they have collected themselves - or where appropriate or available, datasets held within the host organisation. In addition, secondary data from third-party sources may be required. Lastly, candidates are expected to draw upon the existing body of evidence to be found in peer reviewed literature. An MSc in Management thesis should normally be characterised by:

• A clearly articulated real-life management problem, the decisions that this requires and the evidence required to underpin those decisions.

• A research design comprised of critiqued empirically-based literature, verified secondary data arising from primary research, coupled with evidence gathered through the candidate’s own primary research.

• A precise writing style so that the contents of the thesis are communicated in a clear and concise manner. The judicious use of diagrams, tables, figures and the occasional usage of bullet points to help the reader to quickly assimilate the messages it contains.

• A clear and logical structure that makes plain the linkages between the research question, the evidence gathered and the management decision(s) to be made.

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The university regulations clearly indicate that the MSc thesis should represent an original investigation and not merely reporting the work of others.

Thesis Module Aim

The thesis module consists of two parts. The aim of the Part 1 (thesis) is to train students to undertake a major company-based project that is informed by an extensive literature search, evaluation, integration and application to a specified topic with organisational relevance. In addition, this gives students hands-on experience of management issues or situations and encourages them to explore managerial challenges in-depth and to develop valuable insights and/or recommendations. Overall, Part 1 aims to demonstrate an ability to research a management area, to apply management knowledge, skills, and analytical abilities to real-world problems, and to critically synthesise the facts and to develop recommendations.

Towards the end of the internship or after completing the internship the student engages in Part 2 of the thesis. This section concentrates on reflective learning and includes individual self-reflection. This is an individual part that is not expected to be shared with the firm. Part 2 aims to demonstrate an ability to reflect on the student’s own progress and to develop ideas how to improve the student’s personal skills, abilities and management insights. In addition, students have the chance to improve their career planning.

Thesis Module Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, a student should be able to:

• Critically evaluate data and information. • Choose wisely and apply skilfully, analytical tools and techniques to solve management

problems. • Make informed decisions i.e. evidenced-based decision making. • Write concisely, informatively and persuasively so that reports achieve their intended

effect. • Design and reflect on one’s learning and activities over the time of the internship and

the refinement of career plans.

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Structure and Length of the Thesis

There is no formally prescribed structure for the thesis. However, all thesis should follow a basic progression from Research Question and Objectives to Analysis followed by Conclusions. Most theses will have a structure similar to that outlined below. The chapters of the thesis will be closely related to the sections, although one section might be covered by more than one chapter. However, the list below should NOT be regarded as more than a suggested sequence of steps to be followed. Thesis supervisors may have different views on the best structure for a given thesis and their advice should be followed since they are not only experienced researchers and research report writers themselves, they know what is acceptable to Cranfield University and will advise candidates accordingly.

The length of a typical thesis is 7000 words (+10% tolerance) including executive summary (abstract) tables and figures. The word count excludes acknowledgement, references and appendices. The word count should appear on the thesis coversheet at the top right-hand corner. Please ensure that you edit your work properly after writing to ensure it conforms to the word limit. Theses not conforming to the following requirements may be rejected.

Executive Summary (≈300 words)

The Executive Summary should provide a comprehensive summary or synopsis of the thesis journey. It should begin by highlighting the key management decisions that the work has been designed to inform. The Executive Summary should be written in such a way as to entice management into reading the main body of the report where there should be no surprises. It should give a terse account of each of the following:

• Background to the management decisions to be made • Key management decisions to be made, and management questions addressed • A review of the existing evidence base • Research design and principal methods employed • Results and findings • Discussion of managerial implications and recommendations • Limitations of the work and further research

Acknowledgements (≈200 words)

In this section, candidates generally record their gratitude for any assistance obtained from individuals, either in the conducting of the research or the write-up the report. This might include, for example, the supervisor, other academics, library, technical and/or administrative personnel. Candidates may also acknowledge support from experts based in other institutions, funding bodies and/or persons who have helped finance their study.

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Introduction (≈ 1000 words)

The introduction typically comprises the following elements:

Background to the management decisions to be made: Typically, the starting point should be a brief description of the company/organisation, including the nature of its business or purpose. This should be followed by an account of the business/management issue or problem that is driving the proposed research. Specifically, mention should be made of decisions management want to make and the gaps in knowledge and/or understanding that have given rise to the need for the study. By highlighting areas where there are gaps in knowledge about the subject area in the introduction chapter, the writer can connect the opening chapter to the review of evidence that follows in Chapter 2.

Key management decisions to be made and management questions addressed: The earlier background should be translated into a specific aim and 3-6 related objectives. The research aim and objectives are indicative of the scope and deliverables of the thesis. This aspect of the thesis sets the boundaries of the research and the expectations for the reader with regard to what is being researched.

The chief purpose of the research may be stated in the form of an aim or question. For instance, suppose that a company has identified a possible location for a new manufacturing facility. In addition to taking into account the usual economic, production and supply chain issues, the company wants to act in a socially responsible way and consider what is in the best interests of the local community, as well as its stockholders, when making its decision. It might design a research brief with the following overall aim:

To determine what benefits and disadvantages could the local community experience if the new manufacturing facility was located within it.

The same purpose of the study could easily be expressed as a research question.

What benefits and disadvantages could the local community experience if the new manufacturing facility was located within it?

Whether expressed as an aim or a question, the statement of the overall purpose of the research is strategic. It cannot be achieved directly but has to be broken down into a series of specific tasks – i.e. objectives- which are connected; and when all of these are achieved then the overall purpose is achieved. An objective is a definite target, something concrete, to be achieved within a specified timescale. Again, the researcher can choose which of the two formats –statement or question- best suits his/her purposes. The formulation of objectives will help to 1) focus the study (narrowing it down to essentials), 2) avoid the collection of data which are not strictly necessary for understanding and solving the management problem; and 3) organise the study in clearly defined parts or phases.

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So, for example, the assessment of benefits and disadvantages to a local community if a new manufacturing facility was located within it might have objectives like:

• To determine whether the local population has the necessary skills to take advantage of the employment opportunities that the project would create.

• To establish whether the production facility would place undue stress on the existing transport infrastructure or encourage investment –by third parties- in developing the local infrastructure.

• To evaluate the economic and social-benefit cases for a manufacturing plant that recaptures and recycles wastes created in the production process.

The candidate should briefly explain how each objective contributes to the overall research aim or question.

Lastly, most introductions contain an outline of the chapters or sections of the thesis or theses. This should not simply be a listing of chapters or sections. Such a listing will already be displayed in the contents page of the document. Rather, the outline given here should explain the logic that underpins the sequencing of the contents of thesis.

Literature Review (The Review of The Existing Evidence Base) (≈ 1500 – 2000 words)

Reviewing existing evidence involves a critical account of the extant body of knowledge produced by scholars and practitioners that is significant to the investigation that the candidate is carrying out. Specifically, this section should include a summary of the main findings, from the extant evidence, in relation to the study’s aim and objectives. This should also include an account of the gaps in knowledge that remain and need to be filled before the research objectives can be fully addressed. Candidates will also have noted the methodologies used in creating the body of evidence and would want to consider the appropriateness of these for their own study.

At Masters level it is not sufficient for candidates to list or describe the evidence gathered from published sources. Candidates must evaluate or critique that evidence. This involves questioning the information and conclusions within a piece of would-be evidence and presenting an evaluation –negative and/or positive- of the material. Evaluating requires an understanding of not just the content of the text, but also an understanding of a text’s purpose, the intended audience and why it is structured the way it is.

In reporting the available evidence, candidates should be careful to distinguish between, and prioritise, the following types of evidence:

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• Academic publications containing empirical research: Priority should be given to this form of evidence. As far as is practical, candidates should focus on academic journals with 3 or 4 stars1.

• Academic publications in form of systematic literature reviews: Systematic reviews often involve re-examining and synthesising the results of empirical studies. Where related to the management problem in view, these are accorded the same priority as the previous category of evidence.

• Practice reports: There are several evidence-based business research and consulting companies who publish empirically based management information e.g. McKinsey, Millward Brown, Ipsos Mori.

• Governments publications and reports: Many government departments, NGOs, pressure groups and international agencies conduct research and publish their findings. These can provide a useful source of information, depending on the field of study. Care must be taken over the quality of data in terms who conducted the study, when it was conducted, the methods used, precisely what questions were asked, the units of measurements used and modes of analysis applied.

• Grey literature (i.e. literature not formally published in the usual publishing format such as text books or journals): These can be used but with great care over their validity and reliability. Normally such forms of evidence would only constitute a small percentage of the total. The types of evidence, previously mentioned, would form the larger body of knowledge gathered in this review of extant evidence.

Methodology (Research Design and Principal Methods Employed) (≈ 1000 words)

Candidates must state clearly how they carried out their empirical study. There should also be an account of alternative approaches considered with explanation of the reasons underpinning the chosen methods (see Figure 1 below as an aide memoir), include any software used. The account of the research design should include a description and justification of:

• Methods of data collection • Sampling methods • Methods of data analysis • Checks for reliability and validity • Ethical considerations arising out of the research design and how these have been

managed.

1These are the journals widely considered to be of the highest rigour and quality. A list of journals, and their ratings may be obtained from MIRC.

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Figure 1 – The Research Onion

It is recommended that candidates should present their research design in the form of a flow diagram that depicts both the sequencing of methods and activities and purposes of these methods and activities. The diagram should quickly convey to the reader what was done and why. The researcher can then develop the discussion of the methodology around this graphic, keeping the account brief but informative.

When deciding upon the methodology, candidates are advised to consider each of their research objectives individually. It may not be possible to achieve all of the objectives with a single methodological approach. Moreover, one, or more, of those objectives, may have been wholly met from the extant evidence reviewed. The student needs to ensure that all data gathering and analysis procedures are transparent; a good thesis should offer the possibility of replication such that, if the same steps were carried out again, the same results would be obtained.

Results (≈ 1000 words)

The results chapter simply reports the facts revealed by the research. To keep this section to a reasonable length, extensive use should be made of tables, graphs, figures, and other visual modes of communication that will, later, support the researcher’s findings. Verbatim quotes from interviews or open-ended question responses may also be used.

It should be borne in mind that this chapter simply reports facts. Opinions and other forms of judgement and interpretation are for later sections of the thesis. In short, candidates should keep separate ‘What they found out’ (results) and ‘What judgements they have made as a consequence of what they have found out’ (discussion and conclusions).

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Results have to be structured in a clear and logical manner. To this end, it is recommended that candidates structure their results in one of two ways:

• Tie the findings to the research objectives/questions; following the order in which these were presented in the opening chapter, or

• Report the findings according to themes.

Discussion of Managerial Implications and Recommendations (≈ 1500 – 2000 words)

This section should show (1) the extent to which the findings fulfil the aim and objectives explained in the introduction, (2) the practical business/managerial implications of the findings, and (3), the author’s recommendations. Specifically, the candidates need to discuss not only what their findings show but why they show this, using evidence from both their own and previous research to back up the explanations given. To score well, candidates must use this chapter to demonstrate the degree of insight they have brought to bear when translating the results into conclusions.

To achieve clarity and consistency, candidates should structure this chapter in the same way that they chose to organise the results chapter i.e. either by objectives/research questions or themes. The conclusions should include answers to the following:

• Did the study meet the research objectives/questions? • Are there any recommendations based on the conclusions draw? • Are there any overall conclusions about the research process itself? • What management decisions can now be made on the basis of the evidence

compiled in the undertaking of this thesis?

Limitations of the Work and Further Research (≈ 500 words)

An account of any limitations of the work should be given. This should include the reasons underlying those limitations and, most importantly, their implications for management decision making. It is also expected that candidates will highlight future areas for research of which they have become aware in the course of conducting their own study. The mere listing of possible future, related, topics will attract modest marks. Where candidates outline the managerial implications, of the proposed research, and specify its aim, objectives and, possibly, the appropriate methodology, will be rewarded with higher marks.

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Reflective Report

The reflective report has to be submitted separately from a Thesis. The word limit is 3,000 words. The reflective report should consider the candidate’s learning during the internship and how this relates to some of the theories and ideas they have studied during the year in the Masters in Management course. A reflective review report is not therefore a purely theoretical consideration of what the candidates have learnt during the internship but how that learning relates to the taught programme. In that sense it should contain references within the literature. Importantly at Masters level, reflections should critique the existing ideas or apply them to candidates own context. In particular, in this part, students are expected to:

Provide a background to internship experience • Present a clear description of the internship experience. The description could be

based on a number of critical incidents that took place during the internship period.

Indicate critical thinking and reflective learning • Demonstrate examination of the learning process, showing what learning occurred,

how learning occurred, and how newly acquired knowledge or learning altered existing knowledge.

Examine and analyse the career implications of the in-company learning • Provide evidence of use of learning to examine, evaluate and plan for new actions or

responses beyond the internship experience in future managerial careers.

For more guidance on how to write a reflective review please visit:

• https://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/studyadvice/StudyResources/Practicebasedle arning/sta-reflectivewriting.aspx

• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17851352

You can also find resources for reflective report writing on internship thesis Blackboard page.

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Milestones and Submission

There are several stages to the successful conclusion of the thesis (see Table 1). Each of these stages is discussed next. This includes a brief description of the submission, when it is due and how each milestone is assessed.

Table 1 – Milestones

Stage Word Count Submission Date

1. Research topic identification (articulation of management problem and thesis aim and objectives) It is dependent upon reaching an agreement between the student, company and thesis supervisor. To be submitted to the thesis supervisor.

N/A Within first two weeks of internship commencement

2. First Review Report (Scoping study mapping out required literature domains and methodology) to be submitted to the thesis supervisor. The Thesis Supervisor will review and provide feedback.

3,500–4,000 words

Within six to eight weeks of internship commencement (to be agreed between the student and supervisor).

3. An electronic copy of the reflective report to be uploaded to Blackboard.

3,000 words

6 November 2020 3. An electronic copy of Thesis to be uploaded to Blackboard.

7,000 words

Stage 1: Identifying Theses Topics

The candidate is responsible for defining the topic of the study but this should be formulated based on the initial project scope and in consultation with the organisation providing his/her internship (company supervisor). The proposed study must also meet with the approval of the academic supervisor appointed by Cranfield University.

The intention is that, where possible, the internship and the thesis are closely linked. However, where internship activities cannot provide a foundation for the thesis, a generic topic in relation to placement unit can be determined by the students and their supervisors. The collaboration between the candidate, company and academic supervisors is intended to ensure that the results of the research help the host organisation to make evidence-based decisions about a contemporary management problem and that the candidate is able to meet the requirements to be awarded the Masters in Management degree by Cranfield University. Specifically, in defining the topic, the following criteria should be considered:

• Interest to the candidate

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• Interest to the organisation with which the candidate will have his/her internship • A specifiable, and substantive, management decision, or set of decisions, that the

research would underpin by providing reliable evidence. • Availability of secondary data and/or feasibility of primary data collection • Achievability within the time-frame

The topic and scope should be agreed, at the latest, within the first two weeks of internship commencement.

Stage 2: First Review Report

Within six to eight weeks of commencing the internship, the student should submit a 3,500 - 4,000 words First Review document to her/his thesis supervisor. This document will serve as a scoping study mapping the required literature and methodology. A written feedback will be provided. The document should contain:

• The research aim, i.e. the specification of the management decision(s) that the investigation is intended to underpin.

• The research objectives, i.e. the operational goals which when collectively realised result in the achievement of the overall research aim. In addition to stating the objectives, candidates should explain how each will contribute towards the management decision(s) the study is designed to underpin.

• The scoping study i.e. a mapping of the key concepts underpinning a research topic and the main sources and types of evidence available in the literature.

• Research methods i.e. an outline of the main research methods including data collection and analysis under consideration by the candidate.

It is envisaged that this document would subsequently be the basis of the first three chapters of the thesis.

Stage 3: Final Submission

During the period between the First Review Paper and feedback and the final submission date, each student will be expected to complete his/her full thesis. Subsequent chapters will cover fieldwork, data analysis, a discussion of results, recommendations and conclusions. Additionally, each student is expected to complete the reflective report during this period.

The thesis process represents a substantial volume of work when candidates will be working largely on their own, supported by the supervisor.

The final submission including the 7,000-word thesis and along with 3000-word reflective report as a separate document should be submitted electronically (Turnitin) by 2pm on 6 November 2020.

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Thesis Outcomes

The assessment consists of two independent parts: 1) thesis carries 70% of the overall mark and 2) reflective report carries 30% of the overall mark. Each part must be passed with a mark of ≥50%.

The possible outcomes of examination (recommendation) of a Master’s thesis are:

• Outright pass • Pass subject to corrections • Revise and Represent (R&R) • Outright Fail

Most of theses which receive a score of 50% or higher should receive an outright pass.

A thesis would be referred for corrections where it contains one or more clear deficiency which means an outright pass cannot be awarded, but where the overall quality of the thesis would otherwise merit the award of a pass mark (≥50%). The board of examiners may approve a pass mark subject to corrections to the thesis, to be made by the student before that mark can be confirmed. The board of examiners will provide a ‘Statement of Corrections’. Failure to submit the corrections by the specified deadline will result in the failure of the thesis and overall award.

Students whose theses are not of sufficient quality to merit a pass (either outright or subject to corrections) would be offered an opportunity to revise and represent their theses for re- examination where the deficiencies could be addressed through further work. Examiners should provide a written ‘Statement of Deficiencies’ for the student, with the second opportunity assessed in line with this Statement and the final mark capped at 50%.

A student may also be given an outright fail for a submitted thesis which scores a mark of <40% if the examiners do not feel the student will be able to achieve the pass mark for the thesis, or where the research underpinning the thesis is irredeemable. Failure to submit on the second attempt would normally mean you would fail the award.

Further information can be found in the Handbook on Assessment Rules.

Thesis Marking Procedure

The assessment process consists of the supervisor marking the thesis. In parallel to this, the thesis will also be marked by a second marker. Where marks of the two markers are within 10%, it is normal to take the average mark and agree a recommendation (i.e. Outright pass,

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Pass subject to corrections, Revise and represent or Fail). Where the marks are more than 10% apart, the following actions can be taken:

• Two markers agree a mark and recommendation – this does not have to be the average but an agreed mark

• If the two markers cannot agree a mark and/or recommendation then this should be given to a third internal marker or the External Examiner. In the case of a potential Revise and represent (R&R) this should always go to the External Examiner.

Ethics Form (Mandatory Submission)

To ensure our research conforms with appropriate ethical principles and standards, all students undertaking research as part of their studies need to submit their research proposals for ethical approval through the University's online research ethics approval system (CURES).

Ethical approval cannot be granted retrospectively. You are required to submit your Research Ethics Form within first four weeks of your internship commencement.

Please use the link below for further information on the importance of research ethics and how to submit your proposal https://intranet.cranfield.ac.uk/researchethics/Pages/default.aspx A short video has been produced to guide you through the application process which you should view before commencing your application https://intranet.cranfield.ac.uk/researchethics/Pages/Gaining-ethical-approval.aspx

Minutes of Supervision Meetings (Mandatory Submission)

Evidence of monthly meetings with academic thesis supervisors is required. Supervision meetings (including Skype meetings) must be minuted by the students. Students’ progress will be monitored through these minutes.

Meeting notes should be completed electronically and emailed to [email protected] with one week of your meeting with your supervisor using the template provided on Black board.

• Students MUST copy their Supervisors into the email being sent. • The email MUST have in the subject line the prescribed format as follows, Student

number - Family name – initial - date (year-month-day format). For Example - 012345 Smith, J. 04-05-17.

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Non-Disclosure Agreements

Candidates involved in internship-based research may be asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) between the student, the company concerned and the University. A copy of a standard non-disclosure agreement is available from Hannah Piazza and we propose that you suggest this to your sponsoring company in the first instance. You should look to have the NDA signed, where this is necessary, before you start your internship, i.e. before June 2020.

Thesis Restriction

Most Masters theses are ultimately stored and published in one of the university’s libraries and made available to others through the inter-library loan service. Exceptions to this are where a restriction has been placed for commercial or security reasons.

If the sponsor organisation requires access to the thesis to be restricted, you must complete the “Request for restricting access to thesis” form which will need to be signed by yourself and your Supervisor. Once completed this form needs to be emailed to your SAS Lead so that it can be processed.

Please make sure you upload to the restricted access Thesis Turnitin link.

Proofreading

Where necessary, theses should be proof-read to ensure that the English grammar and spelling contained is of an acceptable standard. There is a list of proof readers on the Blackboard module page. You will need to contact the person directly to enquire about their capacity to proof read your work. There may also be a fee involved if you use this service.