Dissertation enquiry!
johnathan1993
2016howtowriteadissertationpdf.pptxHow to write a great dissertation
Objectives
By the end of this lecture you will be able to:
(RE PROCESS)
Understand what the dissertation is and how you will work on it
Understand the for the dissertation marking criteria
(RE CONTENT and APPROACH)
How to think of the topic, what critical thinking is
Remind yourself what plagiarism is and understand what the consequences of plagiarism are
Understand how to reference correctly
1. THE PROCESS
What is a dissertation?
How hard is it to write one?
Will you enjoy it?
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Dissertation – WHAT IS IT?
The dissertation is a 20 credit module for all final year undergraduates
This is your opportunity to:
Study a topic of interest to you (for a long time!)
Apply your increasing academic knowledge and skills
Demonstrate independent learning and work
Work on a 1-1 basis with an academic
Dissertation…
A long essay/ literature review OR with some empirical research
Either is acceptable
You need to justify your approach
It is not too different from normal coursework except that it is longer and you are not on your own!
Case study etc.
Ensure that theoretical underpinning is used.
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Dissertation….
Is an important contribution to your degree classification
You will develop the skills of:
Information gathering
Project management
Time management
Analysis
Report writing
These are all valuable skills that employers look for
Questions:
What does a dissertation look like?
Dissertation content
Referencing
Where to find references
Where NOT to find references
How to find references
Plagiarism
Dissertation marking criteria
Final points to note
Dissertation structure
7000 words +/- 10%
This excludes tables, appendices, abstract and references
Continuous pagination
Chapters begin on a new page
Double spacing
12 font
Dissertation structure (approx. guide)
Front cover
Abstract
Contents
Acknowledgments
Dissertations may be structured in different ways but the following is a standard guide:
Introduction, scope, objectives
The literature review
Research methods
Findings
Discussion and conclusion(s)
Appendices
References
Bibliography
Supervisors
Release of contact details
If you don’t have an allocated supervisor DO NOT PANIC
There are always a few changes at the last minute as supervisors take more tutees and we move supervisors around
Supervisor/ Student contact
You have 5 meetings via Skype or face-to-face
You should direct the agenda for the meeting
(Some supervisors may set additional deadlines)
Supervisor/ Student contact
You must attend your planned meetings
You should log into Skype in good time
If you cannot attend a meeting you must let you supervisor know
Remember time differences GMT/ BST (see slide with time details on)
Do not go AWOL
YOUR responsibility
Meeting Form
For each meeting you need to:
Complete the meeting form (on canvas)
Sign and date it
Give it to SIM
YOUR responsibility
2007 marked 100 years since BST was proposed by William Willett, due to ‘wasteful’ daylight on early mornings in the winter
UK – SG time difference
Greenwich Mean Time
He noted that people were asleep when the day was light instead of being out
In WW2 Britain adopted double summer time (1 hour ahead of GMT/ BST)
There is still debate as to whether BST is a good idea
Issues include:
Scotland (would not get light until 10am without GMT)
Accidents (due to darker evenings)
Farming
GMT/BST
On 30th October 2016 at 2am the UK time will go back 1 hour (8 hours difference)
On 26th March 2017 at 2 am the UK time will go forward 1 hour (7 hours difference)
| Until Oct 30 | UK = SG – 8 hrs |
| Oct 30 – March 26 | UK = SG – 7 hrs |
| After March 26 | UK = SG – 8 hrs |
What can your supervisor do?
Comment on your ideas
Maybe suggest possible sources of reading
Advise on the overall layout
Read and discuss each chapter
What your supervisor CANNOT do:
Read a whole draft
Or read revised chapters for a 2nd time
Meet you more than 5 times
Write the dissertation for you
Edit work if you do not send it
The supervisor may not be available throughout the whole process
You need to find out when they will be away/ have other commitments and plan your work around this
Check it for plagiarism – that is YOUR responsibility
Student – supervisor relationship…
The relationship with your Dissertation supervisor is important…!
BUT It is your project – you are ultimately responsible for quality and delivery…
It is OK to “agree to disagree” with them…but listen to what they have to say/suggest to you…
They will offer dispassionate & scholarly advice…
Considerations for the 1st /2nd meeting
Read and make notes on the let’s get started document (on Canvas)
Background and importance
Aim and objectives
Literature
Research design and methods
Ethics
Risks
Timescales
Deadlines
Time Management
You should not underestimate how long it takes to write a dissertation
You should not underestimate how long it takes to carry out primary research
In particular, the final stages may take a long time due to:
Amendments
Checking of references
Proof reading (you, not your supervisor)
Timeline
Submission on 25 Jan 2017
In by 30th September
Contact your supervisor!
1st meeting – dissertation topic/ structure
Ethics form
2nd meeting – literature review
3rd meeting – methodology
4th meeting – results
5th meeting – overview
Final handing in date
Ethics Form
This is to ensure that we meet ethical guidelines and the research is carried out to high ethical standards
It is to ensure that the physical, social and psychological well being of respondents is not affected
It must be discussed with and signed by your supervisor
It must be sent uploaded to canvas by 30th September 2016
Keep a copy
Normally, business dissertations do not pose too many problems
Ethics Form
However if you wish to carry out research into areas such as:
Children and their perception of brands
Excessive alcohol consumption and marketing practices
Purchase of counterfeit goods
Use people who you know as respondents
Use the company that your work for
Wish to carry out observational research
These all present ethical issues that must be acknowledged
Dissertation requirements (Cassell 2000)
An independent piece of work
Shows detailed knowledge and understanding
Requires effective organisation and planning
Shows critical and analytical thinking
Illustrates the context of existing knowledge
Has a high standard of communication and presentation
Has an academic approach
Dissertation Marking Criteria
Clear description of the issue under investigation and a clear statement of the aim of the study
The establishment of an appropriate conceptual framework for the study
A comprehensive literature review supporting the research problem and desirable testable hypotheses
Evidence of understanding and use of appropriate methodology indicating skills in data collection and analysis
A full analysis and interpretation of the results obtained
A coherent set of conclusions and recommendations
Marking
Your supervisor will mark the dissertation
Then it is marked by a second academic (normally within the same subject group)
You will receive written feedback after the exam board
Your supervisor CANNOT give you your mark
1. CONTENT
What should it be on?
Where do you start?
What should it include to get a high mark?
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FIRST STAGES
Business Management, Marketing,
Communications areas…
Broad research topic?
Specific project aim?
Key Question(s) to be addressed?
What information do I need to assemble?
‘State of the Art’ Review
Aim/Research questions
How to scope your topic?
Type of data needed
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CC
What is the research problem?
- Start with a broad idea that you want to explore
- Then focus down…
Be specific;
Narrow the focus of your enquiry;
Define all terms carefully.
=> Need to consider existing theories, debates and general issues from the academic and professional literature. Gain/develop a sense of what has been said already - and so what needs further exploration? this helps move from the overly broad.. into a specific and manageable research project…
How to scope your topic?
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Next step = define what you mean by particular concepts… then you can develop indicators.
“A concept is an abstract summary of a particular phenomenon that is of interest to a researcher – a representation of an object or one of its properties. (…) Each scientific discipline develops its own concepts which constitute an accepted language.” (Henn et al 2009: 56)
Look at the range of definitions of the concept that other researchers have used to illuminate the problem
For many concepts, there will be different dimensions, these are important to distinguish… in order to refine your research
Avoid confusion with your concepts…
How to scope your topic?
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Source: Bryman and Bell (2007:84)
How to scope your topic?
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Useful steps (moving from the general to the specific)
Choose your topic and decide what aspects of it you wish to study. Ask: What? Who? Where? When? Why? How?
Try stating what you want to study and why in a couple of sentences
Think about every word/term and define each word/term as you feel necessary – ask yourself - what do I actually mean here??
Rewrite your sentence, taking into account all the decisions you made in step 3
How to scope your topic?
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Let’s think about a possible Dissertation… perhaps I would like to do something around…
”Understanding the Strengths and Weaknesses of Servant Leadership”.
BUT – I need a more focused research question ? How about…
A main RQ: What happens – and why - to servant leadership when it is put under extreme competitive pressure?
A Sub-RQ: How and why does SL adapt?
How to scope your topic?
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Beginning/locating this study…
What is Leadership? What is SL?
Why is it important to study SL?
Why is this very specific question important now? What is the precise problem I want to understand?
What does the literature on SL have to say?
Where are the (theoretical) gaps in our understanding of SL? Has anyone asked my question before?
Ok… so then how will I explore this question? What method to gather and analyse my data? Why have I chosen this method?
Explored via a detailed qualitative case study of SL in action in a highly competitive environment?
But which case study, where and why?
The LITERATURE REVIEW
Various sources - Online Guides
The Literature Review
Critical Thinking
Research Design
Quantitative Research
Qualitative Research
Attention to:
Plagiarism & Correct Referencing
Literature Reviews - Sources
Where to look? – working from the broad outside in towards the narrow/focused inside (case)..?
Source: Anderson (2009:100)
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Literature review - 4 stages
1. Problem formulation
What is the topic/field?
What are its components?
2. Literature Search – what is out there?
3. Literature evaluation
Which literature makes a significant contribution?
4. Analysis and interpretation of the literature
What are the findings of the pertinent literature?
How does it relate to your problem?
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Literature review – Organisation
Start at a general level and outline the main contextual feature of the topic you are enquiring into;
Provide a brief overview of the key ideas that are relevant to the topic;
Summarise and contrast the work of key writers in the field;
Narrow down to highlight the most relevant to your research and define your key concepts and their relationships
Highlight any area where your research will provide fresh insights – where are the gaps and what will you add
Finish with your main research question
Literature review - Components
Overview of subject/issue/theory
Objectives
what is its purpose in your methodology?
Division of review into categories
Those which support; those which are against; those offering an alternative understanding…
Similarities and differences
Conclusions
Best considered arguments
Most convincing arguments
Greatest contribution
Overall impact
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Literature review – a few tips
Have a look at:
http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/specific-types-of-writing/literature-review
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CRITICAL THINKING…
What is critical thinking?
Student's abilities to identify issues and assumptions, recognize important relationships, make correct inferences, evaluate evidence or authority, and deduce conclusions (Tsui (2002, p 743)
Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally. It includes the ability to engage in reflective (i.e. Questioning your own learning) and independent thinking.
How to structure an argument in a logical way (understand the logical connections between ideas)
How to evaluate different arguments (what are the strengths and weaknesses of different arguments? Which do you think is the best logical explanation and why)
How to collect and bring together evidence to support or reject an argument
Think independently (what are your ideas?). Not just accepting idea because someone with authority tells you.
It is not just about criticising other people or ideas. Critical thinking is not about being argumentative or being critical of other people... It is about evaluating strengths and weaknesses of different ideas
What is critical thinking?
How do you evaluate theories?
How logical is the argument?
What are the assumptions being made (are they realistic? useful?)
Does the conclusion follow from the argument logically?
What’s the evidence?
Thinking critically is an ability to engage with the evidence.
To consider and to evaluate the evidence (the type of evidence, the quality of evidence) from multiple and relevant competing sources.
It is also helpful to provide (or at least try to provide) plausible alternative interpretations of the evidence…
Beware of sources from Press and Internet e.g. Wikipedia...
Sources NOT to use
Wikipedia
quickMBA.com
General internet searches
Tutor2U
Essays.com
Sources TO use
Peer reviewed journals
Birmingham e-library
Birmingham databases e.g. Mintel/ EBSCO/ Proquest/ Emerald
For newspaper articles use Nexis (via e-library)
Google Scholar – add Birmingham’s library (the right one NOT Alabama!)
“State intervention is bad for business”
“Low taxation is good for foreign direct investment”
Strong patent protection is good for innovation”
Critical thinking in your literature review
Show detailed knowledge and understanding of your chosen topic
Illustrates the context of existing knowledge…what we know and what we don’t know about your chosen topic
Show critical and analytical thinking
You have to show that you have read and understood the key works in your chosen topic….the landmarks in your topic (key works and scholars… Dunning in IB, Porter, Barney or Grant in Strategy).
You need to know how these landmarks have been updated, criticised, the alternatives to them
Being critical
Critical analysis means asking yourself whether you agree with a viewpoint and if so, why?.... What is it that makes you agree or disagree?
What do other authors as well as you think are the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments or evidence
You can ensure you are analysing critically by testing out your own views against those you are reading about:
What do you think about the topic?
Then as you read each new study, does the evidence presented confirm your view, or does it provide a counter-argument that causes you to question your view?
What about the methods used to gather the evidence - are they reliable or do they have gaps or weaknesses?
Descriptive
Summarises what other people have found without saying what these findings mean for your investigation.
Usually a chronological list of who discovered what, and when.
E.g. Hymer found…; then Buckley argued so and so…; Dunning then brought it all together
Analytical
Synthesises the work and briefly passes judgement on the relative merits of research conducted in your field.
Reveals limitations or recognises the possibility of taking research further. It allows you to formulate and justify the aims for your investigation
E.g. Different authors have given very different explanations for FDI; Hymer found that ‘ownership’ advantages and based his argument on the following. Buckley emphasised a different set of factors… In contrast to Hymer , Buckley’s work identifies the following relationships as important . Dunning made a significant contribution by combining all these factors in his theory. Empirical research tends to support… All these works explain MNCs but not useful to explain SME internationalisation
Conclusion: Critical Thinking in your dissertation
You have to show scholarship…i.e. that you know the main ideas in your field
Show that you can evaluate existing scholarship (other people’s evaluation and/or yours)
But also
Develop your own ideas and opinions…Have a position and know how to make an argument
What’s your argument?
What’s the logic of your argument?
What’s the evidence for it?
Employers want ‘problem solvers’ and ‘creative thinkers’…this is your chance to put these skills into practice
RESEARCH METHODS…
Contrasting Paradigms
97% of smokers fail to give up using will power alone
It is like my whole throat is being cut off. I used to love singing, my voice is shot because of it. You realise too late that there isn’t any control. It is a power struggle. I love the feel, the smoke going down my throat, ahh!
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Relative worth and meaning vs numbers and facts
Comparing the Process
Hypothesis
Intention to Explore
Measurement
experiments
Surveys
Collect data
Observation, Interviews
documents
Generates Data Deductively
Generates Ideas and Hypotheses Inductively
Conclusions
Generalisations that lead to explanations
Patterns, themes developed for understanding
Reliability
Validity
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Quantitative Research
Qualitative Research
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Qualitative research - definition
Examines people’s words and actions in narrative or descriptive ways more closely representing the situation as experience by the participants
to produce rounded understandings on the basis of rich, contextual and detailed data
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Capture what people say and do - how they interpret the world
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Qualitative research is concerned with…
Why people behave the way they do?
How are attitudes and opinions formed?
How are people affected by events and situations?
Are there differences between social groups and cultures?
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What does health mean to people?
What reasons do they give for their behaviour?
How do these views compare with
‘professional’ views?
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Why use qualitative research?
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Feelings
Meanings
Circumstances
Some things are not easily expressed in numbers
Attitudes
Fears
Hopes
Intention
Explore not only what people do, but what it means to them
Actions
Events
Explore not only what people say they do, but what they do
Complex
Messy
Changing
Ethics
We cannot research society in a laboratory
Characteristics of Qualitative Research
Researcher is primary instrument for data collection and analysis
both the collector of relevant data and the culler of meaning from that data
data is mediated through human instrument rather than inventories, questionnaires or machines
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Sample is generally purposive
- Participants/ settings are selected for inclusion
Sample Size is small
- as many as possible to obtain a clear understanding of the problem
Saturation
- gather data until uncover no new information and previously collected data is confirmed
Those from whom you can learn the most
Characteristics of Qualitative Research
You cannot talk to everyone!
May be achieved with as few as 12 participants and probably no more than 20 (Lincoln and Guba, 1985)
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Involves particular methods of data collection
… need methods that capture language / behaviour
by watching what people do in public (observation)
by asking questions about *what they do in private or *what they feel, think, believe (interviews/ focus groups / questionnaires / scales)
Research Question drives the choice of method
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Characteristics of Qualitative Research
Method depends on information needed, from whom and under what circumstances
Chose the most suitable methods based on:
The question being addressed
Time, resources and skills available
Population under investigation
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Qualitative data analysis
Process of making sense out of one’s data
Non-statistical analytical operation
Examines meaning of people’s word and actions (linguistic, visual)
STEPS:
Organise data and familiarise yourself with the transcripts
Code the interviews
Categorise Data
Look for themes and relationships
Explore themes and explanations
Apply to existing theory or evidence
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Non numerical
Writing Up Analysis
Presented as a written discussion
Use emergent themes and categories to structure results section of report
Describe key themes that emerged from data and use verbatim quotes of what participants said or did to substantiate and clarify these patterns
Can use images, diagrams, flow charts
Can combine results and discussion = outcomes section
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Strengths of Qualitative Research
gives you a picture of what life is really like
interpretative- emphasis is on meaning to those involved in the study- has the potential to understand individual experience
provides rich holistic description over a sustained period
flexible – research can accommodate change if issues of interest arise
can identify new directions and individual differences
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Limitations of Qualitative Research
very time consuming
can be expensive
lack of control
difficult to replicate findings
subjective
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REFERENCING / PLAGIARISM…
Referencing
You need to demonstrate that you have read a variety of literature on your subject
You need to have read enough to:
Confidently discuss the key facts
Grasp the overall debate in your subject area
Referencing must be presented using the Harvard style (guides are available from the library)
All key journals will use the Harvard system
References
Are those sources that you have made specific reference to in the text
The bibliography is a list of additional sources that you have read but not used
Always make a note of references
Do not lose references
There is no standard number of references to use
When moving paragraphs – move the reference
Academic references
Secondary data
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is completely unacceptable
The university guidelines are available here:
The University of Birmingham regards deliberate plagiarism as a disciplinary offence and all plagiarism as a serious breach of the norms of good practice.
Plagiarism
The penalties for plagiarism can be serious
At best you will get a warning letter that remains on your file
At worst you will be asked to leave the university
You may be required to rewrite your assignment
Our overall school plagiarism officer is Dr. Liza Jabbour (Marketing is Dr. Inci Toral-Mason) who will examine all cases raised by the academic
Plagiarism
A reminder of what plagiarism is:
Put simply plagiarism is not referencing and the copying of others' work
This may be:
- Using quotes
- Copying websites
- Copying each other's work
Supervisors and Plagiarism
It is NOT your supervisor’s job to check for plagiarism
Plagiarism is your responsibility only
Your drafts don’t go through turnitin but your final dissertation does
YOUR responsibility
Penalties may include…
No chance to resit
A 0 for that module
Asked to withdraw from the programme
If you are referred to the plagiarism officer/ committee DO NOT IGNORE any letters/ emails
It is best to admit any wrong doing
DO NOT IGNORE any outcome letters as you will only have a specified number of days to appeal e.g. 15
After this date you won’t be able to appeal
If in doubt…
Over reference
You cannot be penalised for over referencing
It may be poor academic practice but you won't face a penalty
Aim for a reference at least every paragraph
Remember:
Academics are experts in their field and will know the material
“If in doubt – reference”
Key Dates
1st Meeting by 1st September 2016
Ethics Form – 30th September 2016
Final Draft – 25th January 2017 by 12noon UK time
CHECK!
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Final advice
Reference – don’t plagiarise
Keep back up copies of your dissertation e.g. on an USB and in dropbox
The word limit CANNOT be exceeded beyond 7700
If you are ill or have mitigating circumstances tell us
Remember that the dissertation process takes longer that you think
Remember your deadlines
Use your supervisor – we are here to help
Next Steps
Log onto canvas
Complete the plagiarism module on canvas
Link: https ://canvas.bham.ac.uk/courses/5200 /
Complete the quiz on the above course
Read the dissertation guides
CONTACT your supervisor to arrange your first meeting from 18th July 2016 – NOT BEFORE THEN
Dr. Sarah’s or Dr. Cristina’s Tutees
Dr. Sarah
Meet in room SR B.3.14 at 8.30am on Friday 15th July (until 10am)
Dr. Cristina
28th July at 3.30pm – room tbc
