Dissertation Guidelines 3mit9030

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Dissertation Guidelines3mit9030

• Department of Management and Information
  Technology

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Aims of the dissertation

• Application and consolidation of knowledge
• Application of analytical and interpretation
  skills
• Specialisation
• Research
• Mini consultancy

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Attributes of successful dissertations

• Careful selection of topic
• Clearly defined problems/issues
• Clearly stated aims and objectives
• Appropriate literature review
• Appropriate research design
• Consistent and careful application of methodology

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Attributes of successful dissertations

• Selection of unbiased and adequate sample
• Systematic/objective and efficient analysis
• Relevant conclusions
• Integration of relevant theory
• Recommendations where appropriate
• Originality

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Key features of a good topic

• Issue of current major concern
• Sufficient scope and depth
• Manageable
• Relevant
• Generally applicable

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Presentation

• Consistent logical flow
• Clearly referenced
• Appropriate appendices

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Sample content

• Declaration of originality and ownership
• Abstract
• Table of contents
• Introduction - context
• Literature research
• Methodology
• Findings
• Conclusions
• Recommendations

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Sample content

• Bibliography
• Glossary
• Appendices

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Gaining approval

• 1. Student/s complete a short proforma
  (details,aims and plan of work)
• 2. Consideration by panel of staff
• 3. Feedback to student
• 4. Allocation of supervisor
• 5. Development of a research proposal
• 6. Ethical issues
• 7. Agree research proposal, primary research and
  timetable

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Student/supervisor relationship

• Student led
• Co-operative
• Agreed action plan
• Mutually agreed meetings

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Supervisors will help make sure that

• Adequate time is available
• The student maintains focus
• The student has access to primary research
  materials
• Mentor, guide and friend!

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Students will

• Apply appropriate time and effort
• Properly acknowledge others work
• Meet all regulations
• Communicate regularly with the supervisor
• Maintain their dissertation diary

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Literature research

• Reviewing what has been said about the chosen
  subject
• Background to your own research
• General material first, then more focused
• Perhaps in chronological order
• 15-25 of the total word count
• Books, articles, theses, dissertations,
  government reports, research papers, conference
  papers, abstracts reviews, library and on-line
  databases

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Data collection methods

• There is no best way
• Principal methods
• Questionnaires
• Interviews
• Focus groups

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Referencing

• There is no one correct reference system
• We recommend the Harvard System, i.e.
• Cole, H.H.A. 1991, Thermal Power Cycles, Edward
  Arnold, London

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Presentation and layout

• Look at completed dissertations
• Use plain English
• Avoid jargon and over complexity
• Avoid the use of the first person (except perhaps
  in conclusions)
• Avoid identification of individuals

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Presentation and layout

• Word processed
• 1.5 spaced on A4 paper
• Left hand margin of at least 4cm
• Right hand margin of 2cm
• 8000-10000 words (excluding appendices)

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Presentation and layout

• Title page (title, name, month year of
  completion statement)
• this dissertation is submitted in part
  fulfilment of the
• I declare that this diss is the result of my
  ownall sources are duly acknowledged
• Signed and dated

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Presentation and layout

• Abstract no more than two pages long
• Table of contents chapter and section headings
  page references
• Page numbering start on page 1 of chapter 1,
  centrally placed in the bottom margin.
• Appendices questionnaires, statistical details,
  tables, graphs, etc.

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Presentation and layout

• Binding appropriate
• Copies one to the University, one for you
• Keep your raw data until the results are formally
  announced

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Read

• Bell J (2005) Doing your Research Project A
  Guide for First-Time Researchers. 4th Edition,
  Open University Press, Buckingham.