Researching and Writing Dissertations

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Researching and Writing Dissertations
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Researching and Writing Dissertations

• Introduction to Dissertations
• WEEK 1

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Reading

• Recommended text
• Researching and Writing Dissertations
• Horn, R
• CIPD London
• 2nd Edition, 2012
• ISBN 978 184398 302 6
• Chapter 1 Preface and Introduction

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Lecture outline

• Recommended reading.
• The nature of dissertations.
• Basic planning using charts.
• Developing a topic idea.

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Learning objectives

• Understand the stages of completing a
  dissertation.
• Understand the necessity for planning and
  control.
• Understand the teaching and workshop inputs to
  this module.

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Module outline 1

• Week 1 Introduction to the module and getting
  started
• Week 2 Strategies for finding and developing a
  dissertation topic
• Week 3 The key skills tested in a dissertation
• Week 4 The research proposal
• Week 5 Completing on-time
• Week 6 Theory and literature

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Module outline 2

• Week 7 Methodology
• Week 8 Data analysis
• Week 9 The craft of writing
• Week 10 Reviewing your work before submission

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Research ice breaker

• Pair up and produce a small vignette which
  summarises
• Your experience of carrying out research.
• Your understanding of what research is.
• Your hopes for this module.
• (For my benefit)
• Let me know
• Your name.
• Company.

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Dissertations

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What is a dissertation?

• It is an original piece of work to demonstrate
  your ability to research and learn independently.
• No two dissertations will ever be the same even
  if they are investigating the same topic area!
• It involves designing a piece of research to find
  the answer to a question or explore a topic in
  depth.
• Your research must use theories, models and
  concepts as a foundation.
• It involves choosing appropriate theory and
  research methods and carrying out some primary
  research.

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It involves three submissions

• Dissertation Proposal Formative, 1,000 words,
  early November, electronic submission
• Extended Synopsis Formative, 3,000 ? 5,000 words,
  early December
• Dissertation 100 weighting, up to 15,000 words,
  due date 18 months after enrollment

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First submission

• Dissertation Proposal
• Intended topic.
• The proposed title.
• The rationale for your choice.
• How you intend to study the subject, ie the
  proposed methodology.
• Intended sources the theory, concept or model
  you intend as the main theoretical approach a
  short annotated bibliography.
• Dissertation time plan Gantt chart.
• This proposal will be submitted electronically to
  enable the course team to consider your
  supervision requirements, and to enable a
  supervisor to be allocated.

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Second submission

• Extended Synopsis
• Clear statement of the aims and objectives of the
  research.
• Evidence of extensive research of published
  research and related theories and models.
• Detailed description of methodology.
• Developed outline of dissertation structure
  including chapter contents.
• Planned, detailed timetable for the research.

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Final submission

• This will include the following-
• An introduction to your topic with your aims and
  objectives or hypotheses set out clearly.
• An in-depth critical review of the relevant
  theories, models and concepts and research
  already existing into the topic area.
• An outline and critical justification of your
  chosen methodology for your primary research.
• A representation of the data and analysis method.
• An analysis of your results, comparing your
  findings to existing research and linking with
  your theories.
• Appropriate conclusions and recommendations.

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Examples of completed dissertations

• Worklife balance rhetoric or reality.
• Flexible working and the psychological contract.
• The measurement of work related stress and its
  impact.
• Acquisitions and mergers impact on company
  culture.

• Employee involvement versus employee voice.
• Change management and competitive advantage.
• Perceptions of leaders an employees view.

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• Changing corporate culture a case study of
  Marks and Spencers.
• Perceptions of homeworking.
• An investigation of the dimensions of the
  learning organisation.
• Management of culture change in the post
  acquisition period of company mergers in the
  house-building industry.

• An examination of the factors/barriers affecting
  the introduction of a positive reinforcement
  performance management system.
• Perceptions of systems of staff appraisal from
  lead nurses at the Royal Free NHS Trust.
• The balance of individual and team working in the
  IT services industry.

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Breakdown of our teaching sessions
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Breakdown of our sessions
Likely activities Web based research Data
gathering Source selection and critique Investigat
ion of methods Practical research
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Activity
Work alone
15 minutes
Write down the topics or topic areas where you
imagine you might complete your dissertation
Discuss with your nearest neighbour
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Planning your dissertation why ?

• Predict start or end point of the project.
• Enable communication of progress.
• Highlight problems and issues early.
• Help manage risk.
• Predict on-time completion.

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Gantt charts

• Named after Henry Gantt.
• Around since 1st World War.
• Commonest graphical representation of plans.
• Can show critical path.
• But not great at showing precedence.
• Easy to construct and interpret.
• Other charts/views are available in MS-Project.

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Plans need tasks, and tasks need durations

• Brainstorm tasks.
• Subdivide tasks until each is about 1 or 2 weeks
  in duration.
• If you can get down to days then great, but
  beware of the need for contingencies.
• Tasks (examples)
• Hand in proposal (7 days).
• Critically review the related theory (21 days).
• Design method (10 days).
• Have ridiculously long holiday (1 day).

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Dependency/precedence relationships

• Describe what activities must be done before
  another activity can take place
• Boil kettle before adding water to cup.
• Pick up handset before dialling number.
• Buy computer system before installing it.
• Write dissertation before submitting it.

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Engagement with your supervisor

• Valuable dissertation management opportunities.
• Check progress.
• Make decisions.
• Agree changes to plan.
• Supervisor style.
• your supervisor should adopt your preferred
  engagement method.
• remember it is your dissertation and you are
  responsible for it.
• Frequency and duration varies from supervisor to
  supervisor and student to student.
• The relationship will change as the project
  progresses.

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Pragmatic realities of dissertations

• All dissertations are unique.
• None will run exactly to plan.
• All involve people.
• Dissertation management involves change and
  decision making people like neither!
• A structured approach and using tools make things
  easier.
• Do not be a slave to your plans.
• They should be living artefacts.
• Change them as necessary.
• All dissertations have an element of risk dont
  worry about it manage it.

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Activity
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Preparation activity for next week
Developing my topic area Prepare three slides of
PowerPoint presentation setting out 1. Why I
have chosen my topic area. 2. Where will I do
this research. 3. The immediate issues I must
solve to progress this topic.
Work alone
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Conclusion

• Dissertations can be fun enjoy them.
• Planning will reduce the risk and increase the
  enjoyment.
• Develop a healthy relationship with your
  supervisor.
• Action Now! To progress my ideas.

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Next Week

• Structured ways to develop a dissertation topic.
• Dealing with common dissertation issues.
• Attributes of good dissertation topics.
• Early access issues.
• Auditing your skills and motivation.
• The common habits of high achievers.

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Researching and Writing Dissertations
The End