Theme: How to write master’s dissertation (introductory course)

Objectives: identify the aims of your dissertation; learn how to write research proposal; analyze the features of writing the dissertation

Methodical instructions: This theme must be worked out during two lessons a week

according to timetable and its result can be achieved through extension the use of academic

language in speech activity: speaking, reading, writing and listening:

- The formation of listening skills can be developed when using a class video;

- The development of writing skills must be exercised through self-work tasks;

- Reading skills should be improved in course of working on training materials the content

of which is intended to be understood in full;

- Speaking skills can be developed through active communication on the Unit’s topics.

Listening: Watch a video Writing a dissertation on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hVNF_8S6Ok

After watching do the following task: True or false:

1. Before writing the dissertation it is important to show evidence of independent investigation.

2. It is better to avoid the problem that researchers have spent many years trying to solve it.

3. Searching for relevant information can be the only useful source of the dissertation process.

4. You need to leave enough time at the end for proof-reading and writing.

5. The structure of dissertation depends on the theoretical research.

6. The statement “expected outcomes are…” is related to Undertaking the literature search.

7. Undertaking the literature search could involve research proposal.

8. The function of the Literature review chapter is to analyze the assumptions of other researchers.

9. The purpose of the Methodology is to analyse the assumptions of other researches. \

10. The research findings chapter should explain the specific outcomes of your research project.

Introduction

The dissertation is the final stage of the Masters degree and provides you with the opportunity to show that you have gained the necessary skills and knowledge in order to organise and conduct a research project. It should demonstrate that you are skilled in identifying an area, or areas, suitable for research: setting research objectives; locating, organising and critically analysing the relevant secondary data and authoritative literature; devising an appropriate research methodology; analysing the primary data selected and drawing on the literature in the field; drawing conclusions; and if appropriate making relevant recommendations and indications of areas for further research.

A dissertation is a ‘formal’ document and there are ‘rules’ that govern the way in which it is presented. It must have chapters that provide an introduction, a literature review, a justification of the data selected for analysis and research methodology, analysis of the data and, finally, conclusions and recommendations. Where the subject is based around a business or an applied situation recommendations for action may also be required. Advice on the range of suitable topics which relate to the subject area of your Masters degree will be approved by your Programme Director or course dissertation co-ordinator.

The Masters level dissertation is distinguished from other forms of writing by its attempt to analyse situations in terms of the ‘bigger picture’. It seeks answers, explanations, makes comparisons and arrives at generalisations which can be used to extend theory. As well as explaining what can be done, it addresses the underlying why. The most successful dissertations are those which are specific and narrowly focused.

You should read this guide before starting your dissertation and consult it as necessary throughout the process. This will help you to make a start to your dissertation and make more effective use of your meeting sessions with your supervisor.

The Dissertation in Outline.

Aims of the Dissertation

The aims of the dissertation are to:

· put into practice theories and concepts learned on the programme;

· provide an opportunity to study a particular topic in depth;

· show evidence of independent investigation;

· combine relevant theories and suggest alternatives;

· enable interaction with practitioners (where appropriate to the chosen topic);

· show evidence of ability to plan and manage a project within deadlines

 

After completion of the dissertation you should be able to:

· define, design and deliver an academically rigorous piece of research;

· understand the relationships between the theoretical concepts taught in class and their application in specific situations;

· show evidence of a critical and holistic knowledge and have a deeper understanding of their chosen subject area;

· appreciate practical implications and constraints of the specialist subject;

· Understand the process and decisions to be made in managing a project within strict deadlines

The Dissertation.

The Research Proposal

The research proposal is an important working document and which over the next few months becomes transformed into the dissertation. You will see that the main sections replicate the structure of the dissertation.

Used correctly, the proposal will become your road map through the dissertation process. Because of a wide variety of circumstances the focus of your research may change. If this happens then you should change your proposal document and also agree with your academic supervisor that such a change is appropriate.

The research proposal shows that you have thought through what the main research objectives are to be, that you have identified the main sources of primary and secondary data and that you have given thought as to the research methodology. The Proposal should provide your academic supervisor with a ‘detailed skeleton’ of the whole dissertation; the fine details are added when the literature review is completed and the primary research has been undertaken.

The research proposal should include:

(a) A working title

Your title can and probably will change but using precise wording even at this early stage will help to keep your dissertation properly focused.

b) An Introduction to the Topic

This will include a brief description of the topic, the aim, research objectives and research questions to be addressed

You will find that moving from research aim to research objectives, to research questions is quite a difficult task. This, however, will provide a clear focus to your research and help you structure both this research proposal and the final dissertation.

The aim of the research provides a description of what you want to achieve from carrying out this research.

The objectives of the research outline the particular issues that you need to address in order to achieve the aim above. They are more specific than the aim, in that they outline the particular dimensions of your research topic, which are relevant to the overall aim of your research.

The research questions are more specific than your research objectives and specify the various insights/information that need to be collected in order to achieve the objectives. Keep in mind that the research question often starts with a Why, How, or What.

(c) A Preliminary Literature Review which indicates: (i) that you have studied the work of the major authors in your research field (ii) that you are familiar with the major themes relevant to that subject area (iii) what further investigations you intend to pursue as part of this dissertation. You should bear in mind that you are reviewing the literature in order to develop sharper, more insightful and focused research questions about your topic. Therefore, your literature review should lead to and justify your research objectives and questions.

(d) The Detailed Research Methodology which you intend to employ. The methodology section should discuss what methods you are going to use in order to address the research objectives of your dissertation. You need to justify why the chosen methods were selected as the most appropriate for your research, amongst the many alternative ones, given its specific objectives, and constraints you may face in terms of access, time and so on. Reference to general advantages and disadvantages of various methods and techniques without specifying their relevance to your choice decision is unacceptable. Remember to relate the methods back to the needs of your research question.

(e) Timetable detailing how you anticipate completing the dissertation by the submission date and, if a company-based project, the means of liaising with the company to ensure the specific objectives are achieved.

Writing the Dissertation

· Deadlines: There is no single start date for you to begin your dissertation as you will be preparing the early ideas and initial reviews in the course of Semester 2. You will be given a specific date to submit which cannot be changed. The Programme Director will provide you with the deadline date allocated to your programme.

3.2.1. Title Page:

The opening page including all the relevant information about the thesis.

Abstract

The dissertation should contain an abstract of up to 350 words. A good abstract is difficult to write and can only be completed after the full dissertation has been written. It represents a brief summary of the results of the dissertation research. By summarising the results of the research, it allows other people to get an idea of what was accomplished without having to read through the whole dissertation. The abstract should provide sufficient information about the results of the research that reading the full dissertation is not necessary, although your markers will read the full dissertation.

• Hints as to what to include in your abstract:

· Aim and objectives: What are the main themes, ideas or areas of theory being investigated?

· Boundaries: What is the context and background to this dissertation? In what areas of theory or business practice should the reader concentrate their attention?

· Methodology: What was/were the main method(s) employed to generate the results?

· Results: What were your main findings?

· Conclusions: What are the main conclusions that you arrive at when viewing the entire dissertation?

· Recommendations: (if appropriate) What solutions do you offer in answer to the problems posed in the research objectives?

3.2.3. Contents Page:

The contents page should list the chapter headings, appendices, references and the pages on which they can be found. Separate listing should be given for lists of figures, tables and abbreviations.

Introduction.

The dissertation should be divided into chapters and sections appropriate to the topic and type of dissertation chosen. You should discuss the overall structure of your dissertation with your academic supervisor.

The Introduction to the dissertation should set out the background to the research study and address the following areas: