Dissertation Writing

Assessment

Overview
This module is assessed by a 10,000-word dissertation that answers the research question posed through a thorough review of the extant literature (academic journal articles, specialist books, edited collections), a methodology that explains your data collection and analysis, the findings/results of your research and a discussion of these in relation to the extant literature.

Your dissertation should demonstrate that you can undertake research, apply the theory and key principles of your subject area to generate answers to questions within the discipline of management. This demonstrates disciplinary competency as a learning goal (Assurance of Learning).

Formative feedback on your work will be given in the following ways:
– Through discussions at one-to-one planning meetings;
– Through discussions in the planning seminars;
– On completion of the required written tasks for your supervision meetings; and
– Through discussions at one-to-one supervision meetings.

Other guidance pre-assessment can be sought from your supervisor and/or Victoria as Module Leader. If you have any questions following your assessment once you have read your feedback, please do contact Victoria.

Word count
The word count is 10,000 words (+/- 10%) and includes:

• Abstract
• Tables and diagrams relating to data
• In-text references, for example, if you cite (Porter, 2006) this will be counted in Microsoft WORD and other word processing software as two words. You need to use appropriate in-text citations that are relevant and central to your argument and avoid those that are not.
• Headings, subheadings and all of the main body of the text

The word count does not include:

• Title page
• Table of contents and, where appropriate, table of tables / table of figures
• Acknowledgements
• Reference list
• Appendices (where appropriate)

DO NOT ask further questions about the word count. This is all of the information you need to produce your work.

Content and structure

There follows an example of a common agreed structure for your dissertation – discuss with your supervisor any adaptations that will be appropriate for your work.

This represents a summary of the sort of material that is included in each section. There is much information on Blackboard, as well as in the library, to help you compile each chapter.

Title page (essential)
Including the title of your dissertation, your name and student number, your degree course and the degree-awarding institution as well as the word count. The title should be succinct yet clearly specify its content and agreed as part of the final supervision meeting.

Abstract (essential)
Summarising your argument in no less than 75 words and no more than 300 words.

Acknowledgements
Recognising any help, advice and support that you have received.

Contents page (essential)
Detailing which chapter and section begins at which page. Make sure that the page numbers match throughout your work.

Table of tables / Table of figures
Detailing which tables / figures are in which chapter and on which page. Make sure that the page numbers match throughout your work.

Chapter 1: Introduction
This chapter introduces and contextualises your dissertation. A good introduction chapter will set out the significance and important of the topic, provide a summary of the findings and implications, and explain how your dissertation is structured.

Chapter 2: Literature review
A literature review discusses published information in a particular subject area. It usually combines both summary and synthesis of existing academic research. A summary is a recap of the important information of the source, but a synthesis is a re-organization of that information, e.g. comparing and contrasting perspectives, tracing the intellectual progression of the field, including major debates, evaluating the sources according to relevance and importance for your research. The literature is a foundation and support for the new insight that you aim to contribute.

Chapter 3: Methodology
This chapter explains and justifies the research that you have undertaken as well as any criteria that you have used to collect / select your data. It also explains how you have analysed and synthesised the information gained from your research and considers the limitations of your approach. The ethical implications of your approach ought to be considered.

Chapter 4: Findings
This chapter presents your analysis and synthesis in response to your research question(s). Be critical and analytical in your approach: be clear about areas of disagreement (in terms of view and/or research findings) and consider your findings in analytical categories (rather than mere description). You may want to consider the use of summary tables and figures to illustrate your argument. Please note that you may want to devise an appropriate title for this chapter.

Chapter 5: Discussion
This chapter interprets and discusses your findings in response to the ‘so what’ question – why is your analysis important and for whom? It also sets out the implications of your analysis for further study and, where appropriate, managers and/or policy-makers. Please discuss with your supervisor if this chapter might be more appropriately integrated in the findings or conclusion chapter.

Chapter 6: Conclusion
This chapter summarises your findings in response to your research question(s) and their implications for future research and practice. You should also include a reflective statement about what you have learned as part of your dissertation (no more than 500 words). The conclusion chapter is a prime opportunity to emphasise the contribution of your work and to consider how your findings relate back to any broader contextual issues raised in the introduction.

Reference list (essential)
This is not a bibliography, but a complete list of all the sources referred to in the main body of your dissertation. It should be set out using the Harvard at Newcastle Referencing System. We expect you to be proficient in referencing in your final year of study, but if you need any help please refer to Blackboard and the Library website. (It is not a good use of your supervisor’s time answering referencing queries.)

Appendices (where appropriate)
It is perfectly fine not to include an appendix in your dissertation. In most cases, appendices are used inappropriately anyway, either as ‘dumping ground’ for superfluous material or with material that is essential to the understanding of the main argument. There may be instances, however, when it may be perfectly fine to include an appendix, and it is here that you should seek advice from your supervisor.

Formatting
Your dissertation should be presented in a clearly legible font (such as Arial or Times New Roman) in 12pt and have 1.5 line spacing.

You should leave sufficient margins to allow for binding – ask your binder for advice if you need it (NOT your supervisor/module leader).

All pages need to be consecutively numbered.

Headings need to be clearly distinguished, you may wish to start each chapter on a new page, and you may want to consider numbering headings prefixed with the chapter number.

Subheadings may also be numbered (e.g. 4.2, 4.2.1).

All figures and tables should be prefixed with the chapter number and the numbering should be restarted for each chapter.

Images may be used subject to appropriate permissions/acknowledgement of sources.

Submission
Your dissertation is due at 4pm on Monday 11 May 2019. You must submit:

• Two soft-bound print-outs at The Hub (room 5.06), PLUS
• An electronic copy of your full dissertation via the TurnItIn link on the Blackboard page (section ‘assessment’).

Printing may be double-sided.

Binding can be plastic or metal comb binding, or thermal binding similar to these:

Ask your binder for advice as to what will be best for your work – DO NOT ask your supervisor/module leader.
Marking Scheme
0%-19%
Poor fail 20%-39%
Marginal fail 40%-49%
Marginal pass 50%-59%
Adequate 60%-69%
Good 70%-79%
Very good 80%+
Excellent
Systematically identify and critically evaluate relevant evidence sources

[30%] There is little systematic identification or critical evaluation of relevant studies. There is limited identification of relevant evidence sources, mostly descriptive and no critical evaluation
There is some description of relevant studies and an attempt at critical evaluation. Systematic identification of relevant studies, which are described and justified. There is some evidence of critical evaluation with reference to basic texts but overall a descriptive approach is shown. Systematic identification of relevant studies which are described, evaluated and justified in good detail. There is good evidence of critical evaluation with reference to key texts. Systematic identification of relevant studies which are described, evaluated and justified in very good detail. There is very good evidence of critical evaluation with reference to wider reading. Systematic identification of relevant studies which are described, critically evaluated and justified in a sophisticated and original manner and using a comprehensive reference list.
Develop a comprehensive understanding of methodologies and methods informing contemporary business research, collect and analyse data

[30%]
There is little evidence of systematic data collection or analysis.
There is minimal recognition that systematic data collection and analysis is required. There is some description of appropriate data collection and analysis methods. Appropriate data have been collected and analysed. Approaches have been designed with reference to basic texts. Appropriate data have been collected and analysed systematically. Approaches have been designed with reference to key texts. Appropriate data have been collected, analysed and critically evaluated. Approaches have been designed with reference to wider reading. Appropriate data have been collected, analysed and critically evaluated in a sophisticated and original manner using a comprehensive reference list.
Critically evaluate, draw conclusions and identify implications on the basis of research evidence

[30%]
Conclusions and/or implications are missing. Conclusions and implications are stated but not based on any evaluation of research evidence. Conclusions and implications are based on some evaluation of research evidence. Conclusions and implications are based on some evaluation of research evidence and with reference to basic texts. Conclusions and implications are based on systematic evaluation of research evidence and with reference to key texts. Conclusions and implications are based on systematic and critical evaluation of research evidence and with reference to wider reading. Conclusions and implications are based on systematic, critical and sophisticated evaluation of research evidence using a comprehensive reference list.

0%-19%
Poor fail 20%-39%
Marginal fail 40%-49%
Marginal pass 50%-59%
Adequate 60%-69%
Good 70%-79%
Very good 80%+
Excellent
Reflect on the conduct of the dissertation

[5%] There is no reflection on the conduct of the research processes, issues encountered and limitations of research. There is little reflection on the conduct of the research processes, issues encountered and limitations of research. A basic reflection on the conduct of the research processes, issues encountered and limitations of research. A limited and descriptive reflection on the conduct of the research processes, issues encountered and limitations of research. A detailed and evaluative reflection on the conduct of the research processes, issues encountered and limitations of research. A detailed, evaluative and critical reflection on the conduct of the research processes, issues encountered and limitations of research.
A detailed, evaluative and critical reflection on the conduct of the research processes, issues encountered and limitations of research. Evident reflexivity.

Good academic practice, writing and presentation

[5%] There is little evidence of good academic practice, no discernible structure, referencing is missing and the
presentation impairs the reading of the work There is limited evidence of good academic practice, incoherent structure, referencing is inadequate and there are many significant presentational issues There is some evidence of good academic practice, some coherence in the structure, referencing is largely adequate and there are many presentational issues
There is evidence of good academic practice, coherent structure, referencing is adequate and there are some presentational issues
There is evidence of good academic practice, good coherent structure and evolving narrative, referencing is good and there are few presentational issues
There is evidence of very good academic practice, very good coherent structure and clear narrative, referencing is at a high standard and there are minimal presentational issues
There is evidence of excellent academic practice, excellent coherent structure and sophisticated narrative, referencing is at an exemplary standard and presentation is to a professional standard.