Undergraduate Dissertation Preparation
BA (Hons) Business Studies
Aim To understand the requirements for the dissertation
Objectives • • • • • •
Relevance of the dissertation Components of the dissertation Topics to consider Literature review (secondary research) Barriers / excuses Focus and achievement
Dissertation “a lengthy formal written treatment of a subject, especially a long essay submitted as a requirement for a university degree.� (Encarta dictionary 2007)
Why write a dissertation • Opportunity to develop your own particular interests and abilities. • Offers the chance for personal development. • Enhancing existing skills of planning and organisation. • Develop new skills of a practical and methodological nature. • Stand you in good stead for future career.
Requirements • Content & question or hypothesis should be both challenging and interesting. • The choice of topic is largely your own but must be approved for feasibility and suitability. • Should contain original work and allow you to demonstrate a depth of skills and knowledge acquired on the programme. • Should be between 10,000 and 12,000 words and is described as a major component in calculating your final degree classification.
Topic ideas
Focus • Analyse yourself, what areas are of most interest? • Do some secondary research • How difficult will primary research be? • Discuss with lecturers and peers • Formulate a question or hypothesis, try it out on others
Your proposal and dissertation should: • • • •
Have a clear focus Be relevant to the degree Be manageable Represent a new, different or more up to date line of enquiry • Be capable of being investigated
Thoughts…………. • Read the guidelines and overview • Choose a research book and use some of the advise • Don’t wait for the perfect question • DON’T PANIC!
Barriers & Excuses!
Getting started • A good starting point will be recent general articles, books or research on the subject • It can be useful to work backwards by using later sources as a guide to what was done. Recent means the last few years, ideas change quickly. • General because if it is too specialised it will not give you an overview.
References • BELL, J,. 1999. Doing Your Research Project. 3rd Edition. Buckingham: Open University • MOORE, N,. 2000. Ehow to Research. 3rd Edition. London: Library Association Publishing • MOUNSEY, C,. 2002. Essays and Dissertations. Oxford: University Press. • ROBERTS, C, M,. 2004. The Dissertation Journey. USA: Corwin Press • Rudestam, K,E,. And NEWTON, R, R,. 2001. Surviving Your Dissertation. 2nd Edition. UK: Sage Publications • SWETNAM, D., 2000. Writing Your Dissertation. 3rd Edition. Oxford UK: How to Books • QUINLAN, C,. 2011. Business Research Methods. Hampshire UK: Cengage Learning EMEA • McMILLAN, K, and WEYERS, J,. 2011. How to write Dissertations & Project Reports 2nd Edition. England: Pearson