KHJV

MBA7019 Dissertation

Assessment Brief

Learning Outcomes

Brief

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.

Dissertations follow a standard format; an indication of the main structure and contents is given below:

Title Page

Abstract

Acknowledgements

Table of Contents

List of Tables

List of Figures

1. Introduction
   • The context in which the research takes place
   • The reasons why this study was carried out
   • A clear and succinct statement of the research aims and objectives that the dissertation is going to address
   • The way the dissertation is to be organised
2. Literature Review
   • Critical review of key areas of literature
   • Development of a conceptual framework
3. Methodology
   • Research paradigm
   • Data collection and analysis
   • Validity, reliability, and ethical considerations
4. Findings and Analysis
   • Summary and analyses of data
   • Interpretation, synthesis and discussion
5. Conclusion
   • Summary of dissertation with particular focus on answers to research objectives
   • Summary of contributions
   • Limitations and future direction of the research

• References
  • All references used in writing the dissertation should be included in a reference list
  • The Harvard system for listing references should be used – https://www.bolton.ac.uk/leaponline/My-Academic-Development/My-Writing-Techniques/Referencing/Level-2/Harvard-Referencing.aspx.
• Appendices
  • Appendices may be used to provide relevant supporting evidence for reference
  • Students may wish to include in appendices, evidence which confirms the originality of their work or illustrates points of principle set out in the main text, questionnaires, and interview guidelines.

Additional elements, such as a glossary, may also be included.

Guidance on formatting and presentation requirements, including font sizes, line spacing, etc., will be available on Moodle; and useful resource is available on LEAP: https://www.bolton.ac.uk/leaponline/My-Academic-Development/My-Assessments/Writing-a-Dissertation.aspx.