University of Wales Trinity Saint David

DISSERTATION HANDBOOK

MBA

2011

Introduction

This booklet provides background information about the dissertation.

Records should be kept of all meetings and discussions with your supervisor and these
records will be considered during the allocation of marks in the category of “Planning,
adapting, initiative and effort”.

Contents:

 Aims and Objectives

 Stages in the development of a dissertation
 Module descriptor
 Proposal proforma
 Marking scheme
 Indicative content
 Recording of meetings with supervisor
Aims and Objectives

The aim of the dissertation is to produce an original piece of work on a well defined and
relevant topic.

The dissertation is an original piece of research that involves individual primary research.
It is undertaken by the student, with the support of the academic supervisor.

The topic you choose must be directly related to your MBA pathway.

Stages in the development of a dissertation

Deciding on a research topic

Look at the modules you have studied so far. Think about topic management issues.
Consider your future career plans. Read and talk to friends and academic staff. It is
important to select a topic that really interests you, and that is directly connected to your
programme of study.

When you have a broad area of interest, you then need to focus in to find a narrow and
specific topic that will be manageable within the time and resource constraints of the BA
dissertation. At this stage is it often useful to discuss your ideas with one or more
academic members of staff.

Think about the feasibility of your idea. Will there be good information sources (books,
papers etc.) available? Will access to primary research information sources be
straightforward? Is this a topic to which you can bring your own individual perspectives?

Using your focussed research topic generate some research aims and objectives, and/or
research questions.

Developing an outline plan

This will contain a provisional title, the broad area of investigation, the research topic,
aims, objectives, questions. It will also contain your ideas about how you will undertake
your research – the primary methodology. This short (one side A4) document will be used
to allocate you to a supervisor.

Constructing a research proposal

Before writing the proposal (see later contents) you should carefully consider research
methodologies, access to information and any relevant issues related to ethics. The
proposal should also include a preliminary literature survey, which demonstrates how you
intend to link the research literature with your own research. A timetable must be attached
to the proposal.

The main research phase

Once you have agreed the proposal with your supervisor you are ready to start work. You
will find it helpful to keep in regular contact with your supervisor. The supervisor can direct
you to relevant literature, encourage you to be reflective about your methodology and
research instruments, and provide you with opportunities to discuss your developing
research ideas.

As you start to write chapters of the dissertation the supervisor will provide feedback and
comments.
Department of Business & Entrepreneurial Management
Dissertation Code: MBA 9360
Level: PG Term: n/a
No of Credits: 60
Methods of assessment: 100% Dissertation
Teaching Method(s): Supervision
Pre-requisite(s): Successful completion of 120 credits taught MBA programme
Taught through the medium of Welsh: No
Lecturer/Co-ordinator:
Contact hours: 20 Lectures per week: supervisor and student to timetable
Syllabus:
The production of a piece of original work based upon independent research is an essential part of study at Masters
level. To achieve the award of a Masters degree, students must present a dissertation demonstrating a range of
intellectual and practical skills. You must use and synthesise information, carry out a practically orientated research
project within a business and management context, and identify the implications of the findings.
All MBA students must submit a dissertation of 20,000 words on a topic of their choice that directly relates to the
theoretical/academic content of their programme of study. This module represents the difference between a post
graduate diploma and a Masters degree.
Procedure and Timescale
The first stage is to submit a proposal. The student will then be allocated a supervisor who will guide and support
during the development of the research and dissertation, meetings will take place on a regular basis.

There is an expectation that MBA dissertations will be closely liked to real case studies / live research situations.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of the module students shall be able to understand and describe:
1. Planning, adapting, initiative and effort (10%)
• Discussions with the supervisor as the dissertation develops will be important in this element of assessment.
Attendance at tutor meetings and evidence of progress will be monitored.
2. Knowledge and comprehension of the topic area (20%)
• Demonstrate knowledge of the main sources of information, concepts, principles, and theories employed within
the chosen field
• Include relevant theories and data, identifying the reasons for the choices made. These should include the
reasons why other theories, concepts, data, etc. were deemed irrelevant or inappropriate
• Demonstrate knowledge of general and specific methods of inquiry
• Demonstrate the ability to understand and interpret information presented in a variety of forms
3. Research Methodology (20%)
• Explanation, justification and application of research methods.
4. Analysis (25%)
• Distinguish between: Statements of fact, Statements of value, Hypothetical statements, Unstated assumptions
• Make valid inferences from the material presented. These inferences may have to be qualified, but a good
dissertation will make it clear why these qualifications are appropriate
• Test hypothesis using appropriate methodologies
• Show the ability to present & organize material in a manner appropriate to the aims of the dissertation
• Show the ability to select and apply appropriate laws, principles, and theories, both during the course of the
development of the dissertation and in its final form
• Show the ability to make valid generalizations and syntheses
5. Discussion (10%)
• Explore the detailed results and relate to current thinking and research findings.
6. Conclusions (10%)
• Show an ability to evaluate the extent to which the original dissertations aims and hypothesis have been
achieved or tested
• Ensure that the conclusions drawn are consistent with the information collated, and that other plausible
conclusions are considered and evaluated
7. Presentation (5%)
• Present your work in a professional manner and in an appropriate, clear, and logical way.
Dissertation Idea

The initial stage of the dissertation process is to decide on a broad topic area and then to
generate a dissertation idea and then a proposal for your research.

One side of A4
 Working title
 Aims of research
 Reasons for choosing topic
 Outline of primary research

Dissertation Proposal

A Dissertation Proposal needs to include the following information:

1. Working title
2. Introduction. The aim of the research. A brief outline of the subject area, expanding
on the title. You need to make clear exactly what your dissertation will cover and what it
won’t. You also need to construct a number of research objectives.
3. A short review of relevant literature.
4. The research strategy and methodology. An outline of what primary research you
intend to carry out, and why it is appropriate. This should include the research methods
that you intend to utilise.
5. Logistical and ethical consideration. How will you gain access to respondents,
premises, information? Are there ethical considerations?
6. Outcomes. An outline of what results (or at least what sort of results) you expect.
7. A planned timetable for the various elements of the work (in the form of a GANTT
chart, or similar)
8. An indicative bibliography.

Word limit 2,000 words

Dissertation Marking Schedule

The usual form of the Dissertation marking schedule will be as follows:

Task % of Total Mark Comments

Forward Plan and Proposal 10
Planning, Initiative and Effort
Knowledge and comprehension 20
of the topic area
Research Methodology 20
Research and Analysis 25
Discussion 10
Conclusions and 10
Recommendations
Presentation 5
Total 100
 Overall structure for a dissertation

Title - comprises a topic (body of theory) and a subject (specific object of enquiry). For
example:- "Corporate Social Responsibility and market share: an investigation into how a
medium size high street retailer can increase its market share".

Title page (including your name, degree scheme, year of study, title of dissertation)

A signed statement – that the dissertation is your own work

Acknowledgements

Abstract - one third problem, one third aims and methodology, one third findings (not
more than 300 words)

Contents

Chapter 1. Introduction
Introduces the topic, the subject, the research (aims and methodology) and the
dissertation (structure).

Chapter 2. Literature Review

Review of the Literature (on the topic). Reviews and critiques the literature. Identifies what
we know and the gaps in the knowledge. Sets up the research questions.

Chapter 3. Aims and Methodology.

Outlines the research aims and describes and justifies how these are to be met. Reviews
the different methodological possibilities and explains what has been done and why. Deals
with primary and secondary data collection AND methods of analysis. Any access and
ethics issues should also be addressed.

Chapter 4. Context
Deals with the subject under investigation. Based primarily on secondary data. May
include information about a host company and/or sector.

Chapter 5. Findings.
Presents the results of the primary research.

Chapter 6. Discussion and Analysis

Discusses the findings in the context of the literature reviewed in Chapter 2. Do the
findings corroborate or refute the body of theory?

Chapter 7. Conclusion. Summarises the aims and key findings, points to the implications
of the findings for both theory and practice, acknowledges the limitations of the work (the
questions that the research has not been able to answer) and points to the directions for
future research. (may also include some recommendations)

Bibliography

Appendices

Note: not all of these chapters will be necessary in all dissertations, and sometimes one of
these chapeters might be split into two. It depends on the nature of the research topic.
 Record of Meetings

A record of meetings and exchanges of e-mails should be kept. This can be an electronic
record but should be of the following format. This should be submitted with the
dissertation and will be taken into account during the marking of the planning process.
Date:

Summary of Discussion:

Work required by next meeting:

Date of next meeting:

Date:

Summary of Discussion:

Work required by next meeting:

Date of next meeting:

Date:

Summary of Discussion:

Work required by next meeting:

Date of next meeting: