When submitting work for assessment, students should be aware of the InterActive guidance and regulations concerning plagiarism. All submissions should be your own original work.
You must submit an electronic copy of your work. Your submission will be electronically checked.
Harvard Referencing & Special Instructions
The Harvard Referencing System must be used. The Wikipedia website must not be referenced in your work.
You are allowed to upload only ONE attachment (e.g. an Excel sheet) in addition to your original assignment, unless there is a requirement for more than one document in the assignment brief.
You must upload your assignment in PDF or Word document format. Your paper will not be graded if it is submitted in any other format.
If you submit your assignment as a PDF version, please include the exact word count of the assignment on the title page.
Learning
On successful completion of this assignment you will be able to:
Outcomes
1.Formulate a research proposal and design this into a workable research plan.
2.Design and manage a business critical independent applied research.
in their chosen discipline and present their findings, to a professionally acceptable standards.
3.Critically evaluate and analyze their findings, report on their conclusions in clear and acceptable standard in the form of an engagement report present analyses of issues and organizational problems in a concise, accurate, clear and interesting manner from the perspective of a consultant.
4.Synthesize theory in a practical context to evidence knowledge, understanding and transferrable skills with regards to the taught components of their studies.
Introduction.
A dissertation ‘…is a display of your ability to identify a topic, justify that topic, write clear aims and objectives which are interrelated, search and review the relevant literature, design data collection tools, apply those tools, manage the data collection and make sense of it. Make valid conclusions and possibly recommendations’ (Hart, 2007).
Tasks.
1.Produce a 15,000-20,000-word dissertation
2.The dissertation should be structured and presented as near as possible to the structure provided below in the guidelines section.
Guidelines
Read carefully or you could end up penalizing yourself.
Structure of Dissertation.
Each of the assessment categories is explained below. Please review these criteria as you draft each chapter of the Research Project. Your supervisor will use these criteria in assessing your project.
Introduction, Research Aim, Objectives and Research Questions:
• The introduction sets out clearly and logically to present the research problem.
• Background information has been adequately provided. Definitions of all relevant terms and concepts have been included.
• The research topic is able to contribute to knowledge and includes justification for the purpose of the study.
• The research aim is focused and reflects the main conceptual framework of the study.
• The research questions and objectives are derived from the research gaps and go beyond mere description to involve explanation, comparison, criticism or evaluation.
• The objectives are achievable and measurable. Hypotheses (if included) are correctly written and are testable.
Literature Review:
• The literature review includes valid, relevant, up-to-date academic resources and peer reviewed journal articles of sufficient academic weight.
• A critical review of the literature is demonstrated using relevant sources, key academic ideas, explanations, concepts, models and theories.
• Evaluation is carried out rather than a description of the literature to dig deeper into the theories.
• Gaps in current knowledge are clearly identified and conclusions are made.
• Relevant theoretical constructs/ frameworks are formulated within this chapter.
Key themes and issues surrounding the research questions are clearly drawn from the literature.
Research Design and Methodology:
• The chapter includes a clear rationale for the research design and methodology.
• It explicitly states and justifies the approach that has been chosen for the data collection process.
• The research design and/ philosophy, research methods, sampling methods, sample size are discussed in detail.
• Relevant literature and critical evaluation have been utilised to justify the choice of methodology.
• The constraints or limitations of the chosen methods are identified.
• Relevant and pertinent questions are posed in the research instruments such as questionnaires, interviews etc., which have been drawn from the literature review and are
relevant to the research questions and/ objectives.
• Measures to ensure care and accuracy of the data collection process are included; validity, reliability etc. are discussed.
• The selected data analysis techniques are discussed, and their appropriateness is justified.
• Ethical considerations are suitably addressed.
Findings/Results:
• Data presented is relevant to aims and objectives.
• Findings/ results are logically structured and presented, are complete and comprehensible.
• Appropriate quotes from interviewees, tables, charts, diagrams, etc. are used to make it easy for the reader to understand the data generated in the chapter.
• Suitable datasets are used and included for studies that employ secondary research.
Analysis and Discussion of Findings:
• The analysis is correctly performed using relevant and justified techniques.
• The analysis is clearly and logically presented in relation to the research questions, objectives or hypotheses.
• The analysis has been performed correctly and interpreted accurately to demonstrate the achievement of research objectives.
• The findings are benchmarked against the findings of similar studies from the literature review.
• The benchmarking challenges, discusses and concurs or refutes current findings in context to the results and the current secondary literature in the field.
• If the analysis is based only on secondary data, then it involves complete analysis of existing data with an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the dataset.
• The discussion clearly elicits implications of the results of the study.
Conclusions and Recommendations:
• Conclusions are clearly stated and are drawn from the findings of the study.
• This chapter offers an overall ‘answer’ to the original aim of the study (research question has been answered, objectives have been achieved or not and the hypothesis/e has/have been tested either positively or negatively).
• Recommendations are appropriate and are discussed in context and within the discipline of study.
• The limitations of the research and the scope for future research are included.
Presentation, Writing and Referencing:
• Title page, acknowledgements, abstract and contents page are included appropriately.
• The title page includes the title of the research project, student’s name, programme of study and date of submission.
• The title of the research project is clear and forms an effective representation of the
study.
• Abstract provides a concise overview of the study with a summary of the main aims, findings of the literature review, methodology, findings of the study and conclusions.
• Clear signposting for reader of table of contents with each chapter’s title, subheadings and page numbers, list of figures; list of tables etc.
• Figures and tables are clearly laid out with the sources referenced.
• Appendices are correctly labelled, questionnaires, interview questions, data matrix etc. are included in the appendices.
• The research project is written without grammatical and spelling errors and has been formatted accurately based on the requirements of the assessment brief.
• Harvard Referencing System is applied correctly and full references for every source used are cited.
• Word count is within the required range.
Presentation of the Dissertation
The dissertation should conform to the following standards: Length
• The length of the dissertation should be between 15,000 and 20,000 words (chapters 1 to 6, from introduction chapter to conclusions chapter)
• Quotes and the References List are not included in the word count
• The dissertation should be word-processed Font
• You can use any font style available (as long as it is legible). Once you have chosen a style be consistent, do not change to another.
• Font size 11 should be used. The size of chapter headings and section headings are left to your discretion but should not be unduly large.
Bolding and Italics
• It is normal to bold just the headings
• Italicize your quotations
• Do not italicize or underline any text that you think is important Pagination
• All page number should be numbered in Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3 etc.)
• Page 1 is the first page of the Introduction
• The sections that come before the Introduction are usually numbered with small Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, iv etc.)
• All page numbers should be at the bottom centre of the page Margins
• Margins at the binding edge must not be less than 40mm (1.5 inches) and other margins not less than 20mm (0.75 inch)
Spacing
• 1.5 spacing should be used for all text
• However, indented quotations should have single line spacing Chapters and Section Headings
• Each chapter should have a title
• Section headings should be used and be numbered
• The system of numbering should be consistent
• Each chapter should be started on a new sheet of paper
Tables and Figures
• Where tables and figures (graphs, charts and diagrams) are used they should, as far as possible, be given margins equal to or greater than a page of text
• They should be displayed or pasted into the dissertation as near as possible to the relevant text.
• Each one should be numbered consecutively, for example, Table 1, Figure 1, etc.
• All Tables and Figures should clearly state their source
Deviations from the set formatting guidelines will severely affect your grade, regardless of report content. This is to ensure optimal length consistency and fairness for all submitted student reports.
NB: Marks will be awarded for proper referencing and originality of work. Also note that plagiarism is a serious offence and your submission will be electronically checked.
Your dissertation must be handed in electronically no later than the date stated on this assignment brief.
Please note that lecturers and students are not allowed to negotiate individual extensions. Late submission could result in failure.
Grading Criteria
Grading Criteria
70%+100
60-69%
50-59%
0-49% (Fail)
Introduction, Research Aims, Objectives and Research Questions:
Interesting topic, with useful or significant contribution to knowledge. Research aim, objectives and/ research questions or hypotheses are clearly defined and aligned, with a clear purpose.
Research adds some input to knowledge. Topic is interesting and relevant.
Research aim, objectives and/ research questions or hypotheses are defined with sufficient clarity and purpose.
Research adds marginal contribution to knowledge. The topic is generally valid and relevant.
Research aim, objectives and / research questions or hypotheses are reasonably clear but there is some limitation in the clarity of purpose.
The research does not make a contribution to knowledge. The topic selected is questionable or unclear. The research, objectives and/ research questions or hypotheses have weaknesses or ambiguity and there are inconsistencies about purpose of the study.
Literature Review
Comprehensive and systematic literature review that demonstrates excellent critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation of theory and material. A sound and coherent theoretical framework is developed. Includes valid, relevant, up-to- date scholarly resources of sufficient academic weight.
Excellent interpretation and summarising of main themes to arrive at the gaps in knowledge.
Suitable literature review demonstrating wide range of knowledge and sound analysis with some level of synthesis of secondary sources.
Generally sound development of theoretical framework. Includes relevant scholarly resources of academic weight.
Ability to interpret and summarise succinctly.
Satisfactory literature review with adequate analysis and evaluation of material but with limited synthesis. Some development of theoretical framework but it may not be complete or fully justified. Resources used are of reasonable academic weight but may be limited in number or relevance. Ability to interpret and summarise is satisfactory.
Partial or unsatisfactory literature review with weak analysis and limited evaluation of material. Poor knowledge and interpretation that is subjective or descriptive and lacks conceptual or theoretical coherence. No ability to interpret or summarise main themes,
Research Design and Methodology
Appropriate and original choice of research design and methodology with a clear rationale.
Evidence of thorough understanding of the constraints of the chosen methods of study. Sampling methods are discussed in detail with excellent justification of their choice. Reliability and validity have been addressed thoroughly. Ethical considerations have been discussed in depth.
Appropriate approach to research design and methodology used with a rather clear rationale. Evidence of sound understanding of the constraints of the chosen methods of study. Sampling methods discussed in some detail. Reliability and validity are discussed but with some limitations.
Ethical considerations need some more depth.
Generally adequate design and approach to study. Choice of research methods is good but with some weaknesses in the justification of the approach.
Demonstrates some understanding of the limitations of the research design, sampling methods and ethical considerations.
Inadequate to unsatisfactory research design and approach. Very limited understanding of the limitations of the research design. The methodology does not align fully with the research questions.
Results, Analysis and Discussion
Appropriate data is collected and analysed through high-quality analysis using appropriate analytical techniques. Clear and coherent interpretation of data. Clear presentation of results and analysis. Discussion of findings is of high-quality, thorough, reflective and justified. The discussion is benchmarked against the findings of similar studies from the literature review to challenge, discuss and concur or refute current findings in context to the results and the current secondary literature in the field.
Appropriate data is collected and analysed to include relevant analysis and interpretation of data. Evidence of complete presentation of results and analysis.
Discussion is logical but may not be justified fully. The discussion may be benchmarked against some findings from similar studies from the literature review, but critique or synthesis is lacking.
Generally appropriate data is collected, but some of the required data is missing.
Satisfactory data analysis, but with some weaknesses in technique or interpretation. Useful presentation of results and analysis but needs more clarity or detail.
Discussion is generally logical but may be superficial and is not justified.
Data collection is incomplete or inappropriate without sufficient evidence of research. Insufficient or no analysis. Inadequate presentation of data and results. Discussion is limited and weak.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Conclusions are logical to demonstrate thorough understanding of the results through critical analysis and reflection of approach.
Recommendations are defensible, clear and widely
applicable.
Conclusions and recommendations are clear and demonstrate sound understanding of the results, although critical analysis and reflection may be slightly limited.
Conclusions and recommendations are included but may have some shortcomings to demonstrate some understanding of the materials dealt with. Reflection is limited.
Conclusions are not completely based on research and recommendations are missing or left undefended.
Presentation, Writing and Referencing
Excellent and comprehensive structure and presentation. Very clear and consistent writing style. Harvard Referencing System is applied accurately and full references for every source used are cited.
Appropriate structure and presentation.
Clear writing style and Harvard Referencing System has been applied, but with few minor errors.
Satisfactory structure and presentation.
Reasonably clear writing style. Harvard Referencing System has been used, but with several errors.
Structure and presentation are unsatisfactory. Writing style is unclear and may affect reading. Harvard Referencing System is barely used.