Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Management College of Southern Africa
Proposal and Dissertation Guidelines
Guidelines for satisfying the minimum requirements of your MBA Dissertation
Table of Contents
1. General Guidelines 3 2. Proposal and Dissertation Submission Dates 4 3. Examination and Moderation of Dissertation 5 4. Guidelines for Proposal Writing 6 5. Common Problems with Proposals 7 5.1 The way forward 7 5.2 What is a Problem Statement 7 5.3 Justifying the use of select literature for the Study 7 5.3.1 Questions to Guide You 8 6. Research and referencing 8 6.1 Harvard method of referencing 8 7. Selecting a topic 8 8. The Research Instrument 9 9. Layout of your Final Submission 10 10. Format for Title Page and Cover 11 11. Summary of Contents for a Dissertation 12 12. Dissertation Supervision Process 14
2
1. General Guidelines
1. Read intensively around a management problem in your organization.
2. Plan your proposal constructively before writing. This will obviate the need to
resubmit your proposal.
3. Valuable time is lost when you have to resubmit a proposal that does not satisfy
the requirements for a proposal.
4. All submission dates must be adhered to.
5. Late submissions cannot guarantee that your work will be ready for the
forthcoming graduation.
6. The moderation/resubmission and Internal examination processes take 2 to 3
months.
7. There is no resubmission for failed dissertations.
8. Students who do not complete their work in the stipulated time frames will have
to re-register for the dissertation component.
9. Students who do not complete the requirements of the MBA degree after 5 years will be awarded the Diploma in Business Management Studies.
10. A tolerance level of 5% will be allowed above the 15 000 word count.
11. Dissertations exceeding the number of words will be returned.
3
2. Proposal and Dissertation Submission Dates
• As from January 2008 all students who successfully complete their course work must register for the dissertation component.
• Students must attempt to complete their dissertations at least 4 months before the graduation to be hosted respectively in April and in October of each academic year.
• It is important that students register as soon as possible and complete the first draft of their dissertation within 6 months.
• Tentative submission dates:
July 2006 Students
Proposals: July/August 2007 Dissertations: First submission ----- 15 December 2007
Moderation/Resubmission/Internal examination : January/February 2008
Final Hard Bound copy : 12 March 2008 Exam-board: 20 March 2008
Graduation: April 2008
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
January 2007 Students Proposals ---- 1 December 2007
Dissertations: First submission: 30 April 2008
Moderation/Resubmission/Internal examination: May/June 2008 Final hard-bound copy: 27 July 2008
Exam-board: 8 August 2008 Graduation: October 2008
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
4
3. Examination and Moderation of Dissertations
Your dissertation is subjected to the following processes:
1. Assessment by supervisor of spiral bound copy.
2. Moderation by external examiner of spiral bound copy.
3. Return document to student for correction, implementing changes etc.
4. Resubmit improved dissertation together with first marked copy.
5. Reassessment to ensure that all changes have been correctly effected.
6. A second resubmission maybe necessary.
7. Student to submit final, hard- bound copy for ratification at examination board
meeting together with a copy on disk.
8. Names of successful candidates submitted to the graduation committee.
You will appreciate that the above procedure is a long drawn out process and cannot be avoided or rushed. You are therefore, earnestly advised to adhere to the submission dates. Supervisors please assist students in meeting their deadlines.
Should you require further help, please contact the following:
Co-ordinator Contact details Mrs L Naidoo 031 3007200 ext 7241
[email protected]/[email protected] V Mabindisa 031-3007200 ext 7251
[email protected] Z.B. Vahed 031-3007200 ext 7250
[email protected] T Bhowanidin 031-3007200 ext 7239
[email protected]/[email protected] R Maharaj 031 3007200 ext 7261
[email protected] Narain 031 3007200 ext 7252
5
Literature Review or Secondary Research:
• This is the most critical and
important aspect of the proposal and dissertation.
• Read widely on the topic and provide a comprehensive account of the current theoretical knowledge of the proposed study.
• Select appropriate literature from your MBA coursework and weave it into your body of research.
• Only CURRENT sources should be ideally used [not more than five years old]
• This section should be at least 8 to 10 pages in length for the proposal
Aims/Objectives: Formulate a clear and definite aim that sheds light on the whole topic. Break the aim into 5 subsidiary aims [research questions/objectives] Research questions are required to answer the problem under investigation. Ensure that your research questions focus on Management. Significance of Study: Explain the value of the present study and how it will be of value to the target population. Problem statement: - 6 lines One paragraph stating the purpose, nature and reasons for the study in order to achieve a specially stated outcome.
Introduction: Introduce the reader to the topic. This must be a brief account.
The Problem Provide background information [factors leading to the study]Explain why the topic is worth investigating
Research Methodology:
• Identify and discuss the design of the study.
• Provide theoretical underpinnings on Research design, Target population, Sampling procedure, Development of research instrument.
• Ethical considerations, procedure for data collection and processing and finally limitations of the study.
• Provide a concise summary of the key issues which the study intends to address.
• What statistical package will be employed to
4. Guidelines for writing the Proposal
Bibliography: Provide a detailed list of all the sources consulted in the preparation of the proposal in the Harvard format. Ideally you should consult about 40 sources for the proposal. The dissertation should be written after consulting about 70 to 80 Current sources.
Appendices:
Attach a copy of the Research Instrument to be used.
Preparation of the Research Instrument:
Complete the literature Review first. Select themes from your research questions and formulate questions. Ensure that these areas have been discussed in the literature Review. All quantitative and qualitative questions should ideally have their foundations in the literature Review. This will assist you in linking primary and secondary sources when it comes to writing your dissertation.
General: 1. Before selecting a topic, read at least 30 to 35 Current sources on an area of interest. 2. Make annotated notes on key words, ideas, headings and subheadings. 3. Formulate a PROVISIONAL TOPIC that has a MANAGEMENT BIAS.4. Ensure that the knowledge acquired in the MBA coursework can be incorporated in the Body of Research.
Dissertation Writing guidelines
5. Common Problems with Proposals
1. Difficulties in identifying a Management problem.
2. Difficulties in formulating clear objectives/research questions.
3. Difficulties in writing a problem statement.
4. Difficulties in justifying the use of the select literature study for the topic under
investigation.
5. The research instrument is too long and is drawn up independently of the
aims, objectives and literature study.
6. Incorrect referencing and presentation of the bibliography.
5.1 The way forward:
1. Study your organization closely. How can you use your MBA knowledge to
improve a given problematic situation?
2. Read widely around that specific area before you can formulate a topic.
3. Write a problem statement for this topic.
5.2 What is a Problem Statement?
A problem statement is ONE paragraph stating explicitly the purpose, nature
and reasons for the study in order to achieve a specifically stated outcome.
Use words like : The purpose of……is to…… in order to……so that……..ensures that…. …is achieved.
This will help you to write a precise, direct statement of what the research is
all about.
5.3 Justifying the use of select literature for your Study.
It is imperative that you select appropriate literature that will provide
theoretical background to your study. However, you will have to show the
relevance of the theory for your study. If you are using findings of previous
studies, you must show how they enhance your current investigation.
7
5.3.1 Questions to Guide You
Why am I using this information? How does it enhance my investigation?
How does it apply to my organization and the problem being investigated?
6. Research and referencing
Students are penalized for inadequate research. One author must not be
cited more than once on a page! To reproduce the views of one author for a
section is tantamount to plagarism.
You have to compare the views of three or more authors on any given section
of your dissertation.
6.1 Harvard method of referencing
1. Use only surname, year and page number in text .. According to Smith
[2005:45]…
2. Check placement of brackets. Do not begin sentences with brackets eg
[Smith, 2005:45 ] says that….
3. Follow Harvard method for online referencing for standardization.
4. The bibliography must be written in strict alphabetical order. Focus on
standardization and consistency when presenting names and inserting
punctuation marks.
5. It is recommended that you use the surname, followed by the initials and use
full stops after each of the following:
Surname, Initials. Year. Title. Publisher. Place of publication.
7. Selecting a topic
If you are unsure about your topic, please submit the following so that we can help you.
1. Topic
8
2. What is the management problem?
3. What is the purpose of the study? (What do you hope to achieve?)
4. Aim
5. Objectives 6. State your target population and sample size. 7. Which MBA coursework can be incorporated into the study.
Submit the above before a topic can be “approved” and before writing a proposal.
8. Please note sometimes it may be necessary to change a topic after the proposal/dissertation has been written.
8. The Research Instrument
• This must be drawn up in keeping with the aims, objectives and literature
study. It must take the respondents between 8 to 10 minutes to complete.
• The questions must provide answers that will help you to achieve your
outcomes as stated in your Problem statement.
• You must not have more than 20 items in your instrument.
• These responses must be analysed and compared with the views of the
theorists/theory in chapter 2. Plausible assumptions must be made.
• All information obtained during qualitative and quantitative research must be
forwarded to Mancosa in a separate Spiral Bound document together with the
FINAL submission of the dissertation. Dissertations will NOT be moderated and will NOT be presented to the exam-board in the absence of your collected data.
• Your Research Questions, the Literature Review and the Research
Instrument MUST BE ALIGNED.
9
9. Layout of your Final Submission
1. Be consistent throughout your dissertation in your format and dissertation
style.
2. Please indent your work –left hand margin should be at least 1.25 inches to allow for binding. Right hand margin should be one inch.
3. Top and bottom margins should be 1 inch, the page number appearing in this margin.
4. Justify your work on left and right sides.
5. Use 1.5 line spacing with 2 line spacing between headings and paragraphs on white A4 paper with 12 point font size, Ariel. Length: approximately 100 pages, excluding appendices.
6. All pages should be numbered. The number should preferably be at the bottom (centre). A number only should be used, not the word ‘Page’ followed by the number, or the number in letters.
7. All headings in capital letters, with no windowed – orphaned headings. 8. Do not use ‘WE’ OR ‘I’ OR ‘THEY,’ ‘OUR,’ ‘YOU, ‘ OR ‘YOUR’ in this
report. Always refer to the author as the “Researcher”. 9. Bibliography must be in alphabetical order starting with the surname.
10. Tables and Figures should have headings and numbers indicated on the
top. Figures and Tables can be inserted in the body of the text. Each
one should be numbered and a list included at the beginning of the
dissertation. Make sure the Table or Figure is as close as possible to
the text to which it refers at the top. The sources must be indicated
below the Table/Figure.
11. All Tables/Figures must have the discussion directly below the
table/figure.
12. Please do not forget to sign your dissertation.
10
10. Format for Title Page and Cover
DISSERTATION
TITLE
BY
YOUR FULL NAME
Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of
the requirements for the degree of
Master of Business Administration
in the
Department of Business Studies
Management College of Southern Africa
Supervisor: Supervisor’s name
Academic Year (of submission)
11
11. SUMMARY OF CONTENTS FOR A DISSERTATION
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Introduction Literature Review Research Methodology Statement of Findings and
Analysis of Data Discussion of Findings and Linking to Literature Review
Conclusions and recommendations
1. Introduction –a short paragraph that prepares the reader for what is to follow.
1.1Background to the problem 1.2 Significance of the study 1.3 Aims of the study 1.4Objectives of the study 1.5 Problem statement 1.6 Research questions 1.7 Assumptions 1.8 Format of the study 1.9 Conclusion – a short paragraph that rounds off this chapter and prepares the reader for the next chapter. Note: Use a minimum of 8 sources to write this chapter. Ensure that the focus is on MANAGEMENT.
2. Introduction – a short paragraph that prepares the reader for what is to follow. 2.1 Use appropriate headings and sub headings from your readings and write out your literature review. 2.2 Evaluate all information obtained from your readings. Link information to appropriate coursework material. 2.3 You need to compare and contrast the views of the various authors in your own words regarding the topic under consideration. 2.4 What is the meaning and purpose of their views to your study? 2.5 Why are you using them? 2.6 How do they shed light on your topic? 2.7 These are some of the many questions you need to ask yourself when writing out your literature review. 2.8 Referencing must be in the Harvard format irrespective of its source. 2.9 Electronic referencing also follows the Harvard format. No website details
3.1 Introduction –a short paragraph that prepares the reader for what is to follow. 3.2 Rationale for study 3.3 The Research design 3.3.1 Types of Research [types, reasons for choosing specific method. 3.3.2 Target Population 3.3.3 Sampling[types, reasons for choosing particular method] 3.3.4 The research Instrument 3.3.4.1`Questionnaire construction 3.3.4.2The questionnaire items 3.3.4.3 Pilot study 3.4 The Research Process For Example: 3.4.1 Administration of questionnaires. 3.4.2 Collection of questionnaires 3.4.3 Data analysis 3.4.4 How will you ensure validity and reliability 3.5 Limitations of the study 3.6 Elimination of Bias 3.7 Conclusion – a short paragraph that rounds off this chapter and prepares the reader for the next chapter. Note: Focus on how you
4.1 Introduction -a short paragraph that prepares the reader for what is to follow. 4.2 Present all your findings in graphic form for each of the test items in your questionnaire. 4.3 Immediately below each graphic form, present the quantitative results of your t –tests, chi-tests, or correlation tests. – the specific one you have used. 4.4 Conclusion – a short paragraph that rounds off this chapter and prepares the reader for the next chapter. 4.5 It is not necessary to use both inferential and descriptive statistics. * NB Use only ONE mode of statistical analysis.
5.1 Introduction –a short paragraph that prepares the reader for what is to follow. 5.2. Proceed to interpret, discuss and analyse your findings for each test item 5.3 It is imperative that you justify, support, and contradict your findings by linking your primary findings to your secondary findings i.e. your literature review. 5.4 This section is dependent upon sound logical reasoning as there are no right and wrong answers 5.5 Conclusion- – a short paragraph that rounds off this chapter and prepares the reader for the next chapter. Note: The critical aspect here is on linking primary and secondary research in an analytical approach. All your findings and analysis must focus on answering your research questions. You may bring in some new literature here to support your current findings. 5.6 The focus here is on ensuring that you have
6.1 Introduction –a short paragraph that prepares the reader for what is to follow. 6.2 Findings from the study– This section deals with the overall conclusions of your study as a whole. 6.2.1 Findings from Literature Review. 6.2.2 Findings from Primary Research. 6.2.3 Conclusions – This section provides conclusion obtained from the study and should highlight the Research questions and objectives 6.3. You may use headings and sub headings to present your conclusions. 6.4 Your conclusions must satisfy your aims and objectives outlined in chapter 1. 6.5. Recommendations. Provide clear, feasible recommendations in keeping with your objectives. Provide a precise action plan for their implementation. 6.6 Conclusion- this is the final conclusion for the study which may make mention of scope for further research in this field of study. Note: The focus here is on ensuring that you have achieved your aims and objectives. Poor presentation, poor, incorrect language usage, incorrect
12
must appear in the text. 2.10 Conclusion – a short paragraph that rounds off this chapter and prepares the reader for the next chapter. Note: Use a minimum of 25 CURRENT SOURCES to write this chapter. It must be a critical evaluative attempt. It must not be a repetition of the views of other authors/writers.
intend to research the topic, what type of data is required to address the issue, where it will come from, how you will gather it and what are the implications. Use a minimum of 8 sources to write this chapter.
achieved your aims, objectives and that your study has answered the research question/s Poor presentation, poor, incorrect language usage, incorrect referencing, bibliography, poor punctuation, poorly illustrated graphs/illustrations and all other incorrect technical details contribute to an unsuccessful dissertation.
referencing, bibliography, poor punctuation, poorly illustrated graphs/illustrations and all other incorrect technical details contribute to an unsuccessful dissertation.
THE BIBLIOGRAPHY AND ANNEXURES
BIBLIOGRAPHY CONTENTS OF ANNEXURES 1. All sources cited in the text must appear in the bibliography in STRICT
Alphabetical order. 2. Always commence with the author’s surname followed by his/her initials. For
e.g. Smith, P. 2000. 3. Do not combine first and second names e.g. Smith, Paul 2000. 4. Ensure you aim for standardization and uniformity. 5. Pay particular attention to punctuation. Students generally fail in this
category. 6. All electronic sources follow the Harvard Format as well. Write the Author,
Initial. Year. Title of article. Electronic address. 7. It is advisable to have one bibliography. Some students prefer to use headings
e.g. Texts, Journals, Electronic sources, Magazines etc. Both forms are acceptable.
8. Markers generally check the text against the bibliography to ensure that all sources have been cited or acknowledged.
1. Covering Letter requesting permission from the organization /s that will form part of your research process.
2. Covering letter to respondents/interviewees explaining procedure and reasons for undertaking research.
3. Copy of the Research instrument/s used. 4. Transcripts of all interviews conducted including date, time, location and interview questions. 5. Formulas and calculations of quantitative data. 6. Additional graphs, illustrations and tables that are too cumbersome to be included in the
actual text. 7. Pictorial evidence that enhances your findings.
14
