CMU BABS Dissertations

Remember!Your supervisor is your best friend... figuratively!

Marking Scheme

Criteria Max MarksObjectives 15Secondary Information 20Primary Information 20Analysis 20Conclusions/Recommendations 10Originality 10Presentation 5Total 100

Expected Structure

Title Page:• Title of study• Who is submitting• To whom• Date of submission

Declaration

Expected Structure

Acknowledgements???

Executive Summary

Table of Contents

List of Figures, Charts and Tables

Expected Structure

Chapter One - Introduction

• Background to Study• Rationale and Significance• Aims and Objectives• Research Questions OR Hypotheses• Signposting (Chapter Previews)

Expected StructureChapter 2 – Literature ReviewRelated concepts, theories and models

Chapter 3 – Research Methodology1. What are the concepts related to Research

Methodology?2. What methods have you used?3. Why did you choose them? How did you implement

them?4. What are the limitations and ethical issues you were

faced with?

Expected Structure

Chapter 4 – background of Company, Industry, Country...

(depending on topic)

Chapter 5 – Data and Analysis• Secondary Data• Primary Data• Analysis• Findings

Expected Structure

Chapter 6 – Conclusion and Recommendations• Summary of Findings• Responses to Research Questions/Hypotheses• Recommendations• Basis for Further Research

Expected Structure

Reference List

Bibliography

Appendices

Rules to Follow• Use correct English and good grammar• Use British English not American English• Avoid slepping errors• Use diagrams and figures where necessary (in

colour)• Relate appendices to content• Primary data is compulsory• Paraphrase, paraphrase, paraphrase

Rules to Follow

• Word Limit – 15,000• Good presentation skills• Third person reporting style• 2 printed copies (hard bound), 1 soft copy

and submission on the student portal

COPY-HARD BOUND

Dear Student, I am writing to you to warn you of our increasing concerns about plagiarism – particularly during the dissertation part of your course. This practice of using another student’s work or passing off established texts as one’s own work is a very serious mistake. It will not be tolerated either by us or by our University partners --  and guilty students are dealt with very firmly . Students should understand that we have very clear systems to detect plagiarism . it is also unacceptable because the integrity, value and standard of all of our degrees depend on them being based on every student producing their own very best effort. This warning is important because we are dealing with five cases at the moment, under our student disciplinary system, and these have also been reported to our partner university . Students who are guilty of plagiarism face a number of serious penalties—possible immediate termination from the course, the student visa extension being refused, possible re-submission having to take place from the home country and –even if permitted to re-submit, an additional  student fee of £1000 being charged. We trust that all students will take notice of this warning, as we strongly advise you that it is in the best interests of all students to comply with our assessment regulations. John Phillips. International Development Manager,The London School of Commerce Group.