MA Business & Management Dissertation/Consultancy Project Handbook

MA Business & Management Dissertation/Consultancy Project Handbook

Assessment Brief

This module is assessed by:

Research Poster Proposal Presentation (10%) - equiv. 2,500 words 14/07/2024

Dissertation/Consultancy Project (90%) - 14,000-20,000 words - 08/09/2024

Assessment Brief Contents:

General Assessment DetailsPage 1

Specific Assessment DetailsPage 2

Research Poster ProposalPage 2

Research Poster Proposal Assessment CriteriaPage 3

Dissertation/Consultancy Project Page 4

Common content elements and guidance for both types of extended research projectPage 4

Specific content elements and guidance for each type of extended research projectPage 6

DissertationPage 6

Consultancy ProjectPage 8

Dissertation/Consultancy Project Assessment CriteriaPage 11

General Assessment Submission InstructionsPage 13

General Assessment Details:

The dissertation/consultancy project is an essential requirement of the MA in Business and Management. It offers you the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you have gained across your taught modules in an extended scholarly research project that justifies the Masters award.

It should be based on sound academic principles and contribute of knowledge to your chosen business and management topic area. It must demonstrate your ability to use learning derived from your studies to resolve a problem, answer a question, or prove/disprove a hypothesis related to business, markets, or organizations.

You may choose to submit one of two types of the extended research project: a dissertation, or a consultancy project:

The dissertation involves choosing an area of research interest related to the wider business and management themes covered in the MA. A dissertation of this type includes a review of current literature related to the topic and can also incorporate a field study and/or the collection, analysis, and evaluation of original data. You will analyse the findings from your research to conclude (and if appropriate make recommendations) within the wider context of business and management theories, models and/or frameworks.

The consultancy project connects your chosen research area to a real-world problem or opportunity for an organisation you have requisite access. In consultation with this organisation, you will investigate the problem/opportunity within the context of appropriate business and management theories, models and/or frameworks. You will analyse the data you collect during your investigation and compile a compact and informative package of findings and recommendations for your organisation. You will also evaluate your consultancy project, critically reflecting on the consultancy process and to what extent your academic skills and your practitioner skills have been enhanced because of undertaking your project.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are on a pathway, your dissertation/consultancy project must relate to that pathway area (i.e., Accounting and Finance, Entrepreneurship, International Business, Marketing). If you are on the general MA Business and Management, or the MA Business and Management with Integrated Placement, then your project can be in any area of business and management covered in the taught modules on your MA.

Specific Assessment Details:

RESEARCH POSTER PROPOSAL PRESENTATION

This assessment is a visual and verbal presentation to your student colleagues, supervisors, and relevant staff of GBS (Global Banking School). You will already have submitted the proposal as your formal assessment for Research Methods, but this is now an opportunity to refine that and present it to a more generalist audience.

The idea behind a poster presentation is to present a summary of your planned research in an easily assimilated format. It is not a wall-mounted essay or a full proposal just in smaller fonts! It is a visual display that concisely communicates your proposal and tells the story of what you intended to achieve in your research project.

Your proposal poster should include:

An attractive visual display

Title + Images + Text

An understandable visual grammar

Easy to understand

Easy to follow

Clear headings

Clear order

Clear use of space

Your proposal poster will be assessed in the following two principal areas:

Content and relevance (70%)

Sufficient material presented

Coherence of material

Adequate contextualisation

Clarity of approach

Methodology, data collection proposal(s)

Presentation (30%)

Effectiveness of visual and oral communication

Readability of content

Visual appeal

Spelling, grammar, and punctuation

Presentation Event this will be held in class with your supervisor and the students who are in the same supervision team as you. This is an opportunity for you to share your research project ideas with your fellow students and your supervisor, and to collectively engage with and support you on this final major part of your MA.

Please submit a PDF version of your poster using the link for its submission on Moodle by Sunday 23.59, 14/07/2024. This is the version that will be formally marked by your dissertation/consultancy project supervisor.

After the submission deadline, your supervisor will arrange the presentation event with you in the week commencing Monday 22/04/2024. Your supervisor will inform you via email of your Poster Presentation schedule slot.

DISSERTATION/CONSULTANCY PROJECT

Your dissertation/consultancy project (14,000-20,000 words) is an extended project that demonstrates your ability to do independent research and offers an opportunity for an in-depth investigation into a topic area that can be adapted to reflect your interests and career choices.

There are some differences in expected content between the dissertation and the consultancy project, and these are outlined further below. But some content elements are the same for both.

Common content elements and guidance for both types of extended research project

All dissertations/consultancy projects should include:

Title Page

Your title page should include the title of your investigation, your name and student number and the date. A standard title page will be provided in Moodle.

Abstract

The abstract is a summary of the complete content of your dissertation/consultancy project. It concisely sets out the following:

Your research topic and why you chose it;The main aim of your research and how you conducted it;Your findings;The key conclusions and (if appropriate) recommendations and reflection.

A good abstract will give the reader the full story of the dissertation from beginning to end, like an executive summary in a professional report.

The suggested length for the abstract is 350 words, with a maximum of no more than a page of single-spaced text.

You complete your abstract after the whole project has been written.

Table of Contents, Table of Tables, Table of Figures

These elements should identify where sections are and what pages these start on. You are strongly suggested to use the facilities in Word to create these elements.

The main body of the dissertation/consultancy project in different sections

These are specific to the type of extended research project you choose to do.

Please see below for the content sections/guidance for each type.

References

You must use the Harvard style of referencing.

It is recommended that you keep your references up to date throughout your research project (otherwise this becomes an arduous task at the end!) using something like RefWorks;Serious referencing issues may lead to a fail and/or being formally reported as Academic Misconduct.

Appendices

Appendices should be limited to providing detailed information, particularly results, frameworks or concepts employed or supporting material, that are not appropriate for inclusion in the main text.

They provide additional reference material for readers who may wish to verify or further investigate the information you have presented in the main text.

You are not required to have appendices - only include them if they are relevant to your project.

All dissertations/consultancy projects will be assessed for presentation (5% of overall grade).

Your final extended research project should be a professionally presented scholarly work.

Although minor grammatical errors and spelling mistakes will not be penalised, the standard expected is high.

Presentation and submission guidance:

Submission and file format

Electronic submission through Turnitin on Moodle

Word document only

File size

There is no formal limit on file size, but you should use an appropriate resolution for images, tables, charts, figures, etc. so that they are clear to see, but do not make your file size too large.

Referencing

Harvard style of referencing.

Font type/size

Times New Roman, Courier, Arial or other easily readable font is acceptable.

Nonstandard typefaces or scripts are not acceptable.

Font sizes should be 12 points for text and 10 points for footnotes and table contents.

Line spacing

All text in paragraphs should be single-spaced.

Headings should be double-spaced.

Paragraphs should have space between them.

Style should be consistent throughout the document, including preliminaries, end matter, table headings, figures, captions, etc.

Specific content elements and guidance for each type of extended research project

Dissertation

Introduction

The first section of the dissertation should introduce the subject to be addressed by the dissertation research.

It should briefly discuss the relevant literature necessary that supports the research topic area and/or provide pertinent background information.

It should contain a clear and concise statement of the aim of the dissertation and set out your specific research questions/objectives.

It should convey the motivation for your research study and set out the focus and scope of your project.

Literature Review

Your literature review section is the presentation and analysis of the published literature that is relevant to your research topic and that acts as the theoretical underpinning for a full understanding of the context in which you are conducting your research.

It should help the reader have a more rounded appreciation of what you have completed.

It shows that not only have you discovered and reported what you have found to be relevant in the literature search but that you have understood it and that you can analyse it critically.

Remember critical does not mean looking at the negatives but forming an evaluation.

It acts as a backdrop against what you have done to enable the reader to assess the worth of your writing, and analytical and research skills in their broader contexts.

It demonstrates that your knowledge of the area of interest is detailed enough that you can identify gaps in the existing academic scholarship on the topic, supporting the justification for your research.

It shows that you know what the key variables, trends and actors are in the environment of your study, which means you know what the critical issues are that need to be investigated.

It enables readers to be able to measure the validity of your choice of research methodology, the appropriateness of the process by which you analyse your results, and whether your findings are congruent with the accepted research which has gone before.

Published material may be drawn from all, or a combination of, textbooks, academic journal articles, conference papers, research reports, case studies, the Internet, magazine features or newspaper articles.

But do not forget that the most important source of academic scholarship is usually academic journal articles, which should count for at least 2/3 of the total sources you use.

You should ensure that you are familiar with the most recent publications in journals relevant to your subject area.

In this section of your dissertation, you should have at least 40 references with at least 30 of those being from academic journal articles.

Exceptions to this may be given when a topic has not yet received much academic research attention.

In this case, consult your supervisor for advice on how alternative rigorous evidence you can use to support your topic.

Remember that your literature review should lead and justify the research aim and questions of your dissertation.

Your literature review should not just be a catalogue of authors, frameworks and ideas but should attempt to synthesise and introduce a critical evaluation of those authors work.

Your literature review should lead you to and conclude with the explicit formulation of the theoretical framework that will underpin the rest of your dissertation.

Research Methodology and Methods

The methodology and methods section presents the details of the research process. It is the way or ways you use to answer the research aim and question specified in your introduction and describes your research design in detail

It should answer the key questions why, how, and what.

The term methodology, particularly when employed in the social sciences, does not just mean method, but also the governing philosophy behind the methods employed.

For good marks, make a clear distinction between the methodology (why you chose to do the research in this way) and the methods (the specific technique(s) used to collect data).

This section should argue for and justify each decision that is taken when arriving at how the research is to be organised.

Every time that you, the researcher, must choose from a few options, you must state what each of these is, why you made the choice you did, and why you rejected those not used.

Although the exact content of this section will vary as a function of the nature of the research, the methodology section should include the following topics:

Research Paradigm and Approach

This asks you to justify the research paradigm for your research, for example, positivism or Interpretivism. You also need to justify your choice of research approach, for example, a qualitative study. A quantitative study?

Research Method

Different research approaches may require different research methods. Find a research method for a qualitative approach or a quantitative approach. Define them, compare them, and select the strategies that in the best way to conduct your research.

Sampling and Data Collection

Define sample selection criteria in accordance with the research aim and questions and the research method you choose. For example,

Survey if you do a survey, what is the size of the sample population and why? Who are the respondents and why?

Case studies who are the sample companies and why? How many case studies and why?

Be sure to include any questionnaires or other instruments and your primary data in an Appendix.

Discuss the data collection methods regarding the research method. Briefly define each data collection method and rationalise your selection. For example, if you choose to do a survey so you will design a survey questionnaire. How do you design this questionnaire? If you choose to do interviews, how do you design the interview schedule and process? What may be the potential risks in the data collection process, for example, poor response rate, inadequate answers from the interview, etc? You need to attempt to foresee these risks and communicate your solutions.

Data Analysis

You will describe the method and analytic process you have used, your rationale for choosing it, and the various steps involved in it, whether, graphical, statistical, or qualitative.

Trustworthiness of the Method

Discuss issues such as validity, reliability, ethics, and ability to generalise.

Please note, do not simply follow the order of these five 5 topics as set out here. Discuss how to structure this section with your supervisor so that the content is coherent and appropriate for your dissertation.

Data Presentation and Analysis

This section is where you draw the findings from your data and evaluate the findings.

It presents the evidence and the results of any primary research that you have undertaken.

The data should be organised in a logical order so that your thought processes and interpretation are clear to the reader.

It sets out your critical interpretation of your primary results and analysis concerning the theoretical arguments and framework formulated in the literature review.

It is not sufficient to simply describe all the data you collected in your research, no matter how professionally presented.

Detailed data tables and descriptions can be placed in an appendix unless it would be impossible for the reader to understand your message without referring to them.

Your data analysis should offer a clear narrative to the reader, all the time bearing in mind how your findings help to answer your research aim and questions.

The discussion should contain your thoughtful perspective on what you have found, and how what you have found relates to each research question; does it answer the question? If not, why not? You should try to highlight where there are major differences and similarities in the literature or between the different groups.

Where a model or framework of analysis has been used or is being developed you should highlight the main relationships as well as explain the reason and significance behind the features or decisions being discussed.

Conclusion

This section is your opportunity to draw together all the threads of your work over the dissertation, referring to your dissertations main aim.

Summarise what you have found regarding each research question.

Communicate the contributions to knowledge and the limitations of your research.

Suggest any further research that may be done by you or other researchers who are interested in the subject.

You may also include a recommendations part in this section.

This may be relevant for example if your work has been of value to an organisation and you wish to describe here the recommendations resulting from the research.

These recommendations should be consistent with the conclusions you set out earlier in this section.

Remember - conclusions refer backwards; recommendations look, forwards.

Consultancy Project

Introduction and Background

This section of your project should provide an overview of the situation your consultancy investigation was designed to address.

It identifies the organisation involved in the project, its place in its wider sector, its core business and any prior relationship between you and the client organisation.

This section also will explain what the initial problem or opportunity identified by the client organisation was and set out the overall purpose of your investigation.

Consultancy Process

This section describes the process of your consultancy development. It should include:

Literature review

Define the key concepts and key theories that are closely relevant to the consultancy topic.

Present the theories, models and/or frameworks that may be used in identifying the problem/opportunity, analysing the key findings, and making recommendations.

The purpose of this literature review is to set up a theoretical underpinning for your consultancy project and to identify useful theories/frameworks that might help support it.

Critically analysing and evaluating the literature is desirable where necessary. But it is not essential.

The suggested length for the literature review in a consultancy project is 2000-2500 words.

Contracting with the client

This section identifies the clients wants and needs and clearly defines the consultant-client relationship.

It identifies the issue/opportunity that you will be investigating, outlining what your organisation perceives it is facing, and answering the question How has the client organisation chosen to define the situation that they wish a consultant to assist it with?

There should be a clear statement of the exchange of values represented by the project what does the client need from you, and what do you need to get from your client?

It should clearly articulate the main principles of that value exchange.

It should set out your involvement in the project:

E.g., did you plan an arms-length investigation by yourself in the role of an outsourced expert; or was it a much more internalised process of cooperation and consensus between you and the client organisation who may in some cases be co-workers?

It should also present the involvement of the client organisation:

I.e., who was involved in your project and what facilities/resources the client organisation provided?

Research methods

This section identifies and evaluates the selected research methods used to investigate the problem/opportunity and collect the data.

The research methods selected and set out in this section need to have been feasible, manageable, and effective to enable data collection to be thorough, reliable, and valid.

Planning and implementation

This section demonstrates your skills as a designer and implementer of an effective consulting initiative.

It should set out your project plan, outlining what processes were used, the nature of the information sought and how you planned the collection of data.

It should demonstrate your capability to make sense of a complex blend of technicalities, personalities, circumstances, and politics.

It should provide evidence of your ability to dissect, analyse and evaluate the situation you investigated, rather than simply describing what happened and why.

This section highlights your communication, analytical, and professional skills.

Principal Findings and Recommendations

In this section, you critically analyse the data collected from the consultancy process with the assistance of the literature reviewed.

It is where you translate the data you have collected into a compact and informative package of findings and recommendations.

It should explain how you translated what you saw and heard during your consultancy into a response package of feedback that could support the clients ability to make better future decisions.

This section is also an account of how your client reacted to the findings and recommendations you offered, and the extent to which the client engaged with them.

This section will be quite different between students and between projects, dependent on an entire range of situation-specific factors.

But a key aim in this section should be to demonstrate the perceived value of your investigation/findings/recommendations to your client.

Conclusion and Reflection

This concluding section is an overall conclusion to the consultancy project.

It should include a reflection and self-evaluation on:

What you have learned about consultancy;What you have learned about managing the consulting process;What you have learned about the technical, interpersonal, and professional skills required to undertake this type of activity successfully;What parts of this process represented new knowledge for you;To what extent have your academic skills and your practitioner skills been enhanced because of undertaking the exercise;What you are especially happy with in terms of project design and implementation;What you might change about that process if you were allowed to do it all again.

Your dissertation/consultancy project will be assessed in the following areas:

DISSERTATION CONSULTANCY PROJECT

Abstract and Introduction (15%) Abstract, Introduction and Background (20%)

Abstract:

Presents a summary of the complete content of your dissertation which includes the research background, the research aim, the research design, key findings, conclusions, and (where appropriate) recommendations.

Introduction:

Introduces the subject to be addressed by the dissertation research.

Briefly discuss relevant literature as necessary to support the existence of the subject of the research and/or to provide pertinent background information.

Contains a clear and concise statement of the aim of the dissertation, plus your specific research questions/objectives as derived logically from this brief survey of existing literature and background information.

Conveys the motivation for your research and sets out its focus and scope. Abstract:

Presents a summary of the complete content of your consultancy project which includes the research background, the research aim, the research design, key findings, conclusions and (where appropriate) recommendations.

Introduction and Background:

Provides an overview of the situation your consultancy investigation was designed to address.

Identifies the organisation involved in the project, its place in its wider sector, its core business and any prior relationship between you and the client organisation.

Explain the initial problem or opportunity identified by the client organisation and, therefore, state the overall purpose of the investigation.

Literature Review (20%) Consultancy Process (30%)

Presents your selected relevant and appropriate references from sound quality academic sources.

Shows a thorough understanding of what has already been written about the subject.

Critically evaluates and synthesises the references in the context of the research aim and questions.

Sets out the theoretical framework that will underpin the rest of your dissertation. Provides a focused Literature Review that sets out the key concepts and key theories that are closely relevant to the consultancy topic.

Presents the contract with the client in terms of client wants and needs; consultant-client relationship; identification of the issue/opportunity under investigation from the perception of the client; explanation of your involvement in the project, and the involvement of the client organisation.

Identifies and evaluates the selected research methods used to investigate the problem/opportunity and data collection.

Sets out your project plan, outlining what processes were used, the nature of the information sought and how you planned the collection of data.

Research Methodology and Methods (20%) Principal Findings and Recommendations (30%)

Specifies the methodology and the process for the research with justifications for the choices you have made.

Provides evidence of coherence and rigour, appropriateness of methods of data collection and unambiguous evidence of effective organising and sequencing of work. The critical analysis of the data collected from the consultancy process with the assistance of the literature reviewed.

The translation of the data you have collected into a compact and informative package of findings and recommendations.

The account of how your client reacted to the finding and recommendations that you offered and the extent to which the client accepted those recommendations.

Data presentation and analysis (30%) Presents the evidence and/or results of the research that you have undertaken.

Presents your data in a logical and coherent order so that your thought processes and interpretation are communicated.

Demonstrates the development of your analytic and critical thinking on findings, within the wider contexts of the theoretical arguments grounded in the literature review. Conclusions (10%) Conclusion and Reflection (15%)

Presents overall findings in line with the research aim and questions.

Communicate the contributions to knowledge, and the limitations of your research

Make recommendations where appropriate. The overall conclusion to your consultancy project.

Your reflection and self-evaluation on the consultancy project.

Referencing and presentation (5%)

Contents must be properly cited.

All references used are appropriately acknowledged.

Both in-text referencing and the endpaper reference list are in Harvard style.

Formally written and professionally presented scholarly work.

General Assessment Submission Instructions:

By the due dates, please submit an electronic copy of your assignment through the Turnitin link in the Assessments section of this modules Moodle site.

You do NOT need to submit a paper copy of your assignment.

PLEASE NOTE: submission through TURNITIN constitutes your agreement to abide by the GBS & Bath Spa University's Academic Misconduct Policy.

Appendix-1

Responsibility

Role of Academic Supervisor

The academic supervisor performs many functions and is there to facilitate and not to lead, hence the responsibility for the quality and content of a dissertation is entirely that of yourself, the student. The supervisor role includes the following:

1. To advise the student whether the project is feasible and the possible risks that may be involved, for example, problems in trying to access information, potential poor response rates to surveys concerning commercially sensitive issues, etc.

2. To assist the student in tailoring the proposal to the time and other resource constraints.

3. To assist the student at the outset in finding useful and relevant reading material and an appropriate academic framework within which to place the topic.

4. To advise on the choice of suitable methodological approach(es).

5. To monitor progress and advise on what is required to achieve a satisfactory dissertation/consultancy project.

6. Where relevant, liaise periodically with the company supervisor and resolve any problems the student may have in obtaining access to company information or personnel

7. To first mark the dissertation, and submit a markers report;It should be emphasised that the dissertation is entirely your work. However, you may ask your supervisor to read in detail a chapter or a draft of your dissertation to give feedback on presentation, content, and style. It is up to your supervisors how much in detail they read and comment on. The academic supervisor will not make any comment at any stage as to the expected grade or mark. The academic supervisor will not check or correct grammar and expression.

Responsibilities of the Student

1. To maintain regular contact with the academic supervisor. It is the student's responsibility to inform their supervisor of progress and to lead the development of the dissertation. Difficulties must be communicated at the time they are encountered. Retrospective information is not acceptable.

2. To author the dissertation in a good standard of English using appropriate academic terms and citation and referencing conventions. It is not the responsibility of the supervisor to ensure that this condition is met.

3. To author the dissertation with guidance from the supervisor. The dissertation and research work must be your own. The dissertation is to reflect your subject understanding and research abilities, not that of your supervisor.

4. Where a company project is undertaken, maintain regular contact with the company sponsor and undertake a final presentation to the company management team, if required.

5. To inform the course director and academic supervisor of any absence (sickness, personal, family visits, holidays, work experience, etc) during the time nominated for working on the dissertation.

If during the preparation of the dissertation, the focus and direction of the dissertation change from that outlined in your Dissertation Proposal Form, then you should immediately discuss this with your academic supervisor, the course director as well if necessary.

Appendix 2 Poster Presentation Marking Criteria

Project Content (50%)

Presentation (50%)

0%-39%

Fail Failed to demonstrate an understanding of the research topic; research background is thin, tangential, or inappropriate and failed to identify the principal issues involved so fail to support the research problem being put forward in the dissertation; research aim(s) and questions/objectives are ambiguous; little evidence of serious academic study; research methodology and methods are inappropriate; there will be little in the way of contextualization.

Your presentation has a poor structure. It is clumsy, disjointed, and difficult to follow.

Little evidence of preparation. Too short, less than 2/3 of the given time. Too long and was stopped approximately 2/3 through. You did not respond to questions in an appropriate manner.

The poster misinforms and confuses the audience. The mistakes and omissions make it not understandable. It is visually messy, illogical, or not readable.

40%-49%

Marginal Fail Insufficiently demonstrate an understanding of the research topic; research background is thin and insufficient to identify the principal issues involved so is not able to support the research problem being put forward in the dissertation; research aim(s) and questions/objectives are ambiguous or incoherence; insufficient evidence of serious academic study; inappropriate research methodology and methods; there will be insufficient in the way of contextualization. Your presentation has a logical structure but is unimaginative and not engaging. It is not always easy to follow. Presentation is not well rehearsed in advance. It is either short or long. You are uncomfortable when responding to questions. Your answers are insufficient or have clear flaws.

The poster is understandable but is either too brief or too wordy. It fails to communicate the information adequately or has major mistakes.

50%-59%

Pass The research topic is adequately communicated; the research background results in the principal issues involved and support the research problem being put forward in the dissertation; the research aim(s) and questions are clear and correct; evidence of serious academic study is narrow; the research methodology and methods are correctly defined, although lack proper defence; there will be adequate in the way of contextualization. Your presentation is well rehearsed in advance. Your presentation sticks to time but is not always clear or logical and may be overly influenced by reading the notes than your communication with the audience.

Your presentation is imaginative and engaging. You respond well to questions. You make some attempts to promote discussion with the audience but not sufficient.

The poster conveys information adequately, but it is marred by some omissions or errors. It logically flows with some visual appeal.

60%-69%

Merit pass The research topic is well communicated; the research background nicely communicates the principal issues involved and provides clear evidence for the research problem to be put forward in the dissertation research aim and questions are well formulated; evidence of serious academic study is clear and adequate; research methodology and methods are well justified; the contextualisation of the topic demonstrates an ability to evaluate debate and show some confidence in handling conflicting opinions. You demonstrate good preparation in advance. Your presentation keeps on time. You are clear, imaginative, and engaging. You respond well to questions and have a strong intention to promote discussion with the audience.

Your poster is comprehensive and coherent. The presentation is visually attractive and effective.

70%-100%

Distinction The research topic is critically justified and well communicated; the research background communicates the principal issues involved comprehensively and provides clear evidence and a strong necessity for the research problem to be put forward in the dissertation: the research aim(s) and questions are pertinent and well-formulated; clear evidence of a serious academic study with criticality; research methodology and methods are well justified and properly defended; the contextualisation of the topic demonstrates a strong ability to evaluate debate and show good confidence in handling conflicting opinions. You have made excellent preparation in advance. You are enthusiastic, clear, unhurried and to the point. Your presentation keeps to time and engages well with the audience, encourages discussion, and responds excellently to questions.

Your poster is perfect in everything

Appendix 3 Dissertation Marking Criteria

Abstract (5%)

Present a summary of the complete content of your dissertation which includes the research background, the research aim, the research design, key findings, conclusions, and (where appropriate) recommendations 0-49% Fail

A poor abstract with few points covered.

50-59% Pass

A sound-quality abstract with most points covered, although may be too brief or too long.

60-69% Merit Pass

A good abstract with all key points covered and in a proper length.

70-100%

A comprehensive abstract with all points covered and well communicated.

1. Introduction (10%)

This section should introduce the subject to be addressed by the dissertation research. The introduction should briefly discuss relevant literature as necessary to support the existence of the subject of the research and/or to provide pertinent background information. The introduction should contain a clear and concise statement of the aim of the dissertation, plus your specific research questions/objectives as derived logically from this brief survey of existing literature and background information. The motivation for your research should be clearly conveyed to your reader. The research focus and scope should be clearly communicated.

0-49% Fail

The research topic is not clearly identified. The background does not provide enough information to derive the research aim and questions. The research aim(s) and questions are not clearly addressed, or they are tentative. The research focus and scope are not defined. Little literature is reviewed. Key concepts are not defined or only partially defined.

50-59% Pass

The research topic and boundary are clearly identified. The background provides adequate information but may not be focused or lacks comprehensiveness. The research aim(s) and questions are clearly formulated, although they may be broad or shallow. Adequate literature review to support the justification of the topic selection. Key concepts are defined, although there may be some omissions.

60-69% Merit Pass

The research topic and boundary are well identified. The background is comprehensive and focused. Literature and key concepts are well integrated to demonstrate a clear derivation leading to the research aim. The research aim(s) and questions are pertinent and well presented.

70-100% Distinction

The research topic and boundary are well-identified and justified. The background demonstrates excellent understanding and good knowledge about the topic. The brief discussion of the literature is critical and insightful. The research aim(s) and questions are pertinent and very well formulated. The relationship between the research aim(s) and questions is well addressed.

2. Literature Review (20%)

You should select relevant and appropriate references from sound quality academic sources; you should show a thorough understanding of what has already been written about the subject; you should critically evaluate and synthesise the references in the context of the research aim and questions; there should be a statement of your theoretical framework for the dissertation.

0-49% Fail

The literature review is not appropriate. The use of references is not adequate. There is no synthesis of references. The discussion is broad and superficial. The theoretical framework is not set up or is not proper.

50-59% Pass

An adequate and proper literature review. The use of references is adequate. The references are partly synthesised. Some good discussions. The theoretical framework is formulated, although could be broad and shallow.

60-69% Merit Pass

A sufficient literature review focused and in-depth. A good evaluation and synthesis of references. Discussions are thorough. The theoretical framework is well established.

70-100% Distinction

An excellent literature review that demonstrates an excellent understanding of the knowledge. Discussions are in-depth and critical. An excellent evaluation and synthesis of references. The theoretical framework is pertinent, which provides a balanced and valid theoretical underpinning for the empirical study.

3. Research Methodology and Methods (20%)

Specify the methodology and the process for the research with justification for each choice. Evidence of coherence and rigour, appropriateness of methods of data collection and unambiguous evidence of effective organising and sequencing of work. 0-49% Fail

Research design is not feasible. The selection of the research approaches and the data collection methods are not appropriate. No or little justification for sample selection and quality criteria. No consideration of ethical issues.

50-59% Pass

The research design is feasible. The rationale of the research approaches and the data collection methods are adequate, although may lack sound quality. The selection of the research methods is proper. Sample section criteria and quality criteria are established although may not be thorough. Some consideration on ethical issues.

60-69% Merit Pass

The research design is carefully considered and examined. A good identification and justification of the research approach and the data collection methods. Sample selection and quality criteria are thoroughly developed. Good consideration of ethical issues.

70-100% Distinction

The research design is carefully considered and examined. Different approaches are carefully compared and rationalised. The selection of the research methods is rigour and prudent. Sample section criteria and quality criteria are carefully examined and well-defended. Thorough consideration of ethical issues.

4. Data presentation and analysis (30%)

Presents the evidence and/or results of primary research that you have undertaken. The data must be organised in a logical and coherent order so that your thought processes and interpretation are clearly communicated.

Demonstrates the development of your analytic and critical thinking on findings, regarding theoretical arguments grounded in the literature review. 0-49% Fail

Data collection shows little relevance to the research aim and questions. Some evidence of the ability to collate data from a variety of sources and construct linkages but with limited evaluation and analysis.

50-59% Pass

Adequate data collection. Adequate ability to collate data from a variety of sources and construct meanings from it.

A satisfactory level of analysis and evaluation. Research findings are valid and reliable. Some critical thinking. The theoretical framework is partially used.

60-69% Merit Pass

Data collection is sufficient with decent quality. Strong ability to collect data from various sources and to communicate the data in a logical and coherent order. Develop analytical and critical thinking on primary data with the assistance of the theoretical framework.

70% Distinction

Data collection is sufficient with superior quality. Excellent skills to collect data from various sources and communicating the data in a logical and coherent order. Data analysis is critical and in-depth and includes a thorough comparison with the frame of reference. Robust evidence of originality.

5. Conclusions (10%)

Presents overall findings in line with the research aim and questions. Communicate the contributions, the limitation, and the future research. Make recommendations where appropriate. 0-49% Fail

Research questions are not answered or are poorly answered. The overall conclusion is short and shallow. Little discussion regarding contribution and limitation. Recommendations are inconsistent with the research findings.

50-59% Pass

Research questions are adequately answered, although may be broad or shallow. The overall conclusion reflects most of the key findings. Some discussion regarding contribution and literation. Recommendations are relevant, although could be superficial.

60-69% Merit Pass

Sufficient answers to research questions. The overall conclusion is comprehensive and focused. Good discussions regarding contribution and limitation. Recommendations are well justified.

70-100% Distinction

Excellent summaries of each research question. The overall conclusion is comprehensive, reflective, and critical. Excellent recognition and examination of contribution and limitation. Excellent recommendations.

4. Referencing and presentation (5%)

Contents must be properly cited. All references used are appropriately acknowledged. Both in-text referencing and endpaper reference lists are in Harvard style. Formally written and professionally presented scholarly work. 0-49% Fail

The contents are not properly referenced. The sources are not appropriately acknowledged. Poor writing and presentation. Poor structure with omissions.

50-59% Pass

The contents are properly referenced. The references are properly acknowledged, although there are a few mistakes and omissions. Clear writing and presentation.

60-69% Merit Pass

The contents are properly referenced. The references are properly acknowledged, although there may be 1-2 mistakes or omissions. The proposal is well-written and presented.

70-100% Distinction

Excellent referencing. All correct and precise. Excellent writing and presentation.

Appendix 4 - Consultancy Report Marking Criteria

Abstract (5%)

Present a summary of the complete content of your consultancy project which includes the research background, the research aim, the research design, key findings, conclusions, and recommendations 0-49% Fail

A poor abstract with few points covered.

50-59% Pass

A sound-quality abstract with most points covered, although may be too brief or too long.

60-69% Merit Pass

A good abstract with all key points covered and in a proper length.

70-100%

A comprehensive abstract with all points covered and well communicated.

1. Introduction and Background (15%)

This section should provide an overview of the situation your consultancy intervention was designed to address, identifying the organisation involved in the project, its core business and any prior relationship between you and the client organisation. This section will also explain the initial problem or opportunity identified by the client organisation and, therefore, state the overall purpose of the investigation. 0-49% Fail

The research topic is not clearly identified. The background does not provide enough information to derive the research purpose. Little or inadequate information about the organization. The research focus and scope are not defined. The research project is not feasible.

50-59% Pass

The research topic and boundary are clearly identified. The background provides adequate information but may not be focused or lack comprehensiveness. The relationship between the researcher and the organisation is recognised. The purpose of the project is clearly formulated and communicated, although it may be broad or shallow. The research project is feasible.

60-69% Merit Pass

The research topic and boundary are well identified. The background is comprehensive and focused. The purpose of the project is pertinent. The relationship between the researcher and the organisation is clearly recognised. The research plan is feasible.

70-100% Distinction

The research topic and boundary are well-identified and defined. The background demonstrates excellent understanding and good knowledge about the topic. The purpose of the project is pertinent. The relationship between the researcher and the organisation is clearly recognised and justified. The research project is carefully considered and justified.

2. Consultancy Process (30%)

This section includes a focused literature review; contracting with the client; a presentation on the research methods and the planning and implementation of the project.

0-49% Fail

The literature review is not appropriate or adequate. Contracting with the client is ambiguous. Management problem/opportunity is not clearly identified. Research methods are not feasible. The planning and implementation are not adequately conducted.

50-59% Pass

An adequate and proper literature review. Contracting with the client is clearly defined. Management problem/opportunity is clearly identified. Research methods are feasible. The rationale of the research approaches and the data collection methods are adequate, although may lack sound quality. The planning and implementation are adequately conducted that gather valid data.

60-69% Merit Pass

A sufficient literature review focused and in-depth. Contracting with the client is well-defined. Management problem/opportunity is well identified and justified. The research design is carefully considered and examined. A good identification and justification of the research approach and the data collection methods. The planning and implementation are thoroughly conducted that gather valid and good-quality data.

70-100% Distinction

An excellent literature review that demonstrates an excellent understanding of the knowledge. Contracting with the client is well-defined and justified. Management problem/opportunity is critically identified and justified. The research design is carefully considered and examined. Different approaches are carefully compared and rationalised. The selection of the research methods is rigour and prudent. The planning and implementation are thoroughly conducted to a high standard that gathers valid and thorough data.

3. Principal Findings and Recommendations (30%)

The section requires you to critically analyse the data collected from the consultancy process with the assistance of the literature reviewed. This section requires you to translate the data you have collected into a compact and informative package of findings and recommendations

This section also requires an account of how your client reacted to the finding and recommendations that you offered and the extent to which the client accepted those recommendations. 0-49% Fail

Data collection shows little relevance to the management problem/opportunity. Some evidence of the ability to collate data from a variety of sources and construct linkages but with limited evaluation and analysis. Recommendations are inadequate, inconsistent, or ambiguous. The client does not accept the recommendations.

50-59% Pass

Adequate data collection. Adequate ability to collate data from a variety of sources and construct meanings from it.

A satisfactory level of analysis and evaluation. Research findings are valid and reliable, although may be broad. Some critical thinking. Cleary and consistent recommendations. The client accepts the recommendations and shows some interest in using them in its further decision.

60-69% Merit Pass

Data collection is sufficient with decent quality. Strong ability to collect data from various sources and to communicate the data in a logical and coherent order. Develop analytical and critical thinking on primary data with the assistance of literature. Consistent and comprehensive recommendations. The client accepts the recommendations and shows good interest in using them in its further decision.

70% Distinction

Data collection is sufficient with excellent quality. Excellent skills in collecting data from various sources and communicating the data in a logical and coherent order. Develop analytical and critical thinking on primary data with the assistance of literature. Comprehensive and insightful recommendations. The client highly praised the recommendations and shows strong interest in using them in its further decision.

4. Conclusion and Reflection (15%)

This section should include an overall conclusion and a reflection and self-evaluation of the consultancy project. 0-49% Fail

The overall conclusion is partial. Reflection is inadequate or demonstrates a poor learning process and experience.

50-59% Pass

The overall conclusion is thorough. Reflection is adequate, although some points may be shallow. It demonstrates a satisfactory learning process and experience.

60-69% Merit Pass

The overall conclusion is comprehensive and focused. Good reflection with some critical thinking. It demonstrates a good learning process and experience.

70-100% Distinction

The overall conclusion is comprehensive, reflective, and critical. Excellent reflections that demonstrate excellent learning process and experience.

4. Referencing and presentation (5%)

Contents must be properly cited. All references used are appropriately acknowledged. Both in-text referencing and endpaper reference lists are in Harvard style. Formally written and professionally presented scholarly work. 0-49% Fail

The contents are not properly referenced. The sources are not appropriately acknowledged. Poor writing and presentation. Poor structure with omissions.

50-59% Pass

The contents are properly referenced. The references are properly acknowledged, although there are a few mistakes and omissions. Clear writing and presentation.

60-69% Merit Pass

The contents are properly referenced. The references are properly acknowledged, although there may be 1-2 mistakes or omissions. The proposal is well-written and presented.

70-100% Distinction

Excellent referencing. All correct and precise. Excellent writing and presentation.