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Prepare a well thought out research proposal taking into account the constraints of time and resources.

 

School of Management 

Guidelines for MSc Dissertation Submission

MSc HRM 

Revised: March 2021  

1.INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The MSc dissertation is a substantial piece of research.  The maximum length of the dissertation should be up to a maximum of 12,000 words. The objectives of the dissertation are to:

Þ   enable you to apply the knowledge and skills gained in the taught component of your MSc programme to a topic within your subject area.  

Þ   enable you to develop in-depth understanding of the topic of your choice.

Þ   provide awareness and understanding of different approaches to research in management studies.

Þ   provide skills and experience of dealing with practical issues in conducting a major research project.

Þ   enable you to develop knowledge and skills in writing up a substantial piece of research dissertation.

According to University requirements, the dissertation must “constitute an ordered critical exposition of knowledge in an approved field; affording evidence of reasoning power and knowledge of relevant literature”.

Your dissertation is then also assessed against the CIPD requirements for graduate membership, should you wish to join CIPD at Level 7. To meet the CIPD requirements you must ensure your dissertation addresses the following points:

1. Comprehend the principles underpinning the matter under investigation.
2. Take into consideration alternative approaches to investigating and analysing the issue.
3. Consider, by the evaluation of primary and secondary data, alternative solutions to the problem.
4. Demonstrate a critical evaluative approach draw relevant conclusions.
5. Consider the feasibility – within the political, economic and social context of the organization – of the introduction of your recommendations.
6. Present data in a clear and logical manner using charts, diagrams and other forms of data presentation as appropriate.
7. Present the cost-benefits of the recommendations.
8. Prepare an implementation plan stating who should implement action and when this should be done.
9. A short reflection on your learning from the project.

To meet the additional requirements this entails (more extensive recommendations including cost-benefit analysis and an implementation plan and the reflective account), you are allowed an additional 5,000 words for your submission. This means that for the MSc HRM the total allowed length for submission is 17,000 words

The timetable for all activities pertaining to the Dissertation is provided in Appendix A.

The process of completing the dissertation is essentially student-orientated and it should provide a significant degree of independence in learning as such that you set your own agendas and objectives and acquire useful skills as well as enhancing your knowledge of the subject material.  

A learning objective is associated with managing the research process as well as the finished product.  Poor time management or project planning skills, a failure to comprehend what can reasonably be achieved in the time available or inability to deal with normal or routine data collection issues, will result in reduced marks.  Evidence of any one or combination of these shortcomings will cause any subsequent application for extenuating circumstances or an extension to be rejected.

As a result of undertaking the dissertation you should be able to:

• Prepare a well thought out research proposal taking into account the constraints of time and resources.
• Demonstrate you have deepened your knowledge and understanding of a particular topic in management.
• Design a research methodology taking into account the nature of the topic under investigation and relevant literature.
• Conduct secondary (desk) and/or primary (empirical) research in the field with companies, organisations or individual consumers.
• Analyse quantitative and/or qualitative data and make decisions about its usefulness and accuracy as well as assessing the implications of the findings for the particular theoretical domain of the dissertation topic.
• Manage and own the research process recognising that the proposed research must be achievable in the time available.
• Communicate and express your ideas and arguments in a clear and unambiguous manner.

2. WORKING WITH THE SUPERVISOR

The dissertation is a substantial piece of advanced independent work related to the theories, concepts and practical issues addressed in the taught course modules.  You are expected to demonstrate the ability to carry out a piece of academic work with a certain level of originality, ideally adding new insights.  The work is largely self-motivated whilst supported by a degree of supervision.  A supervisor is allocated to you based on the subject area of interest indicated in the Dissertation Registration Form which you complete prior the allocation of a supervisor.  The main role of the supervisor is to provide formative feedback through advice on the issue or issues, the methods used, the structure of the dissertation and to comment on drafts.  

 You are expected to devote some 600 hours of personal study to the project including the discussions with the supervisor and trainings required.  Regular contact with the supervisor throughout the dissertation is essential.  It is your responsibility to establish and maintain regular contact with your supervisor and to report progress of your dissertation.  The School will not make any allowance for those who fail to keep in regular contact with their supervisor or who fail to meet agreed deadlines for sending work to supervisors.

The role of the supervisor is analogous to a sports coach: whilst the dissertation is your own work, the supervisor can coach and offer advice in order to try to improve your performance; they can advise on the process and monitor progress.  It is therefore in your own interests to work closely with your supervisor at all stages of the dissertation, from preparing the research proposal, design of research through to writing the report.  Remember to allow sufficient time at the end of the process to revise drafts in the light of your supervisor`s comments.  This is particularly important in the July/August period when most staff take vacation and bearing in mind your submission date.

Given the role of the supervisor as feedback provider, your allocated supervisor does not necessarily need to be an expert in the subject area you will be researching. Research interests of permanent staff can be found via the School of Management website, select ‘Research’ and the relevant subject area.  For individual contact details select ‘People’, and then select ‘Academic staff- alphabetical’.  If you experience any difficulty in obtaining subject specific help please contact your Director of Studies or Programme Leader who will be able to advise you.

Individuals work in different ways and it is advisable and useful for you therefore to clarify expectations at the start of the process.  Furthermore, given that supervisors may need to be absent from the School of Management at times for a variety of reasons, meeting dates should be scheduled properly and in advance.  It is imperative for each party to recognise that this is a formal working arrangement and should be treated as such at all times.

A Student Learning Agreement must be completed with your supervisor at the onset of your dissertation and a signed copy be retained by each and upload to the blackboard.  This represents the formal contract between you as provider of the project work, and the supervisor, as provider of feedback/advice on issues.

Supervisors are not allowed to give an indication of the mark the dissertation is likely to receive and attempts to unduly influence the supervisor in this area may result in disciplinary action.  It is not possible for supervisors to say that the dissertation will be given a pass, merit or distinction as any comment (whether spoken or written) would merely be their opinion and cannot be taken as a guarantee of the outcome of the entire marking process.  The mark that they feel the dissertation is worth may be changed as a result of reading the final version, second marking, or following a review by a third marker.  

The marking scheme can be found in Appendix D.

3. THE RESEARCH PROCESS AND CONDUCTING THE FIELDWORK

3.1 PREPARING FOR THE DISSERTATION

A large research topic will be new to most of you, and taking this into consideration, the School offers comprehensive training and discussion sessions where you are taken through the skills, tools and techniques you need to know in order to be able to undertake a project of this nature. 

The research training incorporates understanding of business research methods and how to select the most appropriate methods for the work you wish to do. This is delivered through the Research Methods module for Management and HRM students. The students MSc specialist Marketing students are supported through the Marketing Research module. You are also provided with a number of seminars to assist you with scoping and project management so that you are able to manage both your time and the workload in a professional manner so that you complete in good time and to the requisite quality. 

You will be informed about your supervisor by the dates indicated in Appendix A.

A discussion and review of your topic forms part of the first meeting with the supervisor as well as completing a Student Learning Agreement Form. This should be submitted no later than the relevant date indicated in Appendix A.

This allows you to re-oriented your research topic and develop it into a workable and well-designed research proposal. This is to say that revisions at this point may be required and an amended proposal developed to help you with your planning and the actual practicalities of work.

3.2 EMPIRICAL RESEARCH (See also ETHICAL ISSUES IN POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH)

Whilst it may be desirable to conduct empirical research (i.e. primary research data) for your dissertation it may be that secondary research is more appropriate for your chosen research area.  The discussion as to whether empirical research is appropriate and what form this might take should form part of your first meeting with your supervisor.

If empirical research is appropriate, primary data collection may be in the form of:

i) interviews with key individuals in an organisation 

ii) focus groups  

iii) interviews with executives/employees from several organisations 

iv) participant observation in a particular company or organisation 

v) a questionnaire survey of relevant people either within one organisation or several organisations  

vi) a questionnaire survey of consumers/individual householders

 If secondary research is thought more appropriate this would include an analysis of relevant archival data and the methodology used may include the collection of both qualitative and quantitative data. In both cases, you are required to complete a Research Ethics Checklist with your supervisor when preparing your research proposal.  The check list is to help you to determine whether a full research ethic approval is required and gaining the approval for starting your empirical work. Further information regarding the research ethic approval process is available on https://unibradfordac.sharepoint.com/sites/research-and-knowledge-transfer-support-intranet/Shared%20Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx

General guidance and information on the university experience for all students can be found in the Student Handbook, which is available online via 

http://www.bradford.ac.uk/new-students/

3.3 RESEARCH PROPOSAL

A key element in ensuring that the dissertation runs smoothly is effective planning.  Before the dissertation starts, an outline needs to be developed, the methodology and data sources defined, the dissertation mapped out with chapter headings and sub-headings, and a work programme specified with timetable.  Where appropriate, questionnaires/surveys may need to be developed and distributed in advance so that data is available for analysis during the project.  Also, interview schedules may need to be arranged in advance to ensure that key personnel are available.  For company-based research the work plan needs to be discussed and agreed with the company as well as with the supervisor.  This ‘plan’ is known as the research proposal.  

 A discussion and review of this proposal forms the basis of your first meeting with your supervisor. You should work on the feedback from your supervisor to revise and improve your research proposal. You also need to discuss the research ethic checklist with your supervisor before including it in your research proposal, as an appendix.

A copy of the final, agreed proposal should be submitted with the dissertation as Appendix A.  In essence, your proposal is an initial statement of intent and feasibility for your project.

A research proposal should contain the following elements:

• On the Cover page: Your name, UB number and the words ‘Research Proposal’ and The title.
• An outline of the scope and rationale of the dissertation (setting the context).
• Brief literature review that identify the core theories and models that forms the foundation for your research. These are few key texts/articles on the subject in order to give you a start in you literature search and review later on. 
• Aim/s and research question/s
• A description of the methodology and data sources to be used.
• Proposed chapter headings and sub-headings for the dissertation.
• A work programme with timetable, presenting it in a Gantt Chart.
• An initial list of references to be utilised.
• Research Ethics Checklist (as part of the appendix of the research proposals)

The maximum length of the proposal should be no longer than 3000 words (exclude appendix, reference, tables and figures). 

You must submit your Research Proposal and Ethics Form no later than the date indicated in Appendix A.

Dissertations submitted without the proposal as an Appendix will lose this element of the final dissertation mark (20% of final mark).

An outline of a research proposal is attached in Appendix B.

In the outline and rationale, you need to give the background to the proposed study.  This might be (but is not limited to) a personal discussion of why you are interested in this area, data and/or information from trade Academic Journals, Books, professional magazines/newspapers/news media, secondary research reports on the area you are studying, internet sources and so on.  The purpose of this section is to show why your area of study is valuable or interesting and to give some background on the context of your study. This should link to a set Aim or Objective, to tell the reader what you aim at achieving in your dissertation. 

The literature review looks at the peer reviewed academic literature (books and journal articles) on your area of study.  This is the place you begin to look at the academic conversations about your area of interest, identify the key writers and the main arguments and suggest a possible contribution that your research might make.  There is no clear cut answer to the question “how many sources do I need?” the answer is enough to show an appreciation of the area you are studying and the main academic discussions taking place. 

A research question follows on from the background/context and literature review and is turning an interest stimulated through those sections into a question (or series of questions). Questions should have a question mark at the end!! Your research questions must clearly tackle the engagement with the literature that you have claimed. Try not to write too many questions, 3 should be the maximum, 1 is acceptable as long as it clearly tackles the engagement with the literature.  

In the methodology you need to establish the ways and approaches you are taking to investigate your research questions. Starting with defining who are relevant to your research, i.e. sampling decision.

Sampling population – identify the group (or set of things) that you will be making your knowledge claims about, your population.  You need to identify this group (who/what are they and why are they interesting), consider issues of access (a realistic outline of how you are going to get to them/it) and why you have excluded other groups (who/what you will not be studying and why).  

Sampling procedure and size –You need to explain the procedure you will use or have used to select your sample, the size and makeup of the sample (including a discussion of saturation for qualitative study) and a justification of your choices – why have you chosen to use your sample selection procedure?

Methodology – Philosophy – here you will discuss your particular philosophy, and give a justification of why it is appropriate to answer your research question (e.g. phenomenology, positivist research)

Methodology – Design – here you explain how you will collect your data, your method (e.g. focus groups, techniques, questionnaire, experiment). Again, you must justify your choices, why are they the most useful ones to answer your research question?

Methodology – proposed data analysis – here you explain how you will analyse your data, once collected.  This should be appropriate to the methodology, methods chosen and your question.

Methodology – limitations – here you show that you understand the limitations of your proposed research. You need to discuss the limitations of your philosophy and design

Research Ethical consideration – here you highlight the considerations you have taken to ensure ethical practice in your research design. This should also be reflected in the research ethic checklist. You should discuss with your supervisor about completing the research ethic checklist and have it approved by your supervisor before including it in the appendix (Please note that 10% of the mark on your research proposal will be deducted if you failed to complete and submit the ethic checklist with your proposal).

 All of these sections need to make sense when looked at as a whole.  You need to ensure that there is a consistent narrative thread throughout.

3.4 SYSTEMATIC RESEARCH PROCESS

It is important that you follow a systematic research process.  For example, having decided on the research topic, the main stages of the research process are as follows:

i) LITERATURE REVIEW

This can be quite a lengthy task and you should begin working on it as soon as your subject area is decided.  Conducting the literature review is an important part of the research process and one that should be done early on.  It is essential to know, and to demonstrate that you know, what work has been done previously in the topic area and also to aid the development of the theoretical/conceptual framework for the study.  Based on the literature review you should develop a framework which incorporates the particular issues or concepts to be investigated and defines the boundaries of the study.  This outlines the remit and sets the scope. A set of hypotheses to be tested or propositions for investigation are formulated at this stage.

ii)RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Having completed the literature review and development of the research framework/model, the next stage is to develop the research methodology.  The design of research instruments (e.g. questionnaire, interview guide), if appropriate, obtaining samples, arranging interviews etc. are all important tasks which require a considerable amount of time and attention to details. If your research ethics checklist requires further information and yet to be approved, you should not undertake fieldwork until the approval process is completed.  

iii) FIELDWORK

This stage involves the actual collection of empirical data where appropriate e.g. conducting interviews or focus groups or administering a survey.  It may be that some will wish to go abroad or to other parts of the UK in order to conduct the fieldwork.  You should plan ahead and consult your supervisor to make arrangement for stay in contact.  It is not permitted to conduct fieldwork until the literature review is finished, and the research model, methodology and research instrument agreed with the supervisor.  This way you are able to ensure that all your work is linked appropriately to the main thrust of what you are trying to achieve.  Otherwise, you risk scope-creep and irrelevancy being brought in.

You should not undertake the fieldwork stage (i.e. interviews, administering surveys etc) until all the preliminary tasks (i.e. stages i) and ii) have been undertaken thoroughly and to the satisfaction of the supervisor. 

iv) ANALYSIS AND WRITING UP

After data collection the final stages involve analysing the data and writing up the results and conclusions. While it is recognised that return to the School of Management after fieldwork may not be possible due to travel costs, you are advised to consider doing your analysis and final writing up at the School of Management where all University facilities and support are available.  Should you choose to work elsewhere, you do so at your own risk. 

It is advisable to develop a detailed time plan taking into account all of the above research stages.  This should be discussed with your supervisor and incorporated into the Student Learning Agreement for an accurate record and completeness.

 The deadlines for submitting your dissertation are included in Appendix A.

4. A PROFESSIONAL APPROACH

If you undertake your dissertation based on a company whether sourced by the School or independently should be aware of the behaviour that is expected and always portray a positive image of yourself, and, by association, the School of Management.

Be professional:  This applies to yourself, your approach and your work, and encompasses for example, but not exclusively:

1. Dress appropriately; find out what the company dress code is, consider your appearance when meeting customers/suppliers etc.

2. Be punctual; arriving late is rude and indicates a lack of courtesy.

3. Take the lead; it is your responsibility to arrange meetings with your company data source - plan them in advance and do not miss them. If you are unable to attend a meeting, it is only polite and professional to let the company know in advance and not at the last minute.  Only exceptional circumstances justify letting a source down.

4. Use professional language; ensure any written communication with the company especially emails are written in full (not text language) and that you spell and grammar check them.

5. Seek agreement and clarity from the outset; in your initial meetings agree deliverables/outputs and the time frames; if they change, you must discuss with the company and your supervisor.

6. Please keep the company informed; of your progress.

NB:  the company may wish to see a copy of your dissertation prior to submission – they may want to advise if you have made any factual errors etc.  Arrangements for providing sponsors and/or participants with information, either in full or a report containing pre-agreed content, need to have been made at the onset of your contact with the company.

It is important to note that this behaviour is also appropriate when communicating with the academic who is your Supervisor 

5. ETHICAL ISSUES IN POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH 

The University of Bradford has a responsibility to ensure that the research it supports conforms to the law and is carried out in accordance with current best practices.  This applies to all dissertation-related research activities involving human participation and/or human data whether undertaken entirely at the School of Management or in collaboration with individuals or organisations in the UK or abroad.  

5.1 THE ETHICS PROCESS

The lead in this will be taken by your Supervisor.  Following the development of the proposal, your Supervisor must consider whether the proposed idea and the use of the data and the method of collection required complies with the principles and standards outlined in the School’s code of practice.  See also Guidance published by the University’s Committee for Ethics in Research (CER). https://www.brad.ac.uk/rkts/research-support/ethics/

You must make sure that you discuss with your supervisor during your preparation of the research proposal. A research ethic checklist must be completed and approved by your supervisor before including it in your research proposal. Where the proposed idea and the use of the data and the method of collection required are thought to have ethical implications, your Supervisor must sign and date the CHECKLIST. This is then included in the appendix of your research proposal when you submit it for the approval on Foml.Ethics@bradford.ac.uk

The CER will automatically check through your submission and advise you on whether full ethics approval will be required.  No further action can be taken until the CER decision has been received. In the event full ethics approval is required, the University’s Ethics Application Form must be completed and forwarded to the CER by your Supervisor.    

Note: it is the responsibility of your Supervisor to advise you on the possible implications seeking approval from the CER might have on completion.  

On receipt of recommendations from the CER the supervisor must ensure any actions necessary to effect compliance are implemented.

Note:  You must complete your research ethic checklist and include it in your research proposal. The School will not mark your dissertation until such time as the Ethics approval procedure is completed.  Failure to do this therefore will affect your programme completion.

6. DISSERTATION SUBMISSION

Confirmation of University requirements re presentation style and binding etc., are contained in appendix D, “Notes for Guidance on the Preparation and Submission of the master’s Dissertation”.  Students must submit the dissertation on CANVAS no later than 15:00 hrs on dates as indicated in Appendix A.

Students who are in debt to the University at the point of dissertation submission will have their projects ‘held back’ from being marked in accordance with University policy until such time as the debt has been cleared.  Dissertations will then be sent for marking but, as above, we cannot guarantee a December graduation.

The dissertation is the only element of the MSc where it is not possible to condone a Marginal Fail mark.  You are allowed two attempts to successfully complete the Dissertation.  A pass mark (40%) as a minimum is required.

6.1 RE-SUBMISSION

If you fail your dissertation at the first attempt, further supervision is limited to a discussion with your supervisor regarding the feedback from the first and second markers and providing advice as to what remedial work is required.  The outcome of this meeting should be an action plan, signed by both you and the supervisor so that it is clear there is a common understanding of what needs to be done and that this has been agreed.  It is then your responsibility to ensure all the remedial work is carried out. You will be informed about the deadline for March submission, please contact the programme office FML-progadmin@bradford.ac.uk if you are unclear about the deadline for re-submissiom.

6.2 DEFERRED SUBMISSION

If you have 40 or more credits of supplementary assessment to redeem at the end of your taught programme, the Examination board in June will usually recommend that you stop working on the dissertation to enable you to concentrate on making good the supplementary assessment.  In such cases submission of the dissertation is deferred until the following graduation. 

You may, if you wish, ignore the Board’s advice in this area and continue work on the dissertation at the same time as studying for supplementary assessment.  In such cases you continue at your own risk and the School will approve neither an extension nor mitigation on the grounds of the workload being undertaken or the stresses this will cause.  Experience has shown that those who continue in these circumstances are likely to fail some aspect of their supplementary assessment and as a result fail the MSc overall.

Students on Tier 4 visas who defer submission of their dissertation (either due to extenuating circumstances or due to the number of resits they need to do) will normally be expected to leave the UK at the end of their current visa (if applicable) and to continue work on their dissertation in their home country.  There is no requirement for the re-submission dissertation to be delivered in person.

Students who miss the deadline and who do not have a previously agreed extension will be recorded as having failed to submit and will have any dissertation marked as a supplementary, and therefore final, attempt.

7. MARKING ARRANGEMENTS

The dissertation will be marked by two members of staff.  In the majority of cases the first marker will be your supervisor and the second marker will be a member of staff from the appropriate research centre.  The final mark awarded will be the mark agreed by both markers.  In the event of the first and second markers not agreeing, a third marker, usually the Head of the relevant research centre or their nominee, will consider the work.  The decision of the third marker is final and non-negotiable.

APPENDIX A - MSc DISSERTATION TIMETABLE

APPENDIX B – THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL OUTLINE

The whole point of a thesis is that you are attempting to contribute to a ‘conversation’, a body of knowledge. Before you can do that, you must coherently show the current conversation and why it needs your extension. It is therefore imperative you find a ‘research gap’. However, always remember, that what remains important (if not more), is that the research is achievable. For this reason, each issue identified by a research gap has to be scrutinised on the basis of how feasible it is to find information and data to address it.  So, consider the research gap and the viability of the project at the same time.

It is advisable not to attempt to construct the rest of the research design until you are very familiar with the research issues, questions and objectives. Take your time in understanding the basis of the research and become intimate (as far as you can) with the research setting, the specific problem you wish to address and the questions which arise from this. The research questions will guide you on how you will conduct the study. This is the blueprint of your thesis. In a good research proposal, the research questions are ‘threaded’ throughout the key areas – everything should revolve around the research questions, which are formulated as a result of exploring an issue and what could be done to address it.

The purpose of a proposal is to explain and justify your proposed study to an audience of non-experts on your topic. In summary, the proposal is an argument for your study. It needs to explain the logic behind the proposed research, rather than simply describe or summarise the study, and to do so in a way that non-specialists will understand.

The role of the dissertation proposal is to show clearly what you wish to research.  By examining the issue and carrying out an initial exploration of current literature you are able to think about the topic in a detailed way and establish whether or not it is feasible to carry out a suitable project in this area. It is also referred to as the research proposal.  The terms may be used interchangeably. (Word limit 3,000, excluding table, figure, references and appendix)

Your research proposal should include:

Cover page with the title of your topic, your name and UB number. 

Content page indicates the sections and page number 

The actual content:

1.Scope/Rationale of the Project

It is important that the opening paragraph succulently summarises the research idea: what the topic is and why it is important to investigate. It is imperative that you quickly establish a research gap (an absence or limited research studies within this area in the relevant academic literature). Yet, you must convey that this is worthy of investigation, that this is an important and interesting topic. For example, one method shown here is to identify contemporary practice of the phenomenon and highlight the importance of the topic to various publics (organisations, government, consumers etc). 

2.Literature review 

The purpose of literature review is to provide the foundation on which your research is built. It will help you to develop a good understanding and insight into relevant previous research and the trends that have emerged. This should not be a summary of literature but a critical review of the literature in relevant areas to your topic, as such, it develops a clear argument about what the published literature indicates is known and not known about your research question. This provides a clear identification of a research gap in the literature and justification to your proposed research question earlier. You are required to make a reasoned judgement about the value of each piece of work and to organise ideas and findings of value into a review, you would most likely to find this difficult and time-consuming.  You will find the Effective Learning Support helpful to you. You will find that the critical review of literature is a continuous process throughout the entire dissertation period.  However, the literature review section in your research proposal should define the parameters to your research questions and objectives. This should provide a concise review of key articles relevant to your research topic that set a solid start for carrying out a more detailed and extensive critical review of literature later on. 

3.Research Objective and Research Questions

Research questions seek to operationalise the research objective. Your research objective and questions should correspond to the reasoning advanced in the opening background section and informed by your literature review. Avoid introducing new content related terms and concepts in your research questions. Ensure that your research questions are different but are connected to the overall research objective and will directly lead to it being satisfied. It is typical to have no more than three research questions. Any more than this, you will not only burden yourself with too much work, but you risk losing focus on the real issues to be addressed.

4.Methodology

The whole point of this section is to explain how you are going to achieve your objectives.  You have identified the issues and the questions which arise from that.  The methodology provides the opportunity for you to explain the way in which you will work to answer your questions and address your issue.  You need to explain why you adopted your specific methodology and the benefits of this methodology to your research questions. Basically, you are explaining why the chosen methodology is the most suitable way for you to obtain all the information you need.  Avoid presenting a generalised pros and cons of qualitative versus quantitative. This is a weak justification for your methodology. If you offer advantages of your methodology, ensure you connect these to your research. To do this effectively, you need to understand your research setting: the characteristics of the research and the nature of the methodology. In the example which follows, the Case Study methodology is used, and there is a context setting paragraph indicating the kind of thinking applied to the situation.  It is possible to see that this aspect of case design is connected to the broad role of the research and the specific research objective. This research is not testing theory or confirming established hypothesis – but generating new data and insight. It is always good practice to associate aspects of your research design to quality indicators such as reliability, rigour and validity. As illustrated in this section. However, you can have a separate ‘quality section’ if you wish.

 5.Sample Size and Selection Criteria

This outlines your sampling strategy. How many participants (individuals or organisations) you have selected for your research and how you have selected them. Again, this needs to be strongly determined by your research objective. Selection criteria: these are the characteristics that need to be reflected in the sample population to address your research questions. You will notice that resource constraints, and possibly, your skillsets play a role in this. There is a wide range of sampling approaches in both qualitative and quantitative research. Creswell (2009), Nachmias and Nachmias (2008), Hair et al (2007), Punch 2005) all provide descriptions of different sampling strategies. Punch (2006) explains in detail how to write effective research proposals. Please keep in mind that a strong research design and analytical approach might incorporate more than one sampling strategy. Moreover, you may want to include an iterative sampling approach whereby you move back and forth (iterating) between sampling and analysing data so that your preliminary analytical findings shape subsequent sampling choices.

6.Data Collection

This is a very important section. The nature of the research questions will determine your information needs and where this information can be sourced. Your resource constraints will further influence what data collection methods you use.

7.Data Analysis

This section explains what you did with the data that you collected, how you examined, understood and manipulated it in order to establish a set of findings.  You need to state clearly how you reduce and condense the information gathered and what results were able to be obtained.  From this, refer back to your issue and the questions arising and demonstrate, through the evidence that you have obtained (collection) and developed (analysis), the link to the originally identified gap, the issues, the questions and the findings.

8.Limitations & ethical consideration

It is important to highlight the potential limitations of your research. Indeed, an accurate and honest appraisal of the research shortcomings and limitations is a hallmark feature of good research. No research is infallible. It is an opportunity to defend your research and provides you with an opportunity to highlight how this may be rectified. This reinforces the logic behind the research. You should also highlight an research ethical considerations and how you intend to address these issues. 

9.Conclusion

Here you pull together everything you have done, from the inception of the idea, through the activities you carried out, to the findings you were able to develop.  You use all the evidence you have to state whether or not you have been able to address the original research gap.

10. Proposed Chapter Headings and Sub-Headings

1.  Introduction

2.  Literature Review

3.  Methodology

4.  Findings/analysis: case analysis and cross-case analysis

5.  Discussion and conclusion

6.  Recommendations and Implementation Plan*

7.  Reflective Statement*

* CIPD specific requirements

Bibliography

Appendices 

A. Research Ethics Checklist,  the form is available https://unibradfordac.sharepoint.com/sites/research-and-knowledge-transfer-support-intranet/Shared%20Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx

B. Work/Project plan, a Gantt chart scheduling chapters and key activities.

Example Gantt Chart for Company Project Dissertation

Activity –    week commencing                                                                                                       

Project Plan
	April				May					June				July				August
Weeks	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21
Prepare proposal
SuperStore Induction *
Submit proposal
Review literature
Store interviews
Survey performance measures
Survey resumed goods
Survey customer complaints
Analyse data
Construct balanced scorecard
Test hypothesis
Meetings with sponsor *
Meetings with supervisor
Write project
Complete first draft
Revisions
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Presentation to SuperStore*

* These items apply to company projects only, whether arranged individually or through the School.  Non-company projects of course rarely require external communications and signoff.

APPENDIX C - NOTES FOR GUIDANCE ON THE PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF THE MASTERS DISSERTATION 

SECTIONS/CONTENTS                                                                                        Page

1 DIVISIONS OF THE DISSERTATION                                                                  9

2 PREPARATION OF THE DISSERTATION                                                             12  

3 BIBLIOGRAPHICAL MATTERS                                                                          14

APPENDIX I  Specimen Layout for the Spine and Front Cover                               15 

APPENDIX II  Statement of Authenticity and Word Count                                     16 

APPENDIX III  Layout of Title Page of the dissertation                                          17 

APPENDIX IV Abstract                                                                                       18 

APPENDIX V Layout of Table of Contents                                                             20

SECTION 1

DIVISIONS OF THE DISSERTATION

The Dissertation includes the following materials and sections, in the sequence indicated:

• Confidentiality Statement (if any) & Statement of authenticity
• Abstract and Keywords 
• Title Page
• Preface
• Dedication (if any)
• Table of Contents
• List of Tables (if any)
• List of Figures (if any)
• List of (other types of materials: maps, photographs, etc.)
• Body of Text
• Appendix or Appendices (this should include the Dissertation proposal)
• Bibliography

Confidentiality Statement

Sometimes, the nature of a dissertation necessitates the student having access to sensitive information about a company`s business.  The company may require the student to keep such information confidential, and occasionally may ask the student to sign a formal confidentiality agreement.

If the dissertation report contains confidential information the company may ask the University to keep the report confidential.  Any such request should be sent in writing by the company to the Programme Manager in the Graduate Programmes Office.  After marking, confidential reports are kept under restricted access for 2 years instead of being placed in the library.  If access needs to be restricted for a longer period application must be made again in writing by the company at the end of this time.

Similarly, if a student is employed by a company to do research, he/she does on behalf of the company and this should be declared to other parties.  It is not acceptable practice to use `MSc student` as a cover to obtain competitor information. 

Abstract and Keywords 

This page should be headed by your name and the title of the dissertation, followed by an abstract that must not exceed 250 words, and up to ten keywords (or phrases) which pin-point the subject matter. The abstract should detail the content and key findings of the dissertation in such a way that its aim, approach and outcome(s) are clearly identifiable to the reader. 

Title Page

  The title page should conform to the appropriate format as specified in Appendix III.

Preface

 The preface is used primarily to mention matters of background necessary for an understanding of the subject that do not logically fit into the text.  Items such as the following may also be mentioned here unless they are more extensively considered in the body of the dissertation: reason for the selection of the subject and its limitation, explanation as to how the dissertation relates to practical matters in the field in which it is written, the nature and scope of the investigation undertaken, difficulties encountered, etc.  It is customary to include a brief expression of the author`s appreciation of help and guidance received in the research.  The preface is not the same as an introduction, which is properly a part of the main body of the dissertation.

Statement of Authenticity and Word Count 

Students should include a statement confirming that the dissertation is their own work. This should be worded as follows: “I have read the University Regulations relating to plagiarism and certify that this dissertation is all my own work and does not contain any unacknowledged work from any other sources.”  This statement may be included on the same page as the preface, should space allow.  Students should also include a word count on this page. The word count should exclude bibliographies, diagrams and tables, footnotes, tables of contents and appendices of data.  Please see appendix II.

Dedication

Dissertations do not usually carry a dedication but may do so if the author feels there is a strong need for one.

Table of Contents

The table of contents contains the headings and subheadings of the chapters and sections of the dissertation, with the numbers of the pages on which these chapters and sections begin.

The abstract and title page are not entered in the table of contents and therefore the first item to be listed is the preface.

The minimum content of the table of contents should be the preface, each chapter or main division title, each appendix and the bibliography.  All headings should correspond exactly in wording, arrangement, punctuation, and capitalization with the headings as they appear in the body of the dissertation.

 A main heading or chapter title is given entirely in capitals and begins at the left-hand margin of the page.  A main subhead is indented three spaces from the initial letter of the heading under which it falls and is typed in upper and lower case.  If used, a subordinate subhead is indented three spaces from the initial letter of the main subhead under which it falls.  Chapters, sections of chapters and subsections, etc, are numbered using Arabic numerals in a decimal sequence.  Thus, the third subsection of the second section of chapter three is numbered as Section 3.2.3.

The number of the page on which the division begins in the text of the dissertation is given in the table of contents in Arabic numerals flush with the right-hand margin of the page.  Double spacing is used except for over-run lines, which are single-spaced.  For an example of the layout see Appendix II.

Lists of Tables, Figures and Other Materials

If the dissertation contains charts, figures, maps, tables, photographs, or other types of material, each series of these should be listed separately in an appropriate list on the page or pages immediately following the table of contents.  Each such list should appear on a separate page.  In format, such lists should follow the general style of the table of contents.

The number of the item is given at the left-hand margin of the page under the appropriate column headings entitled, “Charts”, “Figures”, “Maps”, “Tables”, or “Photographs”.  After an interval of three spaces, the number is followed by the title of the item, given exactly as it appears in the text of the dissertation.  The number of the page on which the item appears in the body of the dissertation is given flush with the right-hand margin of the page.  Tables, figures, etc. should be numbered according to their chapter and position in the chapter.  Thus Figure 2.10 is the tenth figure in Chapter Two 

Body of the Text

The dissertation proper begins with the first page of the first chapter or section.  Each chapter or section should represent an important division of the dissertation.  Special care should be given to dividing the text into paragraphs and the use of subheadings to help the reader. Each new chapter should begin on a new page.

 The chapters are identified by Arabic numerals and the subsections numbered as specified in sections 1.5 and 1.6.  Each chapter should have a title identifying the subject contained therein and it should begin on a new page.

Appendices

The principal purpose of an appendix is to keep the text of the dissertation from being interrupted or cluttered with supplementary, minor and illustrative materials. The text of pertinent documents, tables that present extensive data, or date of minor or ancillary importance, the text of legal decisions or laws, very lengthy quotations, excerpts from diaries, transcripts or minutes, forms of documents, copies of sample questionnaires, and the like, may be included as appendices if they are pertinent to the subject matter of the dissertation and they cannot appropriately be incorporated into the body of the text.

Appendices should appear immediately following the body of the text.  Each appendix should start on a separate page.  The appendix pages should continue the regular pagination of the dissertation.  Appendix A should be a copy of the dissertation proposal as submitted to the supervisor.  Other appendices should then follow in the order that they are referred to in the text of the dissertation.  Whenever possible and appropriate, the source of material in the appendix should be given.

Bibliography/References

The bibliography should generally contain only the works consulted and found relevant and thus cited by the author in the management dissertation.  The inclusion of an irrelevant item is as much a defect as the exclusion of a relevant one.  Each item should be a full reference in the standard order specified in the effective learning services booklet “References and Bibliographies”

http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/management/external/els/pdf/refandbib.pdf 

SECTION 2

PREPARATION OF THE DISSERTATION

The candidate is required to submit one spiral bound copy of the dissertation and a disc.  The University retains these after the degree has been awarded, the disc being lodged with the University Library and the bound copy with the Postgraduate Office.   Students must ensure that the pages of their dissertation will not easily become loose. The dissertation must be produced using a word processor on one side only of A4 paper of good quality and conform to the guidelines detailed below. 

2.1 Word Length

The MAXMIUM permitted length is 12,000 words. The limit excludes bibliographies, diagrams and tables, footnotes, tables of contents and appendices of data . According to University regulations, assessed work which exceeds a specified maximum permitted length will be subject to a penalty deduction of marks equivalent to the percentage of additional words over the limit. Harsh penalties will be applied to work that is significantly over-length. 

2.2 Margins

Font and Spacing Margin widths are as follows: Left at least 4.0cm, right 2cm, and top and bottom 2.5cm.  The right-hand margin should be kept as even as possible.  Best practice is to have all material ‘left-aligned’ and to have the margins set as stated.  Folded tables, graphs, illustrations, maps, and similar inserts should be within the margins indicated, otherwise, they run the risk of being cut during the binding and trimming process. It is required that the body of the dissertation should be one and a half line spaced, with quotations in single line spacing, indented. 11pt Arial or 12pt Times New Roman must be used as the font for all of the text throughout the dissertation. Any other choice of font is unsuitable.  The pages of the dissertation must be numbered.

 2.3  Electronic Submission

1. Dissertations should be submitted as one or more word files.  Appendices in other formats when Microsoft word is not suitable will be accepted.
2. Dissertations must be submitted as text, where applicable, and not scanned in.
3. Submit through Turnitin on the module canvas site.  

SECTION 3

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL MATTERS

3.1 Bibliographical References 

The bibliography should generally contain only the works consulted and found relevant and thus cited by the author in the management dissertation.  The inclusion of an irrelevant item is as much a defect as the exclusion of a relevant one.  Each item should be a full reference in the standard order specified in the effective learning services booklet “References and Bibliographies”

http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/management/external/els/pdf/refandbib.pdf

Cases of suspected plagiarism will be referred to the University Registrar and if proven may result in a fail at the first attempt or, in serious cases, expulsion from the University without an award.

Please see the link below for advice on Harvard Referencing 

http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/management/external/els/pdf/refandbib.pdf

SECTION 4

SPECIMEN LAYOUT FOR THE FRONT COVER

DRIVING FORCES AND PROBLEMS FOR INVESTORS IN BULGARIA

APPENDIX D - MSc DISSERTATION - MARKING SCHEME 

1. DISSERTATION MARKING SCHEME

	PASS			GRADUATE PASS	FAIL
Assessment criteria and weighting	70% or above	69-60%	59-50%	49-40%	39% or under
Introduction Clarity of problem definition, context and aims	Very clear definition of problem. Relates to academic debate and/or practice Sharply focused aims and objectives	Clear definition of problem Relates to academic debate and/or practice Focused aims and objectives	Some attempt at clarity of problem definition Relates to central topic issues Aims and objectives may lack focus	Unclear problem definition Weak link to central topic issues Aims and objectives lack focus	Unclear problem definition No link to central topic issues Aims and objectives lack focus or may be missing
Literature review Critical evaluation of the literature	Excellent critical review of up-to-date literature Relates to academic debate Demonstrates deep knowledge of theory, concepts and empirical evidence Linked to clear research questions	Critical evaluation of relevant, up-to-date literature Relates to academic debate Demonstrates thorough knowledge of theory, concepts and empirical evidence Linked to clear research questions	Some attempt to identify relevant literature but inadequate evaluation Demonstrates some knowledge of theory, concepts and empirical evidence Some attempt to link to research questions	Little attempt to identify relevant literature and/or inadequate evaluation Demonstrates little knowledge of theory, concepts and empirical evidence Little/no attempt to link to research questions	Disorganised, irrelevant or out of date Inadequate/poor knowledge of theory, concepts and empirical evidence Little/no attempt to link to research questions
Methodology Case for research design and methods	Excellent review of research design options Excellent justification of methods	Good grasp of research design options Good justification of methods	Some appreciation of research design Some justification of methods	Little appreciation of research design Weak justification of methods	Little/no appreciation of research design Inadequate/no justification of methods
Results/findings Analysis and interpretation	Results/findings reported very clearly Discussed in a highly analytical manner in the context of the literature/research questions	Results/findings reported clearly Discussed thoroughly in the context of the literature/research questions	Results/findings reported clearly Some attempt to relate them to the literature/research questions	Unclear results/findings, unrelated to research questions Little attempt to relate them to the literature	Unclear results/findings, unrelated to research questions No attempt to relate them to the literature
Conclusions Conclusions and recommendations	Conclusions clearly linked to research questions Considerable attention to implications and limitations Very clear recommendations based on the results/findings	Conclusions clearly linked to research questions Attention given to implications and limitations Clear recommendations based on the results/findings	Some attempt to link conclusions to research questions Some attention given to implications and limitations Recommendations based on the results/findings	Some conclusions but not linked to research questions Little attention given to implications and limitations Most recommendations based on the results/findings	Some conclusions but not linked to research questions Little attention given to implications and limitations Recommendations missing or not based on the results/findings
Presentation, structure, writing style and referencing	Very clear presentation and structure Highly accessible writing style that follows academic conventions Appropriately referenced	Clear presentation and structure Clear writing style that follows academic conventions Appropriately referenced	Satisfactory presentation and structure Satisfactory writing style that follows academic conventions There may be weaknesses in referencing	Poor presentation and structure Some attempt at appropriate academic style There may be weaknesses in referencing	Poor presentation and structure Inappropriate writing style and/or very poor referencing
Recommend-ations* Realistic, timely and cost effective recommend-ations and action plan.	Recommendations are detailed, critical and very realistic, timely and cost- effective from a business perspective.	Recommendations are detailed and realistic, timely and cost-effective from a business perspective.	Recommendations are mostly realistic, timely and cost-effective from a business perspective.	. Only some of the recommendations are realistic, timely and cost effective from a business perspective.	Recommendations are lacking or too broad or too limited, lacking realism, timeliness, or cost effectiveness from a business perspective
Reflective Account* Evidence that personal learning has been reflected upon/reviewed, including comments from organization if appropriate.	There is extensive evidence the student has reviewed their own learning in a detailed and critical way and this shows all the signs of being able to reproduce high quality reports in the future.	There is clear evidence the student has reviewed their own learning in a detailed way and this shows significant signs of being able to reproduce high quality reports in the future	There is some evidence that the student has reviewed their own learning and shows signs of being able to produce high quality reports in the future.	There is some evidence the student has reviewed their own learning and shows signs of being able to produce better quality reports in the future.	There is little or no evidence that the student has reviewed their own learning or shows any signs of being able to produce better quality reports in the future.

* CIPD Additional Requirements 

2. RESEARCH PROPOSAL MARKING SCHEME

	PASS			GRADUATE PASS	FAIL
Assessment criteria and weighting	70% or above	69-60%	59-50%	49-40%	39% or under
Introduction Clarity of problem definition, context and aims	Very clear definition of problem Relates to academic debate and/or practice Sharply focused aims and objectives	Clear definition of problem Relates to academic debate and/or practice Focused aims and objectives	Some attempt at clarity of problem definition Relates to central topic issues Aims and objectives may lack focus	Unclear problem definition Weak link to central topic issues Aims and objectives lack focus	Unclear problem definition No link to central topic issues Aims and objectives lack focus or may be missing
Literature review Critical evaluation of main literature	Excellent critical review of up-to-date literature Relates to academic debate Demonstrates deep knowledge of theory, concepts and empirical evidence Linked to clear research questions	Critical evaluation of relevant, up-to-date literature Relates to academic debate Demonstrates thorough knowledge of theory, concepts and empirical evidence Linked to clear research questions	Some attempt to identify relevant literature but inadequate evaluation Demonstrates some knowledge of theory, concepts and empirical evidence Some attempt to link to research questions	Little attempt to identify relevant literature and/or inadequate evaluation Demonstrates little knowledge of theory, concepts and empirical evidence Little/no attempt to link to research questions	Disorganised, irrelevant or out of date Inadequate/poor knowledge of theory, concepts and empirical evidence Little/no attempt to link to research questions
Methodology Case for research design and methods	Excellent review of research design options Excellent justification of methods	Good grasp of research design options Good justification of methods	Some appreciation of research design Some justification of methods	Little appreciation of research design Weak justification of methods	Little/no appreciation of research design Inadequate/no justification of methods
Planning	Excellent planning and discussion of contingencies	Well planned with discussion of contingencies	Satisfactory planning and discussion of contingencies	Poor planning and discussion of contingencies	Unrealistic timetable with little/no discussion of contingencies
Presentation, structure, writing style and referencing	Very clear presentation and structure Highly accessible writing style that follows academic conventions Appropriately referenced	Clear presentation and structure Clear writing style that follows academic conventions Appropriately referenced	Satisfactory presentation and structure Satisfactory writing style that follows academic conventions There may be weaknesses in referencing	Poor presentation and structure Some attempt at appropriate academic style There may be weaknesses in referencing	Poor presentation and structure Inappropriate writing style and/or very poor referencing