MMG411931 Masters Dissertation Project Handbook | GCU

Contents

1    INTRODUCTION   
1.1    THE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THE PROJECT  
1.2    PROJECT TYPE    
2    PROJECT PROCEDURES    
2.1    MSC DISSERTATION PROJECT AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO IT PROFESSIONAL ISSUES AND PROJECT METHODS MODULE  
2.2    PROJECT IDEA AND SELECTING A SUPERVISOR   
2.2.1    FULL TIME STUDENTS    
2.2.2    PART-TIME STUDENTS 
2.3    PROJECT TIMESCALES   
2.3.1    Schedule   
2.4    ROLE OF THE SUPERVISOR  
2.5    ROLE OF THE PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR   
2.6    REQUIREMENTS OF THE STUDENT    
2.7    ROLE OF AN INDUSTRIAL MENTOR    
2.8    LOGS    
2.9    INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR) ASSOCIATED WITH WORK-BASED PROJECTS    
2.10    STUDENT SUPPORT AND INFORMATION    
2.11    DEALING WITH STUDENT COMPLAINTS    
3    ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES    
3.1    THE PROJECT/DISSERTATION MARKING SCHEME    
3.1.1    Dissertation Initiation Document (formative): weighting 0%    
3.1    Overall performance and Dissertation    
3.1.2    Overall performance    
3.1.3    The Dissertation  
3.2    Performance indicators    
4    ORAL PRESENTATION GUIDELINES    
4.1    STYLE AND DELIVERY OF PRESENTATION    
5    WRITING THE DISSERTATION REPORT    
5.1    PROJECT REPORT PREPARATION GUIDELINES    
5.2    REPORT OUTLINE    
5.2.1    Submission requirements  
5.2.2    Title page   
5.2.3    Abstract page    
5.2.4    Acknowledgements page    
5.2.5    Table of contents (TOC), lists … page    
5.2.6    Introduction page    
5.2.7    Literature Review   
5.2.8    Technical Review  
5.2.9    Theory/Model, Software Development, Results/Analysis pages    
5.2.10    Discussion and Conclusion page   
5.2.11    References page    
5.2.12    Submission of the report    
5.2.13    Retention of data and materials    
5.3    PLAGIARISM    
5.4    WRITING A LITERATURE REVIEW    
5.5    SELECTION OF LITERATURE    
5.5.1    Note on the use of generative AI to support the literature review  
5.6    QUOTATION, CITATION AND REFERENCING   
5.6.1    Quotation    
5.6.2    Referencing    
5.6.3    Citation  
5.7    DETAILED CONSIDERATION OF LAYOUT   
5.7.1    Dissertation cover, spine and title page   
5.7.2    Other sections    
5.7.3    Sequence    
5.8    ADDITIONAL DISSERTATION INFORMATION    
6    PLAGIARISM    
7    FIT TO SIT   
8    APPENDIX A - MODULE DESCRIPTOR    

Table of Figures
Figure 1 Project Schedule    
Figure 2: Dissertation Marking Scheme    
Figure 3 Presentation Marking Scheme

Introduction

This module is to be undertaken by students on relevant MSc programmes (full-time and part-time) where students are required to complete a major individual project following completion of the taught modules that comprise the PgD part of their study.

The underlying philosophy of the project is to allow each student to develop academically as an individual by selecting, studying, analysing and evaluating in-depth some problem or area related to the programme of study. The project offers an alternative to learning within the traditional lecture and tutorial environment and, consequently, an alternative method for students to demonstrate their capabilities. Projects are usually expected to have some industrial relevance to the area of study; part-time students and distance-learning students are usually expected to agree on a suitable project from their sponsoring company in consultation with a member of academic staff.

Each student is required to complete an individual project under the guidance of an academic supervisor or (if necessary) supervisors. On completion of the work, the student will prepare an individual and unique written report (dissertation) and deliver a presentation (using appropriate electronic tools) for assessment by the University.

Students undertaking the MSc. project will have completed an appropriate module that covers the areas of project methods & project management, legal, social, ethical and professional issues. This handbook does not repeat the material covered in that module. However, students’ attention is drawn to the need for project planning and for safe and ethical working in the project. Students are expected to maintain appropriate academic and professional standards at all times.

The objectives/learning Outcomes of the Project

The general objectives of the project are:

• Plan, integrate, evaluate and apply knowledge from all aspects of the programme and elsewhere to the solution of complex computing problems relating to the specific programme of study.
• To display critical analytic thinking and creative synthetic thinking1.
• Demonstrate a systematic understanding and knowledge of the project domain.
• Demonstrate motivation, initiative, analytical and critical evaluation skills and creative thinking in the execution of an independent project.
• To manage resources effectively on a major piece of work of significant duration, to meet deliverables on time and within budget (if applicable).
• Demonstrate effective oral, written and electronic communication skills.

Project Type

The University guidelines covering project and dissertation supervision are included in Appendix B.

The project should be the practice-based ‘capstone’ type:

A practice-based capstone is a project in which the student develops a solution to a specific, challenging problem using an approach related to professional practice within their area of study. The term ‘capstone’ comes from the final decorative ‘cap-stone’ used to complete a building or monument: a capstone project is the culmination of a programme and requires application in a “real-world” setting of knowledge and theory learned during the programme. It is expected that the project will involve the creation of an artefact of some type that implements a solution to a specified problem. Examples of such artefacts may include (but are not limited to): software applications (which may involve coding or may involve substantial configuration and adaptation of “off-the-shelf” software for a specific problem); deriving and applying analytical models; building and configuring systems from an appropriate mix of hardware and software to solve a particular problem.

In particular, in undertaking and completing the project, students must be able to demonstrate:

• a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at - or informed by - the forefront of the specialist academic discipline.
• a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship
• originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline
• how to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences
• self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and acting autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level
• critical self-evaluation of the project process.

Project Procedures

MSc Dissertation Project and Its Relationship to IT Professional Issues and Project Methods Module

Before starting the MSc Dissertation project, students will have already taken the module Data Ethics & Research Methods. Students are reminded of the importance of this module in undertaking the Dissertation module. Students should especially recall that the module provided them with the background knowledge and skills that (in combination with the technical skills acquired in other taught modules) will enable them to carry an MSc Dissertation through to a successful conclusion. Students studied the key aspects of the processes underlying the delivery of projects, and they should relate this experience to the process they adopt in executing the project and writing the final dissertation.

Project Idea and Selecting a Supervisor

Full-time students

Students will normally be expected to undertake projects of their specification; they are invited to discuss project ideas with potential supervisors and the project coordinator (see section 2.5 below) before the allocation process begins. Practically, this means that students should be approaching supervisors for discussions in the three months leading up to the start of the project period. A One-Page Overview should be written to communicate the project idea to potential supervisor(s).

In the case of work-based projects, students are encouraged to develop their ideas in collaboration with their industrial contacts and sponsoring companies, as well as taking advice from academic staff. The idea will normally be assessed by the academic supervisor and the industrial contact or sponsor.

Part-time students

Part-time students will normally be expected to investigate and agree on suitable projects within their workplaces. The academic supervisor and project coordinator will ensure that the project ideas are suitable academically.

Project timescales

Schedule

Under normal circumstances, the project starts in June (trimester C), February (trimester B) or September (Trimester A), and runs for 12 weeks. Note that the 12-week period runs from the formal start of the project to the submission of the Dissertation. Students will follow a schedule as shown below in Figure 1.

Requirements of the student

• Read the MSc Project Handbook carefully.
• Arrange to have 4 meetings with the supervisor. Normally this should be around weeks 1, 4, 7 and 10. Remember that if the project is undertaken during the summer period, and staff will be taking their holidays during this period as well, it is important to agree on some dates during this period for meetings, etc.
• Complete and submit a meeting record for each of the project meetings.
• Start working on your project straight away and work steadily; do not leave it to the last minute.
• Attend any workshops that have been arranged for you.
• Keep a log to record your progress, results and meetings with your supervisor.
• Submit the Project Design Report to your supervisor by the due date.
• Write and compile a final dissertation (see dissertation guidelines).
• Agree on the final version of the dissertation and submit two copies of the dissertation bound by the due date. If a collaborating establishment has been agreed upon and is involved, you may wish to give them a copy as well. Make another copy for yourself.
• Prepare for and attend the oral presentation. All Project students will be notified of the date and time of the oral presentation by their supervisor. Submit the slides you used for the presentation.
• For any problems concerning the project, consult the project coordinator.
• Keep backup copies and hard copies of your work

Assessment Guidelines

The Project/Dissertation Marking Scheme

The total marks for each part of the project module are distributed in the following manner.

In line with all Master's modules, students will be required to have a total mark of 50% to achieve a pass in the MSc project module.

Note: In addition to Pass and Fail grades, the overall MSc qualification can also be awarded with Merit or Distinction. To achieve this, you must satisfy the appropriate requirements detailed within the ‘Merit or Distinction’ section of the ‘GCU Assessment Regulations Handbook’ for Taught Postgraduate Programmes. Part of the requirement for Merit or Distinction relates to the mark for the MSc Dissertation module. You can find the regulatory documents on the following page.

Dissertation Initiation Document (formative): weighting 0%

The function of the Initiation Document is to show that you have carried out a reasonable amount of reading on your chosen topic and that you know how your project fits into the general literature. It should also show that you have carefully considered the approach you are going to take and the timescales involved.

The Initiation Document takes the form of a short report (approximately 1000 words) outlining the initial plan for the project and should be submitted to the proposed project supervisor before the start of the project period, in order that the project can be allowed to start.

A template for the Initiation Document is available on GCU Learn.

Oral Presentation Guidelines

Each student is expected to give an oral presentation of their project. The presentations will be 30 minutes duration, comprising a 20-minute presentation followed by 10 minutes of questions, answers and a discussion session. The oral presentations will be to an audience that may comprise fellow students, project supervisors and other academic staff. The External Examiner may also choose to be present for the orals.

Slides or alternative electronic materials for the presentation will be submitted to GCULearn for the module records.

Students should seek their supervisor's advice concerning the contents and structure of their presentation, however, the following should give general guidance on the content and structure expected:

Introduction

• Introduce yourself, and title/subject of the project, and your supervisor.

Overview of Project

• Brief background history.
• Aims and objectives of the project.
• Methods and strategies employed.
• Summary of results.
• Discussion of results.

Conclusion/Summing Up

• Conclusions, observations and future work.

Questions, Answers and Discussion

• Be prepared to answer questions from the audience and be able to expand on some of the topics covered by your talk.

Writing the Dissertation Report

The report must be prepared in Microsoft Word format only. This must be submitted via. 

Turnitin on GCU Learn.

Note: In addition to the academic content of the dissertation, the layout is also important and should conform to the British Standards BS4821 (1990)2 and the University Regulations.

Project Report Preparation Guidelines

The following guidelines identify the key issues and define the style to be used when writing your report. Most students underestimate the amount of time required to write a report of this size and often have to submit a report that is not as well written as they would have liked it to be.

You must keep writing as you go along rather than waiting until all the practical work is finished. You will have to make changes to what you have written, but it is much easier to change parts of a document than to write it all at once.

It is also important that you discuss a draft version of your report with your project supervisor, and this should take place early enough for you to incorporate any changes before submitting the final version.

The MSc Dissertation, unlike other examinable material, can be entered into the “public domain” after it has been passed, i.e. put into the University Library for all to see. Thus, every aspect of it has to meet acceptable criteria of a common standard before it is passed. All of the key components of your dissertation must be correct (or at least adequate), or you will be asked by the examination board to do some “repairs” and submit the Dissertation again, before you gain a pass.

It is worth noting that long project reports do not necessarily equate with good projects. Dissertations are assessed on quality, not volume.

Report Outline

It is important to have a clear outline to the report. An example outline follows, but please note that projects vary in scope/content and not all reports will follow the same structure.

1. Title page and declaration of originality
2. Abstract
3. Acknowledgements
4. Table of contents, List of Figures, List of Tables
5. Introduction
6. Literature Review and Technical Review
7. Software/System Design/Methods

• Any theories/models that underpin the project work (optional)
• Analysis and design-alternatives
• Design selected for the project
• System architectural representations
• Development and Testing
• Outcomes/ Results / Analysis

8. Discussion / Evaluation of the work
9. conclusions
10. Future work that could be undertaken to extend the ideas investigated within the project
11. References
12. Appendices

Submission of the Report

The final word-processed version of your report should be uploaded to the corresponding submission point in the Dissertation module’s GCULearn course.