| Category | Dissertation | Subject | Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| University | The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) | Module Title | QUAL11012 MSc Project Dissertation |
| Word Count | 15,000 – 18,000 words – don’t go over 20,000 |
|---|
This a 60 credit module that it is undertaken, ideally, when students have completed and passed all of the taught modules. It is not unusual however, for students to have a resit or in some cases to re-attend a module. Students are advised to use the coursework of the previously attended Postgraduate Research Methods module, which is a research proposal. Students, however, may wish to change the topic but this will require a new research proposal
Written report, 80% of the overall mark. Min words 13,000 (normal around 15,000 – 18,000 words – don’t go over 20,000). Word count excludes references and contents Presentation, 20% of the overall mark. 15min presentation, arranged in communication with your supervisor 2 weeks before the final submission deadline. Another member of the academic team will be present. See appendix about Presentations FAQs
The independent research project on the Master of Science programme is the largest piece of work that you are required to complete. This makes it both an exciting challenge and a daunting task. It is an exciting challenge because it gives you the opportunity to carry out an in-depth investigation into an area of your own choice and in the manner of your own choice. Why it becomes daunting is that it requires you to be self-motivated and highly independent. Much of the underlying philosophy of the Masters programmes is concerned with facilitating and developing independent learning.
By now the notion of independent learning should be familiar to you, but undertaking your dissertation may still be a little unnerving because:
The benefits of undertaking a dissertation are enormous. Usually, students find this element of their programme the most rewarding because of the amount of learning that takes place in both the subject matter and the process.
Despite this there will be times when difficulties arise and you may not know what you are meant to be doing. Do not worry about these feelings as they are part of the experience of undertaking a large piece of independent learning. However, do not despair as this dissertation handbook is specifically designed to help you overcome these feeling. This handbook tells you how the process will be organised as well as informing you about the resources that are available to help you. Research “milestones” are identified so that you can manage your time accordingly. Finally, the regulations governing content and submission, and marking criteria are included in the guidelines.
You will already have some of these skills that have been developed as you progressed through the taught element of your degree. Specifically, for your dissertation, you require self-management and time-management skills, as well as skills related to managing the research and the relationships that you develop with others who participate in your research (e.g., fieldwork contacts and your supervisor).
It is important that you organise for your research by setting up systems of information management. Of course the systems that you choose will be dependent on the nature of your research but as a general rule they should include the following:
Ask anyone who has completed a Masters dissertation and they will tell you that it takes a lot longer than you would expect, so you need to be clear about your priorities. How you plan your work will, of course, depend on your other work commitments, family responsibilities, etc. What is important is that you do need to work out a way of planning and managing your time in a way that works for you. You also have to be reasonable in the amount of time you expect your supervisor to read and comment on the drafts.
One important relationship you will have to manage is the relationship with your supervisor. Your supervisor is a key contributing factor to your role as an effective and independent researcher. Your supervisor is aware of this and will work hard to maintain a good relationship with you. The most important factor from your point of view is to maintain regular and frequent contact and open communication. This is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
There are a number of resources available to help you throughout the University, primarily library and computer resources. As you will know from the frequent use you have made of its resources during the taught element of your degree, the library has a number of resources including textbooks, academic journals and electronic databases. Make sure you familiarise yourself with these and with the help available from the library staff. Inter library loans are available but make sure that you order these well in advance as they can sometimes take several weeks to arrive. You should also familiarise yourself with course and library guidelines on this service BEFORE you make any requests.
As with the library, a number of conveniently sited computer labs can be accessed and advice and assistance are available from ITDS staff. Make sure that you make full use of this valuable resource.
Are You Looking for Answer of QUAL11012 Dissertation
Order Non Plagiarized AssignmentThe Masters dissertation is at the end of your degree programme. This is so you can draw on the learning and skills you have acquired. For instance, by this stage you should be familiar with:
You will also have a good understanding of a range of management disciplines and knowledge that will form a foundation for your research. Think of all of the modules and assignments that you have undertaken so far in your Masters degree. You will soon see that you do have a lot of knowledge to draw on.
In relation to your work, transferable skills may be considered from two angles. On the one hand there are the skills that you have developed in the way that you integrate and synthesise existing learning into the Masters dissertation; and, on the other hand, there are transferable skills from carrying out your dissertation that you will draw upon throughout your career.
In undertaking your dissertation, you will gain a good rounded knowledge of research methodology. Whatever career you choose this knowledge will stand you in good stead. In other words the skills you develop will be transferable to other business settings.
Your research is the largest single piece of work that you are required to submit. As you progress through the supervised development of your project you will become increasingly self-directed in your research activities.
Producing a quality research project normally between 13,000-18,000 words (excluding references) is a major challenge. Not only does this give you an intellectually challenging task over time, but it also gives you the opportunity to produce a piece of work that may also be of interest to others including current and future employers. By undertaking your dissertation you are demonstrating your ability to take personal responsibility for your work and displaying commitment to completing a major task.
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Question |
Notes |
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☐ |
Do you have your proposal ready? |
It is suggested you use your coursework for research methods but you can still change topic. A new proposal will be needed though |
|
☐ |
Is your topic linked with Project Management |
You have to link it with one or more areas of Project Management – it is a MSc Project Management dissertation |
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Is there a research element? |
You need to state clearly the “Why” element. This is not an essay or literature review |
|
☐ |
Are your objectives clear and achievable? |
They need to link with your course, your research question and achievable within your timeline. This is the “what” element |
|
☐ |
Is your methodology feasible and clear? |
This is not about describing the terms or the research onion. It is about explaining what you will be doing and justifying your choices. This is the “how” element |
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☐ |
Will you be using primary research? (Surveys, interviews, focus groups, etc.) |
You know the next question |
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☐ |
Have you completed your ethics application? |
Approval can take 2-4 weeks. Visit the links at the start of the document that will help you complete it |
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☐ |
Have you received approval for your ethics application |
You cannot collect any data before you receive the approval email from the ethics committee which you have to include in your report |
|
☐ |
Have you linked established theory with your questions? |
The questions have to follow certain guidelines (e.g. avoid biased, leading, double questions) and they have to be driven by the literature review |
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☐ |
Have you contacted your MSc supervisor? |
You are advised to do so within 5 working days of receiving their details and their 1st introductory |
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☐ |
Do you have a schedule of meetings arranged with your supervisor? |
You should arrange at least 1 meeting a month. This is more imperative for international students |
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☐ |
Have you sent your work to your supervisor for feedback? |
Allow at least 5 working days. Remember we do not work weekends or after 5pm (regardless of what you may have experienced) |
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Are your references recent and connected with your topic |
While we do not expect to see all citations from the last year, the majority of them need to be recent to reflect current research where possible |
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☐ |
Are you aware of the submission deadline? |
Check the Aula site. Ask the MSc module coordinator |
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☐ |
Have you arranged for the MSc presentation |
This should be done 7-10 days before the deadline |
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☐ |
Is your word count above 13,000 words |
You need to make it be |
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☐ |
Have you explained whether you have achieved the aims and objectives? |
This should part of your Discussion or conclusions chapter |
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☐ |
Have you stated your contribution to knowledge/research? |
This part is critical. This is a research project and we want to see what you bring into the field. |
|
☐ |
Have you applied for ECS prior the deadline if you need more time? |
You can do so in banner. Do select both elements of coursework |
Achieve Higher Grades QUAL11012 Dissertation
Order Non Plagiarized AssignmentThis section explains some of the procedures and milestones that MSc QM/PM have put in place to help you develop and manage your Masters dissertation.
You have undertaken a 10-credit taught component of your PgD, called Postgraduate Research Methods. The general purpose is to ensure that the under-noted LEARNING OUTCOMES are achieved so that students, on completion of their dissertation, will be able to:
The taught content, designed to ensure that these outcomes are met, is detailed in your student handbook in the section that includes module descriptors. In other words it provides the foundation upon which you will build your own reading. This foundation, together with your own independent self-directed learning, will make it possible for you to achieve the generic objectives of a Masters Dissertations in MSc QM/PM.
Dissertations come in many different forms making a precise definition impossible. However, it is usually an original piece of discursive, not purely descriptive, work of some substance in which a question, problem, or hypothesis of importance to the author, is subjected to analysis and investigation. The elucidation is by a reasonably objective and recognised method. Finally, conclusions are drawn about the problem, the methodology and the contextual value of the findings. The dissertation will be original in the sense that the author will be tackling an issue of practical or academic significance that has not been previously investigated.
Selecting your area of interest and the specific research topic is of the utmost importance. You are going to become deeply involved, for a large amount of time, investigating this topic. Spending such a long time engaged in something you really do not like, or in which you have very little interest, is more likely to lead to failure. Regardless of the topic you choose, it is of paramount importance that you understand that:
Your project and research must be in your general area of study and linked to the modules in the PgD. However, there are very many topics within this broad area which you might investigate but you must, of course, show how your chosen topic relates to your subject area.
There are several possible means of identifying a subject for your dissertation:
When deciding upon a topic you should bear in mind that the dissertation must normally be completed within a reasonably short time period, therefore, the topic subject should not be too broad. It is wise to choose a topic on which there will be enough available information to carry out research, and one for which such information can be accessed.
When choosing a research topic, you might start with your own working environment. Your existing knowledge of the subject area will give you a “quick start”. A work-based project will generally be supported by your employer if they perceive that the company operations will be improved or better understood as a result of your research. Unrestricted access to company data, company personnel and company experience can also make life a lot easier. (However, if the company decides later not to support or to cancel the work upon which your project relies, then you may have to start a new, very different, project.)
Do not limit your search for a topic just to your normal work activities or to those activities within your own department. Your company may gain great benefit from work conducted outside your normal scope of responsibility. Extending your knowledge may also provide you with enhanced employment opportunities.
Having decided on the general area of study, it is necessary to decide what type of dissertation you will produce. This is a matter of personal choice and whether or not the topic you have chosen lends itself to theoretical or empirical research. There are three broad categories of dissertation.
• Theoretical/ Desk Study: This involves the critical analysis and evaluation of a subject. It is more than just an extended literature review, as conclusions have to be drawn regarding the explanatory value of existing literature in the topic area. Thus, it is a relatively demanding dissertation form.
• Empirical Study: Empirical research is carried out and reported on in the dissertation. This is usually related to the development and/or application of a particular body of knowledge. The nature of the research will depend upon the objectives of the study.
• Practical Study: Theoretical and practical knowledge are applied to waste, resource management and/or environmental management issue.
If you are planning to collect primary data (interviews, focus groups, questionnaires) YOU HAVE TO APPLY FOR ETHICS. The ethics application is completed online, at the ethics review manager and it should be checked by the supervisor prior to submission and signed by them. Ethics approvals can take 4 weeks or longer, so it is critical to start the application as early as possible. There is a chance that it might be rejected, or asked to do changes and resubmit, which means another 4 weeks delay.
You cannot collect any data prior to ethics approval.
The ethics approval letter HAS to be part of your final report as an appendix and your MSc Supervisor has to be check your raw data before final submission.
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Week 1 |
Proposal ready or almost ready about research topic selection Ethics completed when methodology involves primary research data |
Ensure your topic links with Project Management Remember: No ethics, no primary data to be collected |
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Week 2 |
Arrange a schedule with your supervisor Finalise the methodology |
It is YOUR responsibility to contact your MSc supervisor. Share your proposal and finalise the |
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Week 3-6 |
Literature Review Primary Data collection (only AFTER ethics approval) |
References have to be recent where possible and relate to the latest research of your topic |
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Week 7 |
Literature Review draft chapter Start analysis of findings |
Write, write, write ( even sorting the references count as such) |
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Week 8-10 |
Analysis completion |
Secondary or primary data analysis. |
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Week 9 |
Analysis and Discussion chapters (drafts) |
They might not be perfect but they will get better. Send them to your supervisor for feedback. YOUR contribution to research could be part of these sections. |
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Week 10 |
Conclusions |
Reiterate the aims and objectives and explain whether you achieved them or not. Further research & limitations could be included. |
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Week 11 |
Draft Submission |
Check the similarity! Less than 10% |
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Week 12 |
Supervisor feedback |
It is not instant it can take more than 5 working days. We do not work weekends |
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Week 13 |
Presentation |
Remind your supervisor and coordinate date and time |
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Week 14 |
Final submission |
Remember to print your work and use the proper hard cover with the university logo and your name on the front. This is your legacy and a treasure for your library (well, I use mine as door stopper…) |
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Percentage of Total Marks Assigned to Project Component |
Excellent 70-100 |
Good 60-69 |
Satisfactory 55-59 |
Borderline 50-54 |
Fail (Less than) <49 |
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Presentation of Information and Physical layout (10%) |
Very good use of English language. Excellent layout and structure to help make report easy to navigate/read. Logical sequence proceeded with clear succinct summary representing main points of project. Clear, appropriate, high quality diagrams. Comprehensive references included correctly. Very few errors. 7-10% |
Good use of English language. Layout and structure make report easy to read. Clear summary/ abstract. Clear, appropriate diagrams. References included correctly. Few errors. Relevant conclusions made. 6.-6.9% |
Consistent layout. Generally easy to follow. Summary/ abstract included. Logical order. Relevant conclusions made. References included correctly. Some errors. 5.5-5.9% |
Inconsistent layout. Difficult to follow. Poor summary and/or conclusion. Poor references. Many errors. 5-5.4% |
Very poor structure and layout. No summary and/or conclusions. Little logical progression. Errors have serious effect on reader's understanding. Missing or very poor references. < 4.9% |
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Evidence of Appropriate Literature Review (20%) |
Comprehensive analysis and synthesis of critical points of knowledge, ideas and theories, resulting in themes that are concise, unbiased, and relevant to the thesis topic. Clear and logical flow of idea 14 - 20% |
Reasonable analysis and synthesis of critical points of Knowledge, ideas and theories. Themes mostly concise, unbiased, and relevant to the thesis topic. Mostly clear with a logical flow of idea 12-13.9% |
Some analysis and synthesis of critical points of knowledge, ideas and theories. Themes not always concise, unbiased, or relevant to the thesis topic. May lack clarity and a logical flow of idea 11-11.9% |
Descriptive summaries of published documents with some importance or relevance indicated but not fully explained. 10-10.9% |
Published documents summarised, but not linked in any effective way to the aims or objectives of the project under investigation. <9.9% |
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Evidence of Original Thinking (10%) |
Very good content with difficult topics explored to a high standard. High quality product. Specific objectives covered well. Few errors. 7-10% |
Good technical content with some difficult topics explored. Specific objectives covered well. Few omissions/ irrelevancies. Few errors. 6 – 6.9% |
Satisfactory level of technical content included. Specific objectives covered. Some omissions/ irrelevancies. Some errors. 5.5-5.9% |
Insufficient activities in number/technical content. Some specific objectives ignored. Significant inaccuracies, irrelevancies/ omissions. Many errors. 5-5.4% |
Tasks generally inappropriate to project. Very low technical content. Specific objectives largely ignored. Insufficient activities. Work largely incorrect or inaccurate. < 4.9% |
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Development of Methodology (20%) |
Choice of data and methods of collection clearly described, including extent of data gathering. Methods well handled and convincingly justified against the project aims and objectives, including discussion of access issues. Some discussion of inappropriateness of other data collection approaches. Full relevant background |
Choice of data and methods of collection clearly described, including extent of data gathering. Methods adequately handled and justified against the project aims and objectives, including some discussion of access issues. Full relevant background material supplied in appendices. |
Choice of data and methods for collecting them described, but with some gaps, there may be some doubt about how well methods have been handled, or how relevant they are to the aims and objectives. Some background material on methods supplied in appendices. |
Choice of data and methods of collection somewhat vague and with some gaps in the material. Methods of collection are mixed up but are partially related to the aims and objectives. |
Poor choice of data and methods, handled incompletely, with little evidence of link to aims and objectives. |
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material supplied as appendices 14 - 20% |
12 – 13.9% |
11-11.9% |
10 – 10.9% |
< 9.9% |
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Critical Interpretation and Appraisal (20%) |
Key strengths and weaknesses of thesis/research process identified and critically discussed, including what happened that was different from the plan and assumptions that needed to be questioned. Clear and convincing summary of learning gained with particular emphasis on implications for future research practice. 14 - 20% |
Some strengths and weaknesses identified, with good attempt to reflect on them and learning gained from the research. Implications for future research practice or learning needs identified. Not as comprehensive as “excellent” category. 12 – 13.9% |
Some strengths and weaknesses of the project identified, but not completely convincing. Reasonable attempt to identify implications for future practice or learning need. 11-11.9% |
Little evidence of learning and a limited attempt to identify implications for future practice or learning needs. 10 – 10.9% |
Little evidence of learning and a limited attempt to identify implications for future practice or learning needs. < 9.9% |
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Conclusions and Recommendations (20%) |
Conclusions clearly stated, relevant to aims and objectives, linked to results and to course perspectives. Discussion of what can be strongly concluded and what is more speculative. Clear and realistic proposals for action based on new insights, generally informed by the forefront of a field of learning. 14 - 20% |
Conclusions stated, which are relevant to aims and objectives and linked to results. Realistic proposals for action follow from conclusions based on new insights, generally informed by the forefront of a field of learning. 12 – 13.9% |
Attempts to draw conclusions from results are not entirely convincing. Recommendations are incomplete, but there is still a basic link to the conclusions and results and basic feasibility. 12 – 13.9% |
Conclusions are weak and do not really follow from data and results. Recommendations appear neither suitable nor feasible. 10 – 10.9% |
No detectable conclusions or recommendation. < 9.9% |
This module contains a taught element covering research methods as well as independent learning which is assessed by a final written dissertation of approximately 13,000 words and an oral presentation.
This module is a thesis which reflects on student’s research work which can take the form of:
The module will involve:
The module equips students with the Graduate attitudes required to succeed on personal, academic and professional level once they graduate. The MSc Project work makes me universal, helps them get work ready (if they are not ready in employment) achieve success in their selected field. The focus of the graduate attributes are on Universal and Successful
The independent research or work improvement project they undertake will help them become critical thinker, inquiring and analytical. The class composition and discussion throughout the course makes cultural and ethical aware while improving their collaboration skills, social responsibility awareness while doing their research. In order to complete their work, they have to showcase that they can work autonomous, independent and be driven and resilient.
On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:
L1. Undertake and successfully complete a substantial piece of advanced independent work relevant to the theories, practical issues and problems covered in the programme.
L2. Demonstrate an advanced level of understanding of the application of research methods to the investigation of a problem or issue in quality/project management and/or technology.
L3. Make a critical assessment and evaluation of empirical evidence relevant to the problem or issue under investigation.
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