Lecture 1
INTRODUCTION TO
DISSERTATIONS
Lecture 1
LECTURE OUTLINE
• introduction to the lecture module
• Lecture 1 learning objectives
• recommended reading
• the nature of dissertations
• basic planning using charts
• developing a topic idea
INTRODUCTION TO THE LECTURE MODULE
The module comprises a series of 10 lectures:
Lecture 1: Introduction to the module and getting started
Lecture 2: Strategies for finding and developing a dissertation
topic
Lecture 3: The key skills tested in a dissertation
Lecture 4: The research proposal
Lecture 5: Completing on-time
Lecture 6: Theory and literature
Lecture 7: Methodology
Lecture 8: Data analysis
Lecture 9: The craft of writing
Lecture 10: Reviewing your work before submission
GENERAL BREAKDOWN OF A LECTURE/
LEARNING SESSION
Activities may include:
• Web-based research
• Data-gathering
• Source selection and critique
• Investigation of methods
• Practical research
ENGAGEMENT WITH YOUR SUPERVISOR
• A comfortable relationship leads to valuable dissertation
management opportunities
– to check progress
– to make decisions
– to agree any changes to your dissertation plan
• Supervisor style
Your supervisor should adopt an engagement method that is
appropriate to and preferred by you
Remember: it is your dissertation and you are the person
responsible for it
• Frequency and duration of contact varies from supervisor to
supervisor and student to student
The relationship will change as the project progresses
Lecture 1
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• to become familiar with the teaching and
workshop inputs to this module
• to understand the stages of completing a
dissertation
• to appreciate the necessity for planning and
control
Recommended reading:
Chapter 1: Preface and Introduction of the associated book:
Horn, R. (2009) Researching and Writing Dissertations.
London: CIPD
Activity:
RESEARCH GROUP ICE-BREAKER
Split into pairs, each pair to produce a short vignette which
summarises:
• your experience of carrying out research
• your understanding of what research is
• your hopes for this module
In the meantime (and for my benefit) let me know:
• your name
• your company
WHAT IS A DISSERTATION?
A dissertation is an original piece of work to demonstrate
your ability to research and learn independently.
No two dissertations will ever be the same even if they are
investigating the same topic area!
It involves designing a piece of research to find the answer to
a question or explore a topic in depth.
Your research must use theories models and concepts as a
foundation.
It involves choosing appropriate theory and research methods
and carrying out some primary research.
IT IS SUBMITTED IN THREE FORMS
1
As a dissertation proposal
Formative
1,000 words (electronic submission)
early November
2 As an extended synopsis
Formative
3,000 to 5,000 words
early December
3 As the final dissertation
100% weighting
up to 15,000 words
due date 18 months after enrolment
First submission:
THE DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
This carefully displays:
•
•
•
•
•
the intended topic
the proposed title
the rationale for your choice
how you intend to study the subject – ie the proposed methodology
intended sources – the theory, concept or model you intend as the main
theoretical approach, and a short annotated bibliography
• a dissertation time-plan, probably in the form of a Gantt chart
The proposal should be submitted electronically to enable
the course team to consider your supervision requirements
and to enable a supervisor to be allocated.
Second submission:
THE EXTENDED SYNOPSIS
This contains
• a clear statement of the aims and objectives of the
research
• evidence of extensive research of published research
and related theories and models
• a detailed description of methodology
• a developed outline of the dissertation’s structure
including chapter contents
• a planned, detailed timetable for the research
Third and final submission:
THE DISSERTATION ITSELF
This includes:
• an introduction to your topic with your aims and objectives
or hypotheses set out clearly
• an in-depth critical review of the relevant theories, models
and concepts and research already existing into the
topic area
• an outline and critical justification of the chosen
methodology for your primary research
• a representation of the data and analysis method
• an analysis of your results, comparing your findings to
existing research and linking with your theories
• appropriate conclusions and recommendations
Example titles of successfully completed dissertations
• Work–Life Balance: Rhetoric or
Reality
• Flexible Working and the
Psychological Contract
• The Measurement of WorkRelated Stress and its Impact
• Acquisitions and Mergers – The
Impact on Company Culture
• An Examination of the
Factors/Barriers Affecting the
Introduction of a Positive
Reinforcement Performance
Management System
• Perceptions of Systems of Staff
Appraisal from Lead Nurses at
the Royal Free NHS Trust
• The Balance of Individual and
Team Working in the IT Services
Industry
• Employee Involvement versus
Employee Voice
• Change Management and
Competitive Advantage
• Perceptions of Leaders: An
Employee’s View
• Changing Corporate Culture –
A Case Study of Marks &
Spencer’s
• Perceptions of Homeworking
• An Investigation of the
Dimensions of the Learning
Organisation
• Management of Culture Change
in the Post-Acquisition Period
of Company Mergers in the
Housebuilding Industry
Work-alone activity:
POTENTIAL TOPIC AREAS
Time allowed: 15 minutes
Write down the topics or topic areas in which you
imagine you might complete your dissertation.
Then discuss them with your nearest neighbour . . .
WHY PLAN YOUR DISSERTATION?
It is essential to carefully plan your dissertation before
you start work on it because:
• it predicts the start and end points of the project
• it enables communication of progress
• it highlights problems and issues early
• it helps manage risk
• it disposes towards on-time completion
GANTT CHARTS
• are named after Henry Gantt (1861–1919, US
mechanical engineer and management
consultant)
• have been around since the 1910s
• are the most common graphic representation of plans
involving schedules and deadlines
• can show the critical path
• are not great at showing precedence, however
• are easy to construct and interpret
Other forms of charts and schedules are available for
on-screen work in Microsoft Project (MSP)
Example of a Gantt chart (on screen):
PLANS NEED TASKS – AND TASKS NEED
DURATIONS SET FOR THEM
• Brainstorm tasks
• Subdivide tasks until each is about one or two weeks in duration
– If you can get down to days, then great – but beware of the
need to prepare for contingencies
Examples of tasks
– Hand in proposal (7 days)
– Critically review the related theory (21 days)
– Design method (10 days)
DEPENDENCY/PRECEDENCE RELATIONSHIPS
Such relationships are characterised by events and activities
that must be accomplished before another event or activity
can take place.
Examples:
Boil kettle before pouring water into the cup
Pick up handset before dialling a number
Buy a computer system before installing it
Write the dissertation before submitting it
PRAGMATIC REALITIES OF DISSERTATIONS
• All dissertations are unique
• None runs exactly to plan
• All involve people
• Dissertation management involves change and decisionmaking – people like neither!
• A structured approach and tools make things easier
• Do not be a slave to your plans
– They should be malleable artefacts
– Change them as necessary
• All dissertations have an element of risk: don’t worry
about it – manage it.
Work-alone activity:
WEB-SEARCHING
Time allowed: 30 minutes’ preparation
5 minutes’ feedback
Search the Web for material relevant to your topic
area.
Feedback to the group: ‘My dissertation topic will most
likely be . . .’
Work-alone activity:
DEVELOPING MY TOPIC AREA
Preparation for the next lecture/learning session
Prepare three PowerPoint presentation slides
setting out:
• why you have chosen your topic area
• where you will do the research
• the immediate issues you must resolve in order to
progress this topic
REFLECTION
on the learning points of this lecture
• dissertations can be fun – enjoy them
• planning will reduce the risk and increase the
enjoyment
• develop a healthy relationship with your
supervisor