Researching and Writing
Dissertations
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
Researching and Writing
Dissertations
Introduction to Dissertations
WEEK 1
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
Reading
Recommended text:
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Horn, R
CIPD: London
2nd Edition, 2012
ISBN: 978 184398 302 6
Chapter 1: Preface and Introduction
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
Lecture outline
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Recommended reading.
The nature of dissertations.
Basic planning using charts.
Developing a topic idea.
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
Learning objectives
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Understand the stages of
completing a dissertation.
Understand the necessity for
planning and control.
Understand the teaching and
workshop inputs to this module.
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
Module outline [1]
Week 1:
getting
Week 2:
a
Week 3:
Week 4:
Week 5:
Week 6:
Introduction to the module and
started
Strategies for finding and developing
dissertation topic
The key skills tested in a dissertation
The research proposal
Completing on-time
Theory and literature
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
Module outline [2]
Week 7: Methodology
Week 8: Data analysis
Week 9: The craft of writing
Week 10: Reviewing your work before
submission
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
Research ice breaker
Pair up and produce a small vignette
which summarises:
l Your experience of carrying out research.
l Your understanding of what research is.
l Your hopes for this module.
(For my benefit)
Let me know:
l Your name.
l Company.
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
Dissertations
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
What is a dissertation?
It 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.
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
It involves three
submissions
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Dissertation Proposal
Formative, 1,000 words,
early November,
electronic submission
Extended Synopsis
Formative, 3,000 ‒ 5,000
words, early December
Dissertation 100%
weighting, up to 15,000
words, due date 18
months after enrollment
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
First submission
Dissertation Proposal
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Intended topic.
The proposed title.
l The rationale for your choice.
l How you intend to study the subject, ie the
proposed methodology.
l Intended sources – the theory, concept or model
you intend as the main theoretical approach – a
short annotated bibliography.
l Dissertation time plan – Gantt chart.
This proposal will be submitted electronically
to enable the course team to consider your
supervision requirements, and to enable a
Roy Horn
supervisor to be allocated.
Researching and Writing Dissertations
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Second submission
Extended Synopsis
l Clear statement of the aims and
objectives of the research.
l Evidence of extensive research of
published research and related theories
and models.
l Detailed description of methodology.
l Developed outline of dissertation
structure including chapter contents.
l Planned, detailed timetable for the
research.
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
Final submission
This will include the following:l
An introduction to your topic with your aims and objectives or
hypotheses set out clearly.
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An in-depth critical review of the relevant theories, models and
concepts and research already existing into the topic area.
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An outline and critical justification of your chosen methodology for
your primary research.
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A representation of the data and analysis method.
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An analysis of your results, comparing your findings to existing
research and linking with your theories.
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Appropriate conclusions and recommendations.
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
Examples of completed
dissertations
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Work–life balance:
rhetoric or reality.
Flexible working and
the psychological
contract.
The measurement of
work related stress
and its impact.
Acquisitions and
mergers – impact on
company culture.
Researching and Writing Dissertations
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Employee involvement
versus employee
voice.
Change management
and competitive
advantage.
Perceptions of leaders:
an employees view.
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Changing corporate
culture – a case study
of Marks and
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.
Researching and Writing Dissertations
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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.
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Breakdown of our teaching
sessions
Lecture
Activity
Feedback and
discussion
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
Breakdown of our sessions
Likely activities:
Web based research
Lecture
Activity
Feedback and
discussion
Data gathering
Source selection and
critique
Investigation of methods
Practical research
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
Activity
15
minutes
Write down the topics
or topic areas where
you imagine you
might complete your
Discuss with
dissertation
your nearest
neighbour
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
Planning your dissertation –
why ?
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Predict start or end point of the project.
Enable communication of progress.
Highlight problems and issues early.
Help manage risk.
Predict on-time completion.
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
Gantt charts
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Named after Henry Gantt.
Around since 1st World War.
Commonest graphical representation of
plans.
Can show critical path.
But not great at showing precedence.
Easy to construct and interpret.
Other charts/views are available in MSProject.
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
Plans need tasks, and
tasks need durations
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Brainstorm tasks.
Subdivide tasks until each is about 1 or 2
weeks in duration.
– If you can get down to days then great, but
beware of the need for contingencies.
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Tasks (examples):
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Hand in proposal (7 days).
Critically review the related theory (21 days).
Design method (10 days).
Have ridiculously long holiday (1 day).
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
Dependency/precedence
relationships
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Describe what activities must be done
before another activity can take place
– Boil kettle before adding water to cup.
– Pick up handset before dialling
number.
– Buy computer system before installing
it.
– Write dissertation before submitting it.
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
Engagement with your
supervisor
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Valuable dissertation management
opportunities.
– Check progress.
– Make decisions.
– Agree changes to plan.
Supervisor style.
– your supervisor should adopt your preferred
engagement method.
– remember it is your dissertation and you
are responsible for it.
Frequency and duration varies from supervisor
to supervisor and student to student.
– The relationship will change as the project
progresses.
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
Pragmatic realities of
dissertations
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All dissertations are unique.
None will run exactly to plan.
All involve people.
Dissertation management involves
change and decision making – people like
neither!
A structured approach and using tools
make things easier.
Do not be a slave to your plans.
– They should be living artefacts.
– Change them as necessary.
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All dissertations have an element of risk –
don’t worry about it – manage it.
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
Activity
30 minutes
prep
Web searching:
Search the Web for
material relevant to
your topic area.
Researching and Writing Dissertations
5 minutes
feedback
Feedback to the
group – ‘my
dissertation topic
will most likely
be?’
Roy Horn
Preparation activity for next week
Developing my topic area
Prepare three slides of
PowerPoint presentation setting
out:
Prepare for
next week’s
workshop
1. Why I have chosen my topic
area.
2. Where will I do this research.
3. The immediate issues I must
solve to progress this topic.
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
Conclusion
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Dissertations can be fun – enjoy them.
Planning will reduce the risk and increase
the enjoyment.
Develop a healthy relationship with your
supervisor.
Action Now! To progress my ideas.
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
Next Week
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Structured ways to develop a
dissertation topic.
Dealing with common dissertation
issues.
Attributes of good dissertation topics.
Early access issues.
Auditing your skills and motivation.
The common habits of high achievers.
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn
Researching and Writing
Dissertations
The End
Researching and Writing Dissertations
Roy Horn