MSc Dissertation MSc Dissertation WritingWriting

MSc International BusinessMSc International Business

MSc Money, Banking & MSc Money, Banking & Finance 2007/8Finance 2007/8

Dr Robert ReadDr Robert Read

MSc Dissertation WritingMSc Dissertation Writing

1. Objectives of a Dissertation1. Objectives of a Dissertation2. The Structure of a Dissertation2. The Structure of a Dissertation3. Dissertation Topics3. Dissertation Topics4. Data4. Data5. Dissertation Writing5. Dissertation Writing6. Dissertation Supervision6. Dissertation Supervision7. Dissertation Timetable7. Dissertation Timetable

Dissertation ObjectivesDissertation Objectives

An MSc Dissertation has a number of An MSc Dissertation has a number of complementary objectives:complementary objectives:• An extended project on a topic of interest.An extended project on a topic of interest.• To undertake original research in a topic To undertake original research in a topic

based upon material relevant to the MSc in based upon material relevant to the MSc in IB.IB.

• To utilise the analytical and empirical skills To utilise the analytical and empirical skills acquired during the MSc.acquired during the MSc.

• To demonstrate students’ capacity to To demonstrate students’ capacity to analyse appropriate theory and empirical analyse appropriate theory and empirical evidence in a structured manner.evidence in a structured manner.

Dissertation StructureDissertation Structure

There is a standard model for dissertations, There is a standard model for dissertations, although some variation is acceptable (depends although some variation is acceptable (depends upon supervisor). Students should look at previous upon supervisor). Students should look at previous dissertations.dissertations.• Introduction (5-7 pages).Introduction (5-7 pages).• Review of the theoretical literature (15-20).Review of the theoretical literature (15-20).• Contextual description of relevant information (5-Contextual description of relevant information (5-

10).10).• Empirical analysis (20-25).Empirical analysis (20-25).• Summary and conclusions (5).Summary and conclusions (5).The dissertation should be around 15,000 words (60 The dissertation should be around 15,000 words (60 double-spaced pages), not including appendices etc.double-spaced pages), not including appendices etc.

The IntroductionThe Introduction

The objective of the Introduction is to set out the The objective of the Introduction is to set out the context of the research, including the key issues.context of the research, including the key issues.• ContextContext• Objectives of the ResearchObjectives of the Research• Outline of the DissertationOutline of the Dissertation

This should be the first part to be written and is This should be the first part to be written and is an ideal document to be prepared an ideal document to be prepared priorprior to the to the first supervision meeting.first supervision meeting. The Outline is a The Outline is a guideguide to planning the structure and timing of the to planning the structure and timing of the research.research.

The Literature ReviewThe Literature Review

The objective of the Literature Review is to The objective of the Literature Review is to summarise and analyse the relevant theoretical summarise and analyse the relevant theoretical literature relating to the topic. literature relating to the topic. It is not easy and will It is not easy and will take some time to do.take some time to do. It should demonstrate: It should demonstrate:• An understanding of the relevant theories.An understanding of the relevant theories.• A critical appraisal of the strengths and A critical appraisal of the strengths and

weaknesses of these theories.weaknesses of these theories.• A summary discussion of previous empirical A summary discussion of previous empirical

studies, including research methodology and studies, including research methodology and results.results.

• A brief conclusion placing your research in the A brief conclusion placing your research in the context of the theoretical and empirical literature.context of the theoretical and empirical literature.

Contextual OutlineContextual Outline

This Chapter is intended to provide descriptive This Chapter is intended to provide descriptive background information relating to the research background information relating to the research topic. Many dissertations tackle topics relating to topic. Many dissertations tackle topics relating to specific countries and/or industries which require specific countries and/or industries which require more general information to support the more general information to support the research. A contextual chapter is therefore not research. A contextual chapter is therefore not always necessary.always necessary.

This Chapter can be relatively short and is often This Chapter can be relatively short and is often the easiest to write. the easiest to write. It should be started relatively It should be started relatively earlyearly, soon after the draft Introduction., soon after the draft Introduction.

The Empirical AnalysisThe Empirical Analysis

This Chapter is the heart of the Dissertation and This Chapter is the heart of the Dissertation and where a substantial proportion of the total marks are where a substantial proportion of the total marks are awarded. awarded. • The empirical methodology should relate to the The empirical methodology should relate to the

research objectives and justified in the Literature research objectives and justified in the Literature Review.Review.

• It should make good use of the available data.It should make good use of the available data.• The results should be explained and analysed in The results should be explained and analysed in

the context of their statistical validity, the relevant the context of their statistical validity, the relevant empirical literature and the objectives of the empirical literature and the objectives of the Dissertation.Dissertation.

• There should be a brief summary and conclusions.There should be a brief summary and conclusions.

The Summary & The Summary & ConclusionsConclusions

This is a brief Chapter summarising the This is a brief Chapter summarising the Dissertation. This should have short Dissertation. This should have short summaries of the context, objectives, summaries of the context, objectives, literature, empirical analysis and the literature, empirical analysis and the principal findings of the Dissertation.principal findings of the Dissertation.

This Chapter can only be written after the This Chapter can only be written after the rest of the research has been completed. rest of the research has been completed. It may be necessary however, to re-write It may be necessary however, to re-write the Introduction before submission.the Introduction before submission.

Dissertation TopicsDissertation Topics

Students have a free choice regarding the topic Students have a free choice regarding the topic of their Dissertation research. The topic must of their Dissertation research. The topic must be be relevantrelevant in some way to the material covered in some way to the material covered on the MSc. There are several sources of ideas:on the MSc. There are several sources of ideas:• Staff research presentations. If topics are of Staff research presentations. If topics are of

particular interest, discuss your ideas with particular interest, discuss your ideas with the staff member.the staff member.

• Previous dissertations. Applying similar Previous dissertations. Applying similar questions to another country, industry, issue.questions to another country, industry, issue.

• MSc course papers.MSc course papers.• Academic journal articles.Academic journal articles.

The Availability of DataThe Availability of Data

Data is the major factor in determining whether Data is the major factor in determining whether a dissertation topic is viable – and therefore the a dissertation topic is viable – and therefore the marks obtainable.marks obtainable.• Access to data is a key factor in choosing a Access to data is a key factor in choosing a

topic.topic.• The choice of topic and the availability of data The choice of topic and the availability of data

is is inter-dependentinter-dependent..• Where appropriate data is available, it should Where appropriate data is available, it should

be collected be collected as soon as possibleas soon as possible, ready for , ready for later analysis.later analysis.

Students undertaking empirical analysis should Students undertaking empirical analysis should have collected their data by the end of June.have collected their data by the end of June.

Data SourcesData Sources

There are numerous sources for data:There are numerous sources for data:• International data sets published by the International data sets published by the

UN, World Bank, IMF, UNCTAD, OECD.UN, World Bank, IMF, UNCTAD, OECD.• Country data sets available from Country data sets available from

national statistical institutes.national statistical institutes.• Data sets in published empirical studies.Data sets in published empirical studies.• On-line data (On-line data (DataStreamDataStream, , EcoWinEcoWin etc.) etc.)• Company accounts.Company accounts.• Business surveys.Business surveys.

Dissertation WritingDissertation Writing

Writing-up an extended piece of research is not Writing-up an extended piece of research is not easy. A Dissertation is easy. A Dissertation is notnot a test of English grammar a test of English grammar but care should be taken in writing it.but care should be taken in writing it.• All writing (draft and final) must be All writing (draft and final) must be word-word-

processed processed and and spell-checkedspell-checked before being given to before being given to supervisors.supervisors.

• Students should see writing-up as a Students should see writing-up as a continuouscontinuous process and not to be left to the final week(s).process and not to be left to the final week(s).

• Supervisors are likely to recommend re-writing Supervisors are likely to recommend re-writing drafts to incorporate errors and omissions.drafts to incorporate errors and omissions.

• It is normally best to write in It is normally best to write in ArielAriel 11pt or 11pt or Times Times RomanRoman 12 pt. Drafts should be 12 pt. Drafts should be 1.5 or double-1.5 or double-spacedspaced..

Dissertation Supervision: Dissertation Supervision: StaffStaff

Each student will be allocated to a Dissertation Each student will be allocated to a Dissertation Supervisor. The Supervisor’s functions are:Supervisor. The Supervisor’s functions are:• To guide the Dissertation research.To guide the Dissertation research.• To direct students towards particular To direct students towards particular

theoretical and empirical literatures.theoretical and empirical literatures.• To monitor and discuss the progress of the To monitor and discuss the progress of the

Dissertation.Dissertation.• To provide feedback on drafts.To provide feedback on drafts.Supervision is via regular face-to-face Supervision is via regular face-to-face meetings. Supervisors have a responsibility to meetings. Supervisors have a responsibility to meet their students.meet their students.

Dissertation Supervision: Dissertation Supervision: StudentsStudents

MSc Students also have their own responsibilities in MSc Students also have their own responsibilities in the Supervision process:the Supervision process:• To meet regularly with their Supervisor.To meet regularly with their Supervisor.• To submit drafts and other work in advance to To submit drafts and other work in advance to

give Supervisors time to prepare for meetings.give Supervisors time to prepare for meetings.• All drafts and other material submitted to All drafts and other material submitted to

Supervisors should be in a readable state.Supervisors should be in a readable state.• To inform Supervisors if they are unable to attend To inform Supervisors if they are unable to attend

a meeting and to arrange an alternative time.a meeting and to arrange an alternative time.• To discuss any absence from the University; To discuss any absence from the University;

whether for data collection, interviews or whether for data collection, interviews or personal reasons.personal reasons.

The Dissertation TimetableThe Dissertation Timetable

The timetable for the Dissertation is The timetable for the Dissertation is determined partly by the Submission Deadline determined partly by the Submission Deadline of 12 September 2008.of 12 September 2008.• The MSc rules indicate that first drafts The MSc rules indicate that first drafts

should be given to Supervisors by the end of should be given to Supervisors by the end of July.July.

• Final drafts should be given to Supervisors Final drafts should be given to Supervisors by the end of August at the latest.by the end of August at the latest.

• The proposed timetable for work should be The proposed timetable for work should be discussed by students with their Supervisors, discussed by students with their Supervisors, based upon the draft outline in Chapter 1.based upon the draft outline in Chapter 1.

Dissertation MarkingDissertation Marking

Marking is based upon the following criteria:Marking is based upon the following criteria:• The quality of the overall arguments.The quality of the overall arguments.• The quality of the theoretical review – The quality of the theoretical review –

demonstrating a good awareness of relevant demonstrating a good awareness of relevant theories and literature.theories and literature.

• The quality of the original empirical work, usually The quality of the original empirical work, usually involving testing using one or more statistical involving testing using one or more statistical models.models.

• The quality of the analysis of the empirical results, The quality of the analysis of the empirical results, with particular reference to theory.with particular reference to theory.

• The derivation of appropriate conclusions and The derivation of appropriate conclusions and policy implications based upon theory and policy implications based upon theory and empirical results.empirical results.

Dissertation MarksDissertation Marks

• 80%+80%+ High quality original research with High quality original research with strong strong theory, empirical work and analysis – theory, empirical work and analysis – publishable.publishable.

• 70%+70%+ Good quality original research work Good quality original research work with with many strong elements (particularly empirics) many strong elements (particularly empirics) but but some weaknesses – potentially publishable.some weaknesses – potentially publishable.

• 60%+60%+ Sound original research containing Sound original research containing theory, theory, empirics and analysis.empirics and analysis.

• 50%+50%+ Some originality but weak or lacking Some originality but weak or lacking sufficient theory, empirics and analysis.sufficient theory, empirics and analysis.

• < 50%< 50% Fail – lacking coherence, unoriginal and Fail – lacking coherence, unoriginal and weak theory, empirics and analysis.weak theory, empirics and analysis.