UNIVERSITY OF SURREY
FBEL
POSTGRADUATE DISSERTATION HANDBOOK
2011 - 2012
QUICK FACTS
(see main handbook for further details!)
Key dates
Date Week
Wc 30 January 15 (Sem 1) By early in this week all programmes to have organised
a Dissertation fair to discuss ideas for dissertations and
also to convey staff interests.
Wc 30 January 15 (Sem 1) MB runs session on Writing the Research Proposal
3 Feb 15 (Sem 1) Students submit proposed title
17 Feb 2 (Sem 2) Students submit Research Proposal
MEETING WITH SUPERVISOR 1 to discuss
Wc 2 March 4
proposal and confirm or revise. Some advice re.
accessing relevant literature for literature review
Wc 5 March 5 MB runs session on Literature Review
30 April 10 Students submit their draft Literature review
MEETING WITH SUPERVISOR 2 for feedback on
Wc 18 June 15 + 1 (after
exams) literature review and to finalise methods – Ethical
issues form introduced here
Wc 18 June 15 + 1 MB runs session on designing and writing up
methodology
MEETING WITH SUPERVISOR 3 to finalise data
Dates here will need to be agreed
between Supervisor and student, collection plans, review proposed instruments and
taking account of holidays, sampling strategies.
conference attendance, etc. Sessions on data analysis – possibly to include practical
sessions
MEETING WITH SUPERVISOR 4 to assess
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1.0 INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW
该论文的内容是一个核心模块,在学院的所有硕士生进行的。这意味着
你必须通过模块,论文手册的目的是提供支持和指导,在你的导师帮助下
完成博士论文。
The dissertation is a core module undertaken by all MSc students in the Faculty. This means that
you must pass the module, and it cannot be compensated. The purpose of the Dissertation
Handbook is to provide support and guidance to you and your academic supervisor during the
completion of the dissertation.
1.1 Module Contact details:
Module convenor:
Dr Anita Eves,
Room 48MS02, ext. 6337, email: [email protected]
Complete the details below when your supervisor is allocated to you.
Supervisor:
Name: ………………………………… Room:…………………………………
Phone: ………………………………… Email:………………………………….
Notes:…………………………………………………………………………………
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1.2 Module Description
Module Code: MANM061
Module Title: Dissertation
Module Short Name: MA300
Module Provider: School of Management
Level: MSc
Module Co-ordinator: Dr Anita Eves
Number of credits: 60
Number of ECTS credits: 30
Module Availability: Semester 2 to September
Assessment Pattern:
Units of Assessment Weighting Towards Module
Mark (%)#p#分页标题#e#
Coursework (15,000 words) 100%
Alternative Assessment
Qualifying Condition(s)
A mark of 50% is required to pass the module.
Pre-requisite/Co-requisites:
75 credits to include a pass in the Research Methods module
Module Overview:
The dissertation is CORE to www.ukassignment.com all programmes and is the final element of the programme, providing
an opportunity for a sustained period of research. It allows students to concentrate on topics that are
of particular interest to them and it draws upon a range of different aspects of the taught programme
particularly the Research Methods module. It also gives an opportunity for students to work
independently with individual supervision.
Module Aims:
The module is designed to allow students to: undertake an original piece of research; demonstrate
an ability to select and define and focus upon an issue at an appropriate level; develop and apply
relevant and sound methodologies; analyse the issue; develop recommendations and logical
conclusions; be aware of the limitations of research work. The students will also be expected to
demonstrate an awareness of any ethical dilemmas that arise in their research
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this module the students will have:
Developed an in depth understanding and insight of a relevant topic of specific interest
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Demonstrated critical engagement with existing literature relevant to their topic
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Demonstrated an ability to use appropriate methodologies and to justify their use
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Demonstrated the ability to analyse and present their data, and to critically compare these
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with existing knowledge
Demonstrated an ability to critically evaluate results to produce sound conclusions
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Shown an ability to identify modifications to existing knowledge structures and theoretical
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frameworks
Awareness of the limitations of their study, and be able to identify new areas for
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investigation/new problems/new or alternative applications or methodological approaches
Synthesised many of the elements covered in the taught part of the programme
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Demonstrated the ability to present a major piece of coherent work based on self-directed
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research
Module Content:
Students will identify a topic area of interest that they wish to develop further through their
dissertation. This must be relevant to their programme of study. On the basis of this topic, students
will be assigned a supervisor who will guide their work. The module is, however, largely based on
self-directed study and research, which takes place during the Spring semester and the summer.
Methods of Teaching/Learning:
The module commences in the Spring Semester, and is completed by early September of the same
year.
The teaching and learning strategy is designed to develop the students’ ability to conduct and report
independent research. It builds on the Research Methods module, allowing students to gain
experience of applying some of the principles and methods learned. Included in the strategy is the
development of a research proposal to help students crystalise their ideas.
The teaching and learning methods include regular supervision and support by an experienced tutor
in more generic aspects of the process. Students will discuss initial ideas with the teaching team for
their programme, and then will write a short research proposal outlining the problem, research
objectives and their proposed research strategy – including approaches, arrangements for fieldwork,
development of instruments and sample. This is a formative assessment, and allows a fruitful
discussion between student and supervisor about the proposed research. The proposal should be
agreed with the supervisor before proceeding with the dissertation. Subsequent meetings may
include discussing details of methodological approaches, how to organise fieldwork and structuring
and writing the dissertation. Where necessary, students must obtain ethical approval prior to data
collection. The supervisor will also comment and provide feedback on one complete draft of the
student’s work.
Selected Texts/Journals:
Essential reading
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None
Recommended reading
The majority of the reading required for dissertation will be specific to the topic being investigated.
Students are expected to use a variety of sources, as relevant to their topic. Supervisors will guide
such reading.
Also, refer to textbook and readings supplied by Research Methods.
Background Reading
A number of books have been written as guides to researching and writing dissertations, which
students may find useful. Examples include:
Horn R (2009) Researching and writing dissertations: a complete guide for business and
management students. CIPD
White B (2000) Dissertation skills for business and management students. Cassell.
progress with data collection and analysis, and review
of the draft methodology chapter. The chapter should
be received no less than one week prior to this meeting.
MEETING WITH SUPERVISOR 5 - the final
meeting to give feedback on the final draft of the
dissertation prior to submission. Supervisors will need
to make clear the last date when they will accept a final
draft, allowing them to review the work prior to the last
meeting.
Other points to note:
Your dissertation topic must be relevant to your degree, eg: Tourism, Retail, Food,#p#分页标题#e#
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Hospitality, Finance, IMM, IBM, Man, MIS.
您必须确定至少一年后保存所有音符/材料/汇票以及数据收集和使用
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的论文已提交。如果要求这样做你必须
确保这些做到。
You must keep copies of all notes/ materials/ drafts as well as the data collected and used in
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the dissertation, for at least one year after you have submitted your dissertation. You must
produce these if requested to do so.
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Establish the availability of your supervisor over the summer, and agree deadlines by which
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they will receive drafts of work.
Ensure you hand in work for review by the set deadlines. Supervisors cannot be expected to
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give good feedback on work received late.
Consult the ULearn module ‘Plagiarism & Referencing: A guide for students’ to refresh
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your memory on how to reference correctly.
If you intend to use Surrey Design and Print (on-campus printers) to bind your dissertation,
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you must allow two weeks prior to the submission date.
If you want a copy of your dissertation, please make sure that you print an extra copy.
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