Research Proposal and Dissertation Daing Nasir Ibrahim

REQUIREMENTS OF A GOOD DISSERTATION The important requirements readers look for in your dissertation are: 1. A contribution to knowledge 2. Evidence of the discovery of new facts or the exercise of independent judgement exercise of independent judgement 3. Literary presentation 4. Original work of merit worthy of publication 5. Competence in independent work or experimentation experimentation 6. Understanding of the appropriate techniques 7. Critical use of published work and source materials materials

A contribution to knowledge Clearly, a new piece of knowledge/information has been generated Clearly, a new piece of knowledge/information has been generated Consistency with existing knowledge Consistency with existing knowledge Not a situation of raising more questions Not a situation of raising more questions

Evidence of the discovery of new facts or the exercise of independent judgement Theoretically derived Theoretically derived Articulately reasoned and argued Articulately reasoned and argued Intuitively appealing Intuitively appealing

Literary presentation Not colloquial Not colloquial A demonstration of intellectualism A demonstration of intellectualism Scholarly documented Scholarly documented

Original work of merit worthy of publication Not a replication. A well executed replication research can still be accepted at the MBA level Not a replication. A well executed replication research can still be accepted at the MBA level Work on big problems and have courage Work on big problems and have courage One needs to take the time to identify big problems One needs to take the time to identify big problems Talk to people with big ideas, think broadly Talk to people with big ideas, think broadly

Competence in independent work or experimentation Clear and systematic execution of the research as per study design Clear and systematic execution of the research as per study design

Understanding of the appropriate techniques You have reasons for everything that you have done You have reasons for everything that you have done Able to compare and contrast with previous works of others Able to compare and contrast with previous works of others

Critical use of published work and source materials Properly and cleverly used at the various stages of the dissertation - Problem definition - Theoretical framework - Compare and contrast findings - Discussion and conclusion

The Research Proposal Purpose Present management question Propose necessary data Suggest data collection and analysis Discuss research efforts

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: 1. Background to the problem 2. Grounds for concern 3. Importance of the problem 4. Implications of the study 5. Purpose of the study 6. Major questions to be addressed by the study

7. Hypotheses 8. Assumptions 9. Limitations 10. Delimitations 10. Delimitations 11. Overview of Methodology 11. Overview of Methodology 12. Definition of Terms (Optional) 12. Definition of Terms (Optional) A RESEARCH PROPOSAL CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

A CHECK-LIST FOR THE STUDENT 1. Have you tried to plan your work satisfactorily? 2. Have you identified the major difficulties? 3. Do you understand relevant references? 4. Are your records in good order and could you answer a question on something you did six months ago? question on something you did six months ago? 5. Have you drafted the first version of any portion of the work that has been completed? work that has been completed? 6. Do other people find your written English difficult to understand? understand? 7. Are there any tables, figures or other matters which could usefully be prepared at an early stage? could usefully be prepared at an early stage?

WRITING A DISSERTATION For a dissertation to be completed within a reasonable time, one has to plan the programme of reading reading research research writing writing

Reading to acquire a through knowledge of what work has been done in a field before a new contribution can be adequately planned to acquire a through knowledge of what work has been done in a field before a new contribution can be adequately planned involves the construction of an adequate bibliography, carefully combing registers of abstracts and other guides to research in progress. involves the construction of an adequate bibliography, carefully combing registers of abstracts and other guides to research in progress. a systematic review of the professional journals a systematic review of the professional journals careful reading of the relevant books and monographs careful reading of the relevant books and monographs

Research generating hypotheses generating hypotheses data collection data collection data analysis data analysis findings findings

Writing the transition from research to writing is never an abrupt one the transition from research to writing is never an abrupt one a good supervisor will insist upon a formal start, marked by the approval of a final detailed thesis plan a good supervisor will insist upon a formal start, marked by the approval of a final detailed thesis plan the preparation of a complete draft has to be given priority over other task the preparation of a complete draft has to be given priority over other task each draft chapter should be given to the supervisor as soon as it is ready each draft chapter should be given to the supervisor as soon as it is ready once the entire first draft has been finished, the student can deal with minor research tasks needed to fill gaps of information once the entire first draft has been finished, the student can deal with minor research tasks needed to fill gaps of information

the second draft should be a complete reconsideration of the first draft, and not a ‘scissors-and-paste’ job. (check for facts, references, typing errors, clarity of writing. the second draft should be a complete reconsideration of the first draft, and not a ‘scissors-and-paste’ job. (check for facts, references, typing errors, clarity of writing. temptation to use obscure words and complicated forms of expressions, so as to demonstrate a knowledge and command of abstruse jargon and complex literary structures, should be resisted. temptation to use obscure words and complicated forms of expressions, so as to demonstrate a knowledge and command of abstruse jargon and complex literary structures, should be resisted.

A GUIDE TO WRITING A DISSERTATION 1. Learn to use word processing with maximum effectiveness and efficiency 2. Presentation, style, page numbering and organization organization 3. Every word, every paragraph must be carefully thought out and continuity must be consistent thought out and continuity must be consistent and maintained through out your writing and maintained through out your writing 4. Before submission even drafts make sure the text/chapters have been English edited text/chapters have been English edited 5. Refer to proper citation

6. All diagrams must be labeled with proper titling and subtitling and subtitling 7. Use other thesis/dissertations at your university as examples 8. If you are using short form words make sure to introduce at the beginning the long version of introduce at the beginning the long version of words words 9. Use different paragraphs to express your ideas SUPERVISORS AND EXAMINERS DO NOT WISH TO “CONSUME JUNK FOOD”

CHAPTERS OF YOUR DISSERTATION 1. Chapter 1 – Introduction & Background 2. Chapter 2 – Literature Review 3. Chapter 3 – Theoretical Framework 4. Chapter 4 – Methodology 5. Chapter 5 – Analysis and Findings 6. Chapter 6 – Summary

Conclusion Successful completion of a good dissertation requires The dedication of serious and missionary research student The dedication of serious and missionary research student Reasonable support from the faculty Reasonable support from the faculty An interested and enthusiastic supervisor An interested and enthusiastic supervisor Moral support from spouse, family members and perhaps employer too Moral support from spouse, family members and perhaps employer too