online vs offline business pros and cons

DISSERTATION GUIDELINE 2018,UOS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY >Key summary: topic, research questions, relevance/why is your topic important, key literature discussion, methodological approaches, key findings and recommendations (1 page maximum)

1. CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION 2,000 words
   • Introduction (Chapter Introduction)
   • General context of your research: Why is your topic relevant and important? What do we do when we undertake research? What do we do with knowledge?
   • Problem Statement ( Main issues and problem in the industry/organization)
   • Research question(s).Clear, concise, researchable questions.
   • Research Objectives :What do you hope to contribute with your topic andoutcomes?
   • Limitation of Research ( Limitation of your research)
   • Review of Literature ( Summary of Key variables)
   • Chapter Summary >Provide an overview of how the dissertation is structured

2. CHAPTER 2 : LITERATURE REVIEW (Linked directly to your research questions) 4,000 words

• Introduction (Chapter Introduction)
• Defining the terms (conduct research starting with text books to identify key themes. Refine at a deeper level using journals). Quote and paraphrase definitions from articles, compare and comment on the key discussions, especially if they contradict (critical perspectives)
• Outline the key theoretical frameworks/theories. From general to specific, from past to present > logical link between ideas & paragraphs
• Theory Application
• Gaps in the literature

Clearly state what is NOT found in the articles linked to yourresearch question(s).  Discuss the approaches and methods used and outline any gaps in the research.  How will your research address these gaps in the literature and methodological approaches?

• Conceptual schemaVisual diagram of the lit review concepts and theories linked directly to your research questions.
• Key findings from the literature linked directly to research questions

3. CHAPTER 3 : RESEARCH METHODOLOGY(justification of methods)2,500 words

• Introduction                                    
  • Research Paradigm,Inductive/Deductive. Combination of both approaches?
  • Research Design Quantitative (surveys/observations) or Qualitative (interviews/focus groups) or mixed methods (combination of both qualitative and quantitative)
  • Hypothesis Development (Optional)
  • Research Method or Strategy Survey (questionnaires/observations) or Case Study (interviews/focus groups)
  • Questionnaire Design
  • Population and Sample selection process
  • Pre-test Questionnaire
  • Reliability & Validity Piloting of survey/interviews, justification of population and sample
  • Data analysis SPSS, excel, coding, transcription
  • Conclusion (Chapter Summary)

4. CHAPTER 4 : PRESENTATION OF FINDINGS 3,500 words
   • Key results >use paragraphs, charts, tables, correlations and identify patterns (present findings, do NOT discuss)
   • Discussion of Findings

     Analysis and discussion of key findings based on research questions

Link findings with literature review. Do your findings support or contradict existing literature?

Balanced argument – show both sides

Discuss implications of findings – in relation to the research question(s)

4.3        Summary of Findings

5.0 CHAPTER 5 : CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS2,000 words

5.1       Overall Summary of findings (Answer the research question(s)

5.2Limitation of Study Show how the answer is relevant in a practical way

5.3       Future Study Recommendations

5.4       Summary of current study and topics for future research

6.0       LIST OF REFERENCES (Harvard style only)

7.0      APPENDICESPilot study, research questions, survey, ethics form, company approval letter etc

Poor Grades

1. Incorrect citations and referencing using Harvard style. No list of references provided.
2. No links between research questions, literature review, methodological approaches and findings.
3. Writing too little in each part (low word count) or not writing anything in some sections
4. Mindlessly copying and pasting sentences and paragraphs from the Internet/articles
5. Cheating in your surveys (e.g. “creating” fake answers, changing the number/answers of respondents)
6. Very poor English with typing errors, misspellings, and illogical or messy content