Research Proposal and Dissertation

1. Research ProposalandDissertation Daing Nasir Ibrahim

2. 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 3. Literary presentation 4. Original work of merit worthy of publication 5. Competence in independent work or experimentation 6. Understanding of the appropriate techniques 7. Critical use of published work and source materials

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

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

5. Literary presentation • Not colloquial • A demonstration of intellectualism • Scholarly documented

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

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

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

9. 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

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

11. 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

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

13. 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? 5. Have you drafted the first version of any portion of the work that has been completed? 6. Do other people find your written English difficult to understand? 7. Are there any tables, figures or other matters which could usefully be prepared at an early stage?

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

15. Reading • 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. • a systematic review of the professional journals • careful reading of the relevant books and monographs

16. Research • generating hypotheses • data collection • data analysis • findings

17. Writing • 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 • 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 • once the entire first draft has been finished, the student can deal with minor research tasks needed to fill gaps of information

18. 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.

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

20. 6. All diagrams must be labeled with proper titling 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 words 9. Use different paragraphs to express your ideas SUPERVISORS AND EXAMINERS DO NOT WISH TO “CONSUME JUNK FOOD”

21. 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

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