Researching and Writing a Dissertation:a guidebook for business students

Description

Features

• Assessment criteria are explained so that your work is focused around the relevant academic objectives.
• Step-by-step coverage, illustrated by examples of what to do and what not to do.
• Understanding that project work is often not sequential, the author advises on how to juggle several stages at once.
• This book takes an extremely practical approach and develops broader skill-sets such as arguing and writing.
• Covers both the research methods themselves and the process of choosing, planning, researching and writing the dissertation.

New to this Edition

• More comprehensive and up-to-date with increased coverage of:
• Research ethics
• Research software
• Critical theories
• Using the internet for research
• Assessing the 'critical weight' of articles and different types of validity.

Table of Contents

Full Table of Contents

Preface

1. Introduction

• Who is this guide for?
• What does doing a dissertation involve?
• The assessment criteria
• Jargon, 'isms' and 'ologies'
• How to use this guide

2. Choosing a Topic and Designing the Project

• Choosing a topic
• Designing your project
• Writing the research proposal

3. Writing a Critical Literature Review

• The sources
• Mapping and describing the literature
• Forensic critique
• Radical critique

4. Concepts, Conceptual Frameworks and theories

• The roles of theory and conceptual frameworks
• Developing conceptual frameworks
• Examples of the use of conceptual frameworks

5. Collecting and Analysing Research Material

• The range of research methods
• Expoloratory research methods
• Survey research: pre-coded and structured research methods
• Software for analysing research

6. Interpreting the Research Material

• Saying what you mean - Interpreting your research material
• Framing conclusions and recommendations

7. Framing Arguments and Writing Up

• Structuring your dissertation
• Writing a thesis, not just a dissertation
• Style guide
• Summary

Back Cover

An engaging and pragmatic introduction to researching and writing a dissertation for masters level Business students.

A dissertation is a substantial part of a master's qualification and students are often daunted by the prospect of embarking on such a sustained piece of academic work. This book takes an extremely practical, skills-based, approach and covers both the research methods themselves and the process of choosing, planning, researching and writing the dissertation.

Key features of this book:

• Assessment criteria are explained so that your work is focused around the relevant academic objectives.
• Step-by-step coverage, illustrated by examples of what to do and what not to do.
• Understanding that project work is often not sequential, the author advises on how to juggle several stages at once.
• Broader skill-sets, such as arguing and writing are developed.

With increased coverage of research ethics, research software and critical theories this new edition is more comprehensive and up-to-date. Recognising areas where students can struggle there is also more on using the internet for research, and on assessing the 'critical weight' of articles and different types of validity.

Colin Fisher is Professor of Managerial Ethics and Values at Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University and has helped hundreds of students through their master’s projects. He and Alan Lovell have recently published a second edition of Business Ethics & Values with Pearson Education.