LSC, SBL AND STM

ATHENS TRAINING SESSIONS

TIPS ON WRITING DISSERTATIONS

August 2009 - NG

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Abstract
Approximately 300 words. Should include aims and objectives, methods of
investigation and criteria used, the main findings and conclusions reached.
Academic writing should be:
Specialised and should put forward a well-balanced view. It should refer to
published work, theory and results. The dissertation should be written in a passive
voice in the third person e.g. ‘an investigation was carried out’ not ‘I carried out an
investigation’ when describing the results and conclusion.

Suggested Format
Title Page
Acknowledgements
Abstract
Contents Page
Introduction (Background to the Study)
Literature Review
Methodology and Data Collection
Results (Observations, Findings)
Discussion
Conclusions (Sometimes Includes Recommendations)
References and Bibliography
Appendix/Appendices (This/these should include any letters written/ their replies,
copies of questionnaires, interview schedules and any other large amount of data).

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Introduction
Usually written at the end after all the work has been done.
What is the topic and why is it important?
Background to your investigation. What sparked your interest in the topic?
Description and explanation of the problem and issues, and an indication of their
significance.
Aims and Objectives (Aim means intention and Objective means goal). What are
you trying to achieve?
When you are composing your list of aims and objectives think of what you
actually intend to do (aims) and the intermediate goals (objectives) that you will hit
as you reach for your aim.
Structure of the Body i.e. Chapter 1 will give a background to the problems.....
Chapter 2 is the Literature Review and so on.

Literature Review

Where did the problem come from? What is already known about the problem?
What other methods have been tried to solve it?
A Literature Review is an account of what other authors have written on the theory
of this particular subject. Include theories and models which relate to your
study/investigation.
It must relate theory to practice and you must present your viewpoint why in some
situations established theories and ideas may or may not be accepted. Present a
reasoned and balanced view of contrasting viewpoints.
Put forward the counter arguments that have been written about this topic. Be
confident and express your own views.
Read round the subject. Give some background information.

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Research Methodology

Research design covers a number of separate, but related, issues associated with
your research. It includes the aims of your research, why did you select a certain
methodology, the data collection techniques that you intend to use, the chosen
method of analysis and how it all fits in with the literature. Why have you chosen a
particular collection method? Why is it suitable for your study? For example why
did you choose semi-structured interviews, did you want the interviewees to be
more forthcoming with their response.
The choice of collection methods available e.g. interviews, questionnaires.
Be systematic. Support your work with facts.
Review of approach – sample size – is it representative, validity is very important.
Define qualitative and quantitative research and state the advantages and
disadvantages of both. Write about observational research, diary methods,
sampling, interviews, survey design, computer-aided personal interviewing (CAPI)
and telephone interviews.
The data can presented in the form of bar charts, pie charts, line graphs, annotated
box plots, histograms and pictograms

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Figure 4.1 The research ‘onion’
Source: © Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill 2006

Research Methods for Business Students, 4th edition, FT/Prentice Hall

Primary Research
First hand account.
Interviews formal and informal. Structured and semi-structured and the reason
why you chose a particular approach.
Questionnaires.
Observation.

Secondary Research
Carried out by someone else.
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Books, journals, public records.

Findings

A discussion of primary research in relation to academic theory.

What do your results mean?
How do they fit into the existing body of knowledge?
Do the findings give any new insights? Are they adding something special to what
already exists on the subject?

Conclusion

A summary of the principal features of your study.

Major points.
Status of research.
Your interpretation of major implications. Any new trends and developments in
your area of research.
Limitations. Any problems that you encountered whilst conducting this research.
Did your opinion change as a result of the investigation that you carried out?