MSc Dissertation

Writing
MSc International Business
MSc Money, Banking &
Finance 2007/8
Dr Robert Read

MSc Dissertation Writing

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Objectives of a Dissertation
The Structure of a Dissertation
Dissertation Topics
Data
Dissertation Writing
Dissertation Supervision
Dissertation Timetable

Dissertation Objectives
An MSc Dissertation has a number of
complementary objectives:
An extended project on a topic of interest.
To undertake original research in a topic
based upon material relevant to the MSc in
IB.
To utilise the analytical and empirical skills
acquired during the MSc.
To demonstrate students capacity to analyse
appropriate theory and empirical evidence in
a structured manner.

Dissertation Structure
There is a standard model for dissertations,
although some variation is acceptable (depends
upon supervisor). Students should look at previous
dissertations.
Introduction (5-7 pages).
Review of the theoretical literature (15-20).
Contextual description of relevant information (510).
Empirical analysis (20-25).
Summary and conclusions (5).
The dissertation should be around 15,000 words (60
double-spaced pages), not including appendices etc.

The Introduction
The objective of the Introduction is to set out the
context of the research, including the key issues.
Context
Objectives of the Research
Outline of the Dissertation
This should be the first part to be written and is
an ideal document to be prepared prior to the
first supervision meeting. The Outline is a guide
to planning the structure and timing of the
research.

The Literature Review

The objective of the Literature Review is to
summarise and analyse the relevant theoretical
literature relating to the topic. It is not easy and will
take some time to do. It should demonstrate:
An understanding of the relevant theories.
A critical appraisal of the strengths and
weaknesses of these theories.
A summary discussion of previous empirical
studies, including research methodology and
results.
A brief conclusion placing your research in the
context of the theoretical and empirical literature.

Contextual Outline
This Chapter is intended to provide descriptive
background information relating to the research
topic. Many dissertations tackle topics relating to
specific countries and/or industries which
require more general information to support the
research. A contextual chapter is therefore not
always necessary.
This Chapter can be relatively short and is often
the easiest to write. It should be started
relatively early, soon after the draft Introduction.

The Empirical Analysis

This Chapter is the heart of the Dissertation and
where a substantial proportion of the total marks
are awarded.
The empirical methodology should relate to the
research objectives and justified in the Literature
Review.
It should make good use of the available data.
The results should be explained and analysed in
the context of their statistical validity, the relevant
empirical literature and the objectives of the
Dissertation.
There should be a brief summary and conclusions.

The Summary &

Conclusions
This is a brief Chapter summarising the
Dissertation. This should have short
summaries of the context, objectives,
literature, empirical analysis and the
principal findings of the Dissertation.
This Chapter can only be written after the
rest of the research has been completed.
It may be necessary however, to re-write
the Introduction before submission.

Dissertation Topics
Students have a free choice regarding the topic
of their Dissertation research. The topic must
be relevant in some way to the material covered
on the MSc. There are several sources of ideas:
Staff research presentations. If topics are of
particular interest, discuss your ideas with
the staff member.
Previous dissertations. Applying similar
questions to another country, industry, issue.
MSc course papers.
Academic journal articles.

The Availability of Data

Data is the major factor in determining whether a
dissertation topic is viable and therefore the
marks obtainable.
Access to data is a key factor in choosing a topic.
The choice of topic and the availability of data is
inter-dependent.
Where appropriate data is available, it should be
collected as soon as possible, ready for later
analysis.
Students undertaking empirical analysis should
have collected their data by the end of June.

Data Sources
There are numerous sources for data:
International data sets published by the
UN, World Bank, IMF, UNCTAD, OECD.
Country data sets available from
national statistical institutes.
Data sets in published empirical studies.
On-line data (DataStream, EcoWin etc.)
Company accounts.
Business surveys.

Dissertation Writing
Writing-up an extended piece of research is not easy. A
Dissertation is not a test of English grammar but care
should be taken in writing it.
All writing (draft and final) must be word-processed
and spell-checked before being given to supervisors.
Students should see writing-up as a continuous
process and not to be left to the final week(s).
Supervisors are likely to recommend re-writing
drafts to incorporate errors and omissions.
It is normally best to write in Ariel 11pt or Times
Roman 12 pt. Drafts should be 1.5 or double-spaced.

Dissertation Supervision:
Staf
Each student will be allocated to a Dissertation
Supervisor. The Supervisors functions are:
To guide the Dissertation research.
To direct students towards particular
theoretical and empirical literatures.
To monitor and discuss the progress of the
Dissertation.
To provide feedback on drafts.
Supervision
is
via
regular
face-to-face
meetings. Supervisors have a responsibility to
meet their students.

Dissertation Supervision:
Students
MSc Students also have their own responsibilities in
the Supervision process:
To meet regularly with their Supervisor.
To submit drafts and other work in advance to
give Supervisors time to prepare for meetings.
All drafts and other material submitted to
Supervisors should be in a readable state.
To inform Supervisors if they are unable to attend
a meeting and to arrange an alternative time.
To discuss any absence from the University;
whether for data collection, interviews or personal
reasons.

The Dissertation Timetable

The
timetable
for
the
Dissertation
is
determined partly by the Submission Deadline
of 12 September 2008.
The MSc rules indicate that first drafts
should be given to Supervisors by the end of
July.
Final drafts should be given to Supervisors
by the end of August at the latest.
The proposed timetable for work should be
discussed by students with their Supervisors,
based upon the draft outline in Chapter 1.

Dissertation Marking
Marking is based upon the following criteria:
The quality of the overall arguments.
The quality of the theoretical review demonstrating
a good awareness of relevant theories and literature.
The quality of the original empirical work, usually
involving testing using one or more statistical
models.
The quality of the analysis of the empirical results,
with particular reference to theory.
The derivation of appropriate conclusions and policy
implications based upon theory and empirical
results.

Dissertation Marks
80%+
High quality original research with
strong
theory, empirical work and analysis
publishable.
70%+
Good quality original research work with
many strong elements (particularly empirics) but
some weaknesses potentially publishable.
60%+
Sound original research containing
theory,
empirics and analysis.
50%+
Some originality but weak or lacking
sufficient theory, empirics and analysis.
< 50%
Fail lacking coherence, unoriginal and
weak theory, empirics and analysis.