MGT682 Tutorial four. Review of dissertations
Using the dissertation marking sheet below, mark three of the example dissertations on the web site.
Comment on:
1. The abstract – does it summarise the dissertation.
2. The objectives – are these clearly defined, with clear and practical parameters?
3. The literature review – is it structured by author or by issue? Does it critically synthesise what is known about the problem? Does the review of how this type of problem has been researched before have any implications for the methods in this dissertation?
4. The methods – how well are they justified with reference to the objectives and the review? How has the student made the best use of the time and resources available, while still being aware of the limitations?
If a questionnaire has been used comment on:
; Justification for a quantitative approach
; Sampling frame – sampling – bias
; Justify questions in relation to theory
; Will they test relationships?
; Pilot
; Sample size – why – implications
; Response rate – any bias?
;
If interviews have been used comment on:
; Justification for a qualitative approach.
; Sample – who to interview and why
; Type – on range of open / closed
; Questions – related to theory – balance of deductive / inductive
; Conduct –skills required.
; Recording – transcripts or other means
; Analysis - how was this done.
If a mixture of methods was used – how was this justified? Did the methods complement each other? Was the student attempting to do too much?
5. Results – how are these structured? Are they related back to the literature review?
6. Conclusions – do they place the results in a broader context rather than just repeating the results.
7. Recommendations – one normally expects recommendations to be made. Are these all clearly justified by the results?
8. Discussion of research limitations – does the research discuss how the selection and
implementation of methods, and the inevitable compromises made due to limited resources,
have affected the results. This may be in the methods chapter, the conclusions, or both. Do you agree with the author’s view?
9. Is there a ‘vertical thread’ - that is, a logical link between objectives, review, methods and results?
10. Quality of presentation – including grammar, use of English,
Give it a mark.
11. How might you expect the dissertation to be different to a report produced for the organisation?
Dissertation/Project Feedback Sheet 2009/10
Programme
Student number/ name
Title of Project / Dissertation
Name of supervisor
Name of independent
marker
Collaborating organisation(s)
Date of submission
A Introduction & Problem Definition (e.g. explained if traditional or consultancy style project; defined problem; research aim and objectives / consultancy brief; critical evaluation of
relevant academic and best practice literature)
B Research Methods, Analysis & Discussion (e.g. research design; justification of methods;
data collection and analysis; significance of results in light of current knowledge and best
practice)
C Conclusions, Recommendations and Reflection (e.g. extent to which conclusions reflect
/ flow from the analysis and discussion; relevance of the recommendations; contribution to knowledge; reflection on challenges of the research process and how these were overcome)
D Structure & Presentation (e.g. overall structure and logical arrangement of arguments and information; clarity of writing; use of tables and figures; citation of references)
E If organisation–based project (e.g. defined problem in conjunction with organisation; worked well with organisation; recommendations feasible and appropriate to organisation)
F Other Comments (e.g. any marks deducted for lack of focus; unusual aspects of the
supervision process; research limitations that appeared to be outside the control of the student)
Rationale for agreed mark (relative strengths and weaknesses of dissertation/ project)
Please attach extra sheets if necessary Agreed Mark:
Signed ................................................................................................. Supervisor
Signed .................................................................................................
Independent marker