MBA BMG 843 Business Project

To introduce the Module To highlight important elements of the final report To review the assessment criteria Engagement Monitoring Requirements (Mark McCrory)

Aims of the Session 1. Developing a Project Storyline 2. Writing: Delaying Factors

Key Areas: Planning When to write Developing your own writing habits Monitoring your progress How to Avoid Procrastination

Structuring Your Report

1. Title Page 2. Declaration/Disclaimer 3. Research Ethics Declaration (form as appendix) 4. Acknowledgements 5. Abstract 6. Table of Contents 7. List of Tables 8. List of Figures 9. List of Appendices – only include material that will add value

Main Body:

1. Introduction 2. Literature Review 3. Research Methodology 4. Findings/Results 5. Analysis/Discussion 6. Conclusions – evidencebased vs. opinion 7. Recommendations 8. Reflection on Personal Learning (not included in word count) 9. References – sources cited in the text 10. Appendices

Writing the Abstract

This research examines… The study is important because… Data for this study were gathered in the following ways… The findings suggest that… The main conclusions from the study are… The main recommendations arising from this report are…

Introduction Suggested word length: 1000

 MBA BMG843 Business Project

Introduce your topic and outline its significance Explain the research objectives, aims, research questions Brief overview of the report, e.g., chapters

Literature Review Suggested word length: 3000

How does your research build on the existing body of knowledge? Defining your topic Organisation: thematic, chronological How does the literature link to your research questions? Evaluation of the literature Contribution of your study – what gap will you address?

Research Methodology Suggested word length: 2000

How you conducted your investigation Describe procedures used to gather, record and analyse data Ethical issues Strengths/weaknesses

Findings/Results Suggested word length: 2500

Describe the facts Tables Analysis Interpretation of the data

Research Outcomes Spectrum Analysis:

Discussion and interpretation Answering the ‘so what’ questions – linkages to the research questions Explanation and understanding are key: a critical approach

Conclusions Suggested word length: 500

Summarise main issues Refer to the aims, objectives, questions Outline the implications for research and practice Areas for future research

Example of a Table Format

Recommendations Suggested word length: 1000

Key areas for action What should happen next

Conclusion 

What were your main findings and how do they relate to the literature and theories? What was surprising in what you found and how does the literature help your understanding of what may be happening? What issues arise that are not reflected in the literature? What are the implications of what you have found for the study of Management, Management practice, and practitioners? Taking your research as a whole, what is the ‘big thing’ that emerges from the findings? Highlight the added value of your project – end strongly and with confidence!

References Follow the UBS guide Consistency is vital Avoid too many direct quotes paraphrase Turnitin – assess before final submission

Appendices

Copies of research instruments, other relevant material

Key Sections Write clearly and simply Avoid using too many direct quotations Avoid using slang and abbreviations Use a new paragraph for each new idea Avoid repetition Avoid discriminatory/offensive language Be consistent with person and tense Write in the third person using the passive voice: ‘the research was undertaken………. An interview agenda was devised…’

Effective Writing Writing Tips Write as you go along don’t leave it all to the end Writing and rewriting will enable you to clarify your ideas Plan your writing before you begin Spell check and grammar check your finished report Avoid Plagiarism Ask someone to read the report

General Guidance: Refer to the module handbook Familiarise yourself with the marking scheme – within the module handbook Word count (10,000 words) Style – academic writing, emotionally neutral, third person, passive voice, objective