MBA || BMG843 || Business Project
Aims of the Session
- To introduce the Module
- To highlight important elements of the final report
- To review the assessment criteria
- Engagement Monitoring Requirements (Mark McCrory)
- Developing a Project Storyline
Writing: Delaying Factors
How to Avoid Procrastination
Key areas:
Planning
When to write
Developing your own writing habits
Monitoring your progress
Structuring Your Report
Title Page
Declaration/ Disclaimer
Research Ethics Declaration (form as appendix)
Acknowledgements
Abstract
Table of contents
List of tables
List of figures
List of appendices – only include material that will add value
Structuring Your Report
- Introduction
- Literature review
- Research methodology
- Findings/ results
- Analysis/ discussion
- Conclusions – evidence based vs. opinion
- Recommendations
- Reflection on personal learning (not included in word count)
References – sources cited in the text
Appendices
Writing the Abstract
This research examines…
The study is important because…
Data for this study were gathered in the following ways(s)…
The findings suggest that…
The main conclusions from the study are…
The main recommendations arising from this report are…
Key Sections
Introduction Suggested word length: 1000
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?
Key Sections
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
Key Sections
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
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!
Example of a Table Format
Key Sections
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
Effective Writing
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…’
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
Assessment Criteria
General guidance:
Refer to 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