This handbook includes some key information about how to do a successful project.
Getting started and working with your supervisor
1.1 Getting started is probably the most difficult part!
Getting started may seem daunting, but the Research Methods (7BUSS002W) module should have prepared you (note: you MUST have passed Research Methods 7BUSS002W (‘proposal’) before you can commence the project. To recap, after you submitted a project topic form you will have been allocated a project supervisor. You will also have produced (and passed) a 3000-word project proposal. This will have been dual marked by the Research Methods’ teaching team and your allocated supervisor.
1.2 Now you are ready to get going.
Your project supervisor is probably the most important person that you will work with for this module. They will guide you but will not be responsible for managing your project. That is down to you. Therefore, you should approach your relationship with your tutor in a professional manner.
The responsibility for making contact, for managing the work and for producing a high quality project is yours. However, both you and your supervisor should be clear about the important deadlines and especially the submission date. It is also strongly recommended that you complete the ‘Meeting Logs’ after each meeting (see appendix) so there can be no confusion about what has been discussed and agreed.
1.3 Working with your supervisor.
It is fair to say that breakdowns in communication between the student and their supervisor probably account for the Lion’s share of problems when they occur. To avoid this, please read the following sections closely.
1.3.1 Project supervision: You can expect:
• to be assigned a project supervisor with general knowledge of the research area concerned. It is your responsibility to establish contact with your supervisor (unless they have contacted you first) and arrange for a preliminary discussion, which should include feedback on your proposal and the start of the planning process. This initial meeting should take 40 – 60 minutes.
• to ascertain the availability of your supervisor and to agree how and when project tutorials might be conducted. Project “tutorials” can, by mutual agreement, take place in face-to-face meetings, by telephone, by e-mail, ordinary mail or fax, or by a combination of these modes. It is usual to plan for around four “tutorials” during the year – each of about 30 minutes.
• to discuss with your supervisor your ideas about how the research topic might be approached and structured, what texts you might consult, what models, theories, hypotheses and the like you might examine or test, the nature and method of data collection, and so forth.
• your supervisor to read and comment on excerpts from your work-in-progress (note: try to make sure you provide something worthwhile for your supervisor to read. You cannot expect them to give feedback on three or four paragraphs or ‘cut-and-pasted’ downloads that is supposed to be a ‘Literature Review’ etc.)
• that your submitted project will normally be assessed by two staff including your supervisor and in some instances an External Examiner
• that if you fail the project, achieving a mark between 40-49%, your supervisor will provide an evaluation of strengths and weaknesses, together with a detailed assessment of how you can improve your grade. This will be 30 – 60 minutes face-to-face, and may also include written instructions. Note that your supervisor doesn’t have an obligation to provide you with supervision beyond this.
If you achieve less than 40%, you will have to retake the module and will probably have a new supervisor.
1.3.2 What NOT to expect from your Project Supervisor
• The supervisor is not allowed to give judgements on the mark that the project is likely to be awarded. Obviously, you want to know whether they have done sufficient to ‘pass’ before submitting – and in reality, most supervisors will provide indicative feedback. Remember, however, the supervisor role is different from the marking role: marking is a formal process involving more people than the supervisor.
• You shouldn’t expect your supervisor to read the final version of your work and make detailed comments in order for you to boost your grade. Again, many supervisors will read and comment on the final draft – but they are not obliged to. Do not expect your supervisor to tell you how your work can be embellished (in order to enhance the mark). Think of the final version as a commitment to the assessment process and you will understand why it should be drafted unassisted.
• Do not expect your supervisor or project coordinator to arrange for extensions of deadlines for you. They cannot, so do not ask. The procedure for applying for extensions is clearly laid out in the MA IBM Course Handbook.
Bear in mind that supervisors have professional commitments – such as attending conferences - and are also entitled to holidays. That means certain weeks, particularly around Christmas, Easter and July to August, you can’t expect supervisors to maintain term-time office hours (for example, there may be delays in response to emails or telephone messages). You can minimise problems by liaising with your supervisor and being clear about availability.
1.4 Other questions:
What happens if you change your topic after you have submitted a project topic form and been allocated a supervisor but before you submit of your 3000-word project proposal?
This should occur only in very rare cases. If it does happen, it probably means you had not thought seriously enough at the outset about the topic you wanted to pursue, and you must inform the course leader and the project administrator (based in WBS Registry) as soon as possible.
What happens if you change your topic after you have submitted the project proposal?
There are extremely rare circumstances in which you will need to change your topic after having produced a project proposal. As an example, your project might have been work based, and you may have changed jobs. In any case where you need to change the topic after submitting a Project Proposal, you must inform the course leader and the project administrator as soon as possible.
Requesting a change of Project Supervisor
Once allocated a Project Supervisor, you will not be permitted to change them unless there are really exceptional circumstances (though it is hard to think of many…….). You can’t change your supervisor because you don’t like them or because you think they don’t like you. If they are dismissive of your initial ideas, or because they give you a hard time in some other academically legitimate way, 99% of the time it is because they are doing you a service.
Remember, your supervisor has been through the same process and is passing on the benefits of their experience in order to ensure you avoid the heartbreak of failing later.
Difficulties making contact with your supervisor
If you are experiencing difficulty making contact with your supervisor, you should inform the Project Administrator and also the Course Leader who will investigate any reasons for this. Different people have different working styles - but sometimes supervisors need a ‘reminder’ about their responsibilities (as much as students do).
When it comes to contacting your supervisor try to take a balanced view; don’t get upset if you don’t hear back after a day or so – but if you feel that you are continually being ignored – you have every right to request that something is done to improve matters. Your supervisor has been given hours in their contract to supervise you – so it is not acceptable if they claim they are always too busy to arrange a meeting.
Writing the project
There are several differences between a report (i.e. your project) and an essay. One of the main differences is that reports are usually written for other people to read. Often, they contain information that needs to be easily accessed by the reader – so therefore the production should clear, systematic and structured.
One of the more familiar report structures is described below (Section 3.1). This is not an unchangeable law of nature and you do not have to follow it rigidly – but you will find that most people would find this perfectly acceptable. (Note that the suggested word counts are guidelines – but they indicate where the emphasis should be placed. So, if you have written 3000 words for the introduction and 1000 words for the literature review, you need to look more carefully at your work.)
2.1 Typical Project Report Structure
This may have slight variation dependent on the type of project, however the following is a general example:-
Cover Page: The title of your degree, title of your project, your name and student ID
Executive Summary/Abstract – 2nd page: (approx. 250 words)
Contents Page - 3rd page (to include Table of Contents, List of Figures)
Introduction
Background, aim(s) & objectives of the project, and a clear statement of your research question (around 1500 words)
Literature Review:
A summary of the most important pieces of previous research: at least 25 references (around 3000 words)
Methodology
Description of methods you intend to use and a justification for your choice of methods (around 2000 words)
Main Chapters with numbered Chapter Headings and Subheadings
2 or 3 chapters forming the main part of your report, containing:
- Analysis of results (around 1500 words)
- Interpretation (around 1000 words)
Conclusions (around 1000 words)
List of References Using Harvard convention and alphabetically ordered
Appendices
Page Break2.2 Further Notes:-
Projects should have a title page format which conforms to the following specification:
7MNST003W/7MNST004W* Project
..........................................................
..........................................................
(Title of Project)
a conceptual / fieldwork-based* project submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Arts/Science* in International Business and Management
at the Westminster Business School of the University of Westminster, by
…..........................................
(Full name)
…..........................................
(Date of submission)
* Delete one or the other as appropriate
The Executive Summary/Abstract
This should briefly describe the scope of your project, the research question being asked, the methods used and conclusions gained. It should give someone enough information to be able to decide whether they wish to read the entire document.
Main Chapters
These should
Start on a new page, and should contain a title (not just “Chapter 1, Chapter 2” etc).
Have a brief introduction (putting the chapter into context of the work as a whole), and a summary of your findings at the end of the chapter.
They may
Include analysis of data collected
Include further literature reviewed as the work progresses.
Include analysis of case studies
Include International comparisons
Focus on particular objectives of your research.
Conclusions Chapter should
Refer to your original aims and objectives
Summarise your overall findings
Make connections between findings in different chapters
Make connections between your findings and those in your literature review
Identify shortfalls/weaknesses in your work
NOT introduce new material that hasn’t been discussed within your report
Make recommendations for future work
Appendices should
Only include items which will be discussed fairly extensively in the body of your report.
Include ‘evidence’ of the work you did e.g. completed questionnaires, transcripts of interviews etc
2.3 Preferred style of the project report
We are not overly prescriptive about what your final report should look like – however there are certain style conventions that we advise you to consider. By following these, you will ensure that your report looks clean, professional and pleasing to the eye.
Your report should be:
• Single sided word processed
• Adequate left margin for binding
• Font should be Times New Roman or Arial (point 11 or 12)
• Line spacing should be 1.5 or double
• Written in the 3rd person (avoid “I”, “you” etc.)
• Written in an academic style (avoid journalistic/sales type of speech/slogans/slang
etc.)
• Written with enough clarity that someone OTHER than your Project Supervisor will be able to follow the work you have done. (note: the Dissertation will be 2nd marked by another lecturer in the subject area of your project, and reviewed by one or more external examiners)
• Spell checked & grammar checked
• Proof read (this is not the responsibility of your Project Supervisor)
• Pages should be numbered
The word count does not include cover page, table of contents, executive summary, references, appendices.
Submitting your work
3.1 Project Submission: Electronic
You are required to submit all coursework for this module in both hard copy and electronic form. You should always retain a back-up copy of the project documentation until the module results are published.
This electronic submission via Blackboard is in addition to your submission of such coursework in hard copy as set out below. The purpose of electronic submission is in order that all coursework might be checked for plagiarism, thereby protecting the value of your qualification.
The procedure for submitting your coursework in this way is very straightforward, very quick and should present you with little or no difficulty at all. You are NOT required to include in your electronic submission any original or photocopied Appendix material not drafted by yourself. Otherwise your electronic assignment submission must be identical to your submitted hard-copy version; this is subject to checking so please ensure you get it right.
Remember:
BOTH hard and electronic copies must be submitted by the due date for your work to be fully processed and to avoid attracting a late submission penalty (except in the case of general and verifiable network system failure). Late submissions must be submitted via the late Submission category.
Late or non-electronic submissions carry the same penalty tariff as late or non-hard-copy submission.
Your electronic submission has been correctly submitted ONLY if you receive an e-mail receipt from Blackboard. No receipt = no electronic submission.
3.2 Project Submission: Hard Copy
Submit two hard copies of the dissertation to the Postgraduate Office by the due date. Download and complete form CA1 for each copy. Be sure that the only staff name you enter on the form is that of the person who will be marking your work, normally your dissertation supervisor. If for whatever reason you have not been allocated a supervisor then write ‘No supervisor allocated’ in the space. But DON’T leave it blank
Attach form CA1 to each copy of the dissertation cover; single staple in the top left-hand corner if feasible. Avoid the use of paper clips as these may become detached during processing
3.3 Posting to the UK from abroad
It is quite often the case that students work on their projects away from the UK. The University DOES permit submission of your final dissertation to be made by international courier e.g. Federal Express. In such circumstances, you will need to check arrangements for doing this with the Registry e.g. exact address to which to send the work.
If you do wish to submit your report by international courier, you should have the work delivered 2 or 3 days prior to the due date and ensure that you have documentation proving date of postage. (Note: If you miss the postal deadlines, it is not acceptable to email your completed project to your supervisor / course leader – even if they receive it by the submission deadline.)
Assessment
For this module, you will be assessed on a single piece of work: your dissertation. The pass mark is 50%.
The marking criteria and mark allocation can be seen in Appendix 1.
If you obtain a mark between 40-49%, you will be ‘referred’ i.e. you will:-
Re-submit your dissertation at the next hand-in date for projects e.g. referral in September will mean you would re-submit in the following January. Referral in January would mean that you would re-submit in the following August.
Remain with the same Project Supervisor.
Have your final mark for the project capped at 50%.
If you obtain a mark less than 40%, you will have to re-take the whole module, and the mark you obtain will be capped at 50%. For a re-take, you will:
Need to select a new topic and complete a new Project Topic form
Possibly be allocated a different Project Supervisor
Possibly be asked to provide a new Project Proposal by your Supervisor, however, this will be not be assessed.
Pay the same fee as before
Submit the final dissertation approximately one year later (either the following August or the following January, dependent on when you start your re-take of the module).
If you get a mark of less than 50% following your second opportunity to submit your project (whether referral or re-take), you will not be allowed any further attempts at the module, and you will fail to obtain a Masters.
Non-submission of your project without accepted Mitigating Circumstances will result in a mark of 0% being awarded and you will not be allowed any further attempts at the module, and you will fail to obtain a Masters.
However, in each of the above cases, you could qualify for an intermediate award eg Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate, depending on the number of credits passed.
Publication of Results
Results are normally published a week or so after the meeting of the relevant Progression and Award Board (PAB).
Note: Checking your results is your responsibility. Check on the SRS system (not on Blackboard) a day or two after the relevant Exam Board has taken place.
Some final Do’s and Dont’s
Do:
start work on your dissertation as early in the year as you can
follow the procedures for dissertation presentation conventions
follow the guidelines for dissertation content and Learning Outcomes
attend any research methods seminars and/or academic dissertation/essay writing seminars arranged by the WBS
take note that some dissertation module members may be required to attend a viva before a decision on their work is reached
retain all of your fieldwork notes – interview schedules, questionnaires, and similar material not normally included as part of your completed submission – as you may be asked to produce them at any time after formally submitting your dissertation. Take care not to lose or destroy such notes since, if they are requested for viewing and cannot be produced, your dissertation may be deemed invalid.
resist the temptation to retrospectively blame others – e.g. your supervisor - if your dissertation has not attracted the level of mark you think it deserves. Remember that he or she can only guide and suggest, and that the manner in which they do so may not always match your expectations.
Do not:
go to supervision consultations empty-handed, that is, without having prepared for them even a little, without having read in advance or thought about some of the issues you intend to raise
expect your supervisor to think for you. S/he can only offer thoughts and suggestions which you must then appraise as to their value for your work
take any notice of rumours about certain supervisors being ‘soft touches’ or demanding and hard-to-please. All supervisors work to the same rigorous standards and their final judgement on your work is always subject to the scrutiny of others. (Note: Supervisors do not have hidden agendas. There has never been a case of a student failing because a supervisor ‘…was out to get them’. This is a myth – usually perpetuated by students who failed and didn’t want to admit to their own shortcomings. Work is double marked (and sometimes triple marked) so supposed vindictive action would be picked up.)
select and pursue dissertation topics which are too vague, too slight, too obvious or too ambitious
select and pursue dissertation topics where organisational/library access and/or data-collection looks like being a problem
freight your dissertation with unnecessary appendices and/or effusive acknowledgements
forget that all writing has its moments of difficulty, doubt and despair, and that if it were all easy it would probably not be worth doing in the first place
plagiarise i.e. lift data from elsewhere, pass off as your own, or have work custom-written for you
expect any leniency or sympathy from the University authorities if you do and get caught. Cheating is fraud and, particularly in the dissertation, it could cost you your degree. Don’t go there.
Appendices
Meeting log
Feedback sheet
Page Break
Appendix 1 Supervision Meeting Log
Student: Supervisor: Topic:
| ||
| Key Areas of Discussion:
| |
Expected Progression before Next Meeting:
| ||
Possible Date/Week for the Next Meeting:
| ||
Student Signature: Supervisor Signature: | ||
Page Break
Appendix 2
IBM Project Marking & Feedback Sheet
Name Student: ID number:
Project Title:
Name First Marker:
Name Second Marker:
Agreed Mark: /100%
Structure & Presentation /10%
Clear Executive Summary /Abstract; Clear Introduction with background, aims, objectives and a clear research question; Chapters have clear titles, logical flows between chapters, well structured; References are cited and listed correctly; Documentation standard (word processing, structure, logical flow, use of English)
Research /30%
Literature Review; evidence of a range of relevant background reading; Research methods are applied correctly; Methods used are clearly justified; Sources of data are wide and appropriate; Samples obtained for primary research, if used, are realistic and fully described
Analysis /50%
Critical argument; Independent thought; Application of knowledge gained from more than one subject area; Analysis is appropriate and thorough, including the use of theories from taught modules
Conclusion /10%
Conclusions are relevant, well formulated; Refer to original aims and objectives; Make links with literature review and analysis in chapters; Make appropriate recommendations for future work
0 comments:
Post a Comment