1. CMU BABS
Dissertations

2. Remember!
Your supervisor is your
best friend... figuratively!

3. Marking Scheme
Criteria Max Marks
Objectives 15
Secondary Information 20
Primary Information 20
Analysis 20
Conclusions/Recommendations 10
Originality 10
Presentation 5
Total 100

4. Expected Structure
Title Page:
• Title of study
• Who is submitting
• To whom
• Date of submission
Declaration

5. Expected Structure
Acknowledgements???
Executive Summary
Table of Contents
List of Figures, Charts and Tables

6. Expected Structure
Chapter One - Introduction
• Background to Study
• Rationale and Significance
• Aims and Objectives
• Research Questions OR Hypotheses
• Signposting (Chapter Previews)

7. Expected Structure
Chapter 2 – Literature Review
Related concepts, theories and models
Chapter 3 – Research Methodology
1. What are the concepts related to Research
Methodology?
2. What methods have you used?
3. Why did you choose them? How did you implement
them?
4. What are the limitations and ethical issues you were
faced with?

8. Expected Structure
Chapter 4 – background of Company, Industry,
Country...
(depending on topic)
Chapter 5 – Data and Analysis
• Secondary Data
• Primary Data
• Analysis
• Findings

9. Expected Structure
Chapter 6 – Conclusion and Recommendations
• Summary of Findings
• Responses to Research Questions/Hypotheses
• Recommendations
• Basis for Further Research

10. Expected Structure
Reference List
Bibliography
Appendices

11. Rules to Follow
• Use correct English and good grammar
• Use British English not American English
• Avoid slepping errors
• Use diagrams and figures where necessary (in
colour)
• Relate appendices to content
• Primary data is compulsory
• Paraphrase, paraphrase, paraphrase

12. Rules to Follow
• Word Limit – 15,000
• Good presentation skills
• Third person reporting style
• 2 printed copies (hard bound), 1 soft copy
and submission on the student portal

13. COPY-HARD BOUND

14. Dear Student,
I am writing to you to warn you of our increasing concerns about plagiarism – particularly
during the dissertation part of your course. This practice of using another student’s work or
passing off established texts as one’s own work is a very serious mistake. It will not be
tolerated either by us or by our University partners -- and guilty students are dealt with very
firmly . Students should understand that we have very clear systems to detect plagiarism .
it is also unacceptable because the integrity, value and standard of all of our degrees
depend on them being based on every student producing their own very best effort.
This warning is important because we are dealing with five cases at the moment,
under our student disciplinary system, and these have also been reported to our
partner university . Students who are guilty of plagiarism face a number of serious
penalties—possible immediate termination from the course, the student visa
extension being refused, possible re-submission having to take place from the home
country and –even if permitted to re-submit, an additional student fee of £1000 being
charged.
We trust that all students will take notice of this warning, as we strongly advise you
that it is in the best interests of all students to comply with our assessment
regulations.
John Phillips.
International Development Manager,
The London School of Commerce Group.