Selecting a Topic and Writing the Dissertation proposal (Synopsis)

The first step of the research process involves selecting a research topic and writing your dissertation proposal. CHOOSING THE TOPIC When embarking upon research as a part of management study programme, it is important that particular attention is paid to the choice of subject or topic of the research. The choice of topic usually comes from your interest in and value of a particular subject. This interest and value will eventually be developed into a series of questions which you are keen to find answers to. If you are finding it difficult to choose a researchable topic, you can consider the following: 1. Consult the library catalogue and inquire about these and dissertations, articles in academic journals, reports, books and the like. 2. 3. Talk about problems and possible topics with your guides or other lecturers who are experts in the field. Arrange an informal interview with professionals in the industry and discuss what you should emphasize and what the possible practical outcomes are. There are a number of criteria that need to be considered when deciding on your research topic. These are summarized below: 1. A dissertation topic should be realistic: You need to identify a problem (supported by published materials), investigate the causes and possible solution. You might wish to investigate a problem on site, for example the cause of variation, orders and its effect on the project outcome, or the problem of materials management on site. Alternately, the research subject might cover an office procedure or the appraisal of a particular system. Here, you will be investigating what should be done and what is actually done. 2. Your topic should be specific and narrow: For example, if you are conducting a detailed case study, do not investigate all the factors that may influence site productivity as a topic, but rather the influence of financial incentives on productivity. You might be tempted to study job satisfaction in the building industry, but this again is too broad. A better way is to narrow it down and investigate job satisfaction of operatives who are working for small-size firms. 3. Your topic should show individuality, i.e., your personal contribution to the study: What is new about your investigation? This can take the form of case studies, a series of interviews, postal questionnaires or analyzing archival data.

4.

Accessibility of information: Your topic should be in an area where you have access to the necessary data for the successful completion of the dissertation.

5.

Personal ability: The subject and extent of the research should be within your intellectual and physical resource ability.

6. Personal interest: You should be interested in the subject of research. THE DISSERTATION PROPOSAL OR SYNOPSIS After deciding on a topic for research, your dissertation proposal should contain the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Working title Literature review Purpose of the research (or rationale for the study) Aim Objectives Hypothesis (or key questions) Research Methodology Proposed Contents of the dissertation Work Plan/Diary

The extent and degree of details for your proposal should ideally take the following into account: Working Title Working title is a short line that gives your research a direction and the title might slightly change at the final stages of research. The title should give your research name which reflects the focal point and area of the research. It should therefore be clear and to the point. There are a number of questions to be borne in mind when selecting a final title. These are: 1. Does the title identify precisely what is being studied? 2. 3. Is the title clear and concise and at the same time sufficiently descriptive to allow for rapid categorization? Has the title been stripped of superfluous words and redundancy? Phrases such as 'A contribution to ' or 'towards a theory of ' are nothing more than padding. 4. Are the key nouns correctly chosen and in the proper order?

Literature review:

This heading should cover the previous research works done on the topic by researchers. A brief account about the research and the dates of research can be given along with the findings of the study. If the student is following a specific research model, it can also be discussed under this heading. Purpose of the Research (or Rationale for the Study) This should be a one-page discussion which sets out (with supporting data fully referenced) the problem and the reason for the proposed study, highlighting the issues to be investigated. Aim Ideally a one-sentence aim should be provided, highlighting your ultimate goal. Objectives Ideally between three and five single sentence objective should be developed. Objectives are the breakdown of your aim (sub-aims) which focuses on finding out or establishing certain issues while achieving your aim. The objectives will pose a number of questions which will form your research questionnaire later in the research process. Key Questions/Research Question Key questions or Research Questions are refined statements of the specific components of the problem. Although the components of the problem define the problem in specific terms, further details may be needed to develop an approach. Each component of the problem may have to be broken down in sub components or research questions.

If your research is designed to develop a theoretical framework (as in the case of qualitative research or problemsolving approach), then a number of key questions need to be formulated which should state the position for the argument of investigation

Hypothesis (or Key Questions)

If your research is designed to test/validate a hypothesis or conceptual theory, then a one sentence hypothesis needs to be established to clearly and specifically state the position for the argument or investigation. A hypothesis is a tentative proposition which is a subject of verification through your investigation. Your conclusion will either support or reject your proposed hypothesis, or support part and reject others. If your research is designed to develop a theoretical framework (as in the case of qualitative research or problem-solving approach), then a number of 'key questions' need to be formulated which should state the position for the argument or investigation. Research Methodology A research design is a framework or blueprint for conducting the marketing research project. It details the procedures necessary for obtaining the information needed to solve marketing research problem. A research design lays the foundation for conducting the project. Following are the components of research design:

4. Specify sampling technique and sample size e.g.,

Sampling Unit Sampling Size Sampling Type 5. Construct Questionnaire 6. Plan of Data Analysis Proposed Contents

Consumer/Retailers/Corporate Executives 200 Consumers/50 Retailers/50 Executives Convenience Sampling

This stage involves writing up the contents of the dissertation and should cover the chapter proposed. Work Plan This should be a simple work plan or time table - a bar chart of activities over the weeks of study is often helpful indicating what you intend to do and when. Selecting your dissertation topic is an important task. Therefore, you should allow a reasonable amount of time in which to develop your proposal. The first step is to identify areas which have potential and seem interesting to you. Consult 'your library and read articles, books, and dissertations etc., which are related to your area of interest. The three most important parts of your proposal are purpose of study, objectives and methodology. Finally, discuss your initial proposal with your supervisor and make amendments, if required. A Work diary reporting the work done on the project needs to be maintained on a weekly basis and needs to be signed by the guide at least once in a fortnight.

Proposed Plan of Study: The plan of study to be mentioned giving the dates in which a particular work is intended to be done. An example for a plan of study can be as follows First and second week Third and fourth week Next four weeks -Review of Literature -Approval of questionnaire -Distribution of questionnaire to the respondents

Next four weeks Next two weeks Last two weeks

-Analysis and interpretation of primary data -Writing of report -Submission of soft copy for approval

The student has to take into consideration the start date and state the plan of action. The tasks to be done can be broken down realistically and dates assigned to each task keeping in mind the finish date. The plan of action can be done on a week to week basis. Sample of Synopsis

Purpose The problem of quality management and its associated costs has been of great concern to most industries since the early 1960s. As a result, some large construction contractors have pursued and implemented innovative quality management techniques such as Quality Assurance (QA) and Total Quality Management (TQM). Oakland (1990) defined TQM as a way of business as a whole. It applies just as much to service industries as it does to manufacturing. It involves whole companies getting organized in every department, every activity and every person at every level.

Once management acknowledges that there is a problem, it can take the second step to develop a clear understanding of underlying principles and elements of TQM such as training (Imai et al.,1986), team work (Aubrey et al., 1988), supplier involvement, customer services and its implementation which is considered by Juran (1988) as the primary quality management tool.

According to Boardman and Croxson (1994), several senior TQM representatives from various client and contracting organizations forming the European Construction Institute TQM Task Force, were discussing this very topic of measuring where their companies were on the TQM journey and it became manifestly obvious, there were various methods for the measurement of TQM. The preliminary literature review, revealed that Boardman's measurement chart is simple but comprehensive and can be used to give a visual representation of the organization's current position in a TQM programme.

Based on such a background, this research will be using the matrix model developed by the Trafalgar House Quality Management Sen/ices Organization, as the tool to identify the specic problems within the author's organization and to make recommendations, if appropriate, for improving the quality.

Aim To analyze the present quality system in the organization and to make proposals for possible future action to the introduction of a total quality management system.

Objectives 1. To review the concept and principle of TQM. 2. To assess the advantage of the TQM systems. 3. To measure the efficiency of the current quality management system in the author's organization and to identify any present problems within the system. 4. If appropriate, to design and recommend a new TQM system for the organization. 5. To evaluate the proposed TQM.

Key Questions 1. What are the reasons that drive the construction industry towards accreditation of standard quality assurance? 2. Does accreditation of QA assure the customer to an optimum standard of services? 3. What are the difference, between quality assurance and total quality management?

Hypothesis Quality accreditation assures optimum standard.

METHODOLOGY

Stage 1: Literature Research A comprehensive review of the relevant literature including a computer assisted search will be undertaken in order to develop an understanding of previous work in the eld of TQM.

Stage 2: Exploratory Interviews This stage will explore the matrix designed by the Trafalgar House Quality Management Services House. The exploration will be achieved through unstructured interviews with five companies that are known to have implemented a TQM system.

Stage 3: Case Study The author will then use his own organization as a case to study the possible implementation of a systematic TQM. Interviews with employees will take place to score the levels of quality effectiveness. State 4: Evaluation of the Organizations Present TQM System This stage will bring together and review the information collected in the previous stages in which the present TQM system has to be studied.

Stage 5: Writing Up This stage involves writing up the content of the dissertation and should cover their chapters proposed in the following section.

Proposed Contents of Dissertation Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Total quality management the concept Chapter 3 Implementation of TQM Chapter 4 Designing the case study and research methodology Chapter 5 Analyzing and evaluating the case study evidence Chapter 6 Conclusions and further studies Chapter 7 References

EVALUATION OF PROJECT SYNOPSIS Once you have selected a suitable topic, dened the problem and outlined the manner in which the project study is to be conducted. The next step is to send the project Synopsis to the guide for approval and evaluation before starting your work on the project. The cover page of the Project Synopsis should carry the following information:

1. Name 2. Registration Number 3. Name of the Programme 4. Address for Correspondence 5. Title of the Project 6. Name of the Project Guide, Designation and Address. (One page CV of Project Guide must be attached).

The synopsis will be scrutinized by the concerned faculty guide/outside expert to ensure that it follows the guidelines. The evaluated copy of Project Synopsis will be sent back to you with proper comment/ approval. In case there is a need for modication or if the synopsis is rejected, you are required to resubmit the synopsis for approval. II. Research Design and Methodology Once you have determined the purpose of your study and have conducted a thorough literature search, you should be ready to design your research in detail. Research design is an action plan for getting from here to there, where here may be dened as the initial set of questions to be answered and there is some set of conclusion (answers) about these questions.

RESEARCH PROBLEM DEFINED A research problem is some difficulty either of a theoretical or practical nature which an individual or organization faces and wishes to obtain a solution for the same. A research problem must contain the following: a) An individual or an organization which has the problem. b) They must occupy some environment/condition to which the difficulty pertains. c) Some objectives/goal to be attained. d) Some alternative course of action through which these objectives can be attained. e) Research must have some doubts regarding the selection of possible alternative.

NECESSITY OF DEFINING A RESEARCH PROBLEM A proper denition of research problem will enable the researcher to be on the right track, whereas an ill-dened problem may create hurdles. It is only on careful detailing of the research problem that we can work out research design and can smoothly carry on all the consequential steps involved while doing research.

APPROACHES T0 DATA COLLECTION The approach to be adopted for conducting the research depends on the nature of the investigation and the type of data and information that are required and available. Data in the plural sense implies a set of numerical gures usually obtained by measurement or counting. Data refers to numerical description of quantitative aspects of things.

Primary Data

These data are collected rst time as original data. The data is recorded as observed or encountered. Essentially they are raw materials. They may be combined, totalled but they have not extensively been statistically processed. For example, data obtained in a population census by the office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs is primary data.

Secondary Data This is also known as published data, data which are not originally collected but rather obtained from published sources and statistically processed are known as secondary data. For example, data published by Reserve Bank of India, Ministiy of Economic Affairs, Commerce Ministry as well as international bodies such as World Bank, Asian Development Bank, International Labour Organization etc.

Sources of Secondary Data

Following are the main sources of secondary data:

i.

Official Publications: Publications of the Central and State Governments, Government of Foreign Countries or International Bodies etc.

ii.

Semi Ofcial Publications: Publications of the Semi Government bodies, e.g. Municipal District Board, Corporation etc.

iii.

Publications Relating to Trade: Publications of the trade associations, chamber of commerce, banks cooperative societies, stock exchange, trade unions etc.

iv.

Journal/ Newspapers etc.: Some newspapers/Journals collect and publish their own data, e.g. Indian Journal of Economics, Economist, Economic "limes, Far Eastern Review etc.

v.

Data Collected by Trade Bodies/Industry Associations: For example, data available with FICCI, Export, Promotion Councils, etc.

vi.

Unpublished Data: Data may be obtained from several companies, organizations, universities etc. working in the same areas, and who have done very good work. For example, Data on Energy Conservation by Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) can be utilized by private and public sector companies active in this area.

METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION The following methods of data collection are generally used: i. ii. iii. Observation method Personal Interview Forms, schedules or questionnaire method

iv. v.

Documented sources of data Case study method

Observation Method This is the most commonly used method of data collection especially in studies relating to behavioural sciences. Accurate watching and noting of phenomenon as they occur in nature with regard to cause and effect or mutual relation is called observation method of data collection.

Characteristics of Observation Method These are as follows: i. Direct Method: In observation method data is collected through direct contact with phenomenon under study. In this method sensory organs particularly eye, ear, voice are used. ii. Requires in-depth study: In this method, the observer goes to the field and does the study of the phenomenon in an in-depth fashion to acquire data. iii. Collection follows observation: In this method, the investigator rst of all observes the things and then collects the data. iv. Relationship between the cause and effect: Observation method leads to development of relationship between the cause and effect of the events. v. Scientic method for collecting dependable data: This is the most scientific method for collection of dependable data. Observation are planned and recorded systematically. There should be checks and balances on this methodology. vi. Selective and purposeful collection: The observations are made with definite purpose. Collection of materials is done according to a particular purpose.

Interview Method Under this method of collecting data, there is face to face contact with the persons from whom the information is to be obtained (known as informants). The interviewer asks them questions pertaining to the survey and collects the desired information. Thus, if a person wants to collect data about the working conditions of the workers of Hindustan Lever Ltd., Bombay, he would go to the office in Bombay, contact the workers and obtain the information. The information obtained is rst hand or original.

Characteristics of Interview Method

The following are the main characteristics of interview method: a) It is close-contact or interaction including dialogue between two or more persons. b) There is a denite object of interview, such as knowing the ideas and views of others. C) This is the most suitable method of data collection for business and economics problems.

Questionnaire Method Under this method, a list of questions pertaining to the survey (known as questionnaire) is prepared and sent to the various informants by post. Questionnaire contains the questions and provides the space for answers. A request is made to respondents through a covering letter to ll up the questionnaire and send it back within a specied time.

Types of Questionnaire The questionnaire may be of following types: a) Structured Questionnaire: Structured questionnaires are those in which a question is presented to the respondents with fixed response categories. b) Unstructured Questionnaire: Here, every question is not presented to the respondent in the same wording and does not have xed responses. Respondents are free to answer the question the way they like.

Procedure of Organization of Research through Questionnaire The questionnaire method is frequently used in gathering the data. It is used to collect data from a large, diverse, and widely scattered group of people. The following steps are taken in organization of research through questionnaire method.

Types of Questions Encountered in Devising a Questionnaire 1. Dichotomous Questions: When a reply to a question is in the form of one out of the two altemative given, one answer being given in negative and other positive, it is called a dichotomous question. But negative and positive answers, combined together form the whole range of answers given. Below is an example of this type of questions: Whether respondent has completed school education? Yes/No. 2. Multiple Choice Questions: In these questions, a large number of alternative answers are given. These alternatives are quite comprehensive and the respondent has to select one of them. 3. Leading Questions: These are suggestive questions. They are also known as attractive questions. In such questions, the reply is suggested in a particular direction. The reply to these questions is not necessarily in yes or no.

Leading questions, as far as possible should be avoided. In case, they cannot be avoided, they can themselves suggest an answer. 4. Ambiguous questions should not be included in the questionnaire. 5. Ranking Item Questions: The multiple questions contain a number of alternatives in the form of replies and the ranking type questions are so designed as to record the preference of the respondent. In multiple choice there is one answer, but in ranking item questions there may be several preference arranged item wise. The respondent may indicate several preferences.

Steps Involved in using the Questionnaire Method i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii. viii. Scientic framing of questions. Compiling names and addresses of respondents. Pre-testing of the questionnaire to judge its suitability and utility. Dispatch of questionnaire to all the respondents. A code or serial number is given to each case. Receipt of questionnaire from the respondents should be recorded datewise. Proper follow up for receiving of adequate response. If proper response is not coming even after third reminder change the names of respondents and follow the above procedure.

Construction of Questionnaire The questionnaire should be developed in a scientic manner. While designing the questionnaire, the language and the wordings of the questions should be kept interesting enough for the respondents to give replies. It has to be kept in mind that in questionnaire method, the respondent gives reply from a distance. Therefore, psychology of respondents should be kept in mind and the questionnaire should be framed to encourage them to give correct answers.

Steps in Construction of Questionnaire

Following are the steps to be followed:

1. Determination of intellectual level of the respondent: While designing the questionnaire the intellectual level of the respondent has to be kept in view. The question should suit the intellectual level of those for whom it is meant. 2. Defining the depth of the questionnaire: The questionnaire should enable in depth research. It means that the question contained therein should cover all the aspects of the research problem. It

means that the research area should be perfectly understood and the questions should be selected accordingly. If the area is not properly defined the questionnaire will not be framed properly. There is a likelihood of certain aspects being left out. 3. Determination of utility of questionnaire: The nal step that researcher of framer of the questionnaire should take to, is to make the questionnaire utilitarian. It means that he should frame such questions which while being useful for the purposed research are also of interest to the respondents. In such a case the study shall be completed and its objective shall be achieved.

Case Study Method Case study method may be dened as small inclusive and intensive study of an individual in which investigator brings to bear all his skills and methods or as a systematic gathering of enough information about a person to permit one to understand how he or she functions as unit of society. The case study is a form of qualitative analysis involving a very careful and complete observation of a person, situation or institution.

Case study is a method of exploring and analyzing business aspects of an industrial unit, even entire industry.

Characteristic of a Case Study

The important characteristics of case study method are as under:

i.

Study of a unit: The case study method studies a subject matter which forms a cohesive, whole and may be treated as a unit. The unit can be individual, a family, or an institution.

ii.

Intensive or In-depth study: Case study attempts a deep and detailed study of the unit. It is a method of study in depth rather than breadth. It places more emphasis on the full analysis of a limited number of events or conditions and their inter-relations.

iii.

Knowledge of behaviour patterns: The case study method deals with both what and why of the subject. It tries to describe the complex behavioural pattern of a unit and having done this, tries to discover the factor which will rationally account for them. In brief, case study method aims at description as well as explanation of the unit it studies. It also explains the- place and role of a unit in its surrounding social milieu.

iv.

The study of the whole unit: The case study method tries to perceive the unitary forces of the subject matter and organizes it into an integral whole.

DOCUMENT SOURCES OF DATA

Documents are a very important, dependable and valuable source of information. A document is nothing but a written record that contains important information about a problem or aspect of study. It may be a report, a diary, letter, history, ofcial and non-ofcial records, proceedings of the legislature, committees, societies, surveys, journals, periodicals, speeches etc.

Types of Document Strictly speaking it is very difcult to classify the documents. All documents have different traits and elements in them. For the convenience of the study they have been classied under the following two heads:

i. ii.

Personal documents Public documents

Personal Documents These documents are recorded by the individuals. An individual may record his views and thoughts about various problems. He may do so because of his personal interest in those problems and without knowing that these documents at a latter date may form a subject or source of study.

Types of Personal Documents Personal documents may be categorized under the following heads for the convenience of the study: i. ii. iii. Life history Letters Memories

In the area of business research these personal documents are not of much use except in case these pertain to business leaders. Even in such a case they have limited use.

Public Documents Public documents may be divided into the following two categories:

i.

Unpublished records: Such records, although they deal with the matters of public interest, are not available to people in published form. It means that everybody cannot have access to them. Proceedings of the meetings, noting on the les and memoranda etc..., form the "category of

unpublished records. It is said that these records are very reliable. Since there is no fear of their being made public, the writers give out their views clearly. ii. Published records: These records are available to people for investigation and perusal. Survey reports, report of enquiries and such other documents fall under this category.

The data contained in these documents are considered by some people as quite reliable because the collecting agency knows that it shall be difcult to test while others are of the view that if the data are to be published, the collecting or publishing agency does some window-dressing as a result of which the accuracy is sometimes doubtful. Most of the information that is now available to people and researchers in regard to business environment, are to be found in the form of reports. The reports published by the government are considered as more dependable. On the other hand some people think that the reports that are published by certain private individuals and agencies are more dependable and reliable.

Structuring and Writing the Project Report

ORDER OF CONTENTS The content of the whole dissertation includes essential preliminary information and material in addition to the main body of the text. The order of presentation of the contents is prescribed. 1. Title Page 2. List of Contents 3. List of Tables 4. List of Figures 5. Acknowledgements 6. Preface 7. Text (Main body of Dissertation) 8. Appendices 9. Bibliography

Title Page The information to be given on the Title Page will be prescribed by the University/ Institute.

List of Contents In preparing the list of contents, exceptional care should be taken. The contents sheet is a map of the

various sections of the report. The list of contents should cover all the essential parts of the report and yet be concise and easy to understand. The heading CONTENTS in capital letters appears at the top. The list of contents presents the heading of the chapters and any subheadings exactly as they appear in the text. An example of the list of contents is shown below: CONTENTS Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 India's Export Scene 1.2 Globalization of India's Exports 1.3 Concept & Stages of Convertibility 1.4 Likely Impact of Convertibility on Exports. 2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 2.1 Statement of Problem 2.2 Justication of Study 2.3 Objective of Study 2.4 Research Design 2.5 Sources of Data 2.6 Analysis and Presentation 2.7 Limitations of Study 3. PROFILE OF BUILDERS HARDWARE INDUSTRY 3.1 Introduction and Growth ' 3.2 Present Scenario 3.3 Products Offered 3.4 World Market for Builders Hardware 4. Case Study of Builders Hardware Unit 4.1 History 4.2 Export Markets 4.3 Liberalization and Likely Impact of Convertibility on XInternationals Export 5. Conclusion and Suggestions Page No.

List of Tables and Figures After the list of contents, list of tables and gures are provided. Each list starts on a separate page. The heading for these lists may be all in capital letters LIST OF TABLES, LIST OF FIGURES.

Table and Figures are numbered as 1.1, 2.1, 3.2, 4.1. The rst number refers to the chapter number and the second one to the serial order of the table or figure within the chapter.

Acknowledgement It is customary to acknowledge any assistance or support that has been given during the research. Generally if the acknowledgement section is short it is merged with the preface. If it is rather long, a separate section is created. The purpose of acknowledgement is to recognize the contributions and help of individuals other than the researcher in the conduct of research.

Preface The preface is written by the author to indicate the genesis of the research project, its importance and need and the focus of the research ndings for the intended audience.

MAIN BODY OF THE DISSERTATION The order of some of the contents of the text or main body of the dissertation is rmly established while others depend upon the individual nature of a study. A general guide to the order of presentation of material may be seen as following a logical sequence: 1. Introduction 2. Method of approach 3. Presentation and analysis of evidence 4. Summary and conclusions

How this structure is developed in terms of chapters depends on the nature of the research. However, In general, the flow of the dissertation would be expected to incorporate the following elements:

Introduction It is a description and explanation of the purposes and scope of the study and the circumstances that led to its formulation. Restrict to 10 pages approximately. It should have relevant data about important markets, market sizes, characteristics for atleast 3 years. It should also have data on potential and projections for the segment being studied as well as industry as a whole.

Aims of the Investigation It is a description of the rationale within which the research questions are to be pursued. The general aims and precise objectives of the research are dened. This section includes a statement of the

hypothesis to be examined in the research as well as the assumptions.

The Context of the Investigation This includes the historical detail of the research and the development of ideas to which the presentresearch contributes. This section normally includes the main survey and critical appraisal of the literature relating to the research topic.

Research Design This section describes the means and methods by which research was pursued in practice, including organization and administration of the data gathering strategies. The resulting data or evidence are presented and analyzed in relation to the hypothesis or research questions.

Conclusions The meaning and signicance of the analysis of the evidence in relation to the research questions is described and conclusions clearly presented. Student should very clearly highlight what benefit organization got by his/her research and how he/she was beneted by it. This can come under Presentation and Analysis of evidence or Summary and Conclusions.

Writing the Introduction Chapter

This chapter introduces the reader to the area being investigated. It basically includes most of the proposal contents. After reading the introduction, the reader should know why you decided to do the research and how you decided to go about it. In general the introduction chapter may be composed of four sections, these are: 1. The rst section starts with a description of past research which is relevant to the problem. This section may be entitled Nature of the problem, Scope of the research, Rationale for the research, Background to the problem and the like. Here, an exhaustive review of past research is not necessary; rather you would want to describe only the research and/or theoretical issues that are clearly related to your study. You should state explicitly how this previous work is logically connected to your problem. This tells the reader why your research was conducted. 2. The second section of the introduction tells the reader what your aim is, what objectives are to be achieved and what hypothesis (or key questions) are being examined. This part may be entitled Research goals. 3. The third section should describe the method you used to achieve your aim and objectives. This part may be entitled Outline methodology of the research.

4. The nal part of the introduction tells the reader about the chapters of the dissertation. This part may be entitled Dissertation contents.

Writing the Chapter on Research Design and Methodology This chapter needs to be inserted after the Introduction. It may also be entitled Procedure of data gathering, Research design and methodology or the like. In this chapter, you need to explain how the problem was investigated and describe the tool that you used to make the investigation i.e., your questionnaire or the data collection format. You also need to describe the characteristic of your research sample and method of analysis. This chapter should clearly specify the chosen sampling technique and sample size. It should also give the rationale for the same. It should be given under a sub-heading sampling plan". This chapter may include the following sections: Section 1: Statement of research aim This should be a repeat of your stated aim to remind the reader as to what you intend to investigate. Section 2: Rationale of the research questionnaire In this section you need to rationalize your questionnaire by stating why you have asked the questions you did. Remember, you questionnaire consists of, say, three to ve section headings and each heading contains a number of questions which are related to your research objectives. Your task, therefore, is to refer to the questionnaire which is usually inserted in the Appendix and discuss each section individually. For instance, what did you intend to obtain from the respondent? Which objective would you achieve by asking the group of questions? Have there been similar types of questions asked by fellow researchers? If so, refer briey to their questionnaire or to their work.

Writing the Chapter on Analysis of the Results This chapter is the core part of your dissertation and will consist of the research ndings expressed by texts, gures, tables, charts, graphs and the like. It is absolutely important to present your results clearly. For this matter the following structure for this chapter is suggested. Section 1: Analysis of the results, part 1 (the descriptive method) This part of the dissertation will consist of questions, answers, tables, gures or charts and comments. When writing the results sections, it is best to refer back to your questionnaire. The order in which your results are presented should correspond to the order of your questionnaire. In general, the analysis of the results for the descriptive method can be presented according to the below format: 1. The question: Here, you state the question as was asked in the questionnaire. 2. The results/finding: Here, you present the analysis of the results in the form of table, bar chart, pie chart or a graph.

3. Comments/interpretation: After analysis of the question and presenting the results in a table, chart or other form, you need to go beyond this step and interpret the results of your study. For instance, what do they mean to you? Are your results similar or dissimilar to the results of previous studies? If your results were different, why were they different? Did you use different subjects or use different techniques?

Section 2: Analysis of the results part -2 (statistical test) If you applied inferential statistical tests, this part of the dissertation will then consist of hypothesis testing, tables of correlation or association and interpretation of the result.

Writing the Conclusion Chapter The conclusion chapter is the end product of your investigation and should not be confused with the results chapter or a summary. It should be tied very closely with your introduction chapter. Before writing the conclusion chapter; you need to read your research aim, objectives and hypothesis (or key questions), and start to conclude what you investigated within the broader context of your proposal. Start reading the whole dissertation thoroughly and make a note of key issues of ndings. The contents of the conclusion chapter should include the following: 1. The dissertation aim. 2. Comments on the research objectives. Here take each objective in turn and conclude what you have achieved in each objective. Are your conclusions similar dissimilar to previous writers in the subject areas? 3. Comments on the research hypothesis or the research questions (which ever is applicable) Here state whether your investigation proved or disproved your research hypothesis. 4. Personal recommendation (practical) as to what should and should not be done. Perhaps a development of conceptual model of a framework can be inserted in this part of the conclusion chapter. 5. Limitations of your research. Here, state the difficulties that you faced throughout the research process which hindered you from achieving all of your stated objectives. 6. Further research-mention the areas that need further investigation.

Appendices The Appendices section of the dissertation might be thought of as being mainly the repository for the working tools of the investigation and for information that supports the study while not being directly a part of it.

Company history analysis can become a part of annexure, before bibliography. The main body should concentrate only on research topic. Each dissertation topic requires different kinds of support material and discretion must be exercised as to the amount of material presented in the appendices. Typical appendices include: a) Data collecting introductions used during the investigation, such as tests, questionnaires, observation and interview schedules.

BIBLIOGRAPHY The bibliography includes text and all other sources that have been referred to in the body of the dissertation. The bibliography is the nal section of dissertation and is located after the appendices. In order to identify a particular text clearly and accurately, it is necessary to have certain minimal reference information. This information primarily consists of: the name of the author the year of publication the title of publication the place of publication the name of publication

1. Bibliographical references for books Hall, L. (1979), Business Administration (3' Edit). Estover, Ply mouth, New York: Collier, Macmillan. Guleck, W.F and Jawch, L. R, Business Policy and Strategic Management. McGraw Hill, 1984. 2. Bibliographical references to collected works Weinshall, T.D. (Ed). 1977. Culture and Management Harmonds-worth: Penguin 107-130. Takeuchi, H and Michale E. Porter Three Roles of. International Marketing in Global Strategy" in Competition in Global Industries, ed. Micwall Porter (Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 1986): 113. 3. Bibliographical references for article in periodicals Ted Levitt, The Globalization of Markets", Harvard Business Review (may- June 1983): 92192. " Fred Gluck, A Fresh Look at Strategic management, Journal of Business Strategy (Fall 1985): 23. 4. Bibliographical references for non-print media Reference to national transmitted or available electronically, such as computer programmes CDROM, the Internet and E-mail; follow the same format as print-based materials but with minor

variations. In all cases, specic identiers should be included in the sequence to show access routes.

Computer Programmes Data Mate Survey Software (1995) Worcester: Simple surveys. CD-ROM Mac Rais (1995) Introduction to Research Design and Statistics (CD-ROM). Leicester: British Psychological Society. Internet Greenwash Jed Greer & Uenny Bruno. Third World Network: TNCs in recent years. http: /www. Southbond.company.my / Souths / twn / title / gree cn.Ltm Siz 30 March '97 English E-mail Worden.S_. (1996), Networking in art and design (summary). Design [email protected] (24 July 1996). Audio-tape Diwan, Paiag (1997), Total Quality Management (Audio Cassette), AIMA Excel Book.

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS You are required to: Send ONE copy of the Synopsis for approval before starting on your project. Total Project Report should normally be between 75-100 pages, A4 size bond paper, Font size 11 or 12 point Times Roman. Larger Size for headings and chapter titles. These should be in bold assignments, 1 and half line spacing should be used for the body of the report, Margins: 4.0 cms on LHS and 2.5 cm on top, right and bottom sides. All figures/diagrams/graph and charts should be labeled and numbered and be referred to in the text. Before nal printing exhaustive proof reading should be done particularly for spelling mistakes and grammatical mistakes. Report should be written in the present tense. Appendices should come after glossary and bibliography.

EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR SYNOPSIS Synopsis (50) Choice of subject Title: Clarity about objectives, scope and coverage of the study. Construction of the Research objectives & Hypothesis Design of the Study and Methodology: Review of earlier work / literature available of the subject, tools used for data collection (primary or secondary) and field work. Interaction with the faculty guide

Covering letter with Project Synopsis must carry the following informations: i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. Name Address for correspondence Registration No. Name of Project Guide Designation and Address of Project Guide (One page CV of Project Guide must be attached) Title of the Project