MBA AVIATION

MANAGEMENT
DISSERTATION PROPOSAL

ASSESSMENT
Take responsibility for management of your
project
Produce a dissertation to meet a set of agreed
requirements
Conduct an in-depth investigation relating to your
research question and evaluate relevant
background information for the research
Reach relevant and useful conclusions in the
evaluation and implementation
Evaluate / reflect on the process
Report and communicate findings effectively

YOUR RESEARCH MUST

INCLUDE:

Purpose of your research

Research approach taken (data collection)
Analysis
Evaluation
Application of reasoning & critical thinking
Conclusions & recommendations
Evaluation and reflection

TYPES OF RESEARCH
PROJECT

Empirical Investigation
Based on a management practice
Relying on primary and secondary data
Related to management theory

Empirical testing
Of an existing management theory / model
Relying on primary and secondary data
Related to management theory

Problem Solving

Based on a specific issue

Relying on primary and secondary data
Related to management theory
Focus on solutions to the identified problem

Turning research ideas into

dissertations

Research question needs to be:

Complex enough for the requirements of the unit

Easy enough to get access to data
What questions often easier than why
Clough and Nutbrown (2002) use the Goldilocks
test should be neither too big and too hot nor
too small or too cold.
Russian Doll principle

PURPOSE OF RESEARCH PROJECTS

(According to Saunders et al(2003)
To provide findings that advance knowledge
& understanding
To address business issues
To devise a process for solving management
problems

DISSERTATION PROPOSAL

DISSERTATION
Strategic issue / focus
Time frame 4 6 months

ASSESSMENT
10% Research Proposal
90% Written Dissertation with a viva voce exam
where you are required to present your
Dissertation and answer questions.

Refer to: Mark Form for MBA Dissertation Proposal

MBA Dissertation Mark Form

CONTENT OF THE
PROPOSAL
Title of the research Project
Background information
Justification for choice of project
Clearly specified and SMART objectives
Explanation of what your intended outcomes are i.e.
what do you hope to achieve
Specification of academic sources you intend to use,
theories, models and an explanation of how your
research will add / complement this.
Research methodology

Secondary sources you intend to consult

Primary sources
How & when you intend to collect data with justification

Statement of any assumptions made

Examination of possible problems that may
be faced / limitations particularly with
reference to data collection
Code of Ethics
Consideration of legal, social or other
relevant issues
Timescales and resources available

BIBLIOGRAPHY
JANKOWICZ A.D. Business Research Projects
(4th edition) Luton, Thomson Publishing,
2005
Business Essentials. London, BPP
Publishing, 2007
Writing your MBA Dissertation. Cornwall, UK,
South Western CengageLearning, 2002