The dissertation should contain:
Title page
Acknowledgments
Abstract – should not exceed 300 words.
Contents page
Chapter 1
1.1 Introduction – 1200-1500 words
1.1.1 Sub-heading
1.1.2 Sub-heading
1.2 Main heading
1.2.1 Sub-heading
1.2.2 Sub-heading
Please use the above numbering technique.
The introductory chapter should state the objectives of the study (background)-it should include the
following:
• the aim and objectives of the dissertation should be made explicit here.
o Some objectives:
To identify the impacts of a global pandemic on commercial real estate in
London
To identify trends of remote working
o Aim: To examine the impacts of the 2020 financial recessions on the UK commercial
real estate market. To writer: Please think of a few more aims.
• why this topic and what the main research issues are.
• what aspect of the research issues are you investigating-problem statement.
• how are you going to investigate the research issues.
Chapter 2 Literature Review
2000-2200 words
Literature review for the area of study and the research approach adopted, a discussion of the issues
involved, related to published works. It should include the following:
• The Literature Review should review a previously published work regarding your topic.
• The review should show how your work relates to what other researchers have done.
• It should set your dissertation in the context of existing knowledge.
• You have to show quite clearly how your investigation compares and links with what has been
done before.
• It must relate theory to practice.
• (It is not a catalogue of references arranged in chronological order with each one briefly
summarised.)
Chapter 3 Methodology and Data Collection
1000 words
• In this chapter, you describe and explain how you studied your chosen topic of investigation.
You should include full account of your choice of techniques and whether you adopted a
qualitative or quantitative approach. Note to writer: please try to use qualitative research
methods.
• Each single method of data collection needs to be described, together with full information on
any sampling technique you employed.
• Include the techniques used to interpret the collected data.
• The methodology chapter should be detailed enough for another researcher to be able to repeat
you research.
Chapter 4 Results
Chapter 4 & 5 – 3000 words
• Results can range from transcription of interviews to tables of raw data. This section only
describe the results obtained.
• Refrain from explaining what they mean here as that come in the next chapter.
• In this chapter you should include a full analysis of how you interpreted the data and give
details of any calculations.
• If you have collected data in a number of different ways, keep each one separate.
• In this chapter you can include tables, and figures to summarise your quantitative results.
• In a qualitative research you describe the trends and concepts identified from qualitative
analysis.
Chapter 5 Discussion
• In this chapter you answer a number of questions. You interpret what your research findings
mean and whether they agree with the aims and objectives set out in your research proposal.
• You relate your work back to the literature review and see how it fits in with all the
published work.
• How do you work compare with established theories and ideas?
• Are there similarities and differences and why?
• What is the appropriateness of the methodology adopted and the data collection techniques
used, and whether in hindsight they were the most suitable?
Chapter 6 Conclusion
1000 words
It should include the following:
• A summary of the principal features of your study;
• An outline of the main findings, key concepts and theories identified in the literature;
• The implications involved by reflecting on your study as a practitioner and a researcher;
• Any recommendations for future researcher and practical suggestions which may influence
the practice of business and management.
Figures, Tables, Appendices and References
Appropriate organisation of material including graphical/diagrammatic displays as required and the
referencing of sources, including a Reference section. All referencing should be done in Harvard
referencing system. All graphics (maps, photographs, drawings, graphs, pie charts, histograms, etc.)
should be labelled Figure (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, etc.) and captioned below the presentation showing
sources as appropriate.
MSc Dissertation Marking Schedule
Chapters Comment Mark (%)
Introduction and rationale.
Aims and
objectives/Hypothesis
15%
Background knowledge and
literature study, Critical
evaluation of published works
and research
20%
Data collection/design of
research methods/tools
15%
Analysis and evaluation of
data, Presentation and
discussion of study
35%
Conclusions and
recommendations
10%
Structure and presentation 5%
Totals 100%
