MSc Dissertation for Business Analytics (MANM389)
MSc Business Analytics (2022/23)
Dissertation (MANM389)
A compulsory module (60 credits)
Final element of the programme
An opportunity for a sustained period of independent study and research
Students to work independently with individual supervisor
For you to focus on topics that are of particular interest
Draws upon a range of different aspects of the taught programme
Formats
An academically based dissertation.
follows the standard academic pattern of identifying a topic arising from a gap in the literature and developing a methodology to explore this area in depth.
A business or applied dissertation.
starts with an emerging business problem, either provided from an industrial partner or with their co-operation in the process, and seeks to provide a research based solution to or exploration of the problem.
Both formats follow the same assessment criteria
Dedicated Learning Hours
Independent Learning Hours: 570
Guided Learning: 29
Develop an original piece of research; select, define and focus upon an issue at an appropriate level
Develop and apply relevant and sound methodologies, analyse the issue and develop recommendations and logical conclusions
Explore ethical dilemmas that arise in research
Requirements
Scope - Carry out an ‘original’ piece of research
o This can (should) be similar to what researchers have done in the
journals – but specific to the students’ context/experience
o Original means your work using ideas from existing research
o Original does not mean invent new research (that’s for PhD students)
o Original does not mean copy other people’s work and present as your own
Understand current state of knowledge on a topic
Develop ideas using that knowledge (an argument)
Develop/Propose relationships relevant for the topic
Collect/Use (Primary/Secondary) data relevant for proposed relationships
Analyse the data adequately
Write Dissertation-up
It is about Business Research skills (QUANTITTAIVE) NOT about how good Programming or Statistics skills!
Topic Selection and Types
Data Source (?)
o https://www.ons.gov.uk/
o https://ukdataservice.ac.uk/
o https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat
o https://www.worldometers.info/
o https://ourworldindata.org/
o https://www.kaggle.com/
o Statista via the library and many more...
Literature Driven
o Academic Journals
o Programme Venue driven
o Based on job
o Based on earlier experience (e.g. undergrad thesis, personal experience in daily life, etc.)
Examples of Past Topics ...
What are the key elements of success in the mobile application market?
University - industry dynamic linkages
Human capital and economic growth - cross country panel data analysis:
Comparing logistics management in Agile and lean manufacturing
The organizational(or individual level) impact of Infrastructure technologies
Factors that shape service quality and satisfaction
Reverse Logistics (PR) and Green Supply Chain
Outsourcing parking services in combination with Sutton Council
Drone delivery services (case on the challenges/implementation of...)
Inventory & demand analysis (case study)
Examples of Past Topics ...
To assist a UK based company in identifying and prioritising opportunities to improve bus safety, primarily through vehicle design
To develop a system for estimating the environmental benefit of a UK based organisation "Virtual Electric" bus, and displaying this dynamically to passengers in realtime.
Augmented reality (i.e. Google glasses) impact on tourism sector
Social media marketing
Use of technology in Operations Planning – e.g. SAP implementation and the adoption of the Technology Acceptance Model
Customer Satisfaction survey – across various industry sectors
Business Simulation games
Important ! ...
Story around the research question
How to derive it from the literature review
Implications for businesses and research
The methodology is there to support the research questions and not the
other way around.
It is about Business Research skills (QUANTITTAIVE) NOT about how good Programming or Statistics skills!
Areas of Research (Again!)
Structure
- ExecutiveSummary - Introduction
- Literature Review
- Methodology
- Findings
- Discussions and Analysis - Conclusion
Refer to the more DETAILED Structure – published on Surrey Learn
Marking Criteria!
Grade Descriptor...
Supervisors
Department of Business Transformation
https://www.surrey.ac.uk/department-business-transformation/people
Supervisors
Department of Business Transformation
https://www.surrey.ac.uk/department-business-transformation/people
Supervisors
Department of Business Transformation
Examples of Journals
Journal of Business Logistics
Journal of Operations Management
Supply Chain Management: An International Journal
Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management
International Journal of Logistics Management
International Journal of Logistics: Research & Applications
Production & Operations Management
International Journal of Operations & Production Management
Manufacturing & Service Operations Management
Management Science
Operations Management
4pm on 21st Mar 2023 (Tuesday)
Students submit research proposal (1000 words) to your supervisor via email and submit the ethical form via SAGE, and determine the necessity of a full ethical review. YoushoulddiscusstheanswerswithyoursupervisorBEFOREyousubmityour
ethical approval form. On completion of the SAGE form, please download a copy of
your answers and save to a pdf file.
Your research proposal form must be included as an appendix in your dissertation.
7 onwards
Exact schedule of work to be agreed with supervisors
From 20th Mar 2023 (Monday)
Developing your dissertation based on the research proposal:
supervisorsprovidefeedbackontheresearchproposal
supervisors are available for consultations in regards to literature review, methodology, data collection, discussion and conclusions. Please book an
appointment in advance.
Semester 3
4pm 6th Sep 2023 (Wednesday)
FINAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE for students with 120 credits. (Online Via SurreyLearn)
*4pm 9th Oct 2023 (Monday)
FINAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE ONLY for students who had Late Summer Re- assessments. (Online Via SurreyLearn)
Ethical Approval Form
MUST NOT begin your research and data collection without ethical approval.
Self-Assessment Governance and Ethics Survey (SAGE Form):
https://surrey.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/sage-hdr
Save the survey onto your own pc’s and discuss the answers with your supervisor BEFORE click finish.
Note that : The survey does not automatically get sent to yourself or your supervisors.
Once your supervisor checked and confirmed your answers you press the finish bottom.
On completion of the SAGE form, please download a copy of your answers and save to a pdf file.
If your answers have indicated that your research does not require review, you do not need to do anything further, but please include the pdf in the appendices of your final dissertation.
If your answers indicate that your research requires ethical approval review (See next slide).
If you have questions about ethics in research, please contact your supervisor or
FASS Ethics at fassethics@surrey.ac.uk.
Ethical Approval Form
If your answers indicate that your research requires ethical approval review, then you are required to submit the following documents to fassethics@surrey.ac.uk so your research application can be processed and allocated to reviewers for reviews:
– Self-Assessment Governance and Ethics Survey (SAGE)
– Ethics and Governance Application (EGA)
– Protocol
– Consent form
– Participation information sheet
– Data collecting tools – interview questions, survey questions etc
– Recruitment materials – emails, posters etc
– Risk analysis (can be included in protocol)
– Data management (can be included in protocol)
Submit your documentation ASAP– as it at times it can take as long as 6 weeks to receive a Favourable Ethical Opinion which is the green light to go forward with data collection.
Please copy your supervisor in your communications with FASS ethics.
Proposal
All Students must submit a research proposal (1000 words) to their supervisors via email by 4pm on 21st Mar 2023. (Not assessed, however!)
You must include your final research proposal as an appendix in your final dissertation.
Research Proposal Form:
Suggested Effort Timeline
o 1/3 Effort is required for data search (for your topic!) – objective Literature review
o 1/3 Effort is about organising the Venue and collecting the data
o 1/3 Effort is Writing/reporting and ‘packaging’
Essential!
https://amzn.to/3zBxblf
Davies, M., Hughes, N. (2014). Doing a Successful Research Project: Using Qualitative or Quantitative Methods. London: Red Globe Press
Recommended!
https://amzn.to/3DugPfm
Saunders, M. and Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2018). Research Methods for Business Students, 8th Edition, London: Pearson
Bell, E., Harley B. and Bryman, A. (2022) Business Research Methods, 6th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press
IMPORTANT that you READ everything on the Module Page! The module is in the Semester 2 folder of your SurreyLearn
Questions?