The chain of evidence structure for the academic-oriented dissertation projects (with the agile literature review approach)

The chain of evidence structure for the academic-oriented dissertation projects (with the agile literature review approach)

This brief note introduce the chain of evidence structure for the academic-oriented dissertation projects. As the current research work is for the MBA students doing dissertation projects, it should be mainly employed in this type of dissertation works. Briefly, the chain of evidence structure (i.e., sequence of evidence pointers) is as follows:

(A) The triggering point of intellectual curiosity ---> (B) research gap items # ---> (C) research objectives # ---> (D) theoretical framework items ---> (E) academic theories/ concepts/ research gaps (in the academic literature)/ contextual contingency factors --> (F) research methods employed ---> (G) research findings ---> (H) discussion findings ---> (I) academic values/ practical values of research/ discussion findings---> (J) future research works to do/ recommendations on improved business practices. 

Note: A to J are evidence pointers.

The following evidence pointers are covered in the four project deliverables:

Deliverable 1. The research gap-translation diagram: A, B.

Deliverable 2. The research gap-objective table: B, C.

Deliverable 3. Theoretical framework-A: D, E.

Deliverable 4. Theoretical framework-B: F.

In addition, the rest of the evidence pointers are covered in the following dissertation report chapters:

Chapter 4: Presentation of research findings: G.

Chapter 5: Discussion of findings: H, I.

Chapter 6: Conclusions and recommendations: I, J.

Dissertation report Chapter 7: Reflection on personal development

 "Chapter 7 Reflections on developing your personal competence. This chapter provides the opportunity for you to reflect on your programme experience and the learning which has impacted on the development of your professional identity. Drawing on evidence you have collated throughout the module you are to write a reflective commentary which addresses the following: what were your initial motivations for undertaking aMBA and what were the central components of your professional identity during semester 1? What did you learn about yourself as a developing business professional and how that learning will shape your future professional self? (Approximately 2000 words)".

__________

Reference: a blog note on the self-reflection on professional identity of MBA graduates.

MBA Dissertation Report Chapter 6: Conclusions and recommendations (for academic-oriented project type)

MBA Dissertation Report Chapter 6: Conclusions and recommendations (for academic-oriented project type)

Chapter 6: Conclusions and recommendations

6.1. Chapter introduction

6.2. An evaluation of the project outcomes with reference to the research objectives of the project

6.2.1. An evaluation with reference to research objective 1

6.2.2. An evaluation with reference to research objective 2

6.2.3. An evaluation with reference to research objective 3

6.3. An overall assessment of the academic and practical values of the dissertation project

6.3.1. An assessment of the academic value of the project findings, with reference to the research gaps and research issues

6.3.2. An assessment of the practical value of the project findings, notably on recommendations with reference to the public domain-reported issues

6.3.2.1. An assessment of the practical value of the study

6.3.2.2. Recommendations

Recommendation 1

Recommendation 2

Recommendation 3

6.4. Concluding remarks and suggested future research works to perform (as recommendations)

____________

A relevant note: a refined chapter template offered by poe.com.

MBA Dissertation Report Chapter 5: Discussion of findings (for academic-oriented project type)

MBA Dissertation Report Chapter 5: Discussion of findings (for academic-oriented project type)

Chapter 5: Discussion of findings

5.1. Chapter introduction: overview of the chapter's purpose and structure

5.2. Interpretation of Findings

5.2.1. Detailed interpretation of key findings from Chapter 4

5.2.2. Explanation of what the findings means in relation to research objectives, research questions and (hypotheses, if any)

5.3. Comparison with existing literature

5.3.1. Linking findings to previous studies (e.g. theories and theoretical frameworks)

5.3.2. Highlighting agreements, contradictions, or extensions to the academic literature

5.4. Implications of the findings for practice and academic knowledge understanding as well as the limitations of the study (which affect interpretation and generalizability)

5.4.1. Implications of the findings for practice and academic knowledge understanding

5.4.2. The limitations of the study (which affect interpretation and generalizability)

5.5. Concluding remarks

_____

References:

1. The three ALRA deliverables (for the academic-oriented type)

2. A collection of notes on Toulmin model of argumentation.

3. A study note on theory-driven analysis.

4. A note on claims, implications and recommendations in dissertation reports.

5. Conducting analysis with reference to the real layer of critical realism.

6. A note on the 5 methods for guiding the discussion effort in chapter 5.

MBA Dissertation Report Chapter 4: Presentation of research findings (for academic-oriented project type)

Chapter 4: Presentation of research findings

4.1. Chapter introduction: Brief overview of the chapter and a restatement of the research objectives and questions
4.2. Presentation of the research findings 

4.2.1. From individual quantitative research methods: tables, charts, graphs and initial descriptive analysis

Research method 1 [research method name] (primary research): 

Research method 2 [research method name] (secondary research): 

4.2.2. From individual qualitative research methods: themes, categories, narratives with illustrative quotes

Research method 3 [research method name] (primary research): 

Research method 4 [research method name] (secondary research):

4.3 Integration of mixed methods findings

4.3.1. Triangulation of qualitative and quantitative results

4.3.2. Identification of convergent, divergent or complementary findings

4.3.3. Initial synthesis of findings

4.4. A concise summary of important data points relevant to the research objectives and questions

4.5 Concluding remarks

___________

References

1. On the layered interpretation in qualitative research.

2. A refined template offered by poe.com

3. A blog note about chapters 4 and 5 tasks: my suggestions.

4. A brief note on the kinds of content for chapter 4 and chapter 5.

Table of content template for MBA academic-oriented dissertation projects

Table of content template for MBA academic-oriented dissertation projects (suggested report length: 12,000 words)

Dissertation project title

Statement of originality and authenticity

Executive summary

Acknowledgement

Table of contents

List of figures and tables

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Literature review

Chapter 3: Research Methodology

Chapter 4: Presentation of research findings

Chapter 5: Discussion of findings

Chapter 6: Conclusions and recommendations

Chapter 7: Reflections on developing your personal competence

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References

Appendix

Dissertation proposal (approved version)

MBA Dissertation Report Chapter 3: Research Methodology (for academic-oriented project type)

MBA Dissertation Report Chapter 3: Research Methodology (for academic-oriented project type)

Chapter 3: Research Methodology

3.1 Introduction on the research methodology of the dissertation project

3.2. An overview of the research methods employed with reference to the project research gaps and research objectives

*** insert the theoretical framework-B here. Alternatively, insert the academic literature review tree-b.

3.3. A description and justification of the research methods used.

3.3.1. Primary research methods used

3.3.1.1 Research method 1

3.3.1.2 Research method 2

3.3.1.3 Research method 3

3.3.2 Secondary research methods used

3.3.3. A flow-chart view of the research methodology

3.3.4. A discussion of the research methodology in terms of the research onion framework

** insert the table of research methods and research approach tasks involved.

3.3.5. A brief discussion of the theory-building effort with the chosen research methods

3.3.6. An evaluation of the research methods in terms of research method quality criteria

3.4. Concluding remarks of the chapter