SCHOOL
OF
CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
OF JOURNALISM
LANGUAGE
AND
COMMUNICATION
MA
IN INTERCULTURAL
BUSINESS
COMMUNICATION
DISSERTATION HANDBOOK
2015-16
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CONTENTS
1 The Dissertation
1.1 Aims
1.2 Topic
1.3 Developing the dissertation
1.4 Assessment
1.5 Length
2 Dissertation Guidelines
3 Supervision
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8
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1.
THE DISSERTATION
1.1
1.3
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your work. Your supervisor may advise you on choosing your topic,
which you can change until the deadline for the final proposal.
You will need to carry out a literature search in your chosen area and
write up a detailed proposal. Subsequently you will receive support
from your supervisor on a flexible basis according to individual need.
Detailed proposals could be up to 2,000 words in length.
By the time you complete
demonstrated the ability to:
the
dissertation
you
will
have
1.4
Assessment
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1.5
Length of Dissertation
DISSERTATION GUIDELINES
2.1
2.2
significant
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component
of the
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
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SUPERVISION
3.1
Your dissertation supervisor may advise you in the drafting
of your proposal. A Dissertation Proposal Form can be found at
Appendix 2 and a Timetable for your research work at Appendix
3. The timetable is a useful for time and task management
task.
3.2
You are entitled to a maximum of 4 (four) hours of one-toone supervisions from your final supervisor.
3.3 The tutors role is to facilitate the dissertation in relation to
the targets and guidelines in this document. Tutors will not and
should not dictate the nature and scope of this dissertation, nor
make more contribution to the writing up than commenting on
drafts. You are expected to work independently and to treat
your supervisor as a consultant, not as a co-writer of your
dissertation.
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4.1
4.2
The realities of getting hold of the subjects and data you need
must be considered. Promises of co-operation may not be
forthcoming in; fact, people may well be unwilling to allow
recordings of meetings etc. In some cases subjects may
require payment, expenses etc.
You need to check
arrangements carefully.
4.3
4.4
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4.5
4.6
5.
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
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Contents List
Abstract
Introduction
Review of the literature/theoretical basis
Methods (and their justification)
Data/Results/Findings
Discussion
Conclusions
References/Bibliography
Appendices
Abstract
This is similar to the abstract at the beginning of an article or
journal. It should state clearly the focus of your investigation, how
you carried it out, the nature of your findings and their implications
(250 words approx.). This is usually the last part you write.
Introduction
The introduction should set the scene for the reader. It should
contain a clear, logical presentation of your project. By the end
of the Introduction the reader should have a clear picture of the
purpose(s), methods(s) and rationale of your study.
Your
supervisor will probably ask you to produce an early version of
the Introduction, stating which problem or question you intend
to address, why you find it interesting and how you intend to go
about the study at an early stage in the process, however the
final version of the Introduction may well be one of the last
parts of the dissertation you write.
It is a good idea to finish the Introduction with a clear statement of
the question, problem or hypothesis your study aims to investigate.
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chapter sets the scene for your study by looking critically at what is
known and making a case for more work to be done, i.e. your study.
Though you will find yourself quoting other peoples work a great
deal, the chapter should present your view of the subject based on
your reading of the literature. If you simply paraphrase other
peoples ideas or words without proper reference, you will be guilty
of plagiarism which is a serious offence.
Methodology:
The research methods you use will obviously vary according to the
topics addressed and the data you need to collect.
The
Methodology chapter of the dissertation should describe how the
research project was designed and carried out, and should include
discussion of:
Results
In this chapter you should present a summary and analysis of your
results, raw data e.g: transcriptions, should be presented in an
appendix. You should think very carefully about the most effective
method of presenting results, for example visual displays such as
tables, bar charts, pie charts, frequency histograms etc. are often
more effective than wordy descriptions. Where you present results
in a table etc. make sure that you also provide explanations. If you
use statistics to analyse results you must describe the statistical
methods used.
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Discussion
In this chapter you should discuss the implications of you results
with specific reference to your research objectives, integrating
results with the issues raised in the Introduction, with the research
methods discussed in the Methodology. You need to go beyond very
simple analysis of the data to discuss what your results mean and to
point out any further research you feel might be needed.
It is usually worthwhile to consider alternative explanations for
results, to discuss possible reasons for any surprising or unpredicted
results, to draw out the significance of the results for the
intercultural workplace and to suggest how future research might
further your findings.
This chapter is perhaps the most crucial in the dissertation because
it is here that you draw together methodology, theory and insights
from your own research.
Conclusion
There should be nothing new in this section, which is usually a brief
summary of the project, from objectives to further research via your
own findings. The reader should be able to read your Introduction
and Conclusion and come away with a clear idea of the whole
project.
6.
6.1
6.2
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6.3
6.4
6.5
Referencing
It is very important that you are accurate in your referencing,
you will lose marks if you fail to follow the conventions. The
primary purpose of this is to enable a reader to check the
sources you have taken ideas from, and if s/he wishes, to
explore that source further. However, proper referencing also
shows that you are giving credit to these sources and are not
suggesting that the ideas are yours.
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NB: Note that where appropriate you need to point out which
edition you have referred to.
References to works in an edited collection:
In the text the reference is as for a book authored by the
writer. e.g. Morgan (1996) claims that
In the Bibliography this would be:
Morgan, C. (1998). Cross-cultural encounters. In M. Byram and
M.
Fleming (eds.), Language learning and Intercultural
Perspectives. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 242-54.
6.5.2 Attributions in the text: Articles
In the bibliography this would be:
Tan, M. (2005). Authentic language or language errors?
Lessons
from a learner corpus. English Language Teaching Journal, 36,
2,
293 304
Note the same conventions apply to joint and multiple
authorship as outlined above.
6.6
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Smith, M. (1978)
Smith, M. (1983)
When an author has more than one publication within the same
year, these need to be identified both in the Bibliography and the
text with a small case letter.
e.g. (Hammersley 1987a)
NB. If you have any doubts about how you should attribute ideas or
quotes, please ask your supervisor. It is crucial that you are very
careful about referencing, it is important to remember the following
advice:
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submitted by
JOHN PARTICIPANT
supervised by
ANNE ACADEMIC
Submitted in part fulfilment of the requirements of
the MA in Intercultural Business Communication
Department of Languages and International Studies
University of Central Lancashire
September 2015
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APPENDIX 2:
MA IBC EB4701: Outline Dissertation Proposal Form
In order to start you thinking or to formalise your thinking
(depending on how far you have got), please fill in as much
as you can on this form and hand it in to your supervisor by
(date to be confirmed). The details you present here are not
set in stone, you will have plenty of opportunities to revise
your ideas. Dont worry if you cant fill it all in at this stage.
Your Name
Working/Provisional title:
Aim(s)
study:
of
your
proposed
Research questions:
Proposed
subjects
(if
appropriate):
who?
how many?
any
ethical
considerations?
Any
permission
needed?
Yes/No
From whom?
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To be completed
February 2015
by:
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Data collection
Data analysis
*Draft
presentation
discussion of results
and
*Draft conclusion
Draft revised dissertation
Review
of
Introduction
Title
and
Completed
submitted
(with Abstract)
dissertation
11 September 2015
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Dissertation
EB 4701
CREDI
T
VALUE
40
MODULE
Year long
DELIVERY
MODULE
Course Team
AUTHOR
DATE
30th March 2005; Version 3, July 2011
APPROVE
D
RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER MODULES
CoNone
Pre-requisites
All Core Modules + 2
requisites
Elective Modules
MODULE CONTENT
The dissertation will be an original piece of work, which forms the
culmination of the course and qualification of the MA. Students will
identify a topic worthy of investigation, collect data using
appropriate methodology, assess the available evidence and write
up their findings in an appropriate professional manner. Research
skills will be taught in the modules learnt and research training
support will be given in the form of lectures, seminars and
workshops. Research skills that will be developed include the
following:
the main elements of a good dissertation contribution to the
field, level of critical awareness, reference to the literature,
organisation, presentation.
preparing and submitting a proposal
seeking permission from the university
drafting a literature review
data gathering qualitative and quantitative methods, action
and classroom research
analysing and discussing data
incorporating evidence into your writing
refining chapters, proof reading
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MODULE AIMS
1. to define and identify the characteristics of a Masters level
dissertation
2. to identify the main steps in the preparation of a dissertation
from first ideas and the initial proposal through to proofreading
3. to examine and evaluate, in depth and with specific reference
to the research on intercultural business communication and
other related studies, approaches to collecting and analysing
data, analysing data, etc.
4. to sensitise learners to the need for self-assessment
strategies during and after writing
5. to orientate learners towards the effective use of research
methodologies of key relevance to students, using social
sciences research, business research, action research.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of this module a student will be
able to:
1
To plan and execute a significant project based on research with
minimal guidance.
2
To demonstrate original, independent and critical thinking.
3
To critically analyse and evaluate primary and secondary
material.
4
To identify and access appropriate bibliographical resources.
5
To construct coherent arguments and articulate ideas in clear
written form.
6
To demonstrate skills of working autonomously, or with minimal
guidance, to direct and manage their own learning
TEACHING AND LEARNING STRATEGY
The teaching and learning strategy is characterised by self-directed
and autonomous learning at a postgraduate level. Students will be
encouraged to fulfil the learning outcomes of the module through
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Appendix 5
Learning and Information Services (LIS)
Your IT and Library resources are vital. It is impossible to complete
your course without using a PC or Mac, reading books, accessing
electronic journal articles or printing out work. Learning &
Information Services (LIS) make all of these possible, and more.
The library building provides access to thousands of books 24/7,
offering extensive reading for all subjects and these are
complemented by still more texts/multi-media available online as eresources. Password technology enables you to use these on the
University campus, at home or from any internet enabled PC in the
world. The Resources for your Subject guides should help you get
started.
The library also has a wide range of study areas to meet different
study needs and styles. These include:
group study zone
silent study areas
quiet study areas
bookable study rooms and pods
a design suite
You'll also find hundreds of computers, laptops and MacBooks
available to borrow within the building, and a caf. Help is available
from our Customer Support team via the telephone (01772 895355),
email (LISCustomerSupport@uclan.ac.uk) or in person at the One
Stop service point on the ground floor.
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The LIS training team offers a range of free courses and seminars to
help you use our IT and Information sources. These include tours of
the Library, guides to using the catalogue, and help with doing an
in-depth search of a subject database. They will even show you how
to put all this new-found information into a word document. The
training team web pages www.uclan.ac.uk/listraining detail the
iSkills program.
Using the library is an essential part of your studies and we hope
you can become a confident and independent user of all the
services and facilities it has to offer.
More information about the services LIS offers is available from
www.uclan.ac.uk/LIS
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Appendix 6:
NAME OF SUPERVISOR:
__________________________________________________________________________________
_
NAME OF STUDENT:
__________________________________________________________________________________
_
REGISTRATION NUMBER:
__________________________________________________________________________________
_
DATE OF SUBMISSION:
__________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________
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