LUPANE STATE UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF COMMERCE

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN CAPITAL

MASTER’S DISSERTATIONS LAYOUT

Chapter One
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Background of the study
1.3 Problem Statement
1.4 Objectives
1.5 Research questions
1.6 Hypothesis
1.7 Justification of the study
1.8 Delimitations of the study
1.9 Assumptions of the study
1.10 Definition of key terms
1.11 Organisation of the rest of study/Chapter outline
1.12 Chapter Summary

Chapter two
• Literature Review
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Theoretical underpinning
2.3 Conceptual framework
2.4 Underpinning concepts to the study
2.4.1 Dependent Variable
2.4.2 Independent Variable
2.4.3 Moderator/Mediator Variable
2.5 Empirical Evidence/Review
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2.6 Research gap
2.7 Measurement Scales
2.8 Chapter summary

Chapter three
• Research Methodology
3.0 Introduction

3.1 Research Philosophy

3.2 Research Strategy

3.2 Research Design

3.3. Target population

3.4 Sample size

3.5 Sampling method

3.6 Research instruments

3.7 Data collection procedures

3.8 Pilot Study

3.8 Data analysis and presentation methods,

3.9 Reliability and Validity

3.10 Ethical considerations

3.11Chapter Summary

Chapter four
•Data Presentation
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Demographic information of research participants
4.3 Response summary
4.4 Reliability and Validity
4.5 Research findings

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4.6 Chapter Summary

Chapter five
• Discussion of findings
5.1 Research findings discussions
5.2 Research Objectives revisited
5.3 Research theory revisited
5.4 Chapter Summary

Chapter six
• Conclusion and recommendations
6.1 Summary of findings and conclusions.
6.2 Recommendations (recommendations are not to be bulleted, but numbered).
6.3 Contribution of the study/
6.3.1 Theoretical implications
6.3.2 Practical implications
6.3.3 Social implications
6.4 Limitations of the study (state the study limitations and how they were mitigated).
6.5 Directions for future research.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

This is the first chapter whose main purpose is to describe the context of the research,
highlighting the problem under investigation, explaining what the project is all about and why
it is important. It indicates the theoretical/conceptual framework within which your study is
located and why. Research objectives and key questions are also outlined. The Chapter must
also outline the structure of the whole project and define key terms therein. Remember that

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you are writing a treatise or dissertation, not a technical project report. One of the primary
requirements of your document is that it be written in a flowing, learned and discursive
manner, with sections speaking coherently to each other.

1.1 Background of study

In this section you should

- Provide a more detailed explanation of problem briefly establishing the context of the
research, posing the research question/problem/hypothesis

- Show its lineage from background of existing knowledge, previous investigations, and
contemporary practice

- Explain whether these or related questions have been asked before, and what answers
have been obtained - i.e. outline, evaluate and synthesise current state of critical/theoretical
debate

- Explain why your research is worthwhile and necessary, showing how you built on
past strengths while overcoming limitations.

1.2 Problem Statement

Here the researcher is expected to clearly articulate the problem which has prompted the
research with use of factual citation and grounding information.

1.3 Objectives of the study

Objectives are action oriented steps the study takes in order to accomplish its aim or goal.
Express these through active sentences, for example: In order to achieve this aim, I will
collect…/construct…/produce.../test…/measure…/document…/pilot…/deconstruct…/
analyse…/etc. Present your objectives as a (1) (2) (3) formatted list not bullet points.

Objectives must be highly practical, focused and feasible/doable/achievable and aimed at

1.4 Aim/Purpose of the study

Aims are the general intentions/desired long term outcomes/ aspirations and expectations of
the research. Explain in broader terms what the research seeks to accomplish. Without a
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clearly defined aim or purpose, the dissertation is fundamentally flawed from the outset. An
aim is usually written using an infinitive verb plus action (to…).

For example, you can say: My aim in this study is/This study aims to map…/to develop…/to
design…/to track…/to generate…/to theorise…/to build/to improve… In the humanities and
social sciences, some aims attempt to investigate…/to understand…/to explore…/to
catalogue…/to challenge…/to critically interrogate…etc.

1.5 Justification of the study

After stating the purpose of the study, add a paragraph or two indicating why you believe the
study is important, arguing why your study should be done. Under this section, answer the
question why this is an important area of study. Provide a rationale for the research study.
Was the study undertaken for example in order to test some aspect of professional or business
practice or theory or framework of analysis? Was it carried out to fulfil the demands of a
business organisation? Who will benefit? Discuss applied and scientific contributions. Do not
state that it is a requirement for the degree course.

1.6 Scope of the study

In this section you must clearly indicate the delimitation or boundaries of your study in terms
of physical, conceptual and temporal boundaries. Clearly state the specific boundaries within
which the study is located or was conducted. Physical is the place where participants were
drawn. Justify why, and relate (if applicable) the importance of the place to the study.
Location can also be conceptual. Here you locate the study in appropriate discipline(s) and/or
theories. Temporal is location in terms of historical period. Justify the location in the context
of study. Delimiting does not end with what the study does/include, but it is also apposite to
show what it doesn’t, and why.

1.7 Definition of terms

Under this section, provide contextual definitions of key terms and concepts used in the study
that, in absence of these definitions, readers might ascribe unintended meanings. The idea is
to guide the reader as to what you intend, in this study, particular terms and concepts to mean.

1.8 Conclusion

A conclusion is the last section of your chapter which provides a concise summary of what
they have just read. It also forwards the reader to the introduction of the following chapter.

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The introduction of Chapter Two (as with all subsequent chapters) should look back to the
conclusion of the previous chapter, and forwards to the contents of the chapter which you are
introducing.

NB: Each of your chapters will require both an introduction and a conclusion. These
conclusions and introductions act like small links which bind the ‘chain’ of the chapters
together in a more seamless whole than would have occurred if the chapters had not been
introduced or concluded; they ‘smooth out’ the transition from chapter to chapter and from
topic to topic.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

Chapter Layout

2.0 Introduction

2.1 Theoretical framework

2.2 Dependent variable

2.3 Independent variable

2.4 Mediators/Moderators

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2.5 Empirical evidence/review

2.6 Conceptual framework

2.8 Research gap

2.9 Variable Measurements

2.10 Conclusion

2.0 Introduction

Provide the reader with the objective and contents ‘map’ of what is contained in the chapter.
A literature review is basically a synthesis and analysis of the work of previously published
authors from which a set of questions that needed to be answered to fulfil the objectives of
this study are derived. It is a critical summary of research on a topic of interest, generally
prepared to put a research problem in context or to identify gaps and weaknesses in prior
studies so as to justify a new investigation.

In addition to that, the literature review should reveal both the theoretical framework and
prior empirical evidence. Literature must adequately address the thematic areas as informed
by the research objectives/questions/hypotheses/theoretical framework/conceptual
framework. Use scholarly sources/references. Do not write notes but review literature.

Unlike other chapters that can have a predetermined titles and structure, the titles of the
chapter and its subsections as well as the structure of a literature review is dictated by YOU,
but in a way that allows concepts to be captured and presented in an order that brings a clear
line of argument in the context of YOUR research project.

Specifically, your review must:

- Establish the status quo/expose the problem you are researching on.

- Mobilise literature to formulate a problem or research enquiry.

- Use literature to justify need for pursuing a line of enquiry, and

- Use literature to situate the research within a theoretical and disciplinary context.

Here, you must demonstrate to examiners your professional competence and knowledge in an
area or research.

The following are some tips to achieve the above:

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- Provide up-to-date position of research in the field.

- Describe, summarise, evaluate, clarify and/or integrate the content of primary reports
to establish what we know now.

- Present a clear case and context for the project.

- Raise questions and identify areas to be explored.

Give an idea of the work that has been carried out in the subject area (do not emphasis on
outdated material), preparing the reader for the study that is to follow.

Organise the chapter into sections that present relevant themes of your story, including
relevant theory (use headings and subheadings).

Make critical comments on what scholars say and use these to express an academic opinion.

An adequate literature review must lead not only to a refined set of research questions and/or
hypotheses but also to which research design and methods might be appropriate.

NB: A literature review is NOT

- A catalogue of sources or annotated bibliography/list of sources

- A cut and paste from another source.

Do not start every sentence/paragraph with According to….Give prominence to the idea;
NOT names of authors or theorists.

Conceptual Framework

After thorough review of literature and theories or models the researcher therefore need to
construct a conceptual framework which depicts what they deem to be the important
independent and dependent variables which result into the phenomena they are researching.
Conclusion

See previous notes on chapter conclusions

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 CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This section includes a detailed explanation and justification of the data collection strategy
including research philosophy, research strategy, research design, target population, sample
size, sampling method, research instruments, data collection procedures, data analysis and
presentation methods, reliability, validity, and ethical considerations. Whilst reference shall
be made to literature to substantiate your choice of methods, take note that this is not a
literature review and note making section. Focus on the critical. Also explain the structure of
the research instrument(s) and how they were developed.

Chapter Layout

3.0 Introduction

3.1 Research Philosophy

3.2 Research Strategy

3.2 Research Design

3.3. Target population

3.4 Sample size

3.5 Sampling method

3.6 Research instruments

3.7 Data collection procedures

3.8 Data analysis and presentation methods,

3.9 Reliability and Validity

3.10 Ethical considerations

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3.11 Conclusion

3.0 Introduction

An introduction to this chapter, as with all subsequent ones, provides the reader with the
objective and contents ‘map’ of what is contained in the chapter. Show the reader what
techniques were available, what their advantages and disadvantages were, and what guided
you to make the choice you did. Argue for or justify each methodological decision made
when arriving at the way in which the research is organised. Every time that you have to
make a methodological choice from a number of options, you must state what each of these
methods are, why you chose the method you selected, and why you rejected those methods
not used. Do not simply state abstract/theoretical advantages and disadvantages of these
methods, but relate these to your study.

For example, if the advantage of qualitative research is to extract in-depth knowledge about
phenomena, state that “Using qualitative research allowed me to gain a deeper understanding
of (the issue you are investigating).

Research Philosophy

State, as clearly as possible, the research approach that is appropriate for the study. Is it
quantitative, qualitative or mixed method? Define the approach, explaining its characteristics,
and justify why it is relevant or significance for your study. You can start this section by
restating the purpose of the study and then go on to state the appropriate approach to achieve
the purpose.

Research design

Research design is an overall plan for obtaining an answer to the research question or for
testing the research hypothesis. Designs are informed by the approach used. There are
designs exclusively applicable to either quantitative or qualitative approach. State and explain
the design used for the study. Is it a survey, a case study, an experiment, an intervention, a
phenomenological study, an ethnographic study, or desktop research? There many other
designs.

Justify in concrete terms (as in the example above) why the design is appropriate for YOUR
study.

Target Study population/participants

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In this section, identify the appropriate population/material from which sample was drawn.

- Explain characteristics of the participants

- Justify why you chose such participants

- How many were they, and how did you arrive at this number? During the design of
the study, the sample size calculation will indicate whether the study is feasible or not.

- Who will be included, state the inclusion criteria, for example Age >18.

- Who will be excluded, state the exclusion criteria, for example, those who refuse to
give informed consent.

Sampling/selection approach

Sampling is the process of selecting a portion of the population to represent the entire
population of interest (target population). Selection methods are also dictated by the chosen
approach and design. Don’t chose a method randomly, be systematic.

In this section, explain

- How participants were selected

- Describe what method was used to recruit participants.

- Justify why such method was used

Data collection methods and techniques

These are methods through which data was obtained from participants or sources of
information.

- identify instruments you used for collection

- specify which tests/scales/questionnaires were used

- describe how (procedures) these were administered

- describe techniques used during the process (if interviews, were they face to face,
email, single or multiple contacts)

- describe the recruitment procedure

Ethical considerations

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Ethical principles include

- Respect for persons (autonomy) – explain how this was ensured.

- Respect for privacy (confidentiality/anonymity) – Explain how this was ensured.

- Non-maleficence (do not harm) – explain if the potential harms and benefits (stating
these) of the research on the participants was explained to them prior to the research.

- Attach in your annexures a copy of your consent form and/or guidelines for
questionnaires and telephone surveys

Data analyses and presentation

This is the procedure or lenses through which data was analysed. In this section, explain how
you analysed your data

- Apply known techniques accepted in the field as valid before embarking on untried
methods of analysis

- If quantitative, what statistical method or standardised instruments were used?

- If qualitative, explain the lenses or theory which was used

- Provide a specific and detailed account of how you tested your

Reliability and validity/true worthiness or rigour of findings

- Discuss the reliability and validity of specific instruments and procedures and of
entire method

- Show what you have done to ensure the results can be replicable or generalised.

- Here you can talk for example (where applicable) of triangulation of methods,
sources, theories; adherence to standard procedures etc.

Conclusion

CHAPTER FOUR

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 DATA PRESENTATION

4.0 Introduction

Appraise the reader with the objective and contents ‘map’ of what is contained in the chapter.
This chapter seeks to present the outcome of the research, i.e. the evidence and/or results of
primary research which you have undertaken. This is one key chapter of your dissertation
where you must show how your results illuminate your research questions/hypotheses. In
essence, your presentation and analysis of the data that you have collected from your
fieldwork should provide answers to these questions. As with any other chapter, it begins
with an introduction. See previous notes on chapter introductions.

4.1 Finding 1

Section 4.1; 4.2; 4.3 up to wherever you wish to end; are the main parts of the chapter where
the presentation of the data that you obtained is made. Since large amounts of data will have
been generated and has to be considered, the data must be organised in a logical and
coherently ordered whole so that your thought processes and interpretation are clear to the
reader. Decide on the structure and sub titles of this chapter. The standard practice is to
structure the chapter according to themes that emerge from research objectives or key
questions. So it is important that you group the finding in meaningful themes that speak to the
objectives or key questions of the study.

Presentation of your findings, depending upon your methodological outline, can be in the
form of detailed quantitative models, basic descriptive statistics or qualitative techniques
dealing with structured content analysis, textual analysis, to case study descriptions.

In the case of company case studies, include a brief outline about the company and its
activities. Keep these comments focused on the topic area and not just a broad and general
description of everything you know about the organisation.

- Whatever form of data presentation/analysis has been undertaken; it must be

- Avoid cataloguing of arid mass of tables, figures and statistics.

- Describe in an accessible manner what the research has uncovered and include (where
necessary) only the most pertinent figures as evidence of your findings.

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Analysis is essentially about searching for patterns and themes that emerge from the findings.
The goal is to discover what meaning you can make of them by comparing your findings both
within and across groups, and with those of other studies. If doing quantitative analysis

- Show what is typical or atypical about the data

- Show the degree of difference or relationship between two your variables

For qualitative research, present and analyse findings that relate to your research questions
and issues that you explored during your fieldwork.

Your analysis should endeavour to

- Identify themes/patterns/categories that the findings may be grouped into

- Explain why these exist

- Avoid describing each interview or focus group in turn but what you found from all
participants regarding each of the key questions. This provides a degree of logical flow and
development to the analysis.

- You are not required to include all the transcripts of interviews, surveys or data

- Sheets.

- Here, only include the summarised data.

4…Conclusion

See previous notes on chapter conclusions and what they seek to achieve.

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 CHAPTER FIVE

DISCUSSION/INTERPRETATION

5.0 Introduction

The introduction of this chapter reminds the reader what exactly the research objectives were,
and the order in which the discussion is presented. This is important because in this chapter,
discussion should focus attention on data that is directly relevant to the research questions.
Also highlight the objective and contents ‘map’ of what is contained in the chapter

5.1…? (Decide on what to begin with, and also the number of sections)

These sections are the heart of the dissertation and must be more than descriptive. This
chapter develops analytic and critical thinking on primary results and analysis with reference
to theoretical arguments grounded in the literature review.

Through an in-depth interpretation, the chapter thus examines the emergent patterns among
findings examining whether the literature corresponds with, contradicts, and/or deepens
interpretations. Discussion may include interpretation of any findings that were not
anticipated when the study was first described.

In order to undertake this task, you must provide answers to the question: WHAT DOES IT
ALL MEAN?

A variation of the above question is: “NOW THAT WE KNOW WHAT THE FINDINGS
ARE; SO WHAT?

What the above questions require is for you to give meaning of the findings in respect of the
research objectives, reviewed literature, theory and employed methodology. Meaning to your
findings is given by closing the loop; i.e. revisiting your overall purpose, research questions.
Provide in this chapter a solid and reasoned discussion for those research hypotheses that
have been supported or refuted.

Do NOT skimp on this task because it seeks to provide answers to research questions.

As you discuss your findings, attempt also to answer the following questions which speak to
the significance of the study.

1. Why is what you found important and relevant to your audience, your sample
population, and the general body of knowledge?

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2. Why should we (your readers) care?

The question ‘Why we care’ offers you an opportunity to highlight the importance of the
findings in as far as the research problem (that you highlighted and motivated in your
proposal and continue to highlight throughout the research report) and the significance of the
study are concerned. This is your original contribution. Carry the examiner or reader to a new
level of perception about the study.

In qualitative research, there is no accepted single set of conventions for the interpretation of
findings. One important aspect of qualitative research is willingness to tolerate ambiguity. As
such, examining issues from all angles in order to demonstrate the most plausible explanation
is encouraged. Your integrity as a researcher is given credence by inclusion of all
information, even that which challenges inferences and original assumptions.

5....? Conclusion

As with previous chapter, end with a conclusion that summarises and links this and the next
chapter.

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 CHAPTER SIX

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

6.0 Introduction

Introduce the objective and contents map of the chapter. This is the final chapter of the
dissertation. It is a conclusion of the whole dissertation that brings together all the chapters by
showing how the initial research plan has been addressed in such a way that conclusions may
be formed from the evidence presented. NO new material should be included in this chapter.

The chapter’s main function is to make a statement on the extent to which each of the aims
and objectives has been met. Be careful NOT to make claims that are not substantiated from
the evidence presented in earlier chapters.

6.1 Refer back

The first task is to refer back to what you have written, noting the employed tools and
methods as well as the findings presented and discussed. Remind the reader of your argument
and giving some sort of evaluation and/or interpretation. Here, reaffirm the problem
statement. Cohesively tie together, integrate and synthesise the various aspects raised in the
discussion chapter, whilst reflecting on the original purpose and problem statement

6.2 Discuss the issues and reach a final judgment on each.

This is the place to share with readers the conclusions you have reached on different aspects
through your research. Summarise findings to research question (s) and offer what these
results may mean. The main purpose here is to complete the story that the problem statement
began. So here you must summarise the relationship of findings to the original research
questions established

6.3 Identify implications of the findings

Help readers understand with respect to the overall objectives your study’s overall meaning,
if applicable, by identifying:

6.3.1 Theoretical implications

Where you must explain what implications the study findings have on theory, and

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6.3.2 Implications on policy and practice

Where you explain what implications the study findings have on policy and practice.

6.3.3 Practical Implications

Where you explain the practical implications of the study on the organisation and academic
literature

6.3.4 Identify areas for further research

Point forward to what you think might happen in the future, with suggestions or predictions
or warnings. Indicate for colleagues who might wish to undertake research in this area in the
future areas for further research, learning from the limitations of the current study, and
perhaps from un-anticipated findings.

Most students are wont of proffering recommendations. Such students often confuse
recommendations with conclusions.

Please do NOT suggest in this dissertation any recommendations. This is not only an
academic (it is not a commissioned) research but a mere first year research whose
conclusions address wider understanding of issues you have been studying NOT
recommendations. In any case, the dissertation has not yet passed examination, so even if you
do, no one will take your recommendations seriously.

However, if you are undertaking a company project based around a business issue, you may
want to write directly to the company sharing your findings. Otherwise the dissertation
remains the property of Lupane State University.

ANNEXURES

Appendices may be used to provide relevant supporting evidence for reference but should
only be used if necessary. You may wish to include in appendices, evidence which confirms
the originality of your work or illustrates points of principle set out in the main text,
questionnaires, and interview guidelines.

REFERENCES

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All references used in writing the dissertation (whether direct quotations or paraphrasing)
should be included in a reference list/bibliography, compiled in alphabetical order by author.
The APA system for listing references should be used or Harvard style

Please be consistent if you choose APA please use it throughout the dissertation and do the
same with Harvard style of referencing.

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