Friday, April 30, 2010

How to Find Good Dissertation:

Introduction

Doing a Master-level good dissertation is a major challenge. However, the topics or titles used to write a good dissertation can prove to be a difficult task for students, especially full-time students who need to manage studying, exams and good dissertation work. They need to plan well beforehand by thinking of the topic for their good dissertation during their first semester. This is because at the end of the first semester, Master-level students will be required to submit their initial proposals. They then have to undertake their research work during the second semester.

Tips for Finding Good dissertation

The following notes aim to provide Master-level students with the useful tips and hints that they need to develop to be able to outline good dissertation topics or titles. Students should keep these tips in mind when formulating good dissertation topics before they begin to plan their research works. The useful tips are as follows:

· Topics must be based on your areas of interest and not on those of your tutor. This is because you are the person who will have to carry out the research and so it is imperative that you feel comfortable and have confidence in your chosen topics and titles.

· Students must ensure that their chosen good dissertation topics and titles are up to date. This is because new knowledge, information, research and studies are being added to the academic world all the time (Dong et al. 2006, pp. 496-516). As a result, good dissertation topics must be up to date in order to catch up with the ever-changing world. For example, 10 years ago it may have been interesting to research the advantages and disadvantages of credit cards. But be aware that nowadays such topics may be too old to base your good dissertation on - although there is a new chapter in the plastic cards saga with the introduction of pre-paid credit cards. You could narrow your good dissertation topic by concentrating on the pros and cons of these pre-paid credit cards. An example of the good dissertation topic is "Pre-paid credit cards: An expensive way to spend". However, topics should not be overly narrowed down as students may risk not finding sufficient resources.

· Do not consider good dissertation topics which are too difficult for you to research. Most students tend to base their good dissertation topics or titles on the area or areas that are most interesting, but are not actually in their interests. This is because most students think that difficult topics will be rewarded with good marks. If you are currently considering such an idea then go back and read the good dissertation guidelines which are normally given to you by your tutors. All of the guidelines indicate that research topics or titles must have critical approaches. Do not be tempted to bite off more than you can chew as it might ultimately prove to be more harmful than helpful.

· A great starting point for developing good and interesting good dissertation topics is to begin thinking about issues that you have discussed and learned during your program so far. Think about the particular content areas or subjects that you have studied within your modules and especially those that really help trigger ideas that might help throw some light on the research questions and topics that you are attempting to formulate.

· Good ideas also come from sources other than textbooks and what you have learned in classes. Some useful sources of information that can help students to generate ideas for developing good dissertation topics include the Academy of Management Review, the Journal of International Business Studies, the Journal of Management Studies, the Journal of Marketing, the Strategic Management Journal and other current articles within specific journals, for new areas of research that are being developed. These journals are available in both digital and print versions within numerous UK libraries. Students can also subscribe in order to access these journals from home. Emerald is one of the recommended journal websites.

· The type of good dissertation topics and research titles that students develop will be influenced by additional factors such as current assignments, coursework and the relevant workload. Realistically, the context in which students carry out the research work is limited by the time and resources available. In addition, it has been suggested that for Master- or MBA-level students, evaluation research titles are often the best and easiest options for students to undertake. This involves looking at some systems and practices that already exist and making recommendations as to how they might be changed or improved. Most of the time, the recommendation section in the last chapter of relevant research within a student's interests, can give them flashes of ideas for developing good and interesting good dissertation topics.

· Whichever topic and approach the Master-level students decide to undertake, it is important to seek advice and gain some opinions and ideas from experienced tutors. Usually tutors have been allocated to each student because they have similar interests or have experience of similar research topics. However, the students should be prepared to use their own judgment and make decisions accordingly as the good dissertation topic will be focusing on your research works. If your tutor does not agree with your ideas or your selection of topics then it is your job to convince them, with reasonable and logical evidence and explanation. This is because the main reason for asking students to undertake good dissertations or research works is to see whether or not students can think and carry out research critically. The most important thing is to apply what you have learned during your program to your good dissertation topics and research works.

· For example, use the Google search engine to look for professors in your university. Search for lecturers who have past research experience in similar fields to your chosen studies. Enquire if they have participated in conferences on your topics.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that there are several things that Master-level students have to be watchful of when they are developing or outlining good and interesting dissertation topics. Students must use information and knowledge that they have learned during their studies in order to be able to form good research titles. The most important thing is to develop the good dissertation topics or titles that you feel comfortable with and have confidence with as it is you who have to work on it. Get help and advice from tutors or supervisors who can give you some useful information.