How to structure a business dissertation

Title Page

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Abstract: A summary of the dissertation

Table of Contents

Introduction: Introduces the study and summaries the state of area prior to the research. This
section outlines the problem(s) to be investigated, the aims and objectives of the research and
describes the methodologies used. Additionally, an outline of the overall dissertation structure
may be included.

Literature Review: This accounts the previously written, published and unpublished literature
on the selected research topic. The purpose of conducting a review on the existing knowledge
and ideas on the topic is to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the research area whilst
defining a guiding concept for the dissertation. To achieve this, four important steps must be
followed: concentrate on the relevant theories; break down the topic and define key terms;
examine recent research in the area; and conclude with the research questions that will be
resolved in the study.

Methodology: This section is designed to give the reader a coherent, clear and precise account of
how the study was conducted. The section is composed of number of sub-sections which should
include: research philosophy, research approach, research strategy, data collection and any
problems encountered in the data gathering process, data reliability, validity and generalizability,
and finally, ethical issues and possible limitations with the research.

Results: An essential tip for this section is to only report the findings of the study in the most
appropriate manner, resisting in the process the temptation to interpret or draw conclusions.

Discussion: The interpretation of the results is undertaken in this section. The first task is to state
what the results of the study are by outlining the findings. Account for the findings by indicating
whether or not the research hypothesis has been supported. The second task involves linking the
results with the evidence discussed in the literature review. Finally, explore the implications of
the findings with regards to the research questions together with consideration of the direction
and form that future research should take.

Conclusion: This section provides a summary to the overall study and final comments and
judgments. The final comment should entail making suggestions for improvement and
speculations for future research.
References: Approval should be sought from University for appropriate layout

Appendices: This section contains graphs and diagrams used when writing the dissertation. The
purpose of appendices is essentially to enable the expansion of information only included in
abbreviated format in the body of the dissertation. Make sure that vital information is not
mentioned here for the first time.