School of Real Estate and Construction Economics

Degree in Construction Economics BSc. Construction Economics and Management and

DT111-4 and DT155-6 DISSERTATION HANDBOOK

Management

Prepared by: Dr. Risn Murphy September 2012

Table of Contents
Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 2 Aim of Dissertation ............................................................................................................. 3 Dissertation Proposal .......................................................................................................... 3 Dissertation Proposal Interview .......................................................................................... 4 Dissertation Supervisor ....................................................................................................... 4 Submission Requirements ................................................................................................... 5 Assessment .......................................................................................................................... 6 Regulations ......................................................................................................................... 7 Assessment Criteria ............................................................................................................ 8

Introduction
Writing an undergraduate dissertation requires hard work and dedication and at times you will probably find it frustrating and it may feel like a very big mountain to climb! However, if you start with a good research proposal that describes the research plan which can be feasibly undertaken within the time, then you will find the experience enjoyable and rewarding. To support your research, you must attend the dissertation module classes that are scheduled on your timetable. You will also have the support of your research supervisor and I will be available to deal with any issues that may arise. This document provides you with information on various aspects of the dissertation including deadline dates and submission requirements. Please read this document carefully and pay particular attention to the assessment regulations. The dissertation has been set up on the Blackboard learning system, and all templates referred to in this document, together with other pertinent information will be posted onto Blackboard. Please check the module on a regular basis to keep yourself fully informed of requirements. I would like to wish you every success during the coming academic year and I look forward to working with all. I hope you find your research to be rewarding and fulfilling. If you have any queries relating to the structure, regulations or assessment, please don't hesitate in contacting me.

Dr. Risn Murphy Final Year Tutor & Dissertation Co-ordinator Roisin.murphy@dit.ie ph: 01 4022925

Aim of Dissertation
The dissertation is an undergraduate dissertation which is prepared in the final year under the general guidance of the lecturing staff. The dissertation is an extended piece of individual work, based on an in depth analysis of a particular topic. The aims of the dissertation are to allow the student to: Undertake an independent and original piece of research Demonstrate an ability to critically analyse a specific and well-defined topic Demonstrate the ability to draw conclusions from the body of research and analysis undertaken Present a self-contained document in an academically acceptable manner.

Dissertation Proposal
The first stage in completing the dissertation is to gain approval of your dissertation topic. The research topic should be in an area of interest to you and be relevant to the degree programme being undertaken. You will be researching the topic over a number of months, so it is important that you are interested in it! A dissertation proposal must be submitted detailing the proposed title, subject area and objectives of your research amongst other things. The School has a template for the submission of the dissertation proposal, and only proposals submitted using this template will be accepted. The template is available to download from Blackboard. The dissertation proposal is hugely important in defining the research question, aims, objectives and scope of the topic proposed for investigation. The proposal requires you to carefully consider what, how and why you have chosen a particular topic and will act as a guide on an ongoing basis to ensure your dissertation remains within the parameters established. It is therefore hugely important to work hard on submitting a focused and 3

well thought out research proposal. Proposal writing will be discussed during class, and it is imperative that you attend the session. The completed dissertation proposal must be submitted (using the template provided) during class on WEDNESDAY 24th OCTOBER 2012.

Dissertation Proposal Interview

Each student is required to attend an interview on the proposal submitted. The purpose of the interview is to discuss the proposed dissertation topic, aims and objectives and to ascertain if the proposed research is likely to be achievable within the required timeframe. Students will be expected to be in a position to discuss each of the sections of the dissertation proposal submitted, as well as any preliminary reading and research undertaken prior to the interview. Amendments to the proposal may be recommended, in which case a resubmission may be required. The mark awarded for the dissertation proposal represents 5% of the total dissertation module, and will be based on the initial submission (rather than resubmission).

Dissertation Supervisor
Following approval of your dissertation proposal, you will be assigned a supervisor with whom you are expected to hold regular meetings with in the development and completion of the research. You should arrange regular meetings with the assigned supervisor throughout the academic year and maintain a log of each meeting (by completing the meeting log template) which must be included as an appendix to your final submission. The template for this purpose is available to download from Blackboard. During your first meeting with your supervisor you should negotiate, and agree on, a "learning contract" setting deadlines, expectations, milestones and methods of

communication. You will need to decide on a suitable "working relationship" that suits both yourself and your supervisor. Your Supervisor will Provide you with guidance and support throughout the duration of the research project, to assist you in completing your dissertation on or before WEDNESDAY 17th APRIL 2012 (this date may differ for part time students) Meet/Communicate with you at regular intervals; Provide feedback to you on your research proposal, work-in-progress, presentation and at least one draft of your literature review. It is important that you provide your tutor with a copy of your approved proposal as soon as possible. The onus remains on the student to initiate meetings and to undertake the research on an independent basis. The supervisor will mentor you through the process but will not act as the editor in chief of your dissertation!

Submission Requirements
The thesis, excluding appendices, should be of the order of 12,000 words in length. You are required to submit two soft bound copies of your dissertation on A4 paper, with text of font Times New Roman size 12. An electronic copy must also be forward in a single file. To exceed this limit, permission must be obtained from the year tutor. The final product should be an extended written document including a logically argued text with relevant illustrations. It should include: Title Page Abstract Preliminaries (Acknowledgements, List of tables etc.) Introduction Literature Review Research Methodology (including detail of pilot study if relevant) Research Findings, Analysis and Discussion 5

Conclusions and Recommendations References/Bibliography Appendices

Further details regarding the write-up of your dissertation will be outlined and discussed during scheduled class times as well as with your supervisor.

Assessment
The final assessment accounts for 95% of the total marks for the dissertation module. Each dissertation is read by two internal examiners and is the subject of an oral examination (or viva voce). The oral examinations will commence during the week commencing 29th APRIL 2012 (this date may differ for part time students). The aim of the oral examination is to enable the examiners to: Ensure that the work submitted has been prepared by the candidate himself/herself Assess the students ability to defend the content and conclusions drawn Indicate to the student errors of omission or fact if appropriate and to confirm or adjust the mark awarded on reading the thesis In the event an agreement cannot be reached, the programme team will appoint a Third Examiner from the pool of internal supervisors and second readers from within the School of Real Estate and Construction Economics. Centre. The grade, as provided by the Third Examiner, will be the final grade that will go forward to the Examination board. However, the dissertation will also be sent to the external examiner along with the three completed assessment sheets. Minor amendments are permitted prior to the submission of the final document on FRIDAY 17th MAY 2012 (this date may differ for part time students). Details of 6

permitted amendments will be discussed during the interview and significant changes should not be made, save in exceptional circumstances. The mark warded for the dissertation will be based upon the research proposal and initial submission of the dissertation. The final document should be submitted in a single PDF to the School Administrator. It is imperative that you submit one file only, containing the entire dissertation including appendices, drawings etc.

Regulations
The current DIT Assessment and Appeal Regulations apply, and all students should familiarise themselves with the regulations pertaining to the completion of the dissertation. The School requires the Harvard Referencing System to be used, and once again, students should familiarise themselves with the requirements therein, which are available on the DIT Library website. If you are unable to submit on time you may submit a written request for a deferral to your supervisor, outlining the reasons for which the deferral is sought, one month prior to the submission date. A copy of the request for deferral must be sent to the BSc Construction Economics and Management Year Tutor (Dr. Risn Murphy). Failure to seek, in writing, and be granted a deferral will result in you being referred at the Examination Board. In exceptional circumstances a deferral may be sought closer to the submission date. Should a deferral be granted you will be informed of a new submission date, normally prior to the next sitting of the Examination Board. Should you not submit the dissertation by this date nor seek in writing a further deferral you will be referred at the Examination Board. In accord with D.I.T. Assessment Regulations (4.1) a student is entitled to three further attempts.

Assessment Criteria
Presentation (20%) Use of maps, charts, diagrams, tables, statistics, photographs, illustrative material in general, referencing, overall appearance and general presentation of completed work Research Undertaken (30%) Rational for chosen research method, administration of research instruments. Use of bibliographical sources, interviews, questionnaires and case studies. Content (35%) Relevance, originality, currency of information/concepts, analysis, synthesis and logical development of subject matter. Conclusion (10%) The extent to which the state objectives of the dissertation have been achieved; the validity of the conclusions drawn from the analysis of the content.