THESIS GUIDELINES

Academic Batch Winter 2011-13|WA1

Department of Thesis
*************************************** Level 0, IIPM International Campus, Satbari, Mehrauli-Chattarpur Road , Delhi , India Phone: 91.11.30168408/412 e-mail: thesis@iipm.edu; web: www.iipm.edu, ***************************************

Why Thesis?
Fulfills requirement of getting Degree /Diploma Provides an opportunity to explore a topic in depth Encourages a rigorous, logical and systematic approach to problem-solving Career development

General Information
As a student of 2/3 years full-time programme in Planning and Entrepreneurship, you are required to submit a final thesis in order to be awarded a degree or diploma. The thesis will be graded by your supervising guide and an external examiner.

Thesis Procedure
As set out below, the thesis process consists of the following components: STEP1:GetyourInterestedResearchAreaApproved. For the approval of your Research Area you have to fill the Annexure A in the given format and send it through email to the respective thesis coordinator. You have to compulsorily select the research area from the specialization(s) you studied. The subject line of your email should clearly mention your batch, study centre and proposed research area of your interest. On the basis of your proposed research area the email should be directed as follows: For Marketing, Operations and IT thesis.mkt@iipm.edu For Human Resources thesis.hr@iipm.edu For Finance thesis.fin@iipm.edu Any Other Area thesis@iipm.edu STEP2:GetyourThesisIDandSupervisingGuideAllotted. In 2 weeks from the date of receipt of your email request for approval of your Interested Research Area, your thesis coordinator will verify and validate your request and you will be allotted a Thesis ID and Supervising Guide to help you with your thesis.

Thesis Procedure contd

As set out below, the thesis process consists of the following components: STEP 3: Get your Thesis Topic and Synopsis of your research proposal finalized in consultation with your Supervising Guide. In 4 weeks from the date of allotment of your Thesis ID and Supervising Guide, you are required to finalize your Thesis Topic and write your research proposal in the form of Synopsis in required format (see Annexure B). The finalization of Thesis Topic and development of Synopsis should be done under the guidance of your Supervising Guide and emailed back to your thesis coordinator marking a carbon copy (cc) to your Supervising Guide. Your Thesis Topic will be archived only if confirmed by your Supervising Guide. STEP 4: Get an Interim Evaluation of your Thesis done by your SupervisingGuide. You are required to meet your Supervising Guide at least 4 times during the process of writing your Thesis and you have to get your Interim Response Sheets (see Annexure C) filled and signed by your Supervising Guide after every meeting.

Thesis Procedure contd

As set out below, the thesis process consists of the following components: STEP 5: Get your Thesis Submitted before the due-date and AppearforaWrittenViva. You are required to submit your Thesis in Soft-Copy & Hard Copy and over email in the required format (see Annexure D). Your Thesis will be accepted for submission only after a written confirmation from your Supervising Guide mentioning his/her approval for submitting your Thesis in the required format (see Annexure E). At the time of submission you have to give a written viva to process your thesis for evaluation. STEP6:GetthroughyourFinalHuddle. Your Thesis Evaluation will take one month from the date of submission. You have to appear for an Oral Viva as part of your evaluation process. Your Oral Viva will happen either Faceto-Face or through Skype. You will be informed about your date of Oral Viva a week in advance.

Thesis Objectives
Your Thesis should demonstrate that you are able to address complex problems/issues, which demand the integration of empirical data, theory and rigorous methods. A Thesis is a formal document to prove that an original contribution has been done to enhance the knowledge. The thesis may be based on Primary or Secondary data and material, but should not be just a research work. Research is simply gathering of information needed to answer questions that can be of help in solving a problem. In thesis you identify a problem or question that has not been answered before and to find answers to those question or to solve those problem you conduct this study. The thesis must: Be based on a clearly formulated research question; Have specific objectives; Be based on relevant and clearly-described materials and methods; Present clear findings; Present a balanced and critical discussion of materials, methods and findings, relating these to other relevant literature within the field; Fulfil the formal requirements for a commercially viable Presentation and include a front page, an abstract, a table of contents, references, etc.

Thesis Objectives contd...

On completion of the thesis, the student should be able to: Transform a managerial issue into a research question, identify the nature of the problem, as well as the process needed to solve it; Choose appropriate research methods; Collect necessary data/information and critically analyse, review and interpret ones own research and the relevant literature; Draw conclusions as to the nature of the problem and How to solve it; Present well-argued and referenced recommendations as to future practice(s) in the given field; Manage and plan the thesis writing process within the given timeframe; Where relevant, include feedback and practical policy implications for local authorities (if research is based on local data) to contribute to improvements at the local level; Give a short write-up, highlighting aims, main findings, conclusion and possible recommendations as well as discussing critical questions and remarks regarding the findings and conclusions; Provide critical and constructive feedback to fellow students on their thesis.

Thesis Deadlines
Thesis Topic Approval: Synopsis Submission: Interim Evaluation: Final Submission: 26th November 2012 20th December 2012 21st January 2013 4th February 2013

Thesis Supervision
Identification of supervising guide
According to the institutes regulations, your thesis should be carried out under the supervision of an assistant professor, associate professor, a professor, or an external lecturer, any employee of the institute. External supervisors may be appointed if additional expertise is needed (external supervisors are specialists working in other departments of the institute or from the industry). An external supervisor can only undertake supervision in cooperation with the assigned supervising guide. The thesis coordinator assigns supervisors to students. This process takes 2 weeks from the date of receiving the request over email from the student with the details of his proposed research area of interest. The choice of supervisor is based on: a) the individual student s choice of research area; and b) the supervisor s availability. 8 weeks are allocated for thesis supervision, during this period you are expected to meet your supervisor at least 4 times. The supervision includes all tasks carried out by the supervisor in relation to the thesis: finalization of the thesis topic, developing the synopsis, reading of drafts, preparation for meetings, interim evaluation, etc.

Thesis Supervision contd...

Roles and responsibilities
To ensure that the working relationship between you and your supervisor is as productive and rewarding as possible, we have set down guiding principles for your respective roles and responsibilities. The supervising guide will:
Guide the student in formulating clear, relevant, commercially viable, challenging, ethical and achievable research objectives; Guide the student in finalizing the thesis topic. The title of the thesis should be precise, argumentative and specific. It should not be an announcement. It should be a single sentence, able to reflect the key idea(s) and structure of the thesis; Supervise the student s preparation of the synopsis in the required format; Guide the student in using relevant and up-to-date academic/other literature within the chosen area of study; Advise the student in the choice of research methods, authenticity of any published information (secondary data used should be of last 2-3 years, not older than that), any ethical clearance and data size etc.; Advise the student in making a realistic fieldwork schedule, primary research should be included to support your study; Review and conduct interim evaluation and approve or improve the draft; Provide timely feedback to the thesis coordinator and assist students in completing thesis in the desired format and on time.

Thesis Supervision contd...

The student will:
Decide on a thesis topic from the proposed research area of study in consultation with his/her assigned supervisor; Participate in formulating the research objectives in consultation with his/her assigned supervisor; Prepare and submit a thesis synopsis in consultation with his/her assigned supervisor; If undertaking primary research, identify and discuss with the supervisor any ethical issues and secure ethical approval; Produce work in accordance with a schedule agreed upon with the supervisor at the start of the process; Ensure that material is presented in sufficient time to allow the supervisor s comments, discussion and alterations, before proceeding to the next stage; Write your thesis and submit interim response sheet for interim evaluation in time and get an approval from your supervisor for final submission; Adhere to the deadlines strictly.

Written agreement on supervision

Before supervision starts, you will receive an approval mail from thesis coordinator mentioning your Thesis ID, Approved Research Area and your assigned supervisor, outlining the terms and conditions for supervision. On the basis of this approval mail your supervisor and yourself will finalize the thesis topic and develop a synopsis in the required format. The synopsis will be a written document defining the different phases and deadlines in your thesis process. This should be signed by both you and submitted to the thesis coordinator.

To be filled by the students:

Annex A: Research Area Approval Format

Name: Phone Number: Email address:

Course to which admitted Month & year of admission Place of study (IIPM CENTER) Thesis Area Opted:

IIPM

ISBE A/B

ICHE

Specialization Area:

Summer training details: Topic Company name : Area of specialization Summary on internship

To be filled by the students:

Kinds/ Area of projects done in project trisemester Kinds Scores

Your favorite subjects you have taken interest while pursuing in IIPM

Mention some notable internal assignments closely or distantly related to support your research interest area

To be filled by the students:

Job Mention how the chosen research area is related to your current career or helpful for your career path.

Are you currently working? If yes, mention the following:

Name of company Location Job Role

Or else, if you have joined your family business, mention the following:
Industry Nature of business

Or else, if you are in an entrepreneurial drive, mention the following:

Industry Nature of business

Market Research Scores in market research related papers - Research methodology and Marketing Research

Have you used any statistical tools:

T TEST F TEST Z Test CHI SQUARE TEST Pearsons Correlation & Bivariate Regression Others ANOVA

To be filled by the students:

Do you have knowledge about complex analytical methods. Tick any

Multiple regressions Discriminant analysis MANOVA ANCOVA Factor & Components Analysis Time Series Analysis, Program Assessment, Forecasting Logistic, Ordered, Multinomial, Negative Binomial & Poisson Regression

Have you used any statistical software for doing projects or gained knowledge on application while pursuing in IIPM?
SPSS /STATISTICA/NCSS /UNISTAT/RATS /SHAZAM Econometrics/MATLAB SAS /STATA

Books Referred in market research

To be filled by the thesis data management team: Thesis ID generated

IIPM Center

Research Area Approved

Specialization area

Name of the guide

Phone No.

Email

Date : Guide allotted

Guide center

Thesis Research Area

Suggestive List
Marketing
Market environment Market economics Consumer Behaviour Market Research Marketing Research Brand Research Sales Management B2B marketing Direct Marketing Digital Marketing Marketing Channels Ethics in Marketing Social Marketing / CSR Rural Marketing International Marketing Customer Relationship Management Service Marketing Retail Management Strategic Marketing: Pricing, Market Entry & Exit Strategy Marketing Communication: Advertising, Public Relations & Marketing Promotions/ Events/ Activations

Human Resource
Leadership Motivation Organisation Culture Organisation Development Work / Industry Psychology Recruitment & Selection HR Audit & Human Capital Management Human Resource Information System (HRIS) Training and Development Performance Appraisal Compensation Management Occupational health and safety Collective Bargaining Labour Welfare Trade Unionism Quality Management & Systems Cultural & Cross-cultural issues International HRM Strategic HRM Talent Management Success Planning Counselling Skills for Managers Work life balance

Thesis Research Area

Suggestive List contd...
Finance
Financial Accounting Management/Cost Accounting Taxation Direct / Indirect Corporate Finance Financial Planning Financial Risk Management Portfolio Management Financial Modelling Strategic Finance Business Valuations Mergers & Acquisitions Derivatives FOREX Capital / Financial Markets Working Capital Management Corporate Banking General Life Insurance International Finance Wealth Management Investment Banking Corporate Governance Financial Regulations Hedge Funds Islamic Banking Microfinance Equity Analysis Venture Capital & Private Equity

Operations
Supply Chain Management Distribution & Logistics Operations Research Service Operations Operations Strategy Process Design & Implementation Marketing & Operations Interface Quality Management & Control Technology & Operations Management / e-SCM Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Planning & Control in Manufacturing Industries Planning & Control in Service Industries Warehousing

Thesis Research Area

Suggestive List contd...
Strategy
Business Strategy Operations Strategy Innovation & Strategy Competitive Strategic Management Mergers & Acquisitions Business process Reengineering Business Restructuring Strategic Management of New Firm Entrepreneurship & Strategic Intuition

Leadership Skills and Strategic Strategy Management Models Management Strategic Investment Decisions Corporate Entrepreneurship

Information Technology
Knowledge Management Enterprise Resource Planning Search Engine Optimisation Social Networks & Business Strategy Technology & Competitiveness Technology in Marketing Technology in HR Technology in Finance Technology in Operations Technology & Outsourcing Innovation & Strategy

Thesis Synopsis
A synopsis is a brief outline of your proposed thesis. As a first draft, the synopsis will help you clarify and structure your ideas. The synopsis further helps you develop your thesis research proposal in detail. You will develop your synopsis in collaboration with your supervising guide. The required length of the synopsis is 3-4 pages (1 page = approximately 2400 characters without spaces, font size 12 pt. line space 1.5, margins 2.5 on all sides, A4 paper).

To be filled by the students:

Annex B: Thesis Synopsis Format

Name: Phone Number: Email address:

Course to which admitted Month & year of admission Place of study (IIPM CENTER) Thesis Topic:

IIPM

ISBE A/B

ICHE

Specialization Area:

Introduction:

To be filled by the students:

Research Objectives a. b. c. d.

Research methodology: Secondary data (source) Primary data Tool used Sampling method Sample size Target Audience

Limitations of the study

Books referred :

To be filled by the students:

Justification of choosing the topic:

Annex C: Thesis Response sheet

Response sheet number: Thesis Topic: Date: Details of the student (Name ,Batch ,Alumni Id ,Phone No and Email Id )

Thesis synopsis (Attach thesis synopsis [ if response sheets are emailed] with every response sheet ) Date when the guide was consulted: Progress of the work : (Students are required to give a gist of the literature review, data collection, analysis and recommendations etc... however; the questionnaire (if it is part of the methodology) has to be complete (use a separate sheet if required).

Comments from the Supervising guide:

Signature of the Supervising guide:

Signature of the Student:

Note: -Whenever a student emails his/her response sheet, he/she has to send all the previous response sheets too. Response sheets should be emailed to the thesis coordinator. Signature of the guide is not mandatory if the student send through email.

Annex D: Final Thesis Format

The Manuscript consists of three main parts The Preliminaries The Content or the text The References

The Preliminaries
Title Page Abstract Certificate of Originality Thesis Topic approval letter sent over email Acknowledgments Table of Contents List of Figures & Tables Synopsis

Note: Preliminary pages Numbering should be in lower case Roman numerals; Centered at the bottom of the page; Numbers at least inch from bottom edge Title Page Institute logo ,Name and place; Name of the Title ,Student and Guide ; Batch and Alumni No It should contain all capital letters ; Counted, but not numbered ; Abstract This should include the problem under investigation; the research methodology and theoretical orientation; and the expected out comes and implications of the research Not to exceed 350 words Certificate of Originality It should include original signature of the Guide. It indicates that the guide has approved the thesis as a complete and final work requiring no further alterations. This signatory format is completely different from the format when submitted at the time of synopsis. Acknowledgments: It should generally include acknowledgment of assistance received from various persons. Center the heading ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Table of Contents: Lists all sections with page numbers; Double space between entries; Single space within entries List of Figures: Required if figures appear in thesis Non-text items; Numbered consecutively throughout List of Tables: Required if tables appear in the thesis Tables should be numbered consecutively throughout. Synopsis: Original synopsis (without any alternations) should be attached.

Annex D: Final Thesis Format

The Manuscript consists of three main parts The Preliminaries The Content or the text The References

The Content or the Text

Introduction Research objectives & Methodology Literature Review Primary Findings & Analysis Recommendations Conclusions & Implications

Research Methodology: It should cover the following details: Method used Tool used Target Audience Sample size Sampling method used Research Area Considerations: It must be appropriate to the objective of you study Triangulation Method is mostly used at master level thesis (Triangulation refers to the use of more than one approach to the investigation of a research question) Justifications regarding specific methods chosen or used Data collection methods: Qualitative marketing research Generally used for exploratory purposes small number of respondents; not generalizable to the whole population; statistical significance and confidence not calculated. Examples include focus groups, depth interviews and projective techniques. Quantitative marketing research Generally used to draw conclusions tests a specific hypothesis; uses random sampling techniques so as to infer from the sample to the population; involves a large number of respondents. Examples include surveys and questionnaires.

NOTE: Page Numbering should be in Arabic numerals; Upper, right-hand corner; At least inch from edge Introduction: Introduction of topic. Literature Review : Relevant literature to establish a sound base for the proposed research Research objectives & Methodology : Explanation of what is the research objectives and the methods used to achieve the specified objectives. Primary findings & analysis: Report on the primary data collected using the research methods and techniques . Recommendations: It should be based on resolving the Research problem. A thesis is written from a consultant s perspective. Conclusions & Implications: It should include how the data collected and the literature reviewed together contribute to answering the research questions and resolving the research problem.

Annex D: Final Thesis Format

The Manuscript consists of three main parts The Preliminaries The Content or the text The References

The References
Bibliography It should include all works which are referred to in the thesis. May be placed at the end of the main text. Use any standard manual. If one is not using a style manual, single space within each entry and double space between the entries. Appendices Inclusions: Articles, Questionnaire format, Old forms or reports, Sample filled questionnaires with Business cards attached. Exclusions: Case study, Power point slides Response Sheets All thesis should contain all the Response Sheets in the prescribed format

The Layout Requirements

Spacing Font Header and Footer Margins Paper Overall Appearance Submission of Final Thesis in Soft-Copy & hard Copy

Spacing 1.5 Inch space or Double space throughout Exceptions: Title page and approval page, Table of contents, Captions, table or figure headings, Extensive quotations, Footnotes or endnotes, Entries in reference section, Appendices. Font Any standard font is acceptable; Use the same font throughout; Use font size 12 Exceptions: Captions (not smaller than 9 point), Headings (not larger than 20 point) Header and Footer The Header should include the Institutes Logo with Name (extreme left) The footer should include the Student s Batch (Extreme left) and Thesis Alumni Id Number (Extreme Right) Margins Pages must have at least 1.5 inch left margin; 1 inch top, bottom, and right margins Exceptions: pg nos must have at least inch clearance from each edge Overall Appearance All corrections should be made before final copy is printed Unacceptable: Overstrikes or cross-outs ,Handwritten additions or corrections, Lines, dots or shading from paste-ups . Soft Copy & Hard Copy of Final Thesis Portrait format; One side only; Every content of the thesis should be in New Page Thesis Front Page should include following Institute Logo, Name and Place, Thesis Title, Student Name, Alumni No, Batch, Thesis Supervising Guide.

Annex E: Thesis Submission Acceptance Format

STUDENT INFORMATION : ( To be filled in capital letters) Student Name:

Thesis Id:

Phone No.:

Sp. Area : ( M), (HR), (F)

Email address:

Title :

As THESIS MENTOR for the student named above, I certify by signing below that I have read this students final thesis draft, have approved changes required by me, and

recommend the Thesis for acceptance.

Supervision Guides Name : Sign : Date :

Annex F: THESIS EVALUATION FORMAT

Details to be filled by the student Name of the Student: E Mail ID: Title of the Thesis: Phone No: Thesis ID No: Date of Viva

Details to be filled by the Thesis Evaluator 1. Research objective /problem definition: Weightage: 05 Marks

2. Research methodology /Description: Weightage: 05 Marks

3. Research results /analysis/technical presentation: Weightage: 25 Marks

4. Achievement of aims / research objectives: Weightage: 10 Marks

5. Originality /Value addition: Weightage: 10 Marks

6. Quality of recommendations & conclusion: Weightage: 15 Marks

7. Relevance of the Literature used: Weightage: 10 Marks

8. Structure and presentation of the thesis: Weightage: 05 Use of Language : (Writing style, Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling and Communicativeness) Layout requirements : (Conformity with instructions)

Marks

9. Assessment of handwritten summary of thesis work:

Weightage: 10

Marks

10. Assessment of Process *: Weightage: 05 (Independency shown by student, Pace of work and Response sheets follow-up)

Marks

11. Deductions (if any) for non compliance *: Marks To be filled in by the thesis coordinators of respective centers. Deduction for non compliance includes late submission of synopsis, Guides signature missing on the final thesis, topic approval letter missing, non submission of response sheets on time etc.

Thesis coordinator: Center:

Viva Voce Checklist Is the student clear about the Research Objective/Hypothesis/Problem? Is the candidate able to justify the Research Design? Is the student fully aware of the new developments in the Research area Do the research objectives and research analysis correlate each other Are the References and Research Authentic? How do you rate the Viva on the scale of 1to 5? (Where 1 is Excellent and 5 is worst) Any other comments: Yes / No Yes / No Yes / No Yes / No Yes / No ----------

Name of the examiner:

Signature :

Date of evaluation

Overall Percentage of marks (Total marks 100): -----------------

Thesis Viva-Voce Evaluation

Purpose of the Viva Voce examination
To examine whether value addition to the existing knowledge was generated To establish that the research has been carried out independently and genuinely by the candidate To determine the candidates understanding of the literature used in the thesis To examine the conceptual and logical approach and research techniques used in the thesis. To allow the candidate to defend the originality of the thesis

Thesis Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the presentation of another persons work as your own. Plagiarism can occur at all academic levels, ranging from students who copy a short passage from another source and paste it into their own essay without indicating its source, to supervising guide failing to acknowledge the real source of an idea or insight in their own work. Plagiarism is a serious academic offence. If detected in the thesis, it typically results in disqualification. In other words, your thesis will fail and you will not be awarded the degree/diploma. An academic learning process requires you to work with other peoples ideas. However, your use of these ideas must be properly acknowledged. It is your responsibility to ensure that the work you submit does not involve a deliberated attempt to deceive the evaluator into believing that a borrowed or copied idea or passage is your own. All quotations from other sources, whether published or unpublished, must be properly acknowledged. This includes academic sources as well as non-published work obtained from other students. Students are advised that plagiarism software detection programs will be used to check all thesis submitted and no exceptions will be made for students caught plagiarizing.

Thesis Check List

Ensure that the set research objective /problem has been achieved/solved. Ensure that your thesis extends the understanding of a subject and makes an additional contribution to Human knowledge. Ensure that the data collected has been properly analyzed. Ideally a thesis is a combination of secondary as well as primary data. However the requirements may vary depending on the topic chosen. Ensure that the writingstyle should remain same throughout the thesis report. Plagiarism would lead to rejection of thesis. Ensure that preliminary requirements have been met. Students must always use the thesis title as approved and sent to them by email. The Final Thesis report should be between 10000 to 30000 words. Ensure that the structural requirements have been met. Ensure that grammar, punctuation marks etc have been met. The student should use Thesis Identification Number but not the Student General Identification Number for any thesis related query. Ensure that Appendices include Articles, News papers cuttings, Questionnaire format, Old forms or reports. Ensure all data, tables and graphs should be in the color format. Final Thesis should be submitted in the form of soft copy & Hard Copy by email. There would be marks deduction or rejection of thesis for Non compliance of thesis rules.

Contact Thesis Department

Reach Your Thesis Coordinators For Marketing, IT and Operations: For Human Resources: For Finance: For any other thesis related queries: thesis.mkt@iipm.edu thesis.hr@iipm.edu thesis.fin@iipm.edu thesis@iipm.edu

Department of Thesis
*************************************** Level 0, IIPM International Campus, Satbari, Mehrauli-Chattarpur Road , Delhi , India Phone: 91.11.30168408 e-mail: thesis@iipm.edu; web: www.iipm.edu, ***************************************

Best of Luck !!!