GUIDE LINES FOR

INTEGRATED RESEARCH DESSERTATION

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1. Purpose of Integrated Research Dissertation:
The purpose of the project is to give students the opportunity to carry out an indepth study of an applied nature, synthesizing various elements, yet pursing one
area of interest in depth
2. CHOOSING A TOPIC

Choosing your topic is probably the hardest thing you will do. The choice of topic is up to you, with
guidance from your supervisor, but, he/ she is not there to make the decision for you. To a large
extent, your ideas will be influenced by your situation. If you are in employment you may be able to
research into a real life problem or, if you are not employed, you may choose a more general business
issue. In either case, initial ideas are likely to originate in a vague form and may lack a clear focus.
These then need to be developed into something manageable and practical by consideration of
available literature/ texts and discussion with your project supervisors once allocated.

Color of the outer cover/front page of the report

Field work

TRIMESTER
COLOR

Integrated
Research
Dissertation
II / I trimester
Red

GUIDELINES FOR THE PREPARATION OF INTEGRATED RESEARCH DESSERTATION

PROGRAMME REPORTS
Typing Format
1. The dissertation should be not more than 50 pages and the text should be typed and printed:
with 1 line spacing ;
using one side of the page only;
with a print size of Times Roman 12
The margins should be: Left 1.25, Right 1, Top and Bottom 0.75.
Bold headings
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GUIDE LINES FOR

INTEGRATED RESEARCH DESSERTATION

Proper alignment

2. The total number of reports to be prepared

One copy to the Examination department

One copy to the Library
One copy to the candidate.

3. Before taking the final printout, the approval of the concerned guide(s) is mandatory and suggested
corrections, if any, must be incorporated.
4. For making copies dry tone Xerox is suggested.
5. Every copy of the report must contain
Inner title page (White)
Outer title page with a plastic cover
Certificate in the format enclosed both from the college and the organization where the project is
carried out.
An abstract (synopsis) not exceeding 150 words, indicating salient features of the work.
6. The organization of the report should be as follows
1. Title cover page
2. Inner title page
3 Declarations
4 Acknowledgements
5 Table of contents
6. List of table & figures (optional)
7 Abstract or Synopsis
8 Chapters I, II, III, IV and V
9 References
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INTEGRATED RESEARCH DESSERTATION

10 Annexure: Questionnaire, and any other

(Usually numbered in roman)
Chapter contents
1. Chapter 1. Introduction: This chapter includes - Background of the study,
2. Chapter 2. Literature Review: This chapter should reflect the students understanding of the
relevant theoretical and empirical background of the problem. Focus should be more on the
logical presentation of the empirical evolution of conceptual and methodological issues
pertaining to research problem. Also highlight the methodological clues drawn through this
review for your project.
3. Chapter 3. Research Design and Methodology : includes the research problem, need for
study/significance of the project, objectives, hypotheses, methodology scope, sample design,
sources of information, tools and techniques of analysis, structure of the study with sound
justifications/explanations.

4. Chapter 4 : Present your data analysis and inferences

5. Chapter 6. Summary and Conclusions: Gives an overview of the project, conclusions,
implications and recommendations. Also specify the limitations of your study. You may
indicate the scope for further research.
6. References: List the books, articles, websites that are referred and useful for research on the
topic of your specific project. Follow Harvard style of referencing.

Arrangement of Paragraph in a Chapter:

Each paragraph in a chapter should be properly numbered for example, 2.1, 2.2 etc., where
first digit represents the Chapter Number and second digit the paragrahph number. There is no
need to indicate the number for the first paragraph in a chapter.
Sub-paragraphs, if any indicated as 1.1.1, 1.1.2 etc. i.e. first digit representing the chapter, the
second representing the paragraph and third representing the sub-paragraph.
Dont underline the headings or subheadings or side heading. Instead use the bold letters.

GUIDE LINES FOR

INTEGRATED RESEARCH DESSERTATION

Bibliography or References:

References should be numbered from 1st chapter to the last chapter in ascending order and
should be shown in square brackets.

The following format may be used for writing the Bibliography/References.

Author Name, Title of the book or paper, Publisher name, year.

Eg:
[1] Berry, Jason, Jonathan Foose, and Tad Jones. Up from the Cradle of Jazz: New Orleans Music
Since World War II. Athens: U of Georgia P, 1986.
(An article in a journal)
Booth, Wayne C. "Kenneth Burke's Way of Knowing." Critical Inquiry 1 (1974): 1-22. Winks, Robin
W. "The Sinister Oriental Thriller: Fiction and the Asian Scene." Journal of Popular Culture 19.2
(1985): 49-61.

The bibliography list should be made strictly in alphabetical order of the name of the
authors.

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Criteria for Evaluation
DISTRIBUTION OF MARKS FOR IRD DISSERTATION EVALUATION
1.

Relevance of the subject in the present context

10

Literature Survey

10

Objectives of the study

10

Research Methodology

10

Results Presentation & Discussion

10

Conclusions and scope for future work

10

Overall presentation of the Thesis/Oral presentation

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GUIDE LINES FOR

INTEGRATED RESEARCH DESSERTATION

IRD NORMS
Thesis should have the following
1. Framing of hypothesis
2. MLA style sheet format regarding bibliography and references
3. According to the norms specified by the college
4. According to the suggestions given by the guide
5. According to the suggestions given by the Director

The

points to be remembered by the student while writing the thesis are as follows:

The report should be structured and flow in a manner that is easy for the reader to follow
Be consistent in the use of writing conventions including references
Be grammatically & typographically correct

Suggested criteria for evaluating the document of IRD are :

Originality in analysis and integrity
Courtesy in crediting sources of information
Objective standards of precision, logic, and use of evidence
The ability to reach and state a specific conclusion
Suggestions where ever required

Grading
The following grade criteria will then be applied.
Grade A
For a Grade A the dissertation should meet all the criteria listed below under Grade B and in addition
will demonstrate:

High level analysis, synthesis and evaluation of literature and topic/issues;

Evidence of capacity to apply learning to this and other areas of experience;
Flair, originality and insight;

GUIDE LINES FOR

INTEGRATED RESEARCH DESSERTATION

Shows clear evidence of a high level of understanding and skill in undertaking and reporting a
research process.

Grade B
For a Grade B, the dissertation should meet the following criteria:

Comprehensive coverage of topic/issue;

Evidence of breadth and depth in background reading;
Analytical approach to literature;
Full and proper bibliographical citation;
A substantive element of analysis and synthesis of arguments/issues;
Argument moves smoothly from point to point;

Grade C
For a Grade C, the dissertation should meet the following criteria:

Broad coverage of topic/issues with no important omissions;

Focus on the question/task set;
Ideas presented are substantiated with reference to the literature;
Arguments presented in a coherent and logical manner;
Personal/professional experience used as illustration/example;
Coherent framework for the analysis of topic/issues;
Demonstrates basic competence in understanding in undertaking and reporting a research process.

Grade D
An unsatisfactory dissertation is graded D and judged not to have reached an appropriate level for
masters degree. Deficiencies may include:

Major defects in writing;

Poor organization;
Lack of coherence;
Superficial treatment of subject;
Inadequate analysis;
Clear misunderstanding of a research process is evident.

Procedure
1. Get the soft copy formatted by Mr Shaik and send it to Dr Jyothi , co-ordinator , IRD and the
guide
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GUIDE LINES FOR

INTEGRATED RESEARCH DESSERTATION

2. Submission form to be signed by the guide after ensuring that the suggestions are incorporated
3. After all the above formalities are completed the thesis will be sent for binding by the college

Following is the MLA style sheet link

http://www.docstyles.com/mlacrib.htm

Note: All the students of PGDM II year need to submit their IRD projects (three Hard bound copies),
before deadline of 15th September 2016. Students who submit their projects are eligible for hall
tickets for ii/ i End term examinations