Writing Papers A Guideline

Hints and Tips for

Your Success in
the Master
Program

May 4, 2013
Prof. Dr. Kilian

Source: www-mech.eng.cam.ac.uk/ 2
mmd/ashby-paper-V6.pdf

Schedule Getting Organized

Find (if not provided), Understand and Specify a Topic

Plan Your Research & Writing
(Time Schedule)

Work Scientifically

Research Literature

Conduct your own Research
(diploma works/master thesis only)

Find out about Formal Requirements
(talk to your mentor about specific preferences)

3
Think about it

There is more information available

than there are things to know.

Robert Stone
American Writer

Find and Specify a Topic

Starting Point:

Internet Research, Recent Trends

An Article in a Journal, Magazine

A Press Release (Company Announcements)

A Report on TV or on the Radio

A General Textbook

Specification:

Define Area of Interest

Specify Research Problem

Content and Structure:

Find First Information

Identify Experts, Key Sources
(from general to more specific)

Develop a Rough Outline

5
Researching a Topic

Good Sources (Printed):

A- and B-Journals
e.g. Journal of Marketing, Journal of Business
Journal of Consumer Research
(double-blind review!)

Business Journals, e.g. Harvard Business
Review, Sloan Management Review

Dissertations and Scientific Publications

Collections and Anthologies (an easy way
to obtain plenty of sources)

School Textbooks are a good starting point
but typically not a good source in itself
(find sources/authors mentioned there!)

Questionable Sources (Online):

The internet is a good place to research one,
but the quality of information found is often
questionable!

Plan Your Research & Writing (1)

A Gantt Progress Chart Might Help

Example: General Structure

Duration

Bachelor Thesis: approx. 12 weeks (3 months)

Master Thesis: approx. 20 weeks (5 months)

Example for a Diploma Works approx. (in weeks)

General literature research (collecting material) 4-6

Scan and organize texts, develop a first rough Outline 2-4

Start writing a first version of the text (plus conduct additional research) 4-6

Re-work the text, figures, and check the formatting 2-4

7
Scientific Work Text Composition

Structured Outline

Introduction

lead to the topic (e.g. interesting facts, current trends)

provide a clear aim of the paper (research question)

Main Part

discuss the topic (only relevant aspects!)

follow a logical chain of reasoning (avoid contradictions)

provide precise (!) sources

give profound answers to the research question

Conclusion

Summarize results

provide an outlook (and possibly limitations, areas for future research)

Appropriate Sub-Division of Outline

Scientific Work Evaluation Criteria (Overview)

Types of Assessment:

Structure (Gliederung)

Treatment of Problem (Problembehandlung)

Chain of Reasoning, Ideas (Gedankenfhrung und eigene Gedanken)

Literature Selection and References (Eingesetzte Literatur und Quellenbelege)

Style and Layout (Stil und formale Gestaltung)

Results (Ergebnisse)

Students are allowed to (and in my

opinion should!) take a look at the
assessments of their papers

10
Evaluation Criteria Structure & Problem Treatment

Structure

logical

systematic

balanced (ausgewogen)

adequate to the subject (themenadquat)

clearly laid out (bersichtlich)

Treatment of Problem

connection with the subject (Themenbezug)

delimitation of content (inhaltliche Abgrenzung)

delimitation of problem (Problemabgrenzung)

description of the problem (Problemdarstellung)

11

Evaluation Criteria Reasoning & Literature

Chain of Reasoning, Ideas

methodical approach (methodisches Vorgehen)

clear chains of argumentation (klare Argumentationsketten)

critical look at the subject (kritischer Auseinandersetzung
mit der Themenstellung)

independence of work (Eigenstndigkeit)

creativity

Literature Selection and References

quantity and quality of literature selection (Literaturauswahl),
e. g. variety of literature like books, magazines;
closeness of matters to the subject
(thematische Problemnhe)

formally correct work with citations
(formal korrekte Zitierweise)

complete list of works cited
(vollstndiger Quellennachweis)

12
Evaluation Criteria Style & Layout

Style and Layout

scientific language (wissenschaftliche Ausdrucksweise)

expression (Ausdruck)

legibility (Lesbarkeit)

transitions (bergnge)

conciseness of formulation
(Prgnanz der Formulierungen)

orthography (Rechtschreibung)

punctuation (Zeichensetzung)

outward form (uere Form)

illustration with figures and tables
(Veranschaulichung)

layout of footnotes, tables, figures and indexes
(formale Gestaltung)

handling of citations (Zitierweise)

13

Evaluation Criteria Results

Results

comprehensiveness and completeness
(Umfang und Vollstndigkeit)

degree of innovation
(Innovationsgrad der Arbeit)

practical relevance and benefit for the
enterprise concerned (in case of diploma works)
(Umsetzungsrelevanz und Nutzen)

14
Scientific Work Text Elements & Evaluation Criteria
Chain of
Treatment Reasoning, Literature Style, Results,
Structure of Problem Selection, Layout Overall
Ideas References Impression
Title
Page
Table of
Contents
Index of
Figures/Tables
Body of
Text

Appendix

Bibliography

Statutory
Declaration

15

Scientific Work Page Numbering

Option A Option B

Title
Page
Table of Roman Numerals Roman Numerals
Contents e.g. I, II, III
Index of
Figures/Tables
Body of
Text Arabic Numerals Arabic Numerals
e.g. 1, 2, 3
Appendix (until the last page
of the paper)
Bibliography Roman Numerals
(page numbering
Statutory continued)
Declaration

16
Think about this, too

We can get information from books

but real knowledge must come
from those in whom it resides.

Robert J. Dolan
American Scientist
(Harvard University)

17

Basic Instructions

Submit 2 copies of master thesis, 3 copies of diploma works/working papers

Additional Requirements:

Digital version of your working papers/diploma works on CD-ROM

Master thesis and diploma works in bound form

Length of Text (pages)

Working Paper: 20-30

Diploma Works: 40-50

Master Thesis: 70-80

Dissertation: 150-400

18
Page Layout

Format: DIN A4, white sheets, written on one side

Margins (roughly):

left: 4 cm

right: 2 cm

top: 3 cm (to text)

bottom: 2 cm (to footnote)

Line spacing: 1 lines

Paragraph: separated by one blank line, no indent

Type Size: 11 pt (for Arial & Times New Roman)

Headings: in bold, not underlined (as a rule)

Footnotes: one single line, separated from the body of the text

Page Numbering: consecutive page numbers (body of the text)

19

Elements of the Paper (1)

Book Cover Einband

Title Page Titelblatt

Preface (where appropriate) Vorwort

Table of Contents Inhaltsverzeichnis

List of Abbreviations (where appropriate) Abkrzungsverzeichnis

Index of Figures and Index of Tables Abbildungsverzeichnis
(where appropriate) Tabellenverzeichnis

Body of the Text Textkrper

Appendix or Table of Appendices (where appropriate) Anhang(sverzeichnis)

Bibliography Literaturverzeichnis

Statutory Declaration Eidesstattliche Erklrung

loose enclosures, where appropriate (e. g. in a folder) Lose Beilagen

20
Elements of the Paper (2)
A template of

Title Page (Titelblatt) the master thesis
cover page will be

title of paper provided to you.

name of the author

Specification Master Thesis (Masterarbeit) or
Working Paper (Studienarbeit)

submitted in order to gain the academic degree
Master in Business Administration (MBA) at
Wrzburg University of Applied Sciences
(Hochschule fr angewandte Wissenschaften
Wrzburg-Schweinfurt)

name of study program

in cooperation with (name and location
of training company)

name of mentor

date of registration

closing date (when handing in the paper)

optional: restriction note (yes/no)

21

Elements of the Paper (3)

Table of Contents (Inhaltsverzeichnis)

systematically structured (e. g. decimal classification),
e.g. 1.1, then 1.2

add page number on which each section can be found

the sections must be exactly the same as in the text

no single subtitle,
e.g. 1. Title, 1.1 Subtitle, 2. Title (where is 1.2.???)

typically 4-6 chapters

List of Abbreviations (Abkrzungsverzeichnis)

only common abbreviations should be used

not necessary to indicate well-known abbreviations
in the list of abbreviations, e.g. cf. etc.

abbreviations which are usual in the respective field
however should be included into the list,
e.g. CRM, ADM, ZfB

not allowed to use abbreviations for reasons of
convenience, e.g. spec. for specification

22
Elements of the Paper (4)

Indexes of Figures and Tables (Abbildungs-/Tabellenverzeichnis)

contains all figures within the body of the text and possibly the appendix

each figure must be stated with its number, title and page on which it can be found

number and title of the figures must be exactly the same as in the text

the source from which the figure or table was taken has to be mentioned in the text,
where appropriate

An Example (or Fig. 1:, Fig. 2: etc.):

Index of Figures

Figure 1: Scientific Research in the US . 7

Figure 2: Research Outline ... 11
Figure 3: A Guideline for Writing Papers .18

Body of Text (Textkrper) (see following pages)

23

Style & Wording (1)

Formal Writing

e.g. no doesnt, didnt but does not, did not

not me, myself, and I but it should be stressed that (3rd person)

Numbers (write them out like five up to e.g. nine)

Style and Formatting

Enumerations (one format)

Fonts (use one font only)

Longer direct quotations (single-spaced,
indent on left and right (e.g. 1 cm)

Colloquial or judgemental expressions,
e.g. nobody gives a damn or a very good example

Allegations, e.g. as everybody knows

Completeness, e.g. on the other hand
requires on the one hand

24
Style & Wording (2)

An ancient old man in a compact crowd, a round ball with gay colors,
a fast speeder, who had an accident on a tree-lined avenue

Ein alter Greis im dichten Gedrnge, eine runde Kugel in bunten Farben,
ein schneller Raser, der auf einer Baumallee verunglckt ist
= Pleonasms (doublings)

false illusions

inner feelings

personal opinion

successfully achieved

25

Working with Quotations Literal Citations

a quotation must be verifiable

literal citations

set off with quotation marks (...)

omissions have to be clearly marked as such

the wording of each quotation has to be exactly verified
with the original source

passages that are highlighted or set in italics in the
original text must stand out in your paper as well

if you highlight passages yourself, indicate by the words
[highlighted by the writer]

only use literal quotations if the wording is important

26
Working with Quotations Literal Citations (An Example)

only mention last name(s)

of author(s) and no titles

single-spaced

indented
(approx. 1 cm
on left and right)

Note: This is only a recommendation 27

Working with Quotations Indirect Citations

indirect citations

Quotations which convey the general sense are not to be set off with quotation marks,
but must be referred to in the bibliography as precisely as any other quotation.

add cf. (lat. confer) to the reference

e.g. cf. Weber, S., 2005, p. 12

check all quotations as to whether they could
not be misinterpreted if taken out of their context

28
Working with Quotations Hints & Tips (1)

do not use second-hand quotations

if you do as an exception then mark secondary source by the words cited according to...

statistical evidence, in particular, should be taken from first-hand sources if any possible

language

not necessary to translate quotations taken from
German, English, French (and Spanish) sources

if other sources are consulted, give a literal
translation along with the translators name

all other essential facts and figures must
be given a reference as well

taken from literature

gained from a personal interview

29

Citation Styles Overview (1)

Source: http://www.aresearchguide.com/styleguides.html (May 2010) 30

Citation Styles Harvard Style

reference in parentheses subsequent
to the quotation within the normal flow
of your text (short text method)

e.g. authors last name, year of publication
or a short title, and page number(s):
(Kilian (2009), p. 35f.)
In the Bibliography:
Kilian, K. (2009): Experiential Marketing and Memorable
Brand Experiences, in: Lindgreen, A./Vanhamme,
J./Beverland, M. (Eds.), Memorable Customer
Experiences, pp. 25-44.
Mustermann, M. (2004): .

Details about Harvard Style can be found here:

http://skillsforlearning.leedsmet.ac.uk/Quote_Unquote.pdf

http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk:8082/lco/publications/pdf/subj/is-9.pdf

see also example on the right

Links: Updated in June 2011 31

Citation Styles Overview (2)

Source: http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc5e/ (June 2011) 32

Citation Styles Overview (3)

Source: http://www2.liu.edu/cwis/cwp/library/workshop/citation.htm (May 2010) 33

Citation Styles APA (1)

34
Citation Styles APA (2)

35

Working with Quotations Hints & Tips (2)

if you refer to multiple publications by the same author within the same year,
the respective titles must be

either completely repeated in the footnote

or unambiguous abbreviations must be used (consecutive small letters), e.g. 1996c

an Example: 1 Cf. Kilian (2011a), p. 23.
2 Cf. Kilian (2011b), p. 214.

references in the footnotes follow in the same form as in the bibliography

(can be shortened though)

if several quotations are taken from the same work of an author, it is sufficient
to use an abbreviated form of reference from the second time on,
e.g. Hahn, Oswald: loc cit. pp. 19f.

quotations from a CD-Rom

name of the author(s),

title of the CD along with

the date of publication or version number and

publishing house (where appropriate)

36
Working with Quotations Hints & Tips (3)

Page number(s)

always indicate page number on which the passage referred to can be found

one particular page cited, e.g. p. 19

two pages cited: f. (= and the following, in German: folgende)
after the page number in the footnote, e.g. pp. 19f. (= p. 19 and p. 20)

more than two pages: add ff. (in German: fortfolgende), e.g. p. 19ff.

if you refer to the same work of an author in subsequent passages of your
paper, you can use ibidem (abbr. ibid.) as a simplification, e.g. ibid. p. 25f.

Always refer to Tables and Figures in the Text

e.g. as can be seen in Figure 7.
e.g. Table 5 illustrates that

e.g. should be considered (see Figure 12).

Note: in case sources were cited without reference,

the scientific work may be assessed as unsatisfactory,
even in retrospect!

37

Tables and Figures in the Text (An Example)

Recommendation:
Please always refer to
a table (Tabelle),
a figure (Abbildung),
or an appendix (Anhang)
in the text, e.g.
as can be seen
in Figure 5 or (see
Appendix 6 for details).

38
Appendix

Appendix (Anhang)

placed right after the text and before the bibliography

named Appendix Nr.: Title, e.g.

Table of Appendices

Appendix 1: Price List of 2005 . 7

Appendix 2: Overview of Main Competitors. 11
Appendix 3: Customer Satisfaction Questionnaire.. 18

consists of more comprehensive statistics, supplements and illustrations which are

not necessary to understand the normal flow of your text

Listing of Appendices (Anhangsverzeichnis)

own overview called Table of Annexes or Table of Appendices when appropriate
(see above), e.g. when the paper consists of various appendices or

mention few appendices at the end of the Table of Contents (after last text title)

39

Bibliography (1)

also referred to as List of References or List of Works Cited

lists all sources which were consulted for the paper and
which are indicated within the text or as a footnote

in alphabetical order according to authors

standardized form indicating all characteristic details of the source

leave off any titles or degrees associated with a name (e.g. Dr., Prof.)

it is not necessary to list all authors or editors if there is more than one
(two, or three); just use the abbreviation et al. (and others)

40
Bibliography (2)

Books

authors family name, Mustermann

authors first name (at least the first letter): (or comma) P. K. or Peter K.

title of work cited, Scientific Papers

subtitle, A guideline for you

edition, 4. edition

publishing house (where appropriate), Muster-Verlag

place of publication (if there is more than one, Bad Mergentheim
state at least the first-mentioned place) and

year of publication 2004

Examples:

Ryans, John K.: Marketing Strategies for the New Europe, Second Edition,
American Marketing Association, Chicago 1992

Ryans, J. K., Marketing Strategies for the New Europe, 2. ed., Chicago 1992

41

Bibliography (3)

Essays published in a Collection or Anthology

authors family name,

authors first name (at least the first letter):
title of the article,
in: Editors family name,
editors first name (at least the first letter) (Ed.):
title of the periodical,
edition of the volume (where appropriate),
publishing house (where appropriate),
place and year of publication,
page number(s) or column number (from to)

if no author is identified, indicate author unknown instead
(in German: o.V. = ohne Verfasser)

Examples:

Frankel, A.: Financial Structure: An International Perspective, in: Remmers, Lee/Toy,
Norman (Eds.): Handbook of International Financial Management, New York 2000,
p. 86 - 103.

Frankel, Adam, Financial Structure: An International Perspective. in: Remmers, L./Toy, N.
(Eds.), Handbook of International Financial Management, 2000, p. 86 - 103.
42
Bibliography (4)

Essays published in a Journal or Magazine

authors family name,

authors first name (or first letter):

title of the article,

in: title of the periodical,

volume, issue number, year,

essay page numbers (from - to)

Example:

Hofstede, G. H.: Gender Stereotypes and Partner
Preferences of Asian Women in Masculine and
Feminine Cultures , in: Journal of Cross-Cultural
Psychology, vol. 37, no. 4, 1996, p. 524-537.

Aaker, Jennifer L.: Dimensions of Brand Personality,
in: Journal of Marketing Research, 23, August 1997,
p. 347-356.

Fournier, Susan (1998), Consumers and their brands:
Developing Relationship Theory in Consumer Research,
in: Journal of Consumer Research, 24 (March), 343-373.
43

Bibliography (5)

Dissertations




authors family name,
authors first name (or first letter):
Ph.D./Dr.

title, dissertation,

university and

year of publication

Examples:

Graham, Peter: Oligopolistic Reaction and Foreign Direct Investment:
The Case of the U. S. Tire Industry, Diss., Chicago 1999.

Fournier, Susan (1994), A Consumer-Based Relationship Framework
for Strategy Brand Management unpublished doctoral dissertation,
University of Florida.

44
Bibliography (6)

Statistical Material

Editor (Ed.):

title of the periodical,

title of the series,

set and set title,

volume,

month (where appropriate),

place and year of publication,

page number (where appropriate)

Example:

Federal Statistical Office Germany (Ed.): Series C: Enterprises, Set 2: Joint Stock
Corporations, I. Dealings of Stock Corporations, year 1989, Stuttgart et al. 1990.

45

Bibliography (7)

Internet Sources

author(s) of the website or operator of the server
(comparable to the editor of an anthology):

title of the site,

remark Online on the web,

URL [pattern://Internet-protocol-parts/path;
last update where appropriate (dd.mm.yy)],

query of date (dd.mm.yy)

Note: You are recommended to save internet
sources on your hard-drive or a CD-Rom if
possible (or printout the pages), so that one
can look up the original source even if it should
later be removed from the server

Note once again: The quality of internet sources is often questionable!!!

Example:

Rosch, B.: ISO 9000 revised for 2000, Online on the web, http://www.din.de/roschb2
from March 26th, 2000, query from December 19th, 2000.

46
Formal Requirements

Application template (Anmeldeformular): Handed out in early July

needs to be filled out and signed by applicant and advisor

Deadline for application (Anmeldefrist): December 1

Deadline for delivery (Abgabefrist): May 1

an extension of the deadline via your advisor for 4 weeks is possible
(every additional extension needs to be approved by the examination board)

Master Thesis Formats

a theoretical master thesis (without reference to a certain company)

a practical master thesis (with reference to one or several companies)

Grading

the final grade comes from your FHWS advisor
(and possibly the second examiner)

Types of advisors

company advisors are possible, however, they can only
be active as supervisors; they have no influence on the grading

it is therefore recommended to focus on the advise of the
FHWS mentor (who later on grades your master thesis)

47

Write the Paper Yourself !!!

5 types of Plagiarism

Copy & Paste of complete texts

Translation Plagiarism

Shake & Paste (mix various texts)

(Partial) Sentences from various texts combined
and reworded

Structural Plagiarism (copy structure of other paper)

48
Statutory Declaration (Eidesstattliche Erklrung)

Mandatory part of every paper (last page):

I hereby declare that I have written this master thesis/diploma works/

working paper on my own and that I have not consulted any other
sources or other aids than those listed in the references.
....................................... ...................................
Place, date Signature

In German: Ich versichere hiermit, dass ich diese Master-, Diplom-, Studienarbeit
selbstndig verfasst und keine anderen als die angegebenen
Quellen und Hilfsmittel benutzt habe.

Offence against the statutory declaration, e. g. incomplete list of works
cited, will lead to the paper to be assessed as unsatisfactory (5,0)!

49

Die 2 Cs fr gute wissenschaftliche Texte

e o lls t ndig)
B
o m p le t e ( v e itlich)

C (e in h
o n sistent

C u r work
!
y o
in

50