Dissertation Tips

An important part of your overall mark, the ABMA Dissertation may mean the difference between a Distinction and a Higher Credit. You should begin to prepare your dissertation from about half way through your classes, giving you about 3 months to decide on a subject, plan your approach to the subject and then write the dissertation, ready to meet the examination deadline. The dissertation is due on the first day of the examination series and you should hand it in to your Registrar so that he/she can ensure that it is sent to London, along with your written examination papers.

Your examination papers will NOT be marked unless we receive the dissertation. That means that if papers are returned WITHOUT an accompanying dissertation, they will be declared void and you will have to re-sit your examinations, paying the full examination fees, once the dissertation is presented. It is therefore vital that you begin thinking about your dissertation NOW so that you are not penalised in this way.

Introduction

You need to choose an organisation, either fictitious or known to you, and introduce the main themes you are going to discuss in the dissertation. Typically, you should start with an introduction of the topic chosen and then write a methodology on how you will investigate the main ideas you have chosen to evaluate.

Main Body

In the main body, you should examine the company’s efficiency in the selected area; explore their methods used and the strengths and weaknesses of the current methodology. You should include some models, structures and matrices learnt in the previous four units of your chosen ABMA course.

Conclusion

You will be expected to conclude your findings and provide possible solutions and ways of improving the company in the area selected for evaluation. Most importantly, the dissertation should be correctly referenced in order to indicate the source of the information used.

Reference your work

Please make sure that the dissertation you submit is entirely your OWN WORK. Research your project using relevant examples ensuring all references are correctly cited. Ensure that you check with your ABMA Co-ordinator for dissertation submission deadlines.