Assessment criteria: BA dissertation

Requirement Introduction- 10%1200 words Is the title of the research clear? A topic that is business, management or marketing focused Whether the topic is specific, scope is appropriate, purpose is stated and properly written using appropriate words A topic that is manageable in the time available An abstract needs to be included at the beginning of your dissertation upon completing the dissertation. Within it, you need to cover the given requirements. The title of the research has not been mentioned. Therefore this needs to be included by covering the given requirements/ points. Comment

Is the abstract adequate?

This should provide a summary of the whole research including: The main research problem or need The purpose of the research The methods used for the research The findings

Has a background been provided for the research?

The background to the research has been provided. Nevertheless, you could make this brief by covering the main points. The organisational background also can be included under this section before highlighting the research objectives. The purpose and the rationale for the study have been stated. Although this is admissible, you have not mentioned the benefits or implications this study will bring about to the chosen organisation/ school. Hence, you are advised to mention these as well.

Is there a clear purpose and rationale for the study?

Has the student set clear objectives and research questions? The objectives are the base of the research. The following aspects should be considered. Development of 3 - 4 objectives Objectives should follow a logical sequence Final objective could be to make recommendations Avoid cause and effect type problems Better to start objectives with To Use proper words such as analyse, evaluate, investigate etc.

Although you have outlined certain research objectives and questions in your study area, they need to be improved. The objectives need to be more specific. If you are considering only one organisation/ school, then the objectives need to reflect this. On the contrary, if you are planning to study several schools in order to examine their instructional leadership styles and their impact, then you need to ensure that you consider this throughout your study including the title. The first objective is too generic as it is a must to review literature in a dissertation. Therefore, you are advised to remove that objective. Furthermore, you can use level specific proper words such as analyse, evaluate, investigate etc. when developing the objectives rather than using more generic words such as study. You are also advised to include an objective to make recommendations for the chosen organisation/ school or the industry (if several schools are considered for the study) based on your study. Your research questions should also be revised by taking the above mentioned points into account. Since the study is focused on instructional leadership you need to consider readers/ managers mainly, and not other personnel. In order to test whether effective instructional leadership has a positive correlation with school performance, you could develop appropriate hypothesis. Use of Literature / Sources: 20% 3000 words

Objectives can be detailed out with research questions Development of hypothesis if relevant

Has the student made a link between existing literature and their own research? Review of literature relevant to the research objectives and questions. Has the student used a range of sources for the literature review? Use of good range of authors (20 - 30) including various sources such as books, articles, related past research findings and e-resources Avoid repeating the same author Accurate referencing within the text Avoid weak sources such as Wikipedia

Although an attempt has been made, the link of existing literature to own research is lacking, since you have mainly examined existing literature. Thus, this needs to be addressed by relating existing literature to your specific study.

Mostly, past research findings have been considered from various articles and journals. The use of sources and authors can be further improved by covering other sources as well such as books, news paper articles, e-resources etc. In-text referencing should also be further improved. If two authors are there, you should write it as (Ross and Gray, 2006). If there are more than 2 authors, then you should write as (Hoadley et al., 2009). Always the surname of the author should be written within brackets and not the first name.

Has a critical review of the literature been adopted? Avoid describing theories and existing literature. Instead, different views and findings should be evaluated/ reviewed with own views and inputs. Debates within literature can also be captured when evaluating.

Critical review of literature is lacking. You have mostly explained literature rather than evaluating different views and findings by using own inputs/ views as well. Hence, this needs to be addressed. In other words, you need to agree/ disagree the findings and also capture various debates within literature where various authors support others findings or find opposite results.

Research Design & Methodology: 20%3000 words Have the research philosophy, design and approach been discussed? This should cover different research philosophy and designs available, the chosen philosophy and design for the own research and justifications. Has the student discussed appropriate research methods? This section should include: Although certain information has been included in terms of research philosophy, you have not clearly included information about each of these areas separately. Therefore, you are advised to identify the available research philosophies, designs and approaches and then mention the chosen ones for your study along with the underlying reasons (as justifications).

Quantitative research has been chosen as the method. This is admissible.

You have also included other information such as data collection methods and instruments along with justifications. As a point of further Qualitative or quantitative research improvement, you could clearly mention that survey will be used to Primary and secondary research (preferably candidates should conduct a collect data under that section. You could also mention the pros and cons of data collection method/s and specify how the cons will be primary research) Appropriate data collection methods and eliminated or minimised. instruments for the research and the justifications. This should include pros Data analysis methods and tool has also been mentioned. This is and cons of the data collection methods. commendable. As a point of further improvement, you could also Data analysis method and tools include the underlying reasons for the choice. Although the population has been mentioned, there is contradicting information, i.e. firstly you have mentioned that only one school with few faculties is used. However, later you have mentioned that it is impossible to cover the entire population, i.e. all the schools listed. Therefore, this needs to be addressed. The justification on sample size can be further improved by specifying whether the sample is representative. The sampling technique and procedure too have been mentioned. These need to be justified too. You have also identified and explained the research ethics and limitations of the research, which is admissible.

Has the student discussed about the sampling? The sampling section should cover: Size of the total population Sample size with justification (why is the sample appropriate? Is it representative?) Sampling technique and procedure used with justifications

Has the student included research ethics and limitations of the research?

Results, analysis and interpretation of data 30%3600 words

Has the data been accurately presented? Different techniques such as tables, diagrams and charts should be used. If interviews have been used candidates should provide transcripts of the actual interviews in the appendices and refer to them when presenting data. If it is qualitative candidates need to state the important direct quotes. If a questionnaire has been used, it should be included in the appendices.

Has the student analysed and interpreted their findings? Factors to be considered: Should avoid including mere descriptions. Instead the results should be analysed in a meaningful way in line with research objectives. The interpretation of the results should be backed up with own insights/ input, relevant literature and it should also be aligned with the research objectives Making reasoned judgments on the findings Conclusion & recommendations 10%1200 words Are conclusions reasoned? Provide a summary of the findings of data analysis. New facts should not be included in the conclusion. Should reflect the extent to which the objectives are achieved. The main lessons learnt from the research needs to be summarised. Candidates can also mention whether the findings add or complement the existing research.

Has the student given proper and valid recommendations? The following points should be considered: Keep recommendations short and effective The recommendations need to be valid for managerial level Recommendations can be SMART and they can be presented with an action plan (Gantt chart) Are the limitations and future research been discussed? Presentation 10% Has the student used a professional style to present the work? Accurate referencing in Harvard style Good range of references Lack of plagiarism Accurate format and design (including headings, subheadings, paragraphs and numbering) Proper language (including spellings and grammar) Use of diagrams and tables