SOP:Release1.

Dissertation Guide Lines for Students of

Master of Business Administration

(MBA)

Dissertation -1(Synopsis)
Dissertation -2(Thesis)

Prepared ByDr. Rajeev Sharma

Dr. Anurag shakya

Supervised & Varified ByDr.Sandeep Shandilya

Mangalayatan University, Aligarh

Index
S.No.
1.
2.

Content
Research Proposal / Synopsis
Structure of synopsis

3.

Dissertation

4.

Chapterization of Dissertation

5.

Dissertation Report Structure

6.
7.

Page dimension and binding specification

8.

Format of Students Declaration

9.

Format of Supervisor certificate

Specimen of cover & title page

1.

Research Proposal / Synopsis

Synopsis is in fact the research proposal. Most students and beginning researchers do not
fully understand what a research proposal means, nor do they understand its importance. To
put it in plain words, one's research is only as good as one's proposal. An ill-conceived
proposal dooms the project even if it somehow gets through the evaluation committee. A high
quality proposal, on the other hand, not only promises success for the project, but also
impresses your evaluation committee about your potential as a researcher.
A research proposal is intended to convince others that you have a worthwhile research
project and that you have the competence and the work-plan to complete it. Generally, a
research proposal should contain all the key elements involved in the research process and
include sufficient information for the readers to evaluate the proposed study.
Regardless of your research area and the methodology you choose, all research proposals
must address the following questions: What you plan to accomplish, why you want to do it
and how you are going to do it.
The proposal should have sufficient information to convince your readers that you have an
important research idea, that you have a good grasp of the relevant literature and the major
issues, and that your methodology is sound.
The quality of your research proposal depends not only on the quality of your proposed
project, but also on the quality of your proposal writing. A good research project may run the
risk of rejection simply because the proposal is poorly written. Therefore, it pays if your
writing is coherent, clear and compelling.
Requirement of quality dissertation1. Ability to provide the proper context to frame the study question.
2. Ability to delimit the boundary conditions of study.
3.

Presence of landmark studies as part of review of literature.

4.

Accurate presentation of the theoretical and empirical contributions by other

researchers.

5. Focus on the research question.

6. Ability to develop a coherent and persuasive argument for the proposed research.
7. Avoidance of too much detail on minor issues, but not enough detail on major issues.
8. Avoidance of too much rambling -- going "all over the map" without a clear sense of
direction. (The best proposals move forward with ease and grace like a seamless
river.)
9. Avoidance of too many citation lapses and incorrect references.

10. Avoidance of too long or too short coverage.

Basic purpose of synopsis is to defend your topic of research by producing convincing proof
of the existence of the problem.

2. Structure of synopsis
1. Introduction
2. Problem identification
3. Need and significance of the work along with managerial understanding and
applicability.
4. Review of Literature
5. Objectives of Study
6. Hypotheses
7. Research Methodology
Research design
Sampling technique
Sample size
Data collection
Steps / Statistical technique for data analysis
8. Organization of the study
Bibliography

Note: 1. For detailed explanation see chapter .1 of the document titled Chapterization of
Dissertation.

2. Total number of pages in synopsis must range between 12 to 15.

Dissertation 1 (Synopsis) carries 25% and Dissertation 2 (Thesis)
carries 75% of overall weightage. Total credits for Dissertation 1 & 2 are 8.

3. Dissertation
A Dissertation is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or
professional qualification by the student. It is a new view point emerging from research
usually a requirement for an advanced academic degree. It will help in developing more indepth and broader insights and understanding of business &

industry from multiple

dimensions.

By doing dissertation student will be able to

Develop a research proposal to explore a specific research question/problem.

Identify and access the resources necessary to undertake the investigation, reviewing

and analyzing relevant literature.

Choose a research methodology appropriate to the problem and apply the

methodology which can be either qualitative & quantitative or both.

Report the project particularly its purpose, background, methods, findings,

conclusions and recommendations.

Identify and critically comment on the wider implications of the work.

Objectives of dissertation

To enable student to solve and find answers to the problem

Student can discover new things and ideas along with providing a solution of the
problem.
To help student enhance his knowledge about subject
For this Student will have to sustain his dissertation work with enough resources. This
will make his work more credit worthy. This will add value to his and existing

knowhow about the area of research.

To challenge some existing idea
This is possible if student wishes to write a research paper that can compete with
some existing research paper. However he need to be careful while doing this because
if he will not have sufficient basis for his claim, his work will loose authenticity,
quality and worth.

You need to answer following questions before attempting dissertation

work

Does a problem really exist?

What is this problem (clear understanding of problem)?
What is the hypotheses of dissertation?
Who will be the beneficiaries of this work?
What will be the nature of benefits from research outcome and its impact on socio-

economic environment of country?

How will this research add value to students existing knowledge and skills?
What will be the implications of this work on future studies?

4. Chapterization of Dissertation
Chapter .1. Introduction
1.

Introduction and problem identification

It will contain a brief explanation about the area including problem occurrence
& their effect on the system .It will also include a brief description about the
company, Area of study, Industry in which company operates etc.
2. Need and significance of the work along with managerial understanding and
applicability.
It will elaborate about why the study has been conducted and what is the
significance of this work for the student as well as company/Industry/
Economy. In this section student will also elaborate on managerial
understanding and applicability of such understanding in solving business
problem of varying complexities. Also he/ she should be able to judge the
importance of this study
4. Review of Literature
This will include brief summary about past studies done on similar topics/
areas .It will consists of names of the researches, year/place of the research
and their research outcomes in brief.
The literature review serves several important functions:
Ensures that you are not "reinventing the wheel".
Gives credits to those who have laid the groundwork for your research.
Demonstrates your knowledge of the research problem.
Demonstrates your understanding of the theoretical and research issues
related to your research question.
Shows your ability to critically evaluate relevant literature .
Indicates your ability to integrate and synthesize the existing literature.
Provides new theoretical insights or develops a new model as the
conceptual framework for your research.

Convinces your reader that your proposed research will make a significant and
substantial contribution to the literature (i.e., resolving an important theoretical
issue or filling a major gap in the literature).
Most students' literature reviews suffer from the following problems:
Lacking organization and structure
Lacking focus, unity and coherence

 Being repetitive and verbose

Failing to cite influential papers
Failing to keep up with recent developments
Failing to critically evaluate cited papers
Citing irrelevant or trivial references

5. Objectives of Study

An analysis of studies listed in review of literature will help in formulating

appropriate objectives of dissertation work.
Here student can attempt to solve a long standing problem. This will
enable student to discover either new ideas or a perception change.
He can make an attempt to enhance additional information about the
subject and in the process he will collect a lot of information from
various sources.
In some cases, student can even attempt to challenge with outcomes of
other similar studies. However, student will have to be extremely
careful to present his views supported by sufficient base.

6. Hypotheses

Based on objectives of the dissertation, student will formulate hypotheses of

his work. Hypotheses will be an assumption strictly developed on the basis of
objective(s).
The number of hypotheses will be equal to number of objectives.

7. Research methodology

Research design
It will elaborate on basic structure and style such as- Descriptive,
Exploratory, Experimental etc.
Sampling technique
This will concentrate on technique related to selecting appropriate
sample from population so that maximum information about the
population can be drawn.
Sample size
This will include information about the number of elements/ members
selected in the sample.
Data collection
It will include description about the process/ source of data collection
such as primary / secondary.
Steps / Statistical techniques for data analysis

It will include explanation about various statistical techniques used in

the work.

8. Organisation of the study

In this section, chapterization of the study will be presented in brief.

9. Limitations
Here student will elaborate on resource constraints faced by him during
the work.

Chapter. 2. Conceptual framework of the study

Here student will give a detailed explanation (theory) about the theme / subject
area of the study.

Chapter .3. Data analysis and interpretation

This will include data analysis and interpretation after making thorough use
and application of appropriate statistical techniques as mentioned in chapter
one.

Chapter. 4. Finding and conclusion

In the findings section student will give all his inferences and inter- linkages
ultimately resulting into overall picture of his findings.
In conclusions student is expected to elaborate overall benefits from his work
to various parties such as Company, Industry and Economy (National / Global)
etc.

Chapter .5. Suggestion and recommendation along with future implication

of work
Here caution must be exercised that no generic suggestion is given like organisation
needs to improve interpersonal communication. It is more scientific to present our
views in such a manner that questions, when, where, what etc can also be addressed.
Suggestion must be innovative and in tune with research outcome. Student must
properly present his/ her recommendations to Company/ Industry/ Economy
depending on nature of work and suggestions.

Appendices

Appendices are provided to give supplementary information, which is included in the

main text may serve as a distraction and cloud the central theme.
Appendices should be numbered using Arabic numerals, e.g. Appendix 1, Appendix 2,
etc.
Appendices shall carry the title of the work reported and the same title shall be made
in the contents page also.

Bibliography/list of references

The reference material should be listed in the alphabetical order of the first author.
The name of the author/authors should be immediately followed by the year and other
details.

Kothari C.R, Research methodology, New Delhi, New Age International (P) Ltd. Publishers, 2007

5. Dissertation Report Structure

Title page
Students declaration
Supervisors certificate
Acknowledgement
Index
List of figures, tables etc

I
II
III
IV
V
VI
Page .No.

Chapter .1. Introduction

Introduction and problem identification
Need and significance of the work along with managerial understanding and
applicability
Review of literature
Objectives
Hypothesis(if any)
Research Methodology
Research Design
Selection of unites
Sampling Technique
Sample size
Data Collection
Steps/ Statistical technique for Data analysis
Organisation of the study
Limitations

Chapter.2. Conceptual framework of the work

Chapter.3. Data analysis and Interpretation
Chapter.4. Finding and conclusion
Chapter.5. Suggestion and recommendation along with future implication of
work
Appendices

Bibliography

6. PAGE DIMENSION AND BINDING SPECIFICATIONS:

Size/dimension: International standard paper size A4 (297x210mm) should be
used.
Binding: The project report should be hard bound with Golden Embossing.
Margin: Top 1.0, Bottom 1.0 Left 1.5 Right 1.0
Line spacing: 1.5
Font: Times new roman, size 12 for text, larger fonts may be used for
headings & Subheadings.
Page number: Page should be numbered consecutively and clearly. No page
number should be indicated on title page, supervisors certificates, declaration
and acknowledgement; however pages are counted from title page. Use Greek
numbers from title page to List of figures, tables etc page. Use Indian numerals from
main text to end of thesis. All typing should be on right hand pages only.
Folded diagram/charts (If any): These should be arranged so as to open to the
top and right.
Landscape chart/ fig: Bottom of chart/ fig should be on right side.

Important note1.Each paragraph should start from the next line of heading and subheadings.
2.Do not write General information and history of statistical tools.
3. Write about appropriate tools you have used and reason for using the tools.
4. Constantly fine tune your project report from the synopsis to your final report.

It will be rich experience for you to cherish.

7.Specimen of Cover Page & Title Page: <Font Style Times New Roman Bold>

A14
DISSERTATION ON14

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN

PRIVATE SECTOR20
Submitted by14

Anuj kumar16
Enrollment no. 2011MBA00114
In partial fulfillment for the award of the degree14
Of14

MASTER IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION16

In14
Human resource management14

MANGALAYATAN UNIVERSITY, ALIGARH16

MAY 201114

8.Students Declaration

This is to certify that Thesis/Report entitled which is

submitted by me in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of
degree . to Mangalayatan University, Aligarh comprises only my
original work and due acknowledgement has been made in the text to all
other material used.
Date:

Name & Signature of the student

9. Supervisors certificate

This is to certify that thesis/Report entitled project title.

which is submitted by ..name of student in partial fulfilment of
the requirement for the award of degree .. to
Mangalayatan University, Aligarh is a record of the candidates own work carried
out by him/her under my/our supervision. The matter embodied in this thesis is
original and has not been submitted for the award of any other degree.
Date:
Supervisor

Name and Signature of