School o

London School of Commerce (LSC)

School of Business and Law (SBL)
School of Technology and Management (STM)
Learning Resources Centre
Tel: 020 7763 4921/4922

Assignments and Dissertations Handout

Some Practical Guidelines on How to do Assignments and Dissertations
and Use Key Resources

Writing Assignments

The title page should list the assignment question which has been set. It should
state the Module title, your name and student number. The following page should
be the table of contents.

The assignment should have an introduction, a body and then the conclusion. The
introduction should clearly state what your definition is of the topic and its
description. It should be written in a way that it arouses interest and should be
informative.

The body should contain the development of a particular point of view, your views
on the topic; you should compare and contrast different theories, opinions and
ideas, for example. Present you own arguments and beliefs about a topic.
Analyse, evaluate and give your own opinion and present evidence. You can
mention the discoveries that you have made whilst researching the topic. Has your
thinking changed as a result of this research? What is your standpoint now after
learning about the subject in detail?

The conclusion presents your findings of the study of a particular topic and you
may suggest how and what can be done to make improvements and conclude your
investigations.

Literature Review

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A literature review surveys scholarly articles, books and other sources such as
dissertations, conference proceedings relevant to a particular issue, area of
research, or theory. It provides a description, summary and critical evaluation of
each work. The purpose is to offer an overview of significant literature published
on a topic.

It should be an overview of a subject, issue and theory under consideration and

state the objectives of the literature review.

Quantitative Data

This is based on meanings derived from numbers such as in tables, diagrams and
statistical methods. The emphasis is on measurement and testing and numbers are
involved.

Qualitative Data

The meaning is expressed in words and the collection of data uses a variety of
formats and is not standardised. This data is analysed by means of identification
of concepts and descriptions.

It can be in the form of an interview, through observation such as what people do

and say, it can be through participant observation where the researcher becomes
totally involved in the situation which is being researched. It can be through non-
participant observation where the person is detached and does not take part at all.

It can be through the use of a case study of an organisation, which may include
quantitative questionnaires in conjunction with descriptive evidence such as
interviews and observations.

Data Collection

Surveys carried out through questionnaires and interviews or both, and sampling.

Critical Thinking and Analysis

Critical thinking is when you compare and contrast theories with each other, or
when you try to work out gaps or flaws in those theories.

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You have to find information, analyse alternatives, evaluate the alternatives in
relation to your aims and requirements and reach some conclusion. All of these
processes are part of critical thinking; thus, critical thinking is an activity you are
familiar with from everyday life, it is not something isolated to your university
work. You have to question, identify trends and provide evidence to support your
thinking and ideas.

For example if you are choosing a holiday say to Tunisia, you look at websites of
the travel companies which offer special deals, you compare the fares that you
need to pay, you check if airport transfers are included, does the travel agent offer
insurance cover, are any excursions included in the price and so on and so forth.
Is it half-board, is the hotel located well for transport connections, does a tour
guide come in to give tips about the area etc. This is a form of critical thinking.

Critical thinking comprises:

 Interpretation – explain the meaning of the concept, the idea, the theory
 Analysis – detailed examination of the topic, dissection, scrutiny
 Evaluation – assess, appraise
 Inference – draw a conclusion, deduce, surmise
 Explanation – define, demonstrate, describe
 Self-regulation – adapt to requirements
 Using evidence impartially – be objective, unbiased, balanced

Conference Proceedings

A large number of conferences are held annually and the information given at
these is up-to-date and specialised.

Refer to:

 Index to Conference Proceedings Received – The British Library

A very useful source for a literature review.

Official Publications

 HMSO Annual Catalogue

 Catalogue of Official Publications Not Published by HMSO
 UKOP: Catalogue of UK Official Publications

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 Official Statistics

 Annual Abstract of Statistics

This publication is available in the reference section of major public libraries in
London.

An example of the type of information available in this publication is given

below. This is just a small sample. Vast arrays of statistics are available in
this publication.

 Average earnings index: all employee jobs: by industry

 Gross weekly and hourly earnings of full time employees: by sex
 Average earnings: by age group of full time employees: by sex, 2004
 Trade unions
 Average income of households before and after taxes and benefits,
2003/04
 Sources of gross household income
 Average earnings index: all employee jobs: by industry
 Gross weekly and hourly earnings of full time employees: by sex
 Average earnings: by age group of full time employees: by sex, 2004
 Sources of gross household income

 The Guide to Official Statistics

Title: Guide to Official Statistics

National Statistics Yes
product:
Organisation (Sponsor): Office for National Statistics (ONS)
Type of contents: Mainly reference material
Primary medium: On-line edition
Secondary Hardcopy Publication
medium/media:
Summary description: A comprehensive directory of all statistical censuses,
surveys, administrative systems, publications and other
services produced by government and a range of other

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 organisations in the United Kingdom.

Intellectual Property Office

Central Enquiries Tel: 0845 9 500 505

Staff will answer questions about all aspects of intellectual property and any other
aspect of the work of the Office.

IPO is the official government body responsible for granting Intellectual Property
(IP) rights in the United Kingdom (UK). These rights include:

 Patents
 Designs
 Trade marks
 Copyright

IPO is an Executive Agency of the Department of Innovation, Universities and

Skills (DIUS).

Current Serials Received

Available at The British Library
This is the main publication which lists journals containing review articles.

The British Humanities Index

Current Technology Index

These cover all UK academic publications and are useful resources.

Available at The British Library and major London public libraries.

Electronic Journals

The Library subscribes to various electronic resources including EBSCO Host.

Please ask for the Leaflet with the Usernames and Passwords to access the
Databases.

City Business Library, 1 Brewers’ Hall Garden, London EC2V 5BX T 020
7332 1812 F 020 7332 1847
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/citybusinesslibrary.

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There are no membership requirements. You can just walk in to the Library and
start using it.

Nearest Undergrounds: Bank, Barbican, Moorgate and St Paul’s

The City Business Library stocks the following resources:

Company Information:

Fame
Detailed financial information on registered companies in the UK and Irish
Republic. You can search by company name, geographical areas (including
postcodes), business activity, turnover size or number of employees and create and
display lists in customised formats. A maximum of 2,000 companies may be
downloaded at any one time.

Freeman Property Guide UK

Information on the property industry in the UK, including company details, local
authorities, rankings, service providers and news.

Kompass Online
Information on companies around the World. You can search by company name,
trade name, turnover, number of employees, location including postcode, and
business activities. It is useful for finding importers and exporters within a
country. It is not possible to download – it is only possible to PRINT (maximum
of 2,000 companies at a time)

Marketline Business Information Centre

Company profiles including business description, company history, executives,
products and locations, SWOT analysis. Also covers market research and
statistical data information.

Mergent Online
Detailed information on US and international companies, including company
financials, equities, history and annual reports. Also has country information.

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Retail Analysis (IGD – the Institute of Grocery Distribution)
Current news, profiles (including SWOT analysis), and financial information on
major UK and international retail companies such as ASDA, Boots, Marks &
Spencer, Tesco, etc.

SCoRe
A live web link to the ScoRe online database which lists libraries’ holdings of
printed company annual reports. (Does not include text of reports).

UK Wire.com.
A live web link with company announcements.

Thomas Global and Thomas Net

Live links to UK and overseas companies and USA companies respectively.
Searchable by industry with details and contacts for companies.

Country information:

EIU Economist Intelligence Unit

Detailed information on countries worldwide, including economic climate,
political climate, demographics, etc.

Marketline Business Information Centre

Country profiles include key facts and economic statistics.

Mergent Online
Brief Demographic and economic statistics on specific countries. Also
covers company information.

Law:

Statute Law Database. UK law.

Market Research:

Business Insights
Strategic analysis of consumer goods, energy, finance, healthcare & technology
sectors. You can search by sector or sub-sectors or use free text. A typical report
includes market position & overview, market shape & size, market directions, and
the position of leading products and their suppliers.

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CCH Business Focus (CD-ROM updated every 2 months)
Especially useful for anyone wishing to start up a new business in the “high
street”, leisure, service and agricultural sectors, trades and professions. It includes
sector overviews and sections on start-up, legal issues, and performance.

Freeman Property Guide UK

Information on the property industry in the UK, including company details, local
authorities, rankings, service providers and news.

Key Note Online

Reports on consumer, business-to-business and some industrial sectors, mainly
UK with a few Pan-European. A typical report includes market size, buying
behaviour, major trends, SWOT analysis, and competitor profiles.

Marketline Business Information Centre

Industry profiles including market segmentation, market shares, major trends and
analysis of the business environment. Also covers company information. Also
statistical information over a 10 year period covering the industries: Baby care;
Beverages; Food; Household products; News and Magazines; Personal care; Pet
care; Tobacco, via the Value Consumer Markets on the right hand side of the
home page.

Newspapers and Journals:

NewsUK
Articles from 68 UK national and regional newspapers and magazines. NB

This database is also available remotely from our online catalogue via
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/citybusinesslibrary (link to Online Resources).

Thomson Newsroom
News Research includes articles published in trade and business journals, local,
regional and national newspapers and magazines, corporate news releases and
industry newsletters (January 2000 - ).

Statistics:

Business Trade Statistics

Detailed import and export statistics. Data is derived from official national or
international agencies. Provides monthly statistics for EU member states and 14
other countries, annual data for other countries. It is not possible to download – it
is only possible to PRINT.

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Westminster Reference Library
35 St Martin’s Street
London WC2H 7HP

Tel: All enquiries: (020) 7641 1300

www.westminster.gov.uk/libraries/special/official/cfm

Nearest Undergrounds: Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus

Opening Hours

Day All collections

Monday 10.00am - 8.00pm
Tuesday 10.00am - 8.00pm
Wednesday 10.00am - 8.00pm
Thursday 10.00am - 8.00pm
Friday 10.00am - 8.00pm
Saturday 10.00am - 5.00pm
Sunday Closed

Westminster Reference Library is a specialist public reference library in

London's West End. It holds key subject collections on:

 Business
 UK Official Publications
 European Union
 Art & Design
 Performing Arts
 Law

As well as these collections there are computers with access to both the Internet
and several in-house resources as well as Internet taster sessions to help you learn
how to use them. There are also three reading rooms available to read and study
in.

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Newspapers

The Daily Telegraph

Financial Times
The Guardian
The Independent
The Sunday Telegraph
The Sunday Times
The Times

Available on CD-ROM in major public reference libraries including the City

Business Library and Westminster Reference Library.

USEFUL PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN LONDON

City Business Library (Reference Library ONLY)

1 Brewers’ Hall Garden
(Off Aldermanbury Square)
London EC2V 5BX

Opening Hours: 9.30 am – 5.00 pm Monday to Friday

Except Public Holidays

Tel: 020 7332 1812

Marylebone Library
Marylebone Information Service
(entrance in Gloucester Place)
109-117 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5PS
Enquiries: (020) 7641 1300

Nearest Underground: Baker Street

Marylebone Information Service offers a comprehensive reference and

information collection offering a wide range of books, periodicals and electronic
sources including free access to the Internet and a large reading area. It is situated
on the upper ground floor of Marylebone Library.

Opening Hours

Day Opening hours

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Monday 9.30am - 8.00pm
Tuesday 9.30am - 8.00pm
Wednesday 10.00am - 8.00pm
Thursday 9.30am - 8.00pm
Friday 9.30am - 8.00pm
Saturday 9.30am - 5.00pm
Sunday 1.30pm - 5.00pm

Barking Library

Barking Learning Centre, 2 Town Square, Barking, IG11 7NB

Tel: 020 8724 8723

Fax: 020 8724 8733 or 020 8724 8734

Email: reference@lbbd.gov.uk|

Opening Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 9am - 7pm

Wednesday and Saturday: 9am - 5pm

Opening hours
Willesden Green Library Centre Monday 11am - 8pm
95 High Road Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Willesden Green Wednesday 9am - 6pm
London NW10 2SF Thursday 9am - 8pm
Friday 9am - 6pm
Tel: 020 8937 3400 Saturday 9am - 6pm
Fax: 020 8937 3401 Sunday 11am - 6pm

Email Willesden Green Library

Croydon Central Library
Croydon Clocktower
Katharine St, Croydon, CR9 1ET
Tel: 020 8760 5400

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Southall Library

Southall Library
Osterley Pk Rd, Southall, UB2 4BL
Tel: 020 8574 3412

Hackney Business Information Library

80 Hoxton Street, Shoreditch

London, N1 6LP

Telephone
020 8356 4358

About Hackney Business Information Library

Hackney Business Information Library has a wide selection of books
ranging from fact to fiction available to hire. They also offer a blind
section with Braille books. They also have classes in this field. They
have Internet access and charge by the hour.

Should you require any information about other London public libraries please ask a
member of staff at the Issue Desk in the Library.

[Please note that this Handout gives some guidelines and useful tips that can be used to do
assignments and dissertations but by no means can it be considered a fully comprehensive
guide. Please use additional sources as specified and recommended by your lecturers and
dissertation supervisors.]

Nina Gillani
Librarian

Assignments and Dissertations Handout - My Docs – NG 15 October 2009

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