1

WRITING AN UNDERGRADUATE GRADUATION THESIS

FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT AND TOURISM

Prepared by: Ms. Pham L.T. Nga

2

Overview of the research process

A research is a study with a clear purpose in mind.

Doing research is a process. The research report should make

clear: The objective(s) of the researcher The process of obtaining the objective

3

The research process

An intellectual interest

Literature review

Research questions

Research Q refining

Research hypotheses

Research design

Data collection

Data analysis

Research findings

Research implications

4

Management

Finance or Accounting

TourismMarketin

g

Economics

An intellectual interest

5

Management text bookManagement theoriesManagement articlesManagement journalsManagement contemporary discussionsResearches in Management

Literature review

Management

Motivation

Find gaps in:

6

Does staff motivation improve firms’ performance?

Is this research question “do-able”? How should we operationalise this

research questions?

Research questions

7

Staff motivation =??? Improve = ??? Firms’ performance = ???

Research Question Refining

Does the firm’s financial motivation lead to higher productivity/ growth/revenue?

or

Does the firms’ non-financial motivation lead to higher productivity/ growth/revenue?

8

Research hypotheses

Financial motivation

Non-financial motivation

Firm’s productivity

H1

H2

H1: Higher financial motivation leads to higher firm’s productivity

H2: Higher non-financial motivation leads to higher firm’s productivity

9

Qualitative vs. quantitative Sampling issues Measurement issues

Research design

10

Primary data Research tools

Survey Interviews

In-depth interviews Focused group

interviews Observation

Obtrusive vs. unobtrusive

Field trip….

Secondary data Source of data Credibility Methods of analysis

Reliability Validity

Data collection

11

Should be appropriate for the research design and data collection methods

Describe the analysis methods (content analysis, linear regression, non-linear regression…)

Describe the possible limitations of the methods

Data analysis

12

Describe the research findings with relevant evidences

Compare research findings with the research hypotheses

Compare research findings with the findings from other research from literature review

Research findings

13

Discuss the importance of the findings for relevant stakeholders Business/ firms Staff Policy makers

Discuss the importance of the findings for academic research

Discuss the implications for future research

Research implications

14

Order of contentsA thesis follows the following order: Title page Abstract Statement of authorship Acknowledgments Table of contents List of tables, figures and illustrations (not

necessary if less than 10 items) Main text Bibliography or List of References Appendices

15

Main textThe main text covers the following chapters

Introduction Overview background Research significance Problem identification Research question and hypothesis

Literature review Research methods Research findings and implications Research limitations and future research

possibilities Conclusions

16

Planning your thesisDivide the thesis writing work into manageable pieces

1. Select research topic and supervisor2. Submit the general outline3. Submit the detailed outline4. Submit first draft5. Submit second draft6. Submit final version7. Prepare for the presentation

17

Other notes on format

International Standard Paper Size A4 (297 x 210mm) should be used.

The typing: 1.5 spaced Clear and legible font Single sided or double-sided Left and right margins: no less than 30mm Page numbers should appear inside the margins. Pages should be numbered consecutively and clearly. Folding diagrams or charts should be arranged so as

to open to the top and right. No spelling, grammar, punctuation and word choice

mistakes The bibliography is complete and exact.

18

Notes

Stick to deadlines (Gantt Chart) No further change of research question

after submitting detailed outline Consult your sup in every single step Meet/contact at least once every week Do not feel discouraged if your findings do

not support your hypothesis Allow enough time for research paper

binding Present your research effectively

19

Concluding words