Thesis Guidelines

Organizational Behavior II & Academic Writing Skills II
Lecture
27-05-2014
Agenda
- Course introduction
- Masters thesis overview
Agenda
Thesis preparation
Theses have to be written alone
Assessment of theses will be even stricter
Course introduction
Thesis preparation
This is a new course
Only a limited number of hours are available
Therefore a larger focus on structure and academic writing, content is chosen by students
Just as with the Masters thesis, you are given a lot of responsibility
If I can do more to help you prepare for the thesis, please let me know!
Course introduction
Other courses related to thesis preparation
Block 1
- SQMB 1
Block 2
- OB & AWS 1
Block 3
- SQMB 2
Block 4
- RBA 1
Block 6
- MC/OB & AWS 2
Block 7
- RBA 2
Course introduction
Regarded as known
Course setup
Course introduction
Three elements
- Individual academic paper
- Presentation
- Midterm
Course setup
Course introduction
Main focus of the course is an individual academic paper
You will all have me as a supervisor (light) for this individual academic paper
How does supervision work
Course introduction
For the Masters thesis your supervisor is allocated 25 hours
Out of these 25 hours, 6 hours are reserved for (the preparation of) the defense
This leaves 19 hours for the remainder (including meetings and reading material)
Even if you would argue that the paper is smaller and only 12 hours were needed for
supervision, it is impossible for me to give 109 students all that attention for this course
(do the math)
How does supervision work
Course introduction
What can I do:
- You are all entitled to a feedback session based on your draft paper (30 minutes)
- You will all get two email opportunities (smaller questions)
Content of academic paper
Course introduction
The following is expected of the academic paper:
- The paper has to focus on something related to organizational behavior
- At least five concepts are included in the paper
- One of these concepts is either a mediator or a moderator
- The paper is written as if the research was quantitative (required for certain sections)
- The paper includes three chapters (Introduction, Theoretical Framework, Methodology)
- Font size 11 (your choice of font), double spacing for readability and comments
- Correct application of APA referencing style
I will not give you any restrictions regarding a page minimum or maximum, nor a
minimum amount of A and B journals
Course introduction
Some article suggestions:
Herrera, R., Duncan, P. A., Green, M., Ree, M., & Skaggs, S. L. (2011). The relationship between
attitudes toward diversity management in the Southwest USA and the GLOBE study cultural preferences.
The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 22, 2629-2646.
doi:10.1080/09585192.2011.588037
Yidong, T., & Xinxin, L. (2013). How Ethical Leadership Influences Employees Innovative Work Behavior:
A Perspective of Intrinsic Motivation. Journal of Business Ethics, 116, 441-455. doi:10.1007/s10551-012-
1455-7
Kulich, C., Ryan, M. K., & Haslam, S. A. (2007). Where is the Romance for Women Leaders? The Effects
of Gender on Leadership Attributions and Performance-Based Pay. Applied Psychology: An International
Review, 56, 528-601. doi:10:1111/j.1464-0597.2007.00305.x
Posdakoff, P. M., & Mackenzie, S. B. (1994). Organizational Citizenship Behaviors and Sales Unit
Effectiveness. Journal of Marketing Research, 31, 351-363. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3152222
Morhart, M., Herzog, W., & Tomczak, T. (2009). Brand-Specific Leadership: Turning Employees into
Brand Champions. Journal of Marketing, 73, 122-142. doi:10.1509/jmkg.73.5.122
Course introduction
Please note that you are extremely free in your choice of topic, as long as it involves
behavior within organizations
If you find an interesting article, but cannot access it, I can request the library to order it
Course introduction
Introduction
- Background to paper
- Conceptual model (can be included after problem statement, depends on flow)
- Aim/objective
- Problem statement and operationalization
- Research questions and argumentation
- Scientific and managerial relevance
- Structure (optional)
Theoretical Framework
- Introduction (optional)
- Discussion concepts, including hypotheses
- Refined conceptual model (optional)
Methodology
- Introduction (optional)
- Respondents
- Measures
- Operational conceptual model (optional)
References
Course introduction
I have prepared an example paper with comments based on a thesis from last year
Also study the in-class exercises and midterm for what not and what to do
Course introduction
The deadline for the draft paper is Monday July 14 at 09:00
All draft papers need to be send by email to J.Morsch@nyenrode.nl
If I receive a paper at 09:01 on Monday July 14, I will regard it as not being sent. It is up
to you if you hand in anything. I can only give feedback to text I have received. You can
always use your 30 minutes of allocated feedback time for questions.
Feedback on academic paper
Course introduction
You will need to signup for feedback on the portal
Feedback sessions draft paper OB&AWSII and MC&AWSII
You can only register one time-slot
Feedback is not mandatory, but show up if you sign up
Feedback on academic paper
Course introduction
August 7, 18:30 22:30
August 8, 18:30 22:30
August 11, 18:30 22:30
August 12, 18:30 22:30
August 13, 18:30 22:30
August 14, 18:30 22:30
August 25, 18:30 22:30
August 27, 19:00 22:30
August 28, 18:30 22:30
August 29, 18:30 22:30
September 3, 18:30 22:30
September 4, 18:30 22:30
September 8, 18:30 22:30
September 9, 18:30 22:30
Course introduction
Final deadline for the individual academic paper is Tuesday September 16 at 24:00
All final papers must be uploaded to the portal for an Ephorus check
If the paper is uploaded on Wednesday September 17 at 00:01, it is moved to the retake
Deadline retake: Tuesday December 2 at 24:00
Deadline overall: Friday January 9 at 24:00
Grading of academic paper
Course introduction
Grading is based on thesis score card
Grading is just as strict as with a normal thesis
You cannot start without a proper basis
Course introduction
For this reason all students have to present 3 slides:
- Background of the paper including references
- Conceptual model including references
- Problem statement and research questions
The maximum time for the presentation is 4 minutes
The maximum time for feedback is 4 minutes
A template and an example presentation have been uploaded to the portal
Background of paper
Discuss the background of your paper based on literature
Context / Argument (Reference)
Conceptual Model
(Shape depends on project. Discuss model based on literature)
C1
C2
C3
C4
C5
Ref1
Ref2
Ref3
Ref4
Ref5
Ref6
Ref9
Ref8
Ref7
Problem statement and research questions
Briefly discuss the problem statement and chosen research questions
Academically sound problem statement
Academically sound research question
Background of paper
Testing is becoming more important for selection, yet there is controversy (e.g. Sackett,
Borneman, & Connelly, 2009)
Testing has been proven to be a good predictor of the short-term (e.g. Lakin, 2012)
Personality, motivation and cognitive ability are often used in selection tests and seen as
predictors of academic performance (Poropat, 2009)
Little research has been done regarding the long-term prediction of selection tests, which
focuses on career success (Judge, Higgens, Thoresen, & Barrick, 1999)
There is also a lack of studies that investigate the predictive power of academic
performance on career success (Judge et al., 1999)
Conceptual Model
Personality
Poropat, 2009
Cognitive
Ability
Motivation
Wigfield, 2002
Sackett & Yang, 2000
Academic
Performance
Career
Success
Judge et al., 1999
Lakin, 2012
Lakin, 2012
Judge et al., 1999
Ryan & Deci, 2000
NG & Feldman, 2000
Judge et al., 1999
Problem statement and research questions
To what extent are cognitive ability, personality and motivation directly related to
academic performance and career success, and to what extent are cognitive
ability, personality and motivation indirectly related to career success?
What is career success and how can it be measured?
What is academic performance and how can it be measured?
What is personality and how can it be measured?
What is motivation and how can it be measured?
What is cognitive ability and how can it be measured?
What is the relation between personality and academic performance?
What is the relation between motivation and academic performance?
What is the relation between cognitive ability and academic performance?
What is the relation between personality and career success?
What is the relation between motivation and career success?
What is the relation between cognitive ability and career success?
To what extent are cognitive ability, personality and motivation indirectly related to career
success?
The presentation
Course introduction
Score card
- The presenter is in control of the material (i.e. had command of the literature
presented and discussed and is easy to follow
- The problem statement and research questions are formulated correctly and
academically sound
- The conceptual model is academically sound
- The APA rules have been correctly applied
Annamaria Beasley-Suffolk is present at the presentations to help me with grading. In
principle grades cannot be lower than 5.5 or higher than 8 (just like with the thesis
defense), but if elements are missing no points can be awarded for a section of the score
card. If no presentation is given a 0 is awarded.
The presentation
Course introduction
If an element of the presentation is not good enough (for example the conceptual model),
you will need to send an updated presentation via email for approval
Please note that this will make you lose one of your feedback opportunities (in other
words, you only have one email opportunity left instead of two)
The presentation
Course introduction
The schedule for the presentations is uploaded on the portal
Swapping is allowed, but I need to be informed at least one day in advance
You need to be present for one hour (mandatory) in order to provide possible feedback
The presentation
Course introduction
Wednesday June 4, 13:30 16:30, AHG
Thursday June 12, 13:00 16:00, AHG
The midterm
Course introduction
Midterm
- Comprised of an old thesis, in which questions are asked about portions of the text
- These questions can pertain to academic issues, academic writing and referencing
- The midterm is multiple choice (18 questions), closed book, and you have 3 hours
- Per mistake 0.75 is deducted from the grade, until 1 (for showing up)
The second part of this lecture will help you prepare for the midterm
An example midterm has been provided on the portal
Assessment
Presentation 20%
Midterm 20%
Individual academic paper 60%
Final Grade 100%
Course introduction
Literature and attendance
No literature prescribed, but suggestions are given. Students are responsible for content
Attendance is not mandatory, yet strongly recommended for the lecture and feedback
session
Attendance is mandatory during the 1 hour in which your segment presents
Course introduction
Agenda
- Course introduction
- Masters thesis overview
Agenda
Background to (management) problem
Masters thesis overview
- Start broad. It does not have to be scientific in nature, you can include real life events
- Work your way to the issue at hand
- If relevant, only mention the sponsor company briefly as a case. It is not necessary to
know how many FTE work there, or how high their gross-margin is, unless it is relevant
for the study (always ask yourself, how does this help answer the problem statement). It
is not forbidden to mention a company (i.e. also other companies besides the sponsor
company can be mentioned).
Example 1
Example 2
Example 2
Question X
With regard to the introduction text provided (Thisquestion), could you indicate the issue(s) with
starting a paper in this manner:
A
The opening paragraph does not start in a broader manner, introducing the context
B
The opening paragraph talks about the context (Japanese), which is not allowed
C
The opening paragraph does not mention the sponsor company
D
Answers A and C are both correct
Conceptual model
Conceptual model
- Everything discussed during RBA1 is regarded as known for midterm
- Main focus in paper is proper introduction of conceptual model
Conceptual model
Example 3
Conceptual model
Example 3
Conceptual model
Example 4
Example 4
Question X
With regard to the paragraph above (Inthesis), could you indicate the issue(s) with the
conceptual model:
A
The conceptual model is not academically sound
B
The figure is not referred to properly in the text
C
The conceptual model includes elements not discussed in the text
D
Answers A and C are both correct
Conceptual model
Conceptual model
Enhanced/Refined and operational model are optional
Conceptual model
Coherence!
Conceptual model
Conceptual model
Hypotheses are drafted in the theoretical framework
Aim
Aim
Example 5
Problem statement
Problem statement
Everything discussed during RBA 1 is regarded as known
Focus on coherence (with text, conceptual model, aim, and research questions)
Focus on the presence of operationalization!
Problem statement
Example 5 Continued
Research questions
Research questions
Everything discussed during RBA 1 is regarded as known
Focus on coherence (with conceptual model, problem statement, text)
Make sure that research questions do not appear out of nowhere!
Research questions are not allowed to fully overlap the problem statement
Always provide a brief argumentation for the inclusion of the research questions
Research questions
Example 5 Continued
Research questions
Example 6
Research questions
Example 6
Example 6
Research questions
Question X
With regard to the text (Basedmodel), could you indicate the issue(s) with the research
questions:
A
The research questions are not in line with the conceptual model
B
The concepts included in the research questions are not properly introduced
C
No argumentation is provided for the inclusion of the research questions
D
All of the above
(Managerial and scientific) Relevance
Both managerial and scientific relevance must be discussed in the introduction
Should be able to link this to discussion (final thesis, not the paper)
See the slides from RBA 1 for some tips
Example 7
Structure
Optional
Structure
Example 8
Headers in introduction chapter
In general, only the following headers are included in the introduction chapter:
- Introduction (title of chapter)
- Scientific and Managerial Relevance
- Structure
Introduction
Optional
Introduction
Make sure the order of your chapter is logical
If you cannot put in down on paper, there is probably an issue
Constructs (part of synthesis)
Constructs (part of synthesis)
Only discuss concepts that are relevant for the paper/thesis
These concepts should be in line with the conceptual model and problem statement
Make sure it is an actual synthesis!
Relations (part of synthesis)
When discussing relations, it is common to draft hypotheses (quantitative project)
These hypotheses must be clearly based on the theory presented before
These hypotheses must have a clear direction
These hypotheses should not be double-barreled
Hypothesis 1: Transformational leadership is related to job satisfaction and commitment
Hypothesis1: Transformational leadership is positively related to job satisfaction (A) and commitment (B)
Example 9
Example 10
Example 10
Question X
With regard to the text (BasedNetherlands), could you indicate the issue(s) with the hypotheses?
A
The hypotheses lack a theoretical foundation
B
The hypotheses do not indicate a clear direction
C
Some hypotheses are double-barreled
D
Both answers A and B are correct
It is not allowed to draft hypotheses in the introduction!
Null hypotheses are allowed, but very uncommon
Enhanced (conceptual) model
Optional
Introduction
Optional
Data collection method
Not required for paper, will be surveys
Research subjects
Research subjects
You have to describe your respondents (survey) or interviewees (interviews)
For your full thesis this includes demographic data (age, education, and so on)
For your full thesis this also includes response rate (when applicable)
You must indicate why these respondents or interviewees are chosen (when applicable)
Research subjects
Example 11
Instruments
Instruments
Attempt to use previously validated questionnaires (mandatory for paper)
If you draft questions yourself, always clearly describe them (thesis)
Always indicate the number of items (questions) and the Likert-scale used
You are allowed to list some sample questions
In your thesis you will need to list your Cronbachs alphas (quantitative)
Instruments
Finding good scales:
Find an article that measures the concept
Go to the methods section and see which scale is used (refers to other article)
Find that article and investigate the scale
It is always recommended to use scales that are widely used in contemporary research
It is always recommended to investigate substitute scales
See whether the Cronbachs alphas in studies that used the scales are sufficient (>.6)
Instruments
Example 12
Instruments
Example 13
Example 13
Instruments
Question X
With regard to the text (Inappendix), could you indicate the issue(s) with this section?
A
More detail should be provided regarding the literature review
B
The survey should be discussed here, not in the appendix
C
No information is provided regarding the respondents of the survey
D
Both answers A and B are correct
Reliability and validity
Not part of the paper
Operational (conceptual) model
Optional
APA Referencing Standard
The reference list itself is not tested
You do need to know about in-text citations and quotations
Always refer to tables and figures in the text
Table X.
Title of table
Note. Here would be relevant information for reading the table
Cell 1 Cell 2
Cell 3 Cell 4
Figure 1. Relevant text explaining picture.
Author 1 and author 2 (2014) state that
This is stated (Author 1 & Author 2, 2014)
Author 1, Author 2 and Author 3 (2014) state that (First reference)
This is stated (Author 1, Author 2, & Author 3, 2014) (First reference)
Author 1 et al. (2014) state that (Second reference)
This is stated (Author 1 et al., 2014) (Second reference)
Immediately use et al. when there are more than five authors
When the quote has fewer than 40 words, quote can be in-text
Author 1 (2014) states that important quote (p. x), which proves everything.
It is stated that important quote (Author 1, 2014, p. x).
Note. Use pp when the quote is spread over two pages.
Use . . . if you omit a part of the quote.
When the quote has more than 40 words, a freestanding block must be made
Basic text, following this awesome quote:
Important quote. (Author 1, 2014, p. x)
Example 14
Do not overuse quotes!
Remaining questions?
Remaining questions?
Thanks!
Thank you!

Thesis Guidelines

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Thesis Guidelines

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Organizational Behavior II & Academic Writing Skills II

You might also like