The MSc Dissertation Details

A part of the MSc, each student will conduct a research project on a relevant topic of his or her
choice that must be approved by a member of staff. The project will be supervised by a member of
academic staff from the Department of Management and will offer students an opportunity to study
a topic of interest in depth. It will typically involve a combination of library-based research and
fieldwork. Fieldwork may include the collection of quantitative or qualitative data, or a combination
thereof. The final dissertation must be no more than 12,000 words in length and must be submitted
by early September 2015 (an exact date will be circulated in due course). You must submit two
copies to the Programme Officer and one electronic copy to Turnitin via KEATS. Assessment will
be on the basis of the dissertation. The project will count for 60 credits out of the total 180 module
credits, or equivalent to 33% of your overall module assessment.

What is included and excluded in your word count?

Included

Excluded

Title

Title Page

Abstract

Contents

Subtitles

Bibliography/References

Main body of text

Appendix

Endnotes/Footnotes

Tables and Diagrams (any table

over half a page can be put in
the appendix

How should I format and present my dissertation?

Your dissertation should be typed in size 11- 12pt and in an easy to read font, such as Times New
Roman. It should be 1.5 2.0 lined spaced (this document is in 1.5 spaced in 11pt text). The final
dissertation should be soft bound (spiral, comb, wire or thermal bound are preferred).

Initial project proposals are to be submitted during the second term. Students are normally expected
to stay in or around London for the duration of the project. More detailed information on the
project will be handed to students separately. More information: module outline 7SSMM604
Word Limits and Deadlines
The Department of Management has the following policy:
For each piece of assessed coursework the lecturer concerned will make clear the precise word

limits.

 An electronic word count must be noted on the front of all pieces of assessed work.
Word limits apply to the main body of the text (title, text, footnotes/ endnotes and diagrams)

only and not to references or bibliography. It is up to individual lecturers to specify whether

appendices are to be included in the word count.
A 5% penalty will be given for exceeding the word limit up to 10% and a further 0.5%

deduction for every additional 1% exceeding the word limit over 10%.

Please note, our deadline policies are very strict and any work handed in even a minute after the
deadline will be penalised. It is very important that you submit two hard copies and an electronic
version on time. Coursework submitted up to 24 hours late would be capped at the pass mark of
50, any later students will receive 0.

Research Ethics & Risk Assessment

Ethics
Obtaining ethical approval is mandatory for students undertaking primary data collection (e.g.
interviews, observations, and questionnaires). You do not require ethical clearance if your project is
desk-based and uses information that is publicly available (e.g. from a library). The form and
guidance notes can be found here:
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/innovation/research/support/ethics/applications/lowrisk/index.aspx

The term research should be taken in its broadest possible sense and includes questionnaires,
observations and the use of materials derived from human participants as well as invasive or intrusive
procedures. The re-use of personal data may also require ethical approval due to its sensitive nature
or if individuals can be identified from it. Research raising any ethical issues with potential social or
environmental implications may also require approval.

Risk Assessment
Not all students need to submit a Departmental Risk Assessment form. If you are carrying out data
collection (a) outside the UK and (b) outside your home country, then please complete the risk
assessment form and submit this electronically to your supervisor. The form is available at:
https://internal.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/stu/mgmt/pgt/index.aspx
Your supervisor will counter-sign and forward the form to the Programme Officer for our records. A
copy of this signed form should be included within the students dissertation as appendix 1.