Dissertation
MSc Public Policy & Management 2020 – 2021 The Dissertation: Introduction & Overview
Introduction to the dissertation
the significance of the dissertation to the overall MSc programme the deadlines and workshop series the selection & allocation of supervisors (December 2020) the presentation of your ideas & proposals (January 2021) the literature review & if relevant pilot study (Spring 2021) if time: discussion the overall structure of the dissertation
MSc Public Policy & Management The dissertation: 2020 – 2021
an extended, individual research project
(up to 15,000 words) an opportunity able to undertake individual & original research broad remit management, work & organisation, public services & third sector policy & practice
example dissertations from previous years: see Keats
Social Entrepreneurship in England and Scotland – A Comparative Case Study Fracking in England: Sudden or Expectable Policy Shift?
Does India’s Public Distribution System serve as an effective means to reduce poverty?
MSc Public Policy & Management The dissertation: 2020 – 2021
Various types of project & research:
range of topics, issues & approaches largely empirical qualitative or quantitative empirical research meta or secondary analysis occasionally: extensive analytic/critical project with Covid: importance of skype/zoom/teams, etc
focused: small-scale research project an ‘apprentice’ piece preparing and drafting a research article limited time and resources develop ideas, review relevant research literature, undertake pilot work
MSc Public Policy & Management (2020 – 2021) Submission Dates & Assessment
The dissertation is an important component of your course. It contributes one third of your final marks.
Dissertation proposal (2,500 words) 10%
Dissertation (12,000 -15,000 maximum words) 90% all to be submitted to Turnitin UK by 11:59 pm on the specified dates
Dissertation workshops (compulsory) overview and discussion: (9:12:2020) presentation and discussion of draft proposals (20:1:2021) specialist methods sessions: Spring Term
24:2:2021, 3:3:2021, 12:3:2021
structure of dissertation, literature review, pilot studies (31:3:2021)
MSc Public Policy & Management: Selecting your supervisor
Supervisor: provides guidance & support
Choice & allocation of Supervisor review research profile: KBS web pages field and topics of research & methods create a short list of appropriate supervisors look at one or two of supervisor’s publications
Complete & submit form (17:12:2020) select three possibilities: do not rank the order
Allocation of supervisors will not necessarily secure first choice dissertation topic & proposed method(s) establish contact: arrange meeting as soon as possible in January your responsibility to establish & sustain contact
MSc Public Policy & Management 2020 – 2021 Title & supervisor: submission form
Student’s Name:
Title of Dissertation or area of study:
Please tick three supervisors who you would like to have to supervisor your study. Do not rank your order of potential supervisors. You should be guided in your choice by looking at the staff profiles on the school website. We cannot guarantee you will be allocated your first choice. Please e.mail your complete forms to Jayada Begum at mscppm@kcl.ac.uk by the 17th of December 2020.
| Juan Baeza |
| Ali (Alexandra) Budjanovcanin |
| Augustin de Coulon |
| Ewan Ferlie |
| Alec Fraser |
| Hanan Haber |
| Ian Kesler |
| Stephen Pratten |
| Susan Trenholm |
| Nicholas Vasilakos |
MSc Public Policy & Management (2020 – 2021) Dissertation: key dates
Title & Supervisor submission: 17th December, 2020
Submit draft outline: 12th January, 2021
Presentation draft proposal: 20th January, 2021
Supervisors confirmed: 17th January, 2021
Proposal submission: 26th February (PT* 22nd April) 2021
Proposal feedback: 29th March (PT 15th May) 2021
Dissertation submission: 3rd September 2021 (PT 2:9:2022)
* part-time students
MSc Public Policy & Management (2020 – 2021) Introduction to the dissertation: Exercise I
Break I: Exercise I
Exemplars of academic research
Choose an article or research paper that has particularly impressed you
Note the title/author:
produce a brief summary of its content & argument (100 words)
Briefly summarise why you were impressed by the article (1/200 words):
methods?, approach?, findings?, argument?, practical or policy implications?
MSc. Public Policy & Management: Presentation of Dissertation Topic & Ideas
Presentations by each FT student:
WEDNESDAY 20th JANUARY
timetable and groups will be circulated before the start of next term 7 minute presentation no slides
300 word outline: submission 12:1:2021 (FT) (PT: 26:2:2021)
submit to
Jayada Begum, mscppm@kcl.ac.uk
MSc. Public Policy & Management: Presentation of Dissertation Topic & Ideas
Presenting your ideas and thoughts for your dissertation: some of the topics you might include in your presentation
the title & the topic of your research
the problem, issues you are interested in addressing the aims and objectives of the research the approach you propose to adopt for your research and thoughts on the type of data, data collection & analysis you might undertake details of any relevant research literature any difficulties or problems that you envisage in undertaking the project
You may well modify your project following the presentation & discussion with your supervisor
7 minute presentation: no slides
MSc. Public Policy & Management: Submission of the Dissertation Proposal
Following the presentation, discussions with your supervisor and further study: submit your dissertation proposal.
2,500 words by 26:2:2021 (PT: 22:4:2021)
Topic of research
Aims and objectives
Research problem, issues and/or questions
Proposed methods or approach
Data collection and data analysis
Relevant studies and research literature
Potential academic and practical contribution
Undertaking the Dissertation
Spring term: preliminary research initial literature review pilot study: if relevant & possible
Submit Ethics Application (if empirical study):
www.kcl.ac.uk/innovation/research/support/ethics/applications/MR-scheme.aspx
Easter & Summer Term undertake data collection & analysis focus & develop analysis of the literature develop insights, arguments and your contribution
Undertaking the Dissertation
on KEATS
MSc Public Policy
Exemplary Dissertations by students from previous years
see for example from 2019-2020
Social Entrepreneurship in England and Scotland – A Comparative Case Study Fracking in England: Sudden or Expectable Policy Shift?
Does India’s Public Distribution System serve as an effective means to reduce poverty?
Examples addressing a range of topics & issues
Using different methods and approaches
Dissertation Exercise I & II
Break II: Exemplars of academic research
Part II
Taking the article discussed earlier, consider how it is structures:
for example:
how is it organised: what are the different sections how does it establish a ‘problem’ and the aims of the research how does it present and justify its approach how does it present its findings and how does it relate its findings to the research literature, policy and practice
MSc Public Policy & Management: The literature review: critical analysis of research studies
All empirical studies include a literature review a selective and critical analysis of relevant research to demonstrate why the problem(s) or issue(s) or field should form the focus of (further) research.
it may reflect a research, analytic, practical, policy or analytic problem reveal any gaps or shortcomings in our current knowledge and/or understanding of the particular problem or issues.
build a case for why it is important to examine the particular problem or issue: to undertake further research provide the background for why you have decided to use the particular approach and/or methods to address the problem or issue.
develop an argument for the academic and where relevant, practical importance of the research
MSc Public Policy & Management: the characteristic structure of the Literature Review
Literature review: to provide a selective and critical analysis of relevant research to
Introduction problem, issue(s) or area
its academic, practical, and/or policy importance Overview of key areas of relevant research:
your particular focus and selection (one or two areas) explain why you are focussing on the particular areas of research critical discussion of selected research: findings, approach & limitations what it has left unaddressed, misconceived or under-explored
Implications for further research issues to be addressed & why your approach and method Literature review:
is an argument or justification for your project, its focus & approach
MSc Public Policy & Management: Example reviews & analyses of research literature
Examples of literature reviews & critical analyses of previous research:
previous dissertations:
see Keats any academic research article
MSc Public Policy & Management: pilot research & studies
Preliminary research or pilot study if relevant to your project and practical
may involve: for example of:
brief periods of field work (pre Covid) two or three in-depth interviews a focus or discussion group
preliminary analysis of data set or corpus
Preliminary observations & analysis iterative development of your research
help clarify the ‘problem’, identify key issues, test ideas, assess interview design deeper initial understanding of problem, issues, key research, questions etc
Sc Public Policy & Management: developing our research project: some recommendations
Chose a topic you find interesting do not try and be overambitious: limited time & resources
Begin work on the project as soon as possible work progressively: do not leave until the last moment
Read more generally and then focus on specific literatures develop the reasons/argument for your research & approach identify & clarify research issues or questions
Select an appropriate method that resonates with your topic/issue make sure you have (easy) access to setting/subject/data avoid collecting more data than necessary
Discuss findings in terms of themes and issues relate findings to the literature & draw out any practical implications
overall structure of a dissertation
Overall structure of a dissertation depends on the nature of the dissertation whether it is empirical or not if it is empirical whether it is qualitative or quantitive
if it is empirical a common structure is:
Chapter/section I introduce the problem or issue(s) that will be addressed in the research discuss the aims and objectives of the research key research issues/questions
provide an overview of the following chapters/sections one paragraph discussing each of the chapters/sections provide any necessary background information
possible overall structure of a dissertation
Chapter/section II: ‘The Literature Review’ not so much an ‘overview’ but rather, a focused discussion of selective research that establishes:
why it is worthwhile addressing the ‘problem’ in question
that despite previous research there remain issues that are un(under)addressed: analytically, substantively & practically?
and implicates the way in which you will research the topic, the methods and approach are suitable
often different types of research that bear on the problem perhaps take one or two that converge on the issues you will address
Discuss key research questions/issues in the light of the research literature
possible overall structure of a dissertation
Chapter/Section III: Methods & Approach
Need to establish why you chose the particular method(s) discuss the background to the method(s) describe how you used the method: data collection
data analysis (give examples)
discuss the challenges that arose in using the method to undertake this particular research
possible overall structure of a dissertation
Chapters/Sections IV, V,VI. Findings & Observations organise in terms of themes and issues each section discussing particular themes
use subheadings to draw out and discuss particular issues
introduce each chapter/section with problem/issue to be addressed aims and objectives of this chapter/section
conclude each chapter/section with a summary of key issues
and establish a frame for the following chapter/section
possible overall structure of a dissertation
Chapters/Sections VII. Discussion & Conclusion re-present the problem or issues that form the focus of the research re-present the aims and objectives of the research
discuss the key findings and observations use those findings and issues to readdress the literature
show how your research contributes to that literature if appropriate, discuss the applied implications of your research critically review your research and the project how, in hindsight, you might have done it differently its implications for future research in the field.
MSc Public Policy & Management. Developing your research: some simple recommendations
Chose a topic you find interesting do not try and be overambitious: limited time & resources
Begin work on the project as soon as possible work progressively: do not leave until the last moment
Read more generally and then focus on specific literatures develop the reasons/argument for your research & approach identify & clarify research issues or questions
Select an appropriate method that resonates with your topic/issue make sure you have (easy) access to setting/subject/data avoid collecting more data than necessary
Discuss findings in terms of themes and issues relate findings to the literature & draw out any practical implications
