cmes dissertation manual-final

MANUAL FOR

STUDENT SYNOPSIS (SEMESTER III) AND DISSERTATION (SEMESTER IV)

Program: Master of Business Administration

1. Aviation Management2. Energy Trading3. Infrastructure Management4. Information Systems Management5. International Business6. Logistics & Supply Chain Management7. Oil & Gas Management8. Port & Shipping Management9. Power Management

Dissertation Scrutiny Committee Members

Dr. V. L. Narasimham ([email protected])Dr. Tarun Dhingra ([email protected])Dr. P. Dwivedi ([email protected]) and Dr. K. K. Pandey ([email protected])

September, 2010

UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM & ENERGY STUDIES(P.O. Bidholi, via Premnagar, Dehradun Pin: 248 006)

University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, DehradunStudent & Faculty Manual for Synopsis (Semester III) and Dissertation (Semester

IV)

Synopsis & Dissertation

Objective: Objective of synopsis is to extend student’s knowledge of managerial concepts and other forms of experiences into direct application, particularly, in the domain area of the Program she/he has chosen or is interested in. The preparation of synopsis need not be confined to the domain area alone, but any management or entrepreneurial business plan, personal work experience associated with industry, organization, firm or agency will also be considered. A write-up prepared in short a form of text in simple language that has, focus and practical business applications shall be admitted as a proposal. It is presumed that the duly accepted and approved synopsis, by the concerned dissertation Supervisor (a competent faculty of UPES with either doctoral qualification, higher educational qualifications, managerial experience or a combination) and Dissertation Scrutiny Committee, is logically, technically and methodologically viable activity that will be pursued into a field-oriented research or data collection activity. All the data will also be subjected to refinement and correction or will be edited and presented in the form of tables, charts, flow-charts, and exhibits using logical pattern in order to justify proposed objectives of the research and data analysis plan (as it has been initially claimed and projected in the synopsis). Both the synopsis (proposed to be submitted by students of all programs, individually) and the dissertation (again to be submitted by students of all programs, individually) are mandatory academic activities to partially fulfill the requirements for award of the Masters Degree in Business Administration by University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun

It is presumed that through knowledge gained by the student in first and second semesters of the academic program and attending expert lectures learning, through the practical exposure during industrial tour, and the summer internship, she/he will be at her/his

of 17


IV)

best in choosing relevant dissertation issue that has significance to the industry, agency, firm, or has geographic importance. This activity will exhibit student’s skills while addressing a decision oriented problem or a constraint; however may be the size or the growth of the company. Concerned faculty guiding the synopsis and dissertation should be in a position to help the student while formulating a dissertation problem and advising in the process of its execution.

Further, it is perceived that when a student interacts directly with the organization for a specific purpose, the experience will enable her/him to understand role of a manager, constraints, levers, and opportunities within a complex organizational setup. It is further stressed that the student will apply fundamentals principles and managerial concepts in the areas of behavioral sciences, ethics, business communication, corporate finance, quantitative methods etc., while arriving at a strategic decision, for asset liability management or for advocating a systematic diagnosis using inter-disciplinary approach before preparing the text into a pre-defined set of Chapters.

1. MBA Programs at UPES

The various Management Degree programs offered by University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun are listed with Number of credits as applicable for the student’s convenience.

S. No.

ProgramCode-

Dissertation III

No. of Credit

s

Code-Dissertati

on IV

No. of Credit

s

1. MBA (Aviation Management)MDSA 853

2MDSA

8546

2. MBA (Energy Trading)MDSE 853

2MDSE

8546

3.MBA (Infrastructure Management)

MDSI 853 2 MDSI 854 6

4.MBA (Information Systems Management)

MBIS 853 2 MBIS 854 6

of 17


IV)

5. MBA (International Business)MDSG 853

2MDSG

8546

6.MBA (Logistics & Supply Chain Management)

MDSL 853

2MDSL

8546

7. MBA (Oil & Gas Management)MDSO 853

2MDSO

8546

8.MBA (Port & Shipping Management)

MDSS 853

2MDSS

8546

9. MBA (Power Management)MDSP 853

2MDSP

8546

2. Field Oriented Dissertation

Step 1 Formulating Decision problem and compilation of decision alternativesStep 2. Identifying and defining Research ObjectivesStep 3. Mapping all the relevant information that may be needed to

address the Research ObjectivesStep 4. Projection of futuristic advantage of the Research Objective

including benefit, advantage, gain, image build-up or any strategic and quantifiable positive difference

of 17


IV)

3. Initiative on Qualitative Research

Step 1. Preparation and description of MethodologyStep 2. Promotion of specific technique or formula(e)Step 3. Planning and data collection through specific population of

interestStep 4. Identifying the business insights, sensitivities, or simple

observationsStep 5. Formulating sequential, logical, understandable, practical

and objective oriented questionnaire or list of activities pertaining to the business research/plan

4. Survey Analysis and Research Design

Step 1. Sampling DesignStep 2. Framing up Sampling ProcessStep 3. Sampling Method and AccountabilityStep 4. Rationale of the QuestionnaireStep 5. Short comings of incomplete Answers to the Questionnaire Step 6. Improvisation in the Questionnaire Step 7. Listing the Questionnaire

5. Gantt Chart

Step 1. Gantt Chart with title activity and proposed time requiredStep 2. Inclusion of data collection issues, with possible

emergencies/ and short comings in the Gantt chart Step 3. Preparation time for synopsis, modifications, dissertation

preparation and with modifications

6. Synopsis

a) Statement of the proposal Problem Statement Background Motivation/Need for the research – What prompts you to do the research?

of 17


IV)

Objectives – There may be so many dimensions to the research problem, but one may not have enough resources or time to study all dimensions. So, one lists the objectives to, in fact, draw the boundary for the research work.

Scope of research - with information on theoretical and conceptual, time or geographic.

b) Research Methodology - Theoretical framework – explains the model or the set of theories

related to the phenomenon being studied. Sources of data – Primary or secondary or both the kinds of data

may be used. What could be the probable sources of the secondary data applicable to the research?

Sampling – in case primary data is to be collected, the technique of collection needs to be explained (refer to the study material on Research Methodology)

Statistical tools, if applicable. (e.g. data presentation diagrams or charts including, histograms, pie-charts, and/or higher lever statistical tools like, correlation, regression, tests of significance etc)

Kindly ensure that a schematic flow diagram is shownc) Review of Literature – Instead of re-inventing the wheel, one

must refer to the previous researches done in the similar area. This helps in - clarity of concepts, restricts duplication of research, exposes the gap between established knowledge and the present situation. The knowledge gained from reading these research articles and/or the books have to be mentioned in chronological order to put forth the stream of thought that has flowed regarding the chosen topic. In fact the topic of research should be derived from the gap in literature available. While literature survey is carried out, relevant definitions, identification of variables and their measures may also be obtained.This portion summarises the learning from earlier research carried out by different researchers, on the respective issues taken by researcher. It is done to explore the critical interrelationship between these broad topics around which the present research is constructed and to lay down the theoretical foundation of the study.Literature review has following objectives:

Find out the research gaps in the existing studies. To understand the theoretical and conceptual foundation of

construct chosen for research. To find out the variables/factors directly or indirectly

influencing the area of study. of 17


IV)

To explore the relationship between broad variables/sub-variable identified for our study.

To evaluate and understand various frameworks/models which has been used to measure the identified construct.

To explore the nature of measurement of identified construct and evaluation of various analytical tools used by different researchers to arrive at respective conclusion.

These objectives lay down the foundation of the literature review and function as a guide to go through the existing work. It also lays down the foundation of structure of framework /model of the proposed study. The lacuna available in literature review itself, shall logically motivate the researcher to carry out an empirically study.

d) Tentative Structure / Chapter outline of the thesise) Bibliography and references (APA style must be used for citing

references which are given in Annexure 2 at the end of this document

6.2 Step 1. Test Synopsis – Approval (as per Dissertation Work Plan)Step 2. Final Synopsis Submission (as per Dissertation Work Plan)Step 3. Synopsis Defense (Seminar presentation – on appropriate

dates)

7. Dissertation

Step 1. Good language usage with clear definitions of abbreviations, metrics, titles, tables (with continuous numbering and in sequence), figures (with continuous numbering and in sequence), exhibits/photographs (with continuous numbering and in sequence), references (with continuous numbering and in sequence) and other miscellaneous content. Each table, chart, figure, photograph, or exhibit to be captioned.

Step 2. All tables, figures, exhibits/photographs, references need be cross referred in the body text with no mistakes with the style

of 17


IV)

Step 3. In the results, appropriate percentage (%) of the sampling size need be given. The same need to be also referred in the Figure/exhibit/photograph

Step 2. Mandatory Contenta) Table of Content with appropriate Serial numbers,

sections or sub-sectionsb) Abstract/ Executive Summary/ Case Summary with description on

Should familiarize the reader(s) on, i) decision issue or problem addressed in the

dissertation, ii) research methodology used, iii)results obtained in brief, iv)recommendations for future research, and v) shortcomings of the project

c) Introduction or Background of the Case with description on

i) defining the issue under study, ii) purpose/rationale of the highlighted issue, iii)how the study helps in solving the issue, andiv)value addition to the research/ academics/business/

industryd) Methodology with possible description on (or selective)

i) explaining and justifying the research methodology initiative,

ii) Confining to SWOT research methodology iii)target audience investigated and population

statisticsiv)sampling frame and type, and/or sample unit

descriptionv) reporting qualitative and quantitative aspectsvi)description of questionnaire and its utility in the

solution mappingvii) respondents attitudes and its bearing on the

questionnaire

of 17


IV)

viii) language of questionnaire and its appropriate translation

ix)emergency changes in the questionnaire made contrary to the synopsis, or projecting questionnaire in the form of pilot study and making it more authentic

e) Result outcome or Result discussionsi) how the results were aligned to the research

objective,ii) various ways, tools and methods adopted to

interpret the resultsiii)behavior and trends of results,iv)results and its bearing on the research question/

hypothesis under investigation,v) simple statistics with SD and errors, and vi)comparison, regression, clustering of data,

variables and or factor analysisvii) description of software and its version

f) Discussion/ Conclusions/ Recommendations/ Future Research

i) description of results and their importance to the studied issue/ case/ business problem,

ii) are the recommendations appropriate to the case/ business problem? Or business case?

iii)Limitations of the decision sciences and problem investigated

iv)Personal experiences with the research problem, hypothesis, questionnaire, research methodology design and improvisation

v) New knowledge creation through comparison with existing knowledge. Points of agreement/disagreement with due explanations.

8. Synopsis/ Dissertation Calendar of UPES

of 17


IV)

Step 1. Submission of Student name(s) with Roll Nos., title(s), against faculty supervisor(s) – October 23, 2010 (to respective course coordinators)

Step 2. Reviewing the titles by the Dissertation Scrutiny committee and consensus – October 31, 2010

Step 3. Preliminary (first draft) of Synopsis – November 20, 2010Step 4. Final Synopsis Submission – November 30, 2010Step 5. Data collection – between post End semester examinations

(Semester III) and 2 week after registration to Semester IVStep 6. Preliminary (first draft) of dissertation – March 01, 2011Step 7. Final dissertation submission – March 20, 2011Step 8. Viva voce examination and personal discussions - March

25-31, 2011

9. Evaluation

Step 1. Synopsis approval by the concerned faculty – November 25, 2010

Step 2. Synopsis approval by the Dissertation Scrutiny Committee (DSC) panel

Step 3. Recommendation by the DSC panelStep 4. Modifications and approval to the modified synopsisStep 5. Recommendation for field investigationsStep 6. Approval/acceptance of the research findings by the

concerned (respective) facultyStep 7. Dissertation preparationStep 8. Evaluation and approval by the faculty and the DSC panelStep 9. Final viva voce examination before the domain (industry)

expertsStep 10. Evaluation of the dissertations and grade preparation with

required and mandatory consensus – April 07, 2010Note: Students are advised to carry a personal notebook,

compulsorily, whenever he/she wishes to meet the mentor for his/her dissertation related academic meeting with respective mentor. This notebook shall have at least six

of 17


IV)

positive entries by the mentor in each semester for the future evaluation purpose.

10. Technical Guidelines for Synopsis and Dissertation Step 1. Use A-4 sheetStep 2. Font: Times New Roman, Size: 12, Spacing:

1.5’Step 3. Margin: 1.5 (Right), and 1.5’ (Left), 1.5’ (Top), and 1’

(Bottom)Step 4. Approval of Course Coordinator and the respective faculty

helplineStep 5. Approval of Dissertation Scrutiny Committee and consensus

on forwarding for hard copy submission.Step 6. Binding: Spiral (Draft) and Rexin Black Cloth (after due

corrections)Step 7. Cover page – Top: title (block letters, font size of 17),

Centre: name and Registration (Roll Number, eg. R 1103080XX, font size of 15), Bottom: University name (font size of 16) with logo and full address – block letters, Submission Year (all in font size of 13)Note- Format of Dissertation front page is attached in annexure 1 at the end of this document. All CMES dissertations shall have black hardbound cover.

11. Miscellaneous Instructions

Step 1. Check the Title with the Objectives – Title should be relevant to major objective(s) the study and reflect conceptual/ theoretical/ practical context of the work.

Step 2. Findings/ suggestions/ recommendations need to be connected with the Objectives Additional findings are acceptable but should not be lengthy and defeat the main objective(s).

Step 3. Questionnaire, interview guide, business issues need to have a component of objective

of 17


IV)

Step 4. Student should mention sufficient literature survey from which emerge the objectives and/ or identification variables and measures of variables that relate to objective of the study

Step 5. Use good quality MS-Excel charts, graphs with appropriate font, size and colour (if required).

Step 6. Use appropriate cell width, size, alignment of text in the Tables and conform all the tables to same format.

Step 7. Use good quality photographs, and when colours are not good, opt for B&W

Step 8. Use paper/ stationary judiciously. Use economy mode for printing draft copies (Soft copies)

Step 9. Print both sides of the pages and keep appropriate mirror margin with sufficient margin for spiral/ hard bound (soft copies)

Step 10. Try to accommodate text that covers full length on any sheet. Do not carry few lines of text in the following page

Step 11. Do not split figure/ table and respective caption or title of the figure/ table into 2 (two) pages, use a larger paper size (width) which could be folded to size A4 when printed and bound.

Step 12. Do not use any extra sheet with caption ‘THE END’Step 13. Any non-compliance with these miscellaneous instructions

will attract poor gradesStep 14. Conforming to the dates for submission of Synopsis and

Dissertation is mandatory

of 17


IV)

12. Faculty Helpline

S.

No.

Name of the

Department

Suggested Faculty

namese-mail id

1.Aviation & Port

Shipping1. Ms. Sabitha Banu [email protected]

2. Dr. K. V. Mohana Rao [email protected]

3.Mr. Vivekanand

Venkataraman

[email protected]

c.in

4.Mr. N. Bhanu Prakash [email protected]

5.Dr. V. L. [email protected]

.in

6. T. Anupama [email protected]

2. Energy Trading1.Mr. Parimal

Shrivastava [email protected]

2.Dr. Tarun Dhingra [email protected]

3.Prof. Avinash M.

Bharadwaj [email protected]

3. Information Systems

Mgmt1.Dr. D. K. Punia [email protected]

2.Dr. Manish Prateek [email protected]

3.Mr. V. P. Mathur [email protected]

4.Mr. Neeraj Chugh [email protected]

5. Mr. A. B. Garg [email protected]

6. Mr. V. Awasthi [email protected]

4.Infrastructure

Management

1.Mr. Vijay Pal Singh

[email protected]

2.Prof. Avinash M.

Bharadwaj

[email protected]

.in

3.Dr. (Mrs.) Alka Dwivedi adwivewdiddn.upes.ac.in

4. Dr. K. K. Pandey [email protected]

of 17

mailto:[email protected]








mailto:[email protected]%C2%A0




IV)

S.

No.

Name of the

Department

Suggested Faculty

namese-mail id

5.International

Business Mgmt1. Mr. M. Deswal [email protected]

2. Dr. R. Jayaraj [email protected]

3. Dr. A. N. Shah [email protected]

6a

Logistics & S-Chain

Mgmt 11.Dr. N. Anand [email protected]

2. Dr. R. Dubey [email protected]

3. Mr. S. Tiwari [email protected]

4. Dr. Sumeet Gupta [email protected]

6b.Logistics & S-Chain

Mgmt 25. Mr. S. Mathur [email protected]

6. Dr. M. S. Pahwa [email protected]

7. Mr. Vinay Awasthi [email protected]

8. Mr. Sunil Bhartwal [email protected]

7.Oil & Gas

Management1.Dr. Tarun Dhingra [email protected]

2.Dr. Prasoom Dwivedi [email protected]

3.Dr. V. L. [email protected]

.in

8. Power Management 1. Prof. Anil Kumar [email protected]

2. Prof. Dinesh Agarwal [email protected]

3. Dr. Meenu Mishra [email protected]

4. Mr. I. Krishna Murthy [email protected]

9. Finance 1. Mr. Ankur Mittal [email protected]

2. Dr. T. Joji Rao [email protected]

of 17
















IV)

Annexure 1 Format of dissertation front page

TITLE OF THE PROJECT or DISSERTATION

Dissertation submitted to College of Management & Economic Studies for the partial

fulfillment of the degree of

MBA (Infrastructure Management)

Guided by:(12 size)

Submitted by: (12 size)ABC (14 size, bold)

Enrollment No: R 11002002 (12 size, bold)SAP ID: (12 size, bold)

College of Management and Economic StudiesUniversity of Petroleum and Energy Studies,

Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India Month, Year

of 17

Faculty:

Dr. XYZAssistant Professor (SS/SG)College of Management & Economic StudiesUniversity of Petroleum & Energy StudiesDehradun – 248 006

Faculty:

Dr. XYZAssistant Professor (SS/SG)College of Engineering or any external AddressUniversity of Petroleum & Energy StudiesDehradun – 248 006

13 font size , bold with 1.2 spacing)

Month Year 12 size normal

Dr. XYZ -12 size, bold;rest 11 size normal and with 1.2 spacing

12 size, bold; space; MBA (Infrastructure Management) 16 size, normal

16 size, bold; with 1.1 spacing

All the three lines with 1.2 spacing)


IV)

Annexure 1 APA format for citation of references

APA style of format is attached as separate pdf file along with this document.

of 17


IV)

of 17

cmes dissertation manual-final

Documents