thesis guidelines

Organizational Behavior II & Academic Writing Skills II

Lecture27-05-2014

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 forsupervision, 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 aminimum 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 betweenattitudes 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 Effectsof Gender on Leadership Attributions and Performance-Based Pay. Applied Psychology: An InternationalReview, 56, 528-601. doi:10:1111/j.1464-0597.2007.00305.x

Posdakoff, P. M., & Mackenzie, S. B. (1994). Organizational Citizenship Behaviors and Sales UnitEffectiveness. 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 intoBrand 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 [email protected]

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 paperDiscuss 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 questionsBriefly 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 aspredictors of academic performance (Poropat, 2009)

Little research has been done regarding the long-term prediction of selection tests, whichfocuses on career success (Judge, Higgens, Thoresen, & Barrick, 1999)

There is also a lack of studies that investigate the predictive power of academicperformance on career success (Judge et al., 1999)

Conceptual Model

Personality

Poropat, 2009

CognitiveAbility

Motivation

Wigfield, 2002

Sackett & Yang, 2000

Academic Performance

CareerSuccess

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 toacademic performance and career success, and to what extent are cognitiveability, 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 careersuccess?

The presentation

Course introduction

Score card

- The presenter is in control of the material (i.e. had command of the literaturepresented and discussed and is easy to follow

- The problem statement and research questions are formulated correctly andacademically 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. Inprinciple grades cannot be lower than 5.5 or higher than 8 (just like with the thesisdefense), but if elements are missing no points can be awarded for a section of the scorecard. 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 toknow how many FTE work there, or how high their gross-margin is, unless it is relevantfor the study (always ask yourself, how does this help answer the problem statement). Itis not forbidden to mention a company (i.e. also other companies besides the sponsorcompany 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 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


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

Documents

draft paper

thesis preparation block

individual academic

individual academic

course introductionregarded

organizational behavior

limited number of hours

larger focus