Tips for Choosing an MSc Dissertation Topic

Selecting a Topic of Value to Your Organization

If you are working, it is a good idea to select a topic that has value to the organisation you work for.  This  is  a  good  route  for  part-time  and  distance  learning  students.  The  topic  needs  to  of appropriate  scope  and  content  for  an  MSc  dissertation.  Check  that  the  organisation  gives permission  and  can  provide  sufficient  data  for  the  project.  You  must  agree  the research question and research aim with your supervisor. It must not simply shadow or reproduce a work project;  it  must  be  separate  and  include  an  element  of  your  own  research,  although  it  could certainly use data from your work. 

Please note: It is important that your dissertation topic is suitable for the course you are studying Throughout your taught modules you will have learnt about a wide range of subjects and issues. It is  expected that this informs your topic choice and focus of your dissertation project. For  example,  for  the  MSc  Engineering  Management  programme,  the  dissertation  project  must enable  students  to  gain  experience  at  working  at  the  interface  of  technology  and  management, taking into account sustainability where appropriate. This can take various forms - the project could look  at  the  sustainability  and  business  demands  associated  with  the  implementation  of  a  new technology,  or  investigate  the  impact/implementation  of  engineering  aspects  in  a  business  or societal context, e.g. manufacturing, energy use. 

Many students start out with a project idea which is too broad ranging and ambitious. Have a look at previous examples (provided on Blackboard) and make sure your idea focuses on a specific area. Remember  it  is  not  simply  a  review,  but  an  investigation,  often  involving  data  collection, experiments, development of a model etc. A good dissertation will lead to new insights and may be suitable to develop into an academic paper with your supervisor. If you are in any doubt, please discuss this with your dissertation supervisor. 

You will be allocated a supervisor at the start of your dissertation period. You are then expected to meet with your supervisor to discuss and develop your project idea. You will meet with your supervisor on a regular basis throughout your dissertation period. It is your responsibility to seek their advice and to record your meetings (see 4.1). There should be at least three recorded meetings, but more regular contact is strongly recommended. 

If  you  are  doing  a  work-based  project,  it  may  be  useful  to  find  someone  at  work perhaps  your manager or an experienced colleague – to act as informal industrial supervisor/mentor, in addition to the DMU supervisor. It is very important to identify a topic as early as you can. 

The process is typically as follows, for full time students starting in September: 
1. An  outline  of  the  dissertation  is  usually  developed  in  Assignment  B  of  the  Study  Skills  and Research Methods Module. However you can change the topic if you find it’s not suitable. 
2. Supervisor allocated via Dissertation Module Leader at start of the semester. 
3. Regular correspondence with your supervisor throughout the project. 
4. Regular  supervision  meetings  (face-to-face  or  remotely  where  appropriate).  You  are  expected to keep a record of the meetings – after each meeting summarising your progress and plans for  next steps. 
5. Submission of ethics form once methodology has been agreed with the supervisor. 
6. Submission of final dissertation document (electronically via Turnitin on Blackboard shell). The dates for this in general terms will be: 
a. For  most  students  starting  in  September,  submission  is  in  early  September  in  the following or later year depending on study mode.
b. For  some  students  with  deferrals,  or  other  reasons,  early  January
c. For most students starting in January, submission is in mid-May in the following or later year depending on study mode (module
d. Distance  learners  and  part-time  students,  if  in  doubt,  please  contact  the  Dissertation module leader to confirm start and submission dates. 
7. Oral  examination,  which  takes  one  of  the  following  forms  (further  details  in  section  8 Assessment): 
a)  Presenting at the MSc Conference, normally for September and May submissions. 
b) A  viva  voce  examination,  in  person  at  DMU  with  two  examiners,  one  of  whom  is  the supervisor, on a mutually agreed date, following submission.  
c) A  viva  voce  examination,  by  video  web  link  for  students  unable  to  come  to  DMU  at reasonable  cost  etc.  (usually  overseas  students)  on  a  mutually  agreed  date,  following submission.