Author: admin

7000 words not 6000 !!!!!!!!

I WANT TO ACHEIVE A FIRST/distinction IN THIS (80% AND ABOVE)

Please see PPT attached for instructions

Dissertation structure:

Title page

Table of contents

List of tables, list of figures (if applicable) could be on one page

Acknowledgements – optional

EVERTHING BELOW IS WHAT COUNTS TO THE WORD COUNT

Abstract

Introduction this is the first page that is numbered

Literature review

Methodology

Results/Findings

Discussion of results

Conclusion

THIS IS WHERE WORD COUNT ENDS AT CONCLUSION

References Harvard style and alphabetical

Appendices numbered or with letters

Summative Assessment: Dissertation

Important note:

Students are to write a 7000-word dissertation. Its structure and format are indicated below.

The structure presented below is the typical one that is expected of you.

You are required to provide a word count at the start of your dissertation. The rule of

10% allows you slightly deter from the set word count, either in minus or plus 10% of the overall word count.

Deadline for submission is 31st of March, 2026 by 17h00 via Moodle.

Students need to work with their supervisors during the year based on the agreed timeline.

Make sure to use Harvard referencing style.

The dissertation should be clearly written, spell-checked and grammatically sound.

Make sure you do not plagiarise, as this is a significant offence. Your work will be checked for plagiarism with TurnItIn. Therefore, do not copy any materials you use ‘word for word’ unless you identify these sections clearly as quotations. If you paraphrase any materials, you must identify the materials sources through in-text referencing.

This is an individual assignment; do not work closely with anyone else.

Presentation and format

1. Write 7000 words 10%. The word count includes everything that is in the main body of the text (after the list of tables and figures).

This means that it:

DOES include- the references in the text, all tables and figures in the text

DOES NOT include appendices, list of references and acknowledgements.

2. Appendices should only contain supporting material such as details of survey methods, case studies, numerical data, transcripts, mathematical workings. Appendices must not contain material that extends the subject matter of the study.

QUALITATIVE DISSERTATIONS ONLY: You are required to include at least one transcript of interviews/focus groups in your appendix if you used this method.

3. The dissertation must be word-processed with one and a half or double line-spaced (except for extended quotations, which should be single-spaced and indented in in italics with page numbers) on A4 size and all pages must be clearly numbered in the bottom right hand corner.

Style Guide

Word Limit

7000 words 10%

Line spacing

1.5 line spacing

Font (main text)

12 point* Times New Roman/Arial/Helvetica

Page numbers

Bottom right hand corner

Structure and content

1. Title page, which needs to include:

The title of the dissertation, which should give a clear indication of the content

Your name

The words University of ….

The words BA (Hons) Hospitality Management and the month (March) and year (2026) of submission.

Word count

2. Content page, listing the page number of all sections/chapters in the dissertation

3. List of tables and list of figures, if applicable

4. An acknowledgements/dedication page please ensure that you use appropriate titles for your supervisor.

5. Content – the nature of the content may vary depending upon the individual study. However, most dissertations follow the following format please discuss with your supervisor in more detail as different paradigms may implicate different layouts:

Abstract (cca 250 words outlining the main arguments and summarising the results of the dissertation). Consider have you sufficiently and appropriately outlined the purpose of the study, the originality/value, methodological approach, results, and implications in an

abstract that follows the protocols of widely accepted approaches in journals that you will be familiar with.

Introduction chapter (cca 10% words) (which includes a clear statement of the research problem, research aims & objectives/hypothesis research questions). You should clearly state and justify the research topic and the objectives/hypotheses & research questions

that your research will address. This is typically presented in the introduction chapter.

Literature Review chapter (cca 25% words) Consider have you read peer-reviewed journal articles? Have you identified gaps in the research? Have you evaluated rather than just described? Have conclusions from the literature been summarised and indicated how they feed into the research design? Is the review appropriately signposted and sufficiently well-read?

Methodology chapter (Mixed – qualitative and quantitative) (cca 20% words) You should describe fully your methods, the form of the data you collect and how this articulates with the research question and theoretical framework chosen. In addition, this chapter should outline in the chosen research paradigm, justification for this choice [link with aim], details of the primary and secondary data collection, procedure, limitations of the research design, data analysis approach etc.

Results/Findings* (cca 15% words) This chapter should present the results clearly and comprehensively, reflecting the chosen research paradigm that the student has chosen to work within and be presented clearly and unambiguously.

Analysis and Discussion of Results/Findings* (cca 15% words) This should review and evaluate the data used in relation to the research aim/objectives/hypothesis and research questions and should benchmark with the findings raised and discussed in the literature review. This benchmarking stimulates the analysis and provides the platform for the conclusions/recommendations.

Conclusions and implications for theory and/or policy (cca 10% words) You should clearly state how and to what extent your research has addressed the research aim you originally posed and make clear its significance with regard to the theoretical framework you have used. Discuss any limitations related to your research. Discuss implications for both future research in the area studied and for the industry under investigation.

References (in Harvard style) All references used in the narrative should be listed in full and all references listed should have been used within the narrative. A full list of

references should be presented at the end that truly reflect those that were cited in the text throughout the dissertation. The Harvard System should be used throughout.

Appendices including signed declaration form.

6.1 Marking rubric:

Criteria

80-100

Exceptional

70-79

Excellent

60-69

Very Good

50-59

Good

40-49

Satisfactory

30-39

Fail

0-29

Fail

Abstract

(5%)

Sufficiently and appropriately outlined the purpose of the study, the originality/value, methodological approach, results, and implications in an abstract that follows the protocols of widely accepted approaches in journals

Focus

(10%)

Introduction, research topic and objectives/hypotheses and/or research questions: Be able to clearly state and justify the research topic, the objectives/hypotheses and research questions that the research will address

Literature Review

(25%)

Critically evaluated peer-reviewed journal articles and identified the gaps in research. Demonstrated the ability to evaluate (rather than just describe) the existing literature review and make conclusions from the literature. Key literature has been summarized and there is a clear indication of how research gaps feed into research design. The literature review is appropriately signposted and sufficiently well-read.

Methodology

(25%)

Methods are described in full, with clear description of the form of the data collection and how this articulates with the research question and theoretical framework chosen. Outline and justify the chosen research paradigm, provided are the details of primary and secondary data collection, procedure, limitations of the research design etc.

Results/Findings

(15%)

Results/Findings are presented in a clear and comprehensible manner, which reflects the research paradigm that the student has chosen to work with. The manner of presentation is clear and unambiguous.

Discussion

(10%)

The review and evaluation of the data used in relation to the research aim/objectives/hypothesis/research questions is presented. Analysis and discussion include benchmarking the research findings with the findings raised and discussed in the literature review. This benchmarking stimulates the analysis and provides the platform for the conclusions.

Conclusions

(7%)

Clearly state how and to what extend the research has addressed the research aim originally posed, and its significance with regard to the theoretical framework is made clear. Limitations of the research project are acknowledged. Implications for both future research in the area and for the industry under investigation are made clear.

Presentation

(3%)

Sources are all acknowledged in the text and reference list/bibliography using the correct Harvard style. The reference list is comprehensive and extensive and sources cited in the text are predominately primary sources. Evidence of broad independent reading from appropriate sources. Ideas are expressed effectively and fluently. The dissertation should be clearly written, spell-checked and grammatically sound. Clearly signposted headings should be included to guide the reader through the study that are labelled numerically. Commentary links to conclude each chapter and lead to the next should be included. Also introductions to each chapter at the start to introduce the scope and direction to contribute to clarity and understanding. Mechanical soundness therefore refers to all of the communication and labelling issues relevant to the communication and clarity of ideas.

Based on your music tourism + hospitality demand study, this is ideal:

Figures (68 total)

Chapter 4: Results

1. Figure 1: Respondent destination (London / Paris / Lagos)
2. Figure 2: Type of music event attended
3. Figure 3: Accommodation type used
4. Figure 4: Booking timing (advance vs last-minute)
5. Figure 5: Perceived accommodation price increase
6. Figure 6: Willingness to pay higher prices (by city)

Optional (if data supports it):

7. Figure 7: Length of stay by destination

8. Figure 8: Travel motivation themes (summary chart)

Tables (23 total)

1. Table 1: Respondent demographic profile
2. Table 2: Summary of key quantitative results by city
3. (Optional) Table 3: Qualitative themes with example quotes

All figures and tables go in Chapter 4 (Results)

Do not put graphs in Methodology

Each figure must be:

• Numbered
• Titled
• Referred to in the text (e.g. As shown in Figure 4…)

A golden rule examiners love

One figure = at least one paragraph explaining it

If a chart doesnt earn a paragraph, it doesnt belong there.

What NOT to do (this loses marks)

Repeating the same data in text and table

Tiny unreadable charts

Charts with no interpretation

Visuals that dont link to research questions

Bottom line

If you aim for:

• 68 figures
• 23 tables
• Clear explanation for each

Youre doing this at a confident first-class level.