Vocational Degrees Dissertation Guidelines

This document provides MCAST undergraduate students following a Vocational degree programme
with some guidelines on their dissertation.
1. What is a dissertation?
It is a solid piece of writing that undergraduate students are expected to complete as part of their
degree studies. Good dissertations are the result of good research. This document goes on to list
a number of points which shall help students to satisfy the dissertation criteria and assist them in
identifying the Distinction, Merit and Pass grade descriptors.
2. Benefits
When you write your dissertation, you should be able to benefit from these opportunities:
a. You can pursue in greater depth a subject which interests you and may be significantly relevant
to your future career;
b. You learn how to formulate and share with others your ideas according to academic disciplines;
c. If your dissertation takes the form of a report, it can inform studio practice. This is particularly
relevant for those degree programmes necessitating a tangible outcome, e.g. a final product.
d. You can prove that you are able to take responsibility for your own work, a quality which is also
valued by employers.
3.
a.
b.
c.

General advice
Seriously consider the advice of your tutor at all times;
Attend all your tutorial sessions;
Read regularly and take note of whatever you consider useful for your dissertation; this will
save you much time and frustration if you have to look for it again;
d. Work out a timetable of your dissertation activities with your tutor to ensure that you meet the
final objective, that is, the completion of a good dissertation by the prescribed deadline.
4. Dissertation structure
A dissertation is usually structured as follows:
Front page (font size 14 throughout, 1.5 spacing)
The first page should include
(a) the dissertation title in bold, and underneath it
(b) your name in italics, followed by
(c) the month and year when you submit your dissertation (see example on page 2).

Why are male teachers

reluctant to teach in
primary schools?

Joe Borg
June 2009

Submitted to the (name of Institute) in partial fulfilment of the

requirements for the (degree title)

Second page: Authorship statement (font size 12, with 1.5 line spacing)
You write the following statement (font size 12, 1.5 spacing):
This dissertation is based on the results of research carried out by myself, is my own composition,
and has not been previously presented for any other certified or uncertified qualification.
The research was carried out under the supervision of (name of dissertation tutor Title, Name
and surname)
Signed _______________________

Date ______________________

Third page: Copyright statement (font size 12, with 1.5 line spacing)
In submitting this dissertation to the MCAST Institute of ............................. I understand that I am
giving permission for it to be made available for use in accordance with the regulations of MCAST
and the College Library.
Signed
Date
Contact address

(Here you type your postal address in full, including post code).

Fourth page: Acknowledgments (font size 12, with 1.5 line spacing)
List the people you would like to thank on the completion of your dissertation. For example:
Mr Name Surname, who supported me during my dissertation work as my tutor.
Note that acknowledgements should be kept to a maximum of five persons.
Fifth page: Contents (font size 12, with 1.5 line spacing)
Here you list the main items of your dissertation and indicate the page from where each item starts:
Dissertation title

Authorship title

Copyright statement

Acknowledgments

Contents

Abstract

Introduction

(The chapters, 1, 2, 3, etc., come next) State title of chapters, e.g.,

1. Literature review
2. Experimental procedure
3. Results, discussion
4. Conclusions

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etc.

Bibliography

etc.

Appendices

etc.

Next comes the Abstract, which is between 400 and 500 words (font size 12, with 1.5 line spacing).
Clearly state what your study is about, summarising how it was carried out and what the results
were. Do not include references in your abstract. It should present only the essentials of the work
in general.
It is normal for chapters to have sub-sections (1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc.) to display your writing in a more
readable format. If in doubt ask.
1. Introduction
State clearly the problem or question you have researched. Why have you chosen this topic?
What motivated you to choose this topic? Why did you decide to investigate it the way you did?
What problem did you wish to explore? What was the context for your research? (c. 500 - 1,000
words)
2. Literature Review
A dissertation literature review makes about 20% of the whole dissertation. The main purpose of a
literature review is to show the reader that a student studied and analyzed viewpoints of other
researchers on the problem under consideration. A literature review is not just a summary of the
books read but rather a
thorough analysis of other viewpoints on the problem.
3. Data collection and Methodology
This section should make about 20% of a dissertation. It presents the chosen research methods and
explains why these methods are effective.

4 Findings
This part makes 30% of the whole dissertation. Here, a student should describe the research
procedure and discuss all findings resulting from the analysis of research data, including interviews,
surveys,
etc.
5. Discussion of findings /results?
In this section you present a critical discussion about your findings. Show how your findings
support the original objectives laid out for your dissertation, which may be partially or fully
achieved, or even exceeded. Here you may also include new areas of investigation prompted by
developments in your research dissertation. Above all, present strong arguments which show how
your findings may offer a valid contribution to the development of the subject of your research
area or issues related to it.

6. Conclusions and Recommendations

In this chapter, (a maximum of three pages) a student has to evaluate the significance of the work
done and give recommendations for any further investigations.
7. Bibliography
The bibliography is an important, compulsory part of the dissertation. This part demonstrates what
sources were used to conduct research. All sources presented in a bibliography list should be
alphabetized.
8. References
Interview summaries, sample questionnaires, and references should be placed in this section. For
easier referencing, figures, tables, graphs, photos, diagrams, etc., should be inserted within the
main text, that is, within say, the literature review, the experimental process or procedure, the
results and discussion chapters.
You are requested to use this referencing style in your dissertation.
> For books:
Coleman, M (2002) Women as headteachers: striking the balance. Stoke on Trent: Trentham Books.
i.e., author (surname first, followed by a comma and initial of his name in capital letter) date (in
brackets) title of book (in italics) place of publication publishing company.
> For a chapter in an edited book:
Brenner, M. (1985) Survey Interviewing In M. Brenner, J. Brown and D. Canter. (eds) The Research
Interview: Uses and Approaches, New York: Academic Press.
i.e., author (surname first, followed by a comma and initial of his name in caps) date (in brackets
title of chapter (in single quotation marks) name(s) of book editor/s followed by the
abbreviation ed or eds (in brackets) title of book (in italics) location of publication
publishing company.
> For journal articles:
Becker, H. (1984) Fieldwork with Computers, Qualitative Sociology 7(12): 16-33
i.e. author (surname first, followed by a comma and initial of his name in caps) title of paper (in
single quotes) title of journal (in italics) volume number issue number (in brackets) colon page numbers.

> Internet references:

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Include the date when the page was last accessed because of the comparatively dynamic nature of
internet resources. For example:
Dowling, P.E. (2000) A manifesto for design and the charismatic intellectual. [online]. Presented at
Education and Social Democracies: Changing Forms and Sites. Institute of Education, University of
London. 3-5 July 2000. Available at www.ioe.ac/uk/ccs/dowling/c2000. Last accessed 18 July 2000.

> References in the text:

When you make references in the text observe these guidelines: place direct quotations over three
lines long, in a separate paragraph indented left and right. Spacing between lines should be single.
The page number/s of the quotation should be given at the end of the quotation or after the date
of the reference, for example, (Smith, 1976: 15) if it comes after a quotation, or Smith (1976: 15) if
the reference just precedes the quotation.
In the body of the text, references are noted with the authors surname, followed by the date of
publication in brackets, for example, Smith (1976). The et al. can be used when the number of
authors is greater than two, but list all the authors in references at the end
You have to include your references at the end of your dissertation, under the heading
Bibliography, just before Appendices. Only those references mentioned in the text, including
secondary references, should be listed.
> Appendices
You may need to present a number of appendices (e.g., Appendix 1, 2, 3, etc.). These are usually
used to present further details about your results. Appendices may be a compulsory part of a
dissertation, but they are not treated as part of the dissertation for purposes of assessing your
dissertation. So any material which is significant to judging the quality of the dissertation or of the
project as a whole should be in the main body of the dissertation (main text), and not in
appendices.
> A short note on plagiarism
Plagiarism occurs when you use someone elses work as your own without acknowledging it. Cases
of plagiarism are best exemplified when you quote word for word or paraphrase a written passage
without acknowledging it. Avoid plagiarism in your dissertation. The tutors shall not compromise
about this issue when correcting your dissertation work. Refer to MCAST regulations regarding
plagiarism.
> Specific guidance on dissertation presentation requirements.
a. Dissertations which are not accompanied by a tangible outcome in the form of a model,
prototype or an actual product, shall be between 9500 to 10,000 words in the main text, that is,
excluding the abstract, the bibliography and the appendices.
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Students on programmes where a tangible outcome is expected as an integral part of the final
major project shall present a relevant 5,000 6,000 word dissertation. This number excludes the
abstract, the bibliography and the appendices. The dissertation shall be of direct relevance to the
product. This means that the designed product, model or prototype must be intelligently
supported by a relevant argument. This writing will thus follow the same guidance offered above
and must also include the Abstract, the Bibliography and the Appendices.
a. Two copies of your dissertation must be submitted to your Institute, one of which will be
retained by the Institute and one shall be made available in the Main Library on the main
campus in Paola.
b. Dissertations (from the Abstract till the end of the last chapter) must be typed using double
spacing, the Times New Roman font size 12, on one side of the page. A wide margin (2.5 cm)
should be allowed on the left side of each page and quotations of more than three lines should
begin on a new line, indented 2.5 cm from the main text.
c. The pages should be numbered and hardbound in a black cover, with all writing on the cover in
gold lettering. On the front cover you must write the Title of your Dissertation and your name
just below. On the spine the following data shall appear: your degree title, your full name
(name and surname) in block letters at the centre of the spine, and the year in which you
complete your dissertation at the bottom part of the spine.
9. Timeframes for dissertations (2009-2010)
You are expected to follow these deadlines for the planning, writing and completion of your
dissertation.
02 November 2009

By 9.00 a.m., all TUD students are expected to forward to the

Institute Course Leader by electronic mail their Dissertation
Statement of Intent .
The Deputy Principal, who is responsible for quality assurance
shall forward all Statements of Intent to Fraunhofers Course Coordinators.

20 November 2009

MCAST Course Leaders shall return the feedback of Fraunhofers

Course Co-ordinators to their Institute degree students.
Scheduled dissertation tutorial sessions to start shortly.

18 June 2010

All TUD students to submit their completed dissertation for

correction.
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31 July 2010

All TUD students dissertations shall be corrected. This will be

followed by the publication of results.

The graduation ceremony shall be announced in due course.

Conclusion
During the duration of your degree programmes, you shall receive more information about
activities which MCAST shall offer you in terms of additional support to enhance the successful
outcome of your dissertation.
In the following pages there is additional information about important terms related to your
dissertation marking criteria.

Definitions of some important terms used in the Thesis Marking Criteria

Term
Primary Source

Definition of term
A primary source is the most direct place you can find the information you
want to write about. For example, the National Statistics Office of the
Government of Malta would be a primary source for figures relating to
Transport Statistics, whereas a newspaper article detailing these numbers
would not be considered primary. Other examples of primary sources are
legal documents, original photographs, national archives, etc.
For art and design students, primary sources include the natural world (plant
forms and structures, insects, etc.), and the constructed world (built
environments, machinery, products etc.), both of which offer a huge range of
subjects worth exploring. e.g. Maths in Nature and Art, The Maltese
Vernacular: values that we have not yet learned to appreciate, etc.

Secondary Source

In contrast, a secondary source of information is one that was created later by

someone who did not experience first-hand or participate in the events or
conditions youre researching.
For secondary sources, often the best sources are those that have been
published most recently. If you use a secondary source that was published
decades ago, it is important to know what subsequent scholars have written
on the topic and what criticism they have made about the earlier work or its
approach to the topic.

Concise

(adjective) expressing or covering much in few words; brief in form but

comprehensive in scope.

Structure

(noun) manner of building, constructing, or organizing systematically. Thus

your dissertation should be composed of parts which are properly organised
and interrelated, for example, abstract, introduction, literature review,
methodology, findings and discussions, conclusions and recommendations,
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bibliography, appendices.

Critical thinking

Everyone thinks. It is our nature to do so. But much of our thinking, left to
itself, is biased, distorted, partial, uninformed, or downright prejudiced.
Critical thinking is that mode of thinking about any subject, content,or
problem in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by
skillfully analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing it.

Methodology

A set or system of methods, principles, and rules for regulating a given

discipline. In this case it refers to the writing of the thesis and the evidence
necessary to show that the student is in control of this assignment

THESIS MARKING CRITERIA / GRADING DESCRIPTIONS

These guidelines have been drawn up:
A. to assist students to satisfy the dissertation requirements and understand the grade
descriptors., and
B. to assist examiners in determining the grade awarded.
DISTINCTION

Applicable to work which demonstrates full knowledge and understanding.

It may contain only minor errors. It will show a clear grasp of the relevant
principles and an ability to apply them. It will follow a clear structure and be
well written. The distinction between a grade at this level and the Merit grade
is largely one of clarity of thought and expression and detail.
Distinction Grade Descriptors:
1. Substantial knowledge and critical understanding of the primary sources.
2. A thorough and critical understanding of the secondary sources.
3. The dissertation as a whole should be concise.
4. It should have a structure that facilitates a proper development of the
argument.

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5. There should be evidence of imagination, creativity, critical thinking and

analytical rigour.
6. The methodology should be appropriate and properly defended (where
relevant).
7. The dissertation should be written clearly, concisely and intelligently and
be well referenced.

MERIT

Applicable to work which demonstrates reasonable knowledge of the material

appropriate to the area and an understanding of the more relevant principles.
It will not contain significant errors. Where appropriate, authority will be
appropriately cited. The work will be reasonably clearly structured and
conclusions largely supported by argument. There may be some deficiencies
in expression.
Merit Grade Descriptors:
1. Adequate knowledge and understanding of the primary sources.
2. An understanding of the secondary sources.
3. The dissertation as a whole should be reasonably concise.
4. It shall have a structure that is clear and coherent.
5. It should show critical insight into the topic and good analytical skills.
6. The methodology should be properly defended (where relevant).
7. The dissertation should be written in a way that is reasonably clear and
concise and be referenced reasonably well.

PASS

A Pass mark will be awarded to candidates who have demonstrated sufficient

understanding and knowledge to suggest minimal attainment of the
disseration criteria but whose work is marred by some deficiencies or
inaccuracies. There will be some understanding of the relevant principles but
this is likely to be incomplete. There may be some lack of organization and
structure.
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Pass Grade Descriptors:

1. Some knowledge of primary sources with some supporting argument.
2. Some knowledge of secondary sources with some supporting engagement.
3. The dissertation is sufficiently structured but may be deficient in logical
organisation.
4. Though lacking imagination, the work shows some understanding of the
topic.
5. The methodology may be imperfect but sufficiently defended in parts.
6. The writing may be clumsy but the references sufficient.

FAIL

Answers at this level show very little knowledge of the relevant material and
what is known may be seriously misunderstood or misapplied. The student
may be unable to select or apply the relevant principles. There is likely to be a
lack of citation of relevant authority.
Fail Descriptors:
1. Fails will display inadequate knowledge of the sources.
2. The dissertation will be badly structured or unstructured and weakly
argued.
3. The methodology will be unsound or there will be no clear methodology.
4. The writing and referencing will be poor.

End of document

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