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How do I Write an MBA Dissertation?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Writing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) dissertation is typically required for earning an MBA degree. Doing a good job of preparing a dissertation usually involves choosing a topic that interests you, paying careful attention to the guidelines your school provides, and staying in touch with your dissertation committee and advisor. It's also important to allow enough time for thorough research and take care with spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting.

It’s important to make sure you fully understand the guidelines for an MBA dissertation before you get started on it. You'll likely have a choice of formats for your dissertation. For example, you may choose to prepare a business plan, case study, or report. Carefully reading your dissertation guideline document or handbook may help ensure that you don’t overlook any critical information or misinterpret guidelines. This may include deadlines you’ll have to meet as well as length, style, and format requirements.

An MBA dissertation is prepared for the purpose of demonstrating your grasp of the topics you’ve learned throughout your study.
An MBA dissertation is prepared for the purpose of demonstrating your grasp of the topics you’ve learned throughout your study.

An MBA dissertation is prepared for the purpose of demonstrating your grasp of the topics you’ve learned throughout your study. Choosing a topic can be one of the most difficult parts of preparing a dissertation. It is generally important to choose a topic that interests you so your enthusiasm will be evident in your work. You may also do well to choose a topic for which you can research and gather enough information to meet the length and content requirements set by your school. In most cases, you'll need to pick a business to analyze and research how the topics you've studied in your MBA program apply to it.

The MBA dissertation process typically involves conferences with an advisor or instructor.
The MBA dissertation process typically involves conferences with an advisor or instructor.

Keeping in touch with your dissertation committee and advisor may prove helpful as you prepare your MBA dissertation. The committee may be able to offer advice or point out an angle you have not considered pursuing. The committee may also have questions for you as you get started and continue with writing a dissertation. You may also have a dissertation advisor to work with as you prepare an MBA dissertation. He may offer suggestions and revision tips as well.

Advisors and professors may help students refine their dissertation topic before writing begins.
Advisors and professors may help students refine their dissertation topic before writing begins.

Research is an important part of writing an MBA dissertation. You will typically need to do a significant amount of research in order to write a dissertation. It is important to allow plenty of time for research — for recording your research, verifying your information, and documenting your findings. Since the dissertation is such an important part of earning an MBA, procrastinating or throwing together your research may interfere with your ability to graduate.

A significant amount of research is typically required to write an MBA dissertation.
A significant amount of research is typically required to write an MBA dissertation.

As you are writing your MBA dissertation, it’s important to pay close attention to your grammar and spelling. While your research and ideas may be good, having a good deal of spelling and grammar mistakes may detract from your work. Additionally, it is important to pay close attention to stylistic guidelines and make sure you cite your paper properly. Likewise, you’ll do well to take care with formatting your MBA dissertation according the exact guidelines provided by your school.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

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    • An MBA dissertation is prepared for the purpose of demonstrating your grasp of the topics you’ve learned throughout your study.
      By: Nazzalbe
      An MBA dissertation is prepared for the purpose of demonstrating your grasp of the topics you’ve learned throughout your study.
    • The MBA dissertation process typically involves conferences with an advisor or instructor.
      By: Monkey Business
      The MBA dissertation process typically involves conferences with an advisor or instructor.
    • Advisors and professors may help students refine their dissertation topic before writing begins.
      By: Tyler Olson
      Advisors and professors may help students refine their dissertation topic before writing begins.
    • A significant amount of research is typically required to write an MBA dissertation.
      By: bramgino
      A significant amount of research is typically required to write an MBA dissertation.