Demystifying the Dissertation Structure for Level 7 Students at Sheffield Hallam University - Part 6b: Recommendations Section

This article is intended to assist Level 7 Master's students at Sheffield Hallam University in successfully writing and completing their dissertations. I understand how daunting it can be when you have to refer to numerous books and documents to comprehend each section of the dissertation and then consolidate your knowledge and understanding into one cohesive piece.

To simplify your work and gather all the necessary information in one place, I have compiled these articles, which present the main sections of the dissertation structure in six different parts, focusing on each section as illustrated in the image above. Additionally, there is a bonus section at the end that discusses reflection, the final part of the dissertation.

Furthermore, the entire dissertation is expected to be around 15,000 to 20,000 words for Level 7 master's students at SHU. You can ideally allocate this word count throughout the entire dissertation structure, depending on your research project or topic of study.

I have compiled this information based on my research, insights, and understanding. If you feel I have overlooked anything, please feel free to leave a comment in the section below. I would be more than happy to learn more at any point in time (no offense).

So, come on in and read this article with a cup of tea or coffee.

Part 1 - Abstract

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Part 2 - Introduction

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Part 3 - Literature Review (LR)

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Part 4 - Methodology

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Part 5a - Results/Findings

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Part 5b - Discussion

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Part 6a - Conclusions

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Part 6b - Recommendations

In this section, you need to write the practical implications of your findings. You should mention what your research implies for any future research.

In the typical management report or consultancy report this is an important section.

Recommendations say what action needs to be taken to tackle the issue. Whether you include a recommendations section depends on the objectives of your research.

• If you are doing exploratory research you may well write recommendations, among which will be suggestions for further research.
• If your research is designed to explain or describe, recommendations are less likely.

However, recommendations are outside the scope of the research question, which is to discover 'Why?' not 'What can be done about it?'. The message is clear. If you want your research to change the situation that you are researching, then include the need to develop recommendations in your research objectives.

Make recommendations for future research

• You need to explain how other researchers can take your study and build on it further. Be specific about what exactly needs to be done in future studies.
• The limitations of your study should feed into the "further research" section.
• Findings that piqued your interest but that you did not explore further as they were not relevant to your objectives.
• Opportunity to outline how other researchers can build on your study to take the research further and help develop the study of knowledge in your field.
• Think carefully about the new questions that your study has raised, and clearly outline these for future researchers to pick up on.
• Make clear recommendations that are practical and viable.
• Try to consider both the theoretical and practical contributions.
• Further research opportunities should emerge from your limitations discussion.
• Make sure that your research suggestions are practical and viable.

References

Saunders, M., Thornhill, A., & Lewis, P. (2016). Research methods for business students (Seventh edition.). Pearson Education.