MGT619 Final Project Management FAQs 2014

Frequently Asked Question In MGT619 Final Project Management

Question What is the mode of presentation & viva voce for overseas students?

Answer: The presentation & viva voce of overseas students will be arranged via Web Cam Conferencing.

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 Question: Can you specify the length of the final project/ dissertation?

Answer: The final project/dissertation has NO FIXED word limit. The number of words/pages required for project/dissertation solely depends on the topic and objectives. You are advised to write as much as sufficiently justifies and validates the project/dissertation (topic, objectives etc.). However, a fine quality project/dissertation document may comprise of at least 8,000 to 10,000 words.

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 Question: Have I selected the correct course option for myself?

Answer: We have divided our students into two categories i.e. On Job Students and Regular students (who are NOT currently on job) On Job Students: are required to select the course “Final Project” Regular Students: are required to select the course “Internship Report”.

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 Question: If I have selected a wrong option then what am I supposed to do?

Answer: If you have mistakenly selected the wrong option, change your course immediately by sending an e-mail at [email protected].

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 Question: How many credit hours this course has?

Answer: This course carries 3 credit hours.

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What is the difference between a project and a dissertation?

Answer: A project is applicable to a particular organization/sector, a particular set up only. It provides solutions to any specific issue. The outcomes of project are more specific, not general in nature and can be applied to a specific setup only. A dissertation is a more detailed and generally acceptable research work. It can be applied to the whole field in general. It is a more in-depth research work. It is a document in which researcher presents his/ her work and findings on any existing problem. It means that you have looked into something and are describing what you have found.

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 Question: How does a thesis differ from a dissertation?

Answer: It is same thing; however, the term dissertation will be used in your course.

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 Question: What is the objective of carrying out a project?

Answer: It provides a significant insight into finding solution to a particular issue/problem of an organization. It is more focused and specific in nature.

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 Question: What is the objective of carrying out a dissertation?

Answer: The purpose of a dissertation is to explore a particular issue and develop a clear argument through substantial research work in support of a question of interest.

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 Question: Is it necessary that project/dissertation should be according to my area of specialization?

Answer: Yes, it is necessary that you must choose a topic for project/dissertation relevant to your area of specialization.

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 Question: What is meant by exemption from internship?

Answer: Internship is compulsory as per degree requirements. However, on job students can get exemption from internship by providing proof of their employment i.e. Job Confirmation Letter obtained from current employer.

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Question: Does exemption from internship means that I am exempted from the course?

Answer: No, it does not mean that you are exempted from the course. You are still required to fulfill all the requirements of the course by submitting the course work (proposal and project/dissertation) and appearing in the presentation & viva voce exam.

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Question: What requirements should I fulfill to get exemption from Internship?

Answer: You are required to provide your Job Confirmation Letter in original After evaluation, if your letter is accepted then you will be granted exemption from doing internship.

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 Question: What is a job confirmation letter?

Answer: It is a letter to be issued, duly signed and stamped by your current employer, stating that you are currently on job in the organization.

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 Question: How can an overseas student submit his/her job confirmation letter?

Answer: Overseas student’s job confirmation letter is required to be submitted in soft copy (scanned) sent directly at the course ID ([email protected]) from the official e-mail ID of the current employer or the authorized person.

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Question: What information must the Job Confirmation Letter include?

Answer: The Job Confirmation Letter must include the following information: • It must be on original letter head of the organization. • The issuance date of the letter must be mentioned • Your date of joining the organization • Your current designation in the organization • Signed and stamped by the employer/person authorized. • Name and designation of the person issuing the letter

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 Question: At what address should I dispatch my Job Confirmation Letter?

Answer: You are required to send us your Job Confirmation Letter at the address: “Instructor MGT619, Department of Management Sciences, Virtual University of Pakistan, M.A. Jinnah Campus, Defence Road off Raiwind Road, Lahore. UAN: 111-880-880”.

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Question: What information should be mentioned on the envelope while dispatching documents to the VU Instructor?

Answer: You must provide the following information on the envelope so that your letter reaches the right person: • Your Name and VU ID • Your Course Code • Your current Semester

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 Question: Shall I get any credit for Job Confirmation Letter?

Answer: You will NOT be given any credit for providing Job Confirmation Letter. It is merely a requirement to get exemption from internship.

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 Question: If I own and run my own business, what document(s) should I provide to get exemption from internship?

Answer: You should provide such documents of your business as listed below: • Business registration certificate issued by the government agency • NTN Registration certificate (Compulsory) • Utility Bills of your business concern. • Sales tax registration certificate • Membership certificate of respective chamber of commerce • Registered partnership deed. • Sales tax registration certificate

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Question: What if I fail to submit a valid job confirmation letter for exemption as per due date?

Answer: If you do not submit a valid job confirmation letter for exemption as per due date, your presentation shall NOT be called in current semester; thus your result will be declared as F (Absent) and eventually you will have to re-enroll this course in next semester.

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 Question: How do I select a project/dissertation topic?

Answer: You need to have a question in mind that inspires you to write a project/dissertation. It is based on your interest and aptitude. This topic is required to be discussed with the respective course instructor/supervisor who helps you shape the idea.

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 Question: What kind of organization should be chosen for undertaking a project?

Answer: It all depends on your area of specialization.

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Question: Can I select a topic from the List of Topics uploaded on VULMS?

Answer: You can select the same topic as provided in the list of topics uploaded on VULMS but cannot provide the same work as already submitted by any other student.

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Question: What is a proposal of project/dissertation?

Answer: A project/dissertation proposal is essentially a short document which should not be more than 5 to 10 pages. It is basically an outline of your intended project/dissertation. You are required to show your plans on how will you work on your selected topic? What methodology will you use? You will explain your topic and give very specific and to-the-point information as per format uploaded on VULMS.

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Question: What does my Course Instructor want to assess through project/dissertation proposal?

Answer: Your Course Instructor wants to assess and evaluate • Is your topic researchable and workable? • Do you have ample knowledge about your selected topic to start with? • Are you planning appropriate methodology for the data collection etc.? • Whether you have a firm grasp over the topic • Do you have the skills & tools necessary to accomplish your project?

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 Question: Can I continue working on the same topic/proposal as rejected by the Instructor?

Answer: No, you cannot continue working on the same topic/proposal which is rejected by your Instructor. You will have to follow the instructions provided by your Instructor in remarks given on your evaluated work.

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 Question: Can I submit project/dissertation, which has already been submitted by me or anyone else in the same course?

Answer: You cannot submit the same Project/Dissertation which has already been submitted by anyone else under the same course (MGT619). Such projects/dissertations will be rejected without any consideration and your result will be declared as ‘Fail’. However, you can submit the same Project/Dissertation which you had submitted in the previous semester, if your instructor allows you to do so.

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 Question: Will any sample project/dissertation be provided by the instructor?

Answer: No. Sample for Project/Dissertation will not be provided to the students. You will be required to follow the formats uploaded on VULMS to write your project/dissertation

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 Question: Can I submit a dissertation if my proposal is approved for a project and vice versa?

Answer: No. You are strictly prohibited to work on a dissertation on the topic/proposal that is approved for a project and vice versa.

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Question: What will be the format of the final project/ dissertation?

Answer: The format of final project as well as dissertation is uploaded on VULMS along with other helping material.

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 Question: What would be the length of the final project/ dissertation?

Answer: The final project/ dissertation should consist of at least 15,000 words.

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 Question: How can I count the number of words of my project/ dissertation in a Word Document?

Answer: Select Properties from File, in Statistics you can see the number of words your file has.

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 Question: Can I submit project/ dissertation, which has already been submitted by me or anyone else in any other course?

Answer: No, you cannot submit the same project/ dissertation which has already been submitted by you or anyone else in any other course. Such project/ dissertation will be rejected without any consideration and your result will be declared as ‘Fail’.

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 Question: What is the difference between an abstract and an introduction?

Answer: An abstract comprises of 200-300 words and serves the following: • Introduces the topic • States the aim and rationale of the study • Briefly describes main findings • Gives implications of findings An introduction is usually longer than an abstract and does the following: • Introduces the topic • Briefly reviews the current state of knowledge in the area • Indicates gaps/shortcomings/problems in current research • States aim of your research and how it will fill the gap • Gives an outline of the forthcoming chapters of the project/dissertation

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Question: What should be the sequence of jotting down the results/findings of a dissertation?

Answer: Firstly, a logical sequence should be followed. It means the results that answer the first research question should precede the others and so on. Secondly, in quantitative research the descriptive statistics should preferably be presented first, before the results of each of the hypotheses or research questions that were tested.

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 Question: Can I copy the articles to write literature review?

Answer: You are NOT allowed to provide copied material in Literature Review. You will have to write it in your own words and mention other authors’ work in “quotes” according to the set standard.

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 Question: Can I provide the material copied from web sites, books, journals or any other sources?

Answer: No, you cannot provide copied material from any source. Copied work will be rejected without any consideration and your result will be declared as ‘Fail’.

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 Question: What is plagiarism?

Answer: Plagiarism is a crime against intellectual property. It means to provide other authors’ work by your own name which is against research ethics and comes under the act of plagiarism. The university reserves the right to cancel the degree of such students even if it is found out afterwards.

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 Question: Where am I required to submit my final project/ dissertation?

Answer: You are required to submit the soft copy of your Project/ Dissertation to your concerned Instructor on VULMS Assignments icon by the due date as per semester calendar.

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Question: What are some of the common mistakes generally made by the students while writing a proposal?

Answer: • Selecting a topic NOT relevant to area of specialization • Not following the instructions, guidelines and relevant format • Providing illogical/fake/false justifications • Providing incomplete explanations

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 Question: What are some of the common mistakes generally made by the students while writing a project/dissertation?

Answer: • Not following the instructions, guidelines and relevant format • Working on the topic/proposal rejected or NOT approved by the Instructor • Providing missing/incomplete explanations • Hypotheses’ testing NOT provided in data analysis section of a dissertation • References NOT cited in APA format

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 Question: Who will be called for presentation & viva voce?

Answer: Only those students will be called for presentation & viva voce who pass the written work. ((proposal & final project/dissertation).

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 Question: Where would I be called for presentation & viva voce?

Answer: Students can be called at Lahore for presentation and viva voce. However, the students living in other cities will be scheduled at designated centers near to their residential addresses provided to the university.

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 Question: How would I get a call for presentation & viva voce?

Answer: Call for presentation & viva voce will be sent at your VU e-mail ID. It will include date, time and venue of presentation & viva voce.

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Question: What is meant by confirmation e-mail in response to the call for presentation & viva voce and what information should it include?

Answer: Confirmation e-mail is required to be sent by the student at the course e-mail ID ([email protected]) in response to the call for presentation & viva-voce prior to the date of presentation. The purpose is to assure your presence in the presentation & viva-voce on the scheduled date, time and venue. You are required to provide your postal address along with contact number in the confirmation e-mail for the receipt of job confirmation letter or any other document by post.

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 Question: How can I present my work effectively during final presentation?

Answer: • The students are usually given approximately 10-15 minutes to present their work whereas the students are expected to include all the important areas of their work. • Provide a very brief overview of your work • What are your key findings? • Why does your project/research matter? • Briefly describe the methods you used. • How does your research relate to existing knowledge on the subject? • How could your research be applied to other situations/issues (if applicable)? • What did you learn? • After presentation, there will be a session for viva voce by a panel. Guidelines as well as template for presentation are uploaded on VULMS.

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 Question: How should I prepare myself for viva voce session?

Answer: Basically, you are required to defend your written work during the viva voce session. Make sure that you should have: • A firm grasp over the topic and your written work • A sound knowledge of the courses relevant to area of specialization.

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 Question: What should be the medium of communication in presentation and viva voce?

Answer: Medium of communication should be English.

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 Question: How can I carry my data (PPTs) to the venue of presentation?

Answer: You are required to bring your PPTs in the USB/Flash drive. You are also required to upload your PPTs on VULMS against the relevant assignment as well as send the same to the concerned Instructor at [email protected]

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Question: Is it possible to re-schedule the presentation & viva voce if I am unable to come on the scheduled date?

Answer: No. Presentation & viva voce shall NOT be re-scheduled in any case.

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 Question: What if I do not appear in the presentation & viva voce without prior intimation to the Instructor?

Answer: In this case, your result will be declared as F (Absent) and eventually you will have to re-enroll this course in next semester.

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 Question: What are the Evaluation Criteria of the course?

Answer: Evaluation of the course MGT619: Final Project is based on pass/fail criteria. Marks have NOT been allocated to any submission or activity and no grade point of this course will be added to the CGPA. However, as it is a compulsory course, therefore, it is necessary to pass this course to fulfill the requirements of the degree program.

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 Question: What are the criteria for passing the written work?

Answer: The criteria for passing the written work are as follows: • Following the specified format, guidelines and instructions as uploaded on the VULMS as well as given by the Instructor • Providing relevant and accurate information • Providing complete and pertinent analysis of the data collected • Fulfilling justified requirements of project’s /dissertation’s topic and objectives.

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 Question: Will there be any lectures of this course broadcasted on Channels of VU?

Answer: Lectures of this course will neither be broadcasted on TV nor they will be available on CDs.

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Question: Are there any handouts of this course?

Answer: No, there would NOT be any handouts, instead students will be required to follow the instructions/ guidelines and formats (templates), uploaded on VULMS.

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 Question: Will there be any MDBs for this course?

Answer: Yes, MDBs will be opened for this course where you can send your course related queries.