Applied research design
Translate a management problem into a feasible research question and defensible study design.
- Problem framing
- Research questions
- Design choice
- Feasibility
MBA, MSc, DBA & applied research
Business School Research Support
Support business-school students and doctoral researchers with applied research design, data analysis, dissertation writing and defensible evidence-based decision making.
MBA programmesMSc managementDBA cohortsExecutive educationBusiness research centresDissertation modules
Applied focusResearch tied to management and organisational problems
Methods breadthSurveys, interviews, mixed methods and secondary data
Software supportSPSS, R, Python, Stata and NVivo
Cohort optionsWorkshops, clinics and support pools
What the programme can include01 02 03 04 05 06
Build support around real researcher needs.
Rather than forcing every cohort into the same package, Thesis Tutors can combine live teaching, specialist clinics, digital research tools and targeted one-to-one support around the institution’s actual gaps.
Survey & questionnaire support
Improve construct alignment, question design, pilot planning and analysis readiness.
- Questionnaire design
- Pilot study
- Power analysis
- Data plan
Data-analysis clinics
Help students understand which analytical approach fits the question and how to interpret outputs responsibly.
- SPSS
- Regression
- Qualitative coding
- Mixed-method integration
Dissertation writing
Develop a coherent argument from literature review through findings, discussion and managerial implications.
- Literature synthesis
- Methods chapter
- Discussion structure
- Recommendations
DBA development
Support practitioner-researchers working across academic and organisational contexts.
- Research design
- Reflexivity
- Contribution
- Viva readiness
Presentation & defence
Prepare students to explain methods, evidence, limitations and practical implications.
- Defence strategy
- Question practice
- Visual narrative
- Executive summary
Implementation
Fit support to the programme rhythm
A clear implementation sequence keeps responsibilities, academic-integrity boundaries, communications and support routes understandable for both staff and researchers.
1. Align
Map support against research-methods teaching and dissertation milestones.
2. Target
Prioritise areas where students need extra capacity or specialist support.
3. Deliver
Run workshops, clinics and 1-to-1 support around live project stages.
4. Close the loop
Review recurring issues and feed them into future programme design.
Institutional use
Popular business-school formats
- MBA Dissertation Bootcamp
- Applied Research Methods Clinic
- Business Statistics Clinic
- DBA Research Development Series
- Questionnaire & Survey Design Lab
- Research Presentation & Defence Day
Flexible configuration
Common research areas
- Leadership & HR
- Marketing
- Finance
- Operations
- Strategy
- Entrepreneurship
Governance & quality
Supplementary support, with clear boundaries.
Thesis Tutors is designed to complement formal supervision and existing university services. We support researcher development through teaching, coaching, feedback, legitimate editing and specialist guidance; we do not write assessed theses or make academic decisions on behalf of researchers.
Academic integrity
Researchers retain responsibility for the ideas, analysis, arguments, decisions and final work they submit.
Privacy by scope
Institutional delivery can be designed around the minimum data needed for access, support and agreed reporting.
Human support
Specialist expertise remains central where judgement, teaching and methodological explanation are required.
Frequently asked questions
Questions institutional teams often ask.
Does Thesis Tutors replace university supervision?
No. Our institutional work is supplementary. Formal supervision, assessment and academic decisions remain with the university and researcher.
Can programmes be adapted to a specific cohort?
Yes. Delivery can be scoped around degree level, discipline mix, programme calendar, cohort size, research stage and the institution’s own policies.
How is academic integrity protected?
Support focuses on teaching, coaching, feedback, skills development and legitimate editing. Researchers remain responsible for the ideas, analysis, decisions and assessed work they submit.
Can we start with a pilot?
Yes. A defined pilot or clinic is often the simplest route for testing demand, delivery fit and administration before a wider programme is considered.
Start with a defined scope
Tell us the cohort, challenge and delivery window.
We can help you shape a pilot, clinic, workshop series, support pool or Research Room licence without committing the institution to a larger programme before the model has been tested.