Dissertation (DSIE)

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• demonstrate your ability to work independently, carry out and evaluate a research project relevant to a business context;
• Critically assess the main types of business research methods;
• demonstrate independent judgement and critical thinking.
• demonstrate the ability to interpret, conceptualise and critically evaluate the literature, and to relate it to practice as appropriate;

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• demonstrate critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, at, or informed by, the forefront of the chosen academic discipline or field of study.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• demonstrate the ability to explore the research problem (or test new ideas, if appropriate) including a suitable research design, methodologies, measurements and techniques of analysis;
• provide in depth, critical reflection in your analysis and discussion of results;
• demonstrate the ability to synthesise and present ideas and research findings in a well-structured and convincing way;
• ensure that your own ideas and analysis are a prominent part of your dissertation;
• demonstrate the ability to plan, execute and report a significant piece of research or creative work with at least some element of originality;
• present a clear, logical, and coherent line of argument throughout your dissertation;
• formulate research aims, objectives and research questions;
• evaluate and justify your chosen methodology for data collection and analysis;
• critically identify and evaluate a body of literature;

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• your chosen subject and related conceptual literature, making appropriate reference to relevant sources of literature;
• the paradigm developed by business researchers;
• how to use concepts/techniques/frameworks from one or more of your taught modules;
• how to scope a study in your subject area, stating clear objectives for your study and ensure that the dissertation addresses these objectives;
• different methodologies for business research

All students are required to attend 12 lectures that will start from February and finish in April. These sessions will cover the following topics:

• Overview of the academic research process
• Foundations of management research
• Quantitative and qualitative research design
• Quantitative and qualitative research data collection and analysis
• Research ethics and academic integrity.

Beyond the scheduled lectures, you are expected to spend a significant amount of time effort on independent guided study. An academic supervisor will be appointed in May; you are entitled to 6 hours of supervision which you must organise and complete by the 31 July when supervision ends. The dissertation must be handed in mid-September. In brief the supervisor will assist you to:

• Identify a suitable topic for study;
• Design and undertake an appropriate investigation strategy;
• Complete the research ethics application and gain approval;
• Identify and access useful sources of information;
• Plan and manage an appropriate schedule of work;
• Write a well presented dissertation.

Details of supervision processes, deadlines and handing-in processes will be clarified in the PG Dissertation Handbook provided as part of the module. Subject to the completion of the University’s Risk and Ethics procedures, students are encouraged to study international topics and may carry out fieldwork in overseas contexts.

Teaching and learning methods include:

• Independent guided study
• Supervision (as detailed in Dissertation Handbook)
• Lectures (12 two-hours sessions).
• Your Programme Leader/Supervisor may recommend attendance at other seminars or tutorials to aid the development of your topic

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Supervision sessions

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback:
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Research proposal

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback: Summative feedback will be provided as written comments in Turnitin.
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.