This module is an elective offered on the BSc Business Management with Business Experience programme. The module allows the students to pursue in depth a topic of their choice. The students have to identify a business related topic and develop an empirical research question informed by theoretical concepts. The students will develop the independent study skills required to manage a substantial task to completion and enhance their intellectual and critical analysis skills to enable them to produce a carefully researched produced and concise report. Core material is provided via Canvas with interactive workshops used to support learning.
The aims of the module are:
The dissertation contributes to the overall developmental aims of the programme by providing an opportunity to:
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
o formulate and define a clearly bounded business related topic
o identify, justify and apply an appropriate methodology for addressing a research question
o Critically evaluate models, theories and research in the chosen topic area
o Collect, analyse and adequately report quantitative and/or qualitative data
o Critically evaluate findings to draw sound conclusions
o Critically assess the theoretical and/or practical significance of the project outcomes.
The module requires substantial independent activity on the part of the students. The interactive workshops are designed to 'scaffold' students throughout the year on various issues pertinent to the skills and methods required for successful completion of the report. Students will be given a set of interim deadlines designed to support their time management including deadlines for a full project proposal, a first draft and for submission of the final report. In addition, each student will be allocated a personal supervisor, responsible through regular meetings for monitoring the student's progress, for providing advice and direction as appropriate, and for marking the report. Formative feedback will be given at each submission stage and is designed to be fed forward into students' subsequent learning and reports.
Due to the experiential nature of the learning on this degree, and the importance of professional development enabling students to develop practical skills, learn from and interact with others, attendance is compulsory. Any students not attending a minimum of 80% of their timetabled sessions will be at risk of academic failure or termination from the course.
Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
---|---|---|
Scheduled learning and teaching | 9 x 3-hour interactive workshops | 27 |
Supervisor meetings | 5.5 | |
Guided independent study | 267.5 | |
Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 |
There are two categories of assessment on this module:
The project proposal will normally be 1,500 words in length. The document will provide details of the purpose of the research, the theoretical framework in which is it placed and the research methodology to be used.
The final dissertation report will normally be 6,000-7,500 words in length (excluding references and appendices).
Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
---|---|
1) Formulate and define a clearly bounded problem or topic | Formatively through workshops and guided study; Summatively in Project proposal /Final dissertation |
2) Identify, justify and apply an appropriate methodology in addressing a research question | Formatively through workshops and guided study; Summatively in Project proposal /Final dissertation |
3) Critically evaluate models, theories and research in the chosen topic area | Formatively through workshops and guided study; Summatively in Project proposal /Final dissertation |
4) Collect, analyse and adequately report quantitative and/or qualitative data | Formatively through workshops and guided study; Summatively in Project proposal /Final dissertation |
5) Critically evaluate findings to draw sound conclusions | Formatively through workshops and guided study; Summatively in Project proposal /Final dissertation |
6) Critically assess the theoretical and/or practical significance of the project outcomes | Formatively through workshops and guided study; Summatively in Project proposal /Final dissertation |
Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Project proposal | Coursework 1 | 10% |
Final dissertation | Coursework 2 | 90% |
Total (to equal 100%) | 100% |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
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