Search our site
Search our site

Dissertation

  • Module code: BH6303
  • Year: 2018/9
  • Level: 6
  • Credits: 30
  • Pre-requisites: None
  • Co-requisites: None

Summary

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.

Aims

The aims of the module are:

  • To enable students to competently design and conduct an empirically-based research study under appropriate supervision.
  • To enable students to produce a concise (6,000-7,500 words) research report demonstrating an ability to recognise the theoretical, practical, and methodological implications and limitations of their research study for addressing a business issue of their choice.

The dissertation contributes to the overall developmental aims of the programme by providing an opportunity to:

  • undertake an in-depth, empirical investigation of a business related topic,
  • draw together and develop the independent study skills required to manage a substantial task to completion,
  • develop the intellectual skills commensurate with producing a carefully researched and concise research report.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

  • Undertake independent study and research that includes an ability to:

o    formulate and define a clearly bounded business related topic

o    identify, justify and apply an appropriate methodology for addressing a research question

  • Apply cognitive skills in research projects that include the following:

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.

Curriculum content

  • Reviewing the literature
  • Designing a research proposal
  • Qualitative and quantitative research methods
  • Ethics and research data management
  • Qualitative and quantitative data analysis and reporting.

Teaching and learning strategy

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.

Breakdown of Teaching and Learning Hours

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

Assessment strategy

There are two categories of assessment on this module:

  • Final report (90%)
  • Project proposal (10%)

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).

Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment Strategy (Indicative)

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

Elements of Assessment

Description of Assessment Definitive UNISTATS Categories Percentage
Project proposal Coursework 1 10%
Final dissertation Coursework 2 90%
Total (to equal 100%) 100%

Achieving a pass

It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.

Bibliography core texts

Gray, D. E. (2016). Doing research in the business world. London: Sage.

Bibliography recommended reading

Brown, R. (2006). Doing your dissertation in business and management. The reality of researching and writing (SAGE Study Skills Series). London: Sage.

Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods (5th ed.). Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.

Cameron, S. & Price, D. (2009). Business research methods: A practical approach. London: Kogan Page Publishers.

JASP (2017). How to Use JASP. Retrieved on December, 13th, 2017 from https://jasp-stats.org/how-to-use-jasp/.

Pallant, J. (2016). SPSS survival manual (6th ed.). Maidenhead, UK: Open University Press.

Ritchie, J. & Lewis, J., (eds) (2014). Qualitative research practice. London: Sage

Find a course

Course finder

Find a course
>