Module BUSI4ZQ45: DISSERTATION

Department: Economics, Finance and Business (Business)

BUSI4ZQ45: DISSERTATION

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• Methods of Inquiry in Business and Management (BUSI4ZQ15).

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To allow students to conduct an in-depth and rigorous examination of a specific issue in their organisation or industrial, commercial or professional sector with the intention of increasing the body of knowledge in business and management particularly in large andor complex organisations.

Content

• The content of this module is set within a Business and Management perspective and will be dependent on the nature of the project selected by the student and approved by the Board of Examiners.

Learning Outcomes

• Have a detailed and advanced knowledge of, and familiarity with, the specialist facilities available for conducting literature searches and obtaining relevant data to facilitate empirical investigation;
• Have a critical appreciation of the impact of action research done by managers within their own enterprise.

• Be able to identify research questions and advance a convincing argument for a specific area of detailed research within their own organisation;
• Be able to effectively organise, structure and manage a complex research project;
• Be able to demonstrate a sense of critical discrimination in the choice of relevant sources of literature and information;
• Be able to select appropriate specialised research methods in line with their research requirements;
• Be able to apply any appropriate knowledge and understanding from all previous modules in the programme to this in-depth area of study;
• Be able to compose and evaluate a coherent dissertation, recording, analysing and developing conclusions and recommendations from a significant piece of individual research.

Written communication; planning and organising; problem solving and analysis; using initiative; computer literacy.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The learning outcomes will be met through a combination of lectures, facilitated discussion sessions, group tutorials and individual supervision supported by guided reading.
• Students will be allocated an individual supervisor who will review progress against deadlines, discuss emergent issues in research, analysis and write-up stages focusing specifically on the student’s own area of study. Action learning sets will be formed to support the progression of students undertaking dissertations while working in their own professional context.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Feedback will be provided on the draft dissertation proposal and one draft chapter to be agreed with the supervisor.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University