Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2023-2024 (archived)

Module BUSI4G360: Dissertation in Marketing

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI4G360: Dissertation in Marketing

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 60 Availability Available in 2023/24 Module Cap None.
Tied to N5K309
Tied to N5K209
Tied to N5K609

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To provide students with the opportunity to conduct an in-depth investigation at an advanced level of a relevant issue in Marketing.
  • The dissertation should be theoretically underpinned and should normally involve undertaking empirical research, but may be a critical essay that draws upon academic literature.

Content

  • The topic is chosen by the student and formally approved by the Board of Examiners. It should be one that is suitable for in-depth investigation.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module students should have gained an in-depth and critical understanding of a chosen relevant topic in Marketing through the utilisation of appropriate advanced techniques of research and analysis.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module students should have developed advanced skills of research, analysis and scholarly expression through application to a chosen relevant topic in Marketing.
Key Skills:
  • Effective written communication skills
  • Planning, organising and time management skills
  • Problem solving and analytical skills
  • The ability to use initiative
  • Advanced skills in the interpretation of data
  • Advanced computer literacy skills

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

  • A combination of individual and, where appropriate, small-group meetings will be held with the student’s appointed supervisor. This is considered sufficient and appropriate, as the dissertation module is underpinned by a research methods module. These meetings (the normal expectation will be 4 x 1 hour in total) will provide structured support for students as they work on their dissertation, and enable monitoring of progress towards achieving the learning outcomes.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Supervisory meetings 4` As appropriate 1 hour 4
Research, preparation and writing 596
Total 600

Summative Assessment

Component: Dissertation Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Individual dissertation 12,000 words (maximum) 100% same

Formative Assessment:

The supervisor will provide feedback on one draft chapter.


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