Module BUSI4BD60: Research Methods and Dissertation/Consultancy Report in Global Business

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI4BD60: Research Methods and Dissertation/Consultancy Report in Global Business

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• Aims
• The dissertation module seeks to provide opportunities for students to undertake an in-depth investigation and analysis of critical issues and challenges in international business in today's globalized economy. It will also help students develop the knowledge and skills crucial for collecting, analysing and interpreting non-empirical and empirical data in a cross-country context. We seek to encourage and foster the development projects on different types of firms, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and multinational enterprises (MNEs).
• The dissertation should be theoretically underpinned and should normally involve undertaking empirical research but may be a critical essay that draws upon academic literature.
• To provide students with the opportunity to undertake research abroad at a partner University.

Content

• The lectures and practical classes within this module will be organised around the following themes/topics:
• Introduction: Approaches to Global Business Dissertation/Consultancy Report Paradigms in International Business Sciences
• Formulating an international business/global business research question.
• Conducting a literature review.
• Designing and conducting quantitative and qualitative research.
• Ethics and standards in international business research design.
• Data collection methods (including case study, interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, surveys, experimental designs, and panel data).
• Quantitative and qualitative data analysis (including panel data, interview transcripts, and document analysis)
• Managing the research project - adhering to deadlines.
• Writing the dissertation project.
• In producing the dissertation, students will make use of and manage library facilities, databases and other learning resources.
• Before going abroad, students attend information briefings on undertaking their dissertation abroad and are assisted with the application process by the MSc Study Abroad team. In addition, students are monitored and supported by the MSc Study Abroad team while abroad, and will have a mentor from the partner institution.
• The dissertation topic for the Global Business Dissertation/Consultancy Report will be selected by the student and formally approved by the Programme Director on behalf of the Chair of the Board of Examiners. The topic must be situated within the context of international business. There is no restriction on the method of data collection and analysis.

Learning Outcomes

• Upon successful completion of the module, the students will have:
• Have a critical understanding and awareness of the challenges in conducting international business research.
• Be aware of and familiar with the facilities available for conducting literature searches and obtaining relevant data to facilitate the empirical investigation.
• Develop knowledge, skills, and understanding related to the design and conduct of international business research.
• Demonstrate a broad understanding of the key stages involved in conducting advanced data analysis.
• Demonstrate a critical and in-depth understanding of the key elements required for writing a dissertation project.

• Upon successful completion of the module, the students will have:
• Be able to organise, structure and manage a research project in international business and management effectively, and conduct empirical/theoretical analysis at an advanced level.
• Be able to make a critical evaluation of published journal articles and assess their relevance to a chosen research project.
• Be able to independently design, conduct and project manage an international business research topic and exercise appropriate judgement in the selection of material.
• Be able to critically assess international business research design.
• Be able to critically evaluate diverse the research methods in international business
• Have further developed the skills of inquiry, bibliographic search, data collection, measurement and analysis, interpretation, and presentation of results.
• Be able to appraise relevant literature and apply critical judgement.

• Written communication.
• Planning and organising.
• Problem solving and analysis.
• Using initiative.
• Numeracy.
• Computer literacy.
• Self-discipline, time management and the ability to work autonomously.

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

• A combination of lectures, seminars (including computer labs or practical sessions as appropriate), and guided reading addressing key topics in research will cover the subject-specific knowledge and skills together with general aspects of the dissertation process.
• Formative assessment on this module requires students to write a 2500 word draft research proposal, including a short literature review, and a detailed initial plan for two research methods (qualitative and quantitative), including - where relevant - detail on data collection and likely analytical methods.
• Students select a topic for their dissertation, which is approved by the Board of Examiners. The topic should involve the analysis of a relevant management issue in some depth, demonstrating a critical understanding of the relevant theory and its applications.
• Students work independently on their research, analysis and writing up, under the guidance of a supervisor. For students undertaking a dissertation abroad with an approved partner, additional local mentoring will form part of the supervisory support.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Students will be provided feedback on the initial research proposal and, during the dissertation itself, as part of the supervisory process, on one draft of one chapter/section of their dissertation.

■ 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