Module BUSI4X260: Research Methods and Dissertation in International Business (International) (MSc International Business)

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI4X260: Research Methods and Dissertation in International Business (International) (MSc International Business)

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Research Methods and Dissertation/Consultancy Report in Global Business (BUSI4BD60)

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 globalised 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.
• 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

• Introduction: Approaches to global business dissertation 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 Business School International Team. In addition, students are monitored and supported by the International team while abroad and have a mentor from the partner institution based on their research topic.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students should 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 empirical investigation.
• Develop a critical understanding of the ethics in designing international business research.
• 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.
• Have a critical understanding of methodological issues in research; issues in designing and undertaking quantitative and qualitative research.
• Have a critical understanding of the principles of research design proposals.

• 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

• Students work independently on their research, analysis and writing up while abroad, under the guidance of a supervisor in Durham and a mentor abroad whose main responsibility is to check progress.
• Additional local mentoring with an approved partner which 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.

■ Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.