OUTLINE STUDY PLAN 2024/25

LD6059 Dissertation

Academic Year: 2024/25

Module Code: LD6059

Module Title: Dissertation

Module Size Credits: 40

Module abstract

This module gives you the opportunity to explore a business management challenge of your choice in—depth, which is directly relevant to your degree. The module starts with introductory lectures and workshops that provide you with the necessary knowledge and methodological skills to conduct business management research. You will then work with a supervisor to identify a suitable research area, collect empirical (primary) or secondary data, analyse this data, and draw theoretically informed conclusions.

The module will equip you with the necessary intellectual and practical skills to conduct an individual student-led, ethical investigation. Additionally, it aims to provide you with essential transferable employability skills, such as time management, project management, communication (written and verbal), negotiation, persuasion, influence, discovery, initiative, creativity, innovation in problem-solving, and analysis.

You will be assessed through two tasks: an initial research proposal and a final 10,000-word dissertation. The dissertation guidelines provide all the necessary information about the dissertation.

Module Details

What will I learn in this module?

The dissertation module aims to equip you with the necessary intellectual and practical skills for undertaking an individual student-led, ethical investigation into an applied business (or the named degree) problem or issue. In addition, the dissertation aims to equip you with critical, transferable, and employability skills, including time management, project management, communication (written and verbal), negotiation, persuasion and influence, discovery, initiative, creativity, innovation in problem-solving, and analysis.

The module is student-led, but you are initially supported by weekly lectures and workshops, which provide an introduction to undertaking Business Management research, followed by one-to-one or small-group supervision meetings.

The lectures and workshops will cover the following topics: Developing a research aim/question (focusing and scoping the research), Developing a literature review, writing a research proposal, Researching ethically, Quantitative research techniques, Qualitative research techniques, Quantitative analysis techniques, and Qualitative analysis techniques.

Upon completion of the module, you will be able to Conduct independent and ethical academic research involving the application and critical evaluation of appropriate theories and models and engage critically with relevant literature to establish a framework in which to analyse and synthesise the results of your primary or secondary research; Generate/collect relevant primary or secondary data using an appropriate and justified method; Analyse your data using an appropriate and justified method of analysis; Recognise the ethical implications of your work; Critically evaluate the source of your data and the process you adopted

Module Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, you should be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. Apply and critically evaluate appropriate concepts, theories and models. (MLO1)

2.  Establish a framework to appraise, analyse and synthesise primary or secondary research results. (MLO2)

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

1. Undertake independent primary or secondary research, adopting an evaluative and critical perspective throughout this research, thereby critically reflecting upon the research topic and approach to its study. (MLO3)

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

2. Generate and analyse relevant primary or secondary data using an appropriate level of and critically justified method while critically evaluating the limitations of the data source/s and the method/s employed. (MLO4)

3. Critically evaluate the ethical implications of the research work undertaken. (MLO5)

Develop and appraise key employability capabilities, including time management, project management, communication (written and verbal), negotiation, persuasion and influence, discovery, initiative, creativity and innovation in problem-solving and analysis to assess personal development. (MLO6)

Program learning outcomes this module contributes to

Business & Management PLO

· Assess knowledge of contemporary professional practice in business and management informed by theory and research (6.1.1)

· Critically apply knowledge of business and management to complex problems in professional practice in order to identify justifiable, sustainable and responsible solutions (6.1.2)

· Critique creative and critical thinking skills that involve independence, understanding, justification and the ability to challenge the thinking of self and others. (6.2.2)

· Conduct and critique innovative and/or entrepreneurial project work and research (6.1.3)

Appraise an awareness of the cultural and ethical contexts in which international business operate (6.1.4)

How will I learn in this module?

This module is designed to enable you to engage actively in research-rich learning.  This research-based module is also informed by a research-orientated, research-tutored, and research-led curriculum. The lectures introduce you to the underpinning knowledge necessary for individual student-led investigation into an applied business problem or issue. The workshops allow you to put this knowledge into practice for your proposed research area. You will develop team and peer review skills through group activities and reflection, helping you identify areas for development in the dissertation. The dissertation will follow a blended learning model combining on-campus provision with asynchronous online sessions. The workshops will be delivered on campus, whereas the lectures will be delivered online to facilitate attendance.

The one-to-one or small-group supervisions allow you to seek guidance on the research process. Your supervisor will not instruct you but will provide you with ongoing formative feedback on your

progress as you engage with the dissertation process. Supervisors will be appointed in line with NBS policy, which recognises the requirements of professional bodies and AACSB accreditation.

A detailed guidelines handbook is provided for all students via the eLP.

A supporting reading list provides key references for a more detailed and in-depth review of the research approach and methods you choose to adopt for your own research. Examples of past dissertations are also available.

Assessment-for-learning

Formative Assessment will take place through applied group-based activities in workshops. You will be encouraged to discuss your research through peer review activities and discussions. You will receive ongoing formative feedback from your supervisor following the submission of your research proposal and throughout your engagement with the dissertation process.

Summative Assessment: Submission of a research dissertation

How will I be supported in this module?

The selection of a suitable dissertation topic rests with you, the student. However, to achieve this, you will be supported by the following academic staff:

· Lecture tutors

· Workshop tutors, who will usually be from, or are interested in, your programme subject area or a related field.

· Supervisor, who will usually be from, or interested in, your programme subject area or a related field.

In addition, you will receive support from your peers in the workshops. These workshops are typically based on programme cohorts, so you will be grouped alongside other members from your degree programme or field.

An e-learning portal acts as a repository for and supports the module: lecture materials, workshop exercises and materials, exemplar dissertations, and assessment details. In addition, the eLP houses the online reading list (including direct links to textbooks, journal papers, and academic and conference reports) and various support facilities, such as the recordings of certain lectures.

How will I be assessed in this module?

The module assessment comprises one component.  You are required to write a Dissertation of 10,000 words (which must contain a 1,000-word max. research proposal and a 500-word max reflection as an appendix)