Dissertation
Module description
Students from across the Business School can undertake their own in-depth research study into a subject of interest related to their degree programme. They will benefit from having the opportunity to plan and manage their individual piece of research on a topic of their interest, which may not have been covered in depth during regular modules. This Dissertation module is supported with classes that explain the process, the principles of management research, and provide guidance on working with your supervisor.
With guidance from supervisors and the module lead, students may choose one of three assessment formats. These are:
1) Research Dissertation: using a typical thesis structure and research method(s) associated with academic scholarship.
2) Business Project: in which the student researches and analyses an issue currently experienced by an industry partner or sponsor. This will be written up as a consultancy-style report including, for example, literature, findings based on organizational data analysis, and recommendations. Where this option is chosen, students should have an established relationship with an industry partner (e.g. from a previously undertaken internship), who is willing to allow data analysis and research on this topic.
3) Literature Review Dissertation: undertaking a systematic and detailed review of academic (and, where appropriate or necessary, practitioner) literature on a focused topic. Original data collection is not required for this option.
Additional Information:
Employability
Dissertations can be linked to internships and business projects, so they provide a strong talking point for future interviews. Students also develop their research and comprehension skills. This module offers the potential of enhanced employability thorough demonstrating a deep understanding of the application of data analysis- using academic literature to analyse and evaluate real-world situations.
Full module specification
| Module title: | Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Module code: | BUS3001 |
| Module level: | 3 |
| Academic year: | 2020/1 |
| Module lecturers: | |
| Module credit: | 30 |
| ECTS value: | 15 |
| Pre-requisites: | None |
| Co-requisites: | None |
| Duration of module: |
Duration (weeks) - term 1: * Duration (weeks) - term 2:* Duration (weeks) - term 3:* |
Module aims
The aim of writing a dissertation is to give students the opportunity to research a topic related to their programme of study, which is not covered in depth by any taught module being offered that year. It is also designed to give students the opportunity to plan and manage their own research and to produce an extended written dissertation.
The exact nature of knowledge development in this module will be dependent upon the nature of the research project undertaken, which may be from any area of the Business School (Accounting, Finance, Economics or Management).
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. Plan and execute an original research project
- 2. Research and critically discuss a chosen academic or practical topic and demonstrate application of the underlying discipline concepts and/or research processes
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 3. Use appropriate information, research and data resources, applying broader discipline knowledge to the specific research project
- 4. Present and evaluate findings in a manner consistent with the norms of the subject area
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 5. Work independently, seeking and applying advice from the supervisor
- 6. Take responsibility for the direction and management of a research project through to completion and submission
- 7. Present research in a clear and academic format
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | 281 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning & teaching activities | 5 | Supervision |
| Scheduled learning & teaching activities | 14 | Cohort briefings/lecture sessions |
| Guided Independent Study | 281 | Reading, researching, and writing up your dissertatation |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project plans and draft chapters | As appropriate to the project and position in the research and writing process | 1-7 | Verbal and/or written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | 100 | 10,000 words excluding tables, charts and appendices. | 1-7 | Verbal and Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | Revision of the dissertation based on the given feedback | 1-7 | 1st September |
Syllabus plan
This is an independent research module. However, it does include a series of lecture and workshop sessions covering research methods that will facilitate students in undertaking a traditional research dissertation, a business project, or a desk-based systematic literature review.
Taught sessions will cover:
- Module introduction and the nature of dissertation research
- Defining a study and compiling research aims and objectives
- The literature review
- Qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques
- Writing up your research
Taught sessions will occur across terms one and two, and may be adjusted to suit the prevailing learning needs of the student group.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Core text for the module:
- Bryman, A & Bell, E. (2018). Business research methods. (5th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Saunders M., Lewis P. & Thornhill A. (2015). Research methods for business students. (7th ed.). Harlow: Pearson.
Supplementary reading: [HB1]
- Atkinson, P. & Delamont, S. (Eds.). (2011) SAGE qualitative research methods. London: SAGE [This is only available online, and can be accessed via http://lib.exeter.ac.uk/record=b2536116~S6]
- Eisenhardt, K. M., & Graebner, M. E. (2007). Theory building from cases: Opportunities and challenges. Academy of management journal, 50(1), 25-32.
- Gioia, D. A., Corley, K. G., & Hamilton, A. L. (2013). Seeking qualitative rigor in inductive research: Notes on the Gioia methodology. Organizational research methods, 16(1), 15-31.
- Jarzabkowski, P., Bednarek, R., & Lê, J. K. (2014). Producing persuasive findings: Demystifying ethnographic textwork in strategy and organization research. Strategic Organization, 12(4), 274-287.
- Delen, D., & Zolbanin, H. (2018). The analytics paradigm in business research. Journal of Business Research, 90, 186-195
- Tranfield, D., Denyer, D., & Smart, P. (2003). Towards a methodology for developing evidence�informed management knowledge by means of systematic review. British journal of management, 14(3), 207-222.
- Vogt, W. P. (Ed.). (2011). SAGE quantitative research methods. London: SAGE [This is only available online, and can be accessed via http://lib.exeter.ac.uk/record=b2536117~S6]
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Various journal articles – contemporary business issues from a variety of relevant publications
Origin date
01/09/2009
Last revision date
05/02/2020