This module aims to enable students to:

Apply and extend the knowledge and research skills that they have acquired during their programme of study such as would be required for an extended final research project;

Use apposite research methodologies and data collection methods to examine a relevant organisational context in significant depth;

Identify an appropriate research topic; critically select and apply appropriate research methodology and data collection methods to their chosen research topic;

Demonstrate a rigorous understanding of the theory and literature relevant to the issues under investigation.

(LO1) Students will be able to apply relevant theory to the analysis of management practice.

(LO2) Students will be able to reflect on prior learning throughout the programme, considering a broad range of subject matter. They will be able to identify which learning from this subject matter is most significant to delivering a PG dissertation.

(LO3) Students will demonstrate the ability to conduct research in a rigorous and systematic fashion.

(LO4) Students will demonstrate the ability to refine and execute a structured plan of research based on informed choices about research design, and data collection and analysis methods.

(LO5) Students will be able to recognise and critically evaluate different management research designs and the assumptions upon which they are based.

(LO6) Students will demonstrate the ability to present a logical, critical and sustained argument, and develop conclusions in a manner consistent with Masters level standards.

(LRE1) An excellent verbal and written communicator.
Students will have opportunities to develop written communication skills through discussions and coursework. This will be assessed by the dissertation.

(LRE2) A problem solver.
Students will be challenged to think critically about organisational issues and dilemmas. They will do this by gathering and synthesising information, analysing alternative perspectives and options and presenting a considered opinion or programme of action in their course assessment.

(LRE3) IT literate.
Students will have opportunities to improve their IT skills. Students will demonstrate skills in the use of software applications including word processing, visual presentations, databases, spreadsheets and using the internet for information searches in the course of researching and presenting their dissertation.

(LRE4) Commercially aware.
Students will be encouraged to think critically about theory and practice and to challenge and critique assumptions about the management of people and organisations. In doing so they will be able to recognise and consider issues such as corporate social responsibility, ethics, diversity, technology and strategy. This will be assessed through attaining the appropriate level of critical engagement with theory and practice in programme assignments.

(LRE5) Organised and able to work under pressure.
Students will be expected to plan scheduled work and meet assessment deadlines. This will be evident in the students’ independent management of their assignments and assessment deadlines.

The module will include five taught sessions, three hours per session, in a guided virtual classroom discussion format, covering key information, enhancing students’ understanding of the research methodology and planning required to pursue the dissertation. Students will also be directed to key academic and practitioner readings to further develop their learning. Students will have opportunity for instructor feedback on their research, as well as guidance on the ethical review process required to pursue empirical research.

Unscheduled Directed Student Hours: 15 hours

Description: The guided virtual classroom discussion format will equate to 3 hours/week over 5 weeks (wks 1,2,3,4 and 8), undertaken asynchronously.
Attendance Recorded: Yes – tracked via the learning platform

Students will be allocated a supervisor for their dissertation. Supervisory contact hours will include scheduled meetings, detailed feedback on proposal and draft chapters, prog ress check-ins, and ongoing Q&A.

Unscheduled Directed Student Hours: 10 hours

Description: The first meeting will include formative feedback on the student's project proposal, and the content of the other three meetings will be dependent on the needs of the student.
Attendance Recorded: Yes – tracked via the learning platform

Self-Directed Learning Hours: 575 hours

Description: Initially, students will undertake independent tasks and reading in order to support their learning and research. Students will work on their research proposal and, after formative feedback on the proposal, continue to work on their dissertation. Most students will embark on empirical data collection, so will also develop a fieldwork strategy, work towards and submit an ethics approval application, analysing the data collected before write-up.

Refining the project proposal.

Planning and executing the research project.

Using appropriate research methods.

Research ethics.

Writing for academic and practitioner audiences.