This module aims to develop an in-depth understanding within a student’s chosen domain of management and business knowledge, and for the student to use this knowledge to analyse a management problem or issue. A preparation phase of the module is included to provide the students with the skills necessary in problem analysis and research in order that they can undertake an independent research project. Thereafter, independent, guided, study and research are used to develop both theoretical and practical critical-thinking skills, and to present their research, analysis and findings.

(LO1) Students will be able to demonstrate a critical awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of different types of information.

(LO2) Students will be able to demonstrate awareness of current research and advanced scholarship in relation to their chosen topic.

(LO3) Students will be able to demonstrate critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights in relation to their chosen dissertation topic and area of professional practice.

(LO4) Students will be able to critique the strengths and weaknesses associated with those methodological approaches in relation to their chosen topic area.

(LO5) Students will be able to plan how they will identify and collect appropriate and meaningful evidence in order to investigate fully their selected organisational issue.

(LO6) Students will be able to plan a large project.

(LO7) Students will be able to demonstrate critical awareness of current theories, models, concepts, ideas and writing related to the management problem.

(LO8) Students will be able to critically evaluate current research and scholarship.

(LO9) Students will be able to select and apply appropriate models and frameworks in order to analyse the management issues and to formulate solutions, or to test effectively, any hypothesis presented.

(LO10) Students will be able to evaluate, select, justify and apply appropriate research methods to the chosen area of study, in order to ensure that the evidence generated, its analysis and the conclusions drawn from it are valid, reliable and ethical.

(LO11) Students will be able to research and present convincing and reasoned conclusions and recommendations on the evidence collected.

(S1) Adaptability
Students will acquire the ability to understand different kinds of data associated with academic publications.

(S2) Problem solving skills
Students will acquire the ability to analyse and understand different theoretical approaches associated with academic publications.

(S3) Numeracy
Ability to apply appropriate quantitative analysis techniques to data analysis (quantitative studies only).

(S4) Organisation skills
Students must organise their reading and research time to ensure the meet submission guidelines.

(S5) Communication skills
Effective written communication skills should be developed during the writing phase.

(S6) Lifelong learning skills
Learning to learn is a fundamental element of the dissertation.

Asynchronous learning x 4 hours (2 hours x 4 weeks)
These will be asynchronous recordings, scaffolded with learning materials, providing research methods training appropriate to the dissertation choice of the student.

Completion of online self-assessment review activities (4 activities, approx. 2 hours each)

These are online, asynchronous units with self-assessment tests and review activities throughout. Students are not time limited during these tests / activities. Multiple opportunities are allowed with a pass mark of 50%.

There will be seven training units; two are core, and students can choose two others from a pool of five options, depending on their route and project.

Core 1: Research Design and Methodology (inc. literature review techniques)

Core 2: Data Analysis Techniques

Options Available (students choose 2):

Option 1: Advanced Qualitative Methods

Option 2: Advanced Quantitative Methods

Option 3: Business Consultin g Techniques (e.g. for students working on industry-led and/or authentic work-based projects)

Option 4: Strategic Management Research (e.g. for students working on business plans, or desk-based industry/work-based projects).

Option 5: Advanced Data Analysis Techniques

For each unit there will be approximately 2 hours of video content, a structured directed learning, and corresponding activities (e.g. MCQ tests) with automated feedback.

Supervision: 4 x 0.5 hour supervisory meetings

Self Directed Learning x 590 hours
Outside of the classroom, students will be expected to prepare for the poster presentation, undertake the self-assessment review activities, and read around the project area selected.

The syllabus will cover:

Literature survey and conceptual frameworks;

Locating research questions within a theoretical framework;

Factors influencing selection of research methodology and method and gathering and analysing data;

Research ethics;

Constructing a project (research) plan;

Presenting the research, findings and recommendations;

Style and formats of presenting the dissertation.