Dissertation (Management)
| Module title | Dissertation (Management) |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEMM251 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Professor Emma Jeanes () |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 6 lectures (weeks 1, 3, 4, 7, 9 and 10) | Independent research until the date of submission (September) |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 142 |
|---|
Module description
The dissertation module allows you to pursue a programme of independent research on a business management topic that is of interest to you. Every student will be allocated a dissertation supervisor, and under whose guidance you will do the research and complete the dissertation write-up (8,000-10,000 words long). A dissertation demands self-motivation and good organisational skills. You are expected to show initiative in choosing your topic of study and in executing the research. The module will further develop your skills in developing a research agenda, formulating appropriate research questions, conducting a literature review, planning a research programme, analysing data, and communicating the findings by a fixed deadline.
Additional Information:
- This module descriptor also applies for students on MSc International Management ‘With European Study’ (WES) who are registered under a separate module code BEMM251A.
- BEMM251/BEMM251A is for students registered for either the 12 month MSc International Management or the MSc Finance and Management programme. Students from MSc Finance and Management should note that this module is specifically for management dissertations and will be supervised by academics in Management Studies and Organisation Studies departments.
Employability
By working on a dissertation students develop valuable transferable skills in research, analysis, independent working, academic writing and time management.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aim of the module is to nurture students’ skills in developing a research agenda, formulating appropriate research questions, planning and conducting a research programme (within a specified time), conducting a literature review, analysing data, and communicating the findings through a comprehensive piece of academic writing. Towards this, the student will pursue a programme of independent research on a topic of his/her choosing and which is approved by the module convenor.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. demonstrate a good comprehension of the complexity, gaps and contradictions associated with a specialised study of management;
- 2. confidently apply in writings the understanding of concepts and theories from the taught part of the programme to a particular research problem;
- 3. draw valid conclusions based on an ability to synthesise and prioritise relevant data from methods and techniques appropriate to the research problem;
- 4. independently conduct an entire programme of research from defining the research question through scholarly investigation to final dissertation write-up
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. present a clearly structured and well-written piece of research within the discipline of Management
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. work as an independent researcher to collect, analyse and prioritise data and evidence to answer clearly-defined research questions
- 7. develop problem-solving skills in a specialised manner based on the ability to adapt to the often complex, unpredictable and particular demands of the research process
- 8. form constructive dialogues with research partners (peers, mentors and skilled professionals) and the dissertation supervisor
- 9. reflect on the research process and evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats associated with the approach adopted
Syllabus plan
Term 2: Six lectures
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | 283 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Contact hours | 12 | Lectures (2 hours per lecture) |
| 5 | Supervision meeting to be arranged by the student in consultation with the allocated supervisor. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial research proposal | 800-1000 words | 1-2, 5 | Verbal (feedback provided by the allocated dissertation supervisor) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final research proposal | 10 | 1000-1200 words | 1-2, 5 | Written and Verbal (feedback provided by the dissertation supervisor) |
| Dissertation | 90 | 8000-10000 words | 1-9 | Written feedback (feedback provided by the dissertation supervisor and second marker). |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proposal and Dissertation | Dissertation (100%) (8000- 10000 words) | 1-9 | Re-submit in December |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Compulsory reading:
- Dissertation Series (chapters 1-12), University of Exeter Business School Resource
Download link (login using UOE credentials):
- Thematic reading will vary according to your chosen research topic (please seek advice from your dissertation supervisor)
Recommended reading– Research Methods and Dissertation Skills:
- Alan Bryman and Emma Bell (2015). Business Research Methods, 4th edition. Oxford University Press. ISBN-10: 0199668647; ISBN-13: 978-0199668649.
Link to catalogue:http://lib.exeter.ac.uk/record=b3252924~S6
- Boris Blumberg, Donald Cooper and Pamela Schindler (2014). Business Research Methods, 4th edition. McGraw-Hill. ISBN-10: 0077157486; ISBN-13: 978-0077157487.
Link to catalogue:http://lib.exeter.ac.uk/record=b2637809~S6
- Brian White and Stephen Rayner (2015). Dissertation Skills: For Business and Management Students, 2nd edition. ISBN-10: 1408081776; ISBN-13: 978-1408081778.
Link to Online resource:http://lib.exeter.ac.uk/record=b3130073~S6(login using UOE credentials)
- Berman Reva Brown (2006). Doing Your Dissertation in Business and Management: The Reality of Researching and Writing. SAGE. ISBN: 9781412903516; Online ISBN: 9781849209069. **SAGE Study Skills - Available Online **
Link to Online resource:http://lib.exeter.ac.uk/record=b2536620~S6(login using UOE credentials)
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/09/2007 |
| Last revision date | 21/05/2018 |