DBA Literature Review
| Module title | DBA Literature Review |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEMD001 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 45 |
| Module staff |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 10 |
|---|
Module description
The literature review is an important part of a DBA thesis and demonstrates your mastery of research and knowledge in your specialised field. In this module you will use the learning from the taught elements of the Programme to build your initial literature review draft, a substantial piece of academic work that underpins your proposed research. The review that you complete may be used in part or whole as a part of your eventual DBA thesis. Although there is no specific taught content in this module, you will be guided through the completion of your literature review by a member of the School’s academic staff at a later stage.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The primary aims of this module are to cultivate the skills needed to complete your literature review. This involves but it not limited to conducting comprehensive literature searches using academic databases, journals, and pertinent sources. It also includes examining various types of literature reviews, such as traditional or narrative, systematic, meta-analysis, and meta-synthesis, and explore their respective benefits. Furthermore, the module seeks to improve your ability to critically assess the credibility, relevance, and quality of literature sources. It will offer guidance on effectively organising and summarising essential findings, theories, methodologies, and empirical studies. Additionally, the module aims to develop strategies for integrating feedback to enhance arguments, refine organisation, and address identified gaps in the literature. Note, that although the module tutor likely will not be an expert on your specific topic, this module will support as a first step to progress into later stages of your DBA with an initial draft of your literature review.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Develop a structured and coherent literature review that identifies gaps, debates, and areas for further research.
- 2. Apply research skills to conduct search of academic databases, journals, and relevant sources.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Critically evaluate and synthesise a wide range of scholarly sources to inform the literature review.
- 4. Produce a thorough review of the existing academic literature relevant to their DBA research topic.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Consider structure, style and appropriate academic writing conventions in the construction of the literature review
Syllabus plan
The academic content of the module includes but is not limited to:
- The art of writing.
- Conducting an extensive systematic literature search using academic databases, journals, and other relevant sources.
- Evaluation of the credibility, relevance, and quality of literature sources.
- Synthesising key literature within the field of study to inform research questions and defend the selected methodologies
- Understanding the structure and components of inductive and deductive literature reviews.
After this module you will be able to Incorporate feedback to strengthen arguments, improve organisation, and address any identified gaps as you complete your doctoral thesis.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 440 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching 10 | Minimum 10 | This includes online delivery |
| Guided Independent Study | 440 | Guided independent study through online learning activities |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Module discussions | Varied | 1-5 | Written and oral through module tutor and peers |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Literature review | 100 | 10,000 words | 1-5 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Literature Review | Literature Review | 1-5 | Referral/deferral period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Hart, C. (2018). Doing a literature review: Releasing the research imagination.
- Mewburn, I., Firth, K., & Lehmann, S. (2018). How to fix your academic writing trouble: a practical guide. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).
- Ridley, D. (2012). The Literature review: A step-by-step guide for students.
- Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2009). Research methods for business students. Pearson education.
- Webster, J., & Watson, R. T. (2002). Analyzing the past to prepare for the future: Writing a literature review. MIS quarterly, xiii-xxiii.
| Credit value | 45 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 22.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 8 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Last revision date | 02/01/2025 |