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Research Project

Module description

This module is the piece of independent research associated with the Senior Leader MBA top up programme.  It is designed to enable you to produce a project report under supervision, and to demonstrate project design, development, evaluation, synthesis and dissemination skills.

This could be the delivery of the project identified within your strategic business report completed for the End Point Assessment of your Senior Leader Apprenticeship, or an entirely new project.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim of the independent research module is to enable you to demonstrate their ability to design, conduct, evaluate and write up a project on a topic that is of relevance to the title and aim of their award and in doing so, to demonstrate self-direction, originality and an ability to act autonomously in the planning and implementation of project skills at an advanced professional level.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Systematically and critically review relevant theory and methodology in the design and development of an independent project.
• 2. Provide evidence of skills in the formulation of research questions, identification of aims and objectives and clarification and justification of choice of methodological approach.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise a project’s findings and interpret their relevance within the context of established or emerging theories, policies and/or professional practice.
• 4. Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems in the conduct of a project that is methodologically and ethically sound.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Present a logically argued and clearly written project report that will aim to enhance knowledge and understanding of an area of practice at an advanced level.
• 6. Critically evaluate and reflect upon their own strengths, limitations and performance with reference to the design, development, organisation and write up of the project
• 7. Prepare academic outputs using visual, oral and written methods

Syllabus plan

Students will work under the supervision of one or more supervisors to undertake an independent research process including the following components:

• Select a topic area that is relevant and important to the field of study
• Develop a research question that is appropriate to the scale of a Masters independent research project
• Justify the need for the research with support from the background literature
• Develop an appropriate methodological approach with which to answer the research question
• Consider the ethical principles relating to the chosen project and apply for ethical approval to proceed
• Collect and analyse the data associated with the research project in a rigorous way, justifying your approach
• Write up the research project in a manner appropriate to the intended audience, ensuring that the findings/discussions
• answer the research question.
• Presentation of research project

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Please refer to the TQA section on Referral/Deferral: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqamanual/aph/consequenceoffailure/  

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Maylor H., (2010). Project Management (4^th Ed). Pearson Education Limited (e-resource in the University Library)

Costley, C., Elliott, G. C., & Gibbs, P. (2010). Doing work based research: Approaches to enquiry for insider-researchers. Sage.

Thomas, G. (2009). How to do your research project: A guide for students. Sage.

Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R., & Jackson, P. R. (2012). Management research. Sage.

Gill, J., & Johnson, P. (2010). Research methods for managers. Sage.

Whitehead, J., & McNiff, J. (2006). Action research: Living theory. Sage.

Saunders, M., Lewis, P. & Thonrhill, A. (2009). Doing Research in Business & Management: An Essential Guide to Planning Your Project.

ELE –

Module Convenor has designed multiple resources containing mini exercises, summaries, articles and other useful information for use throughout the course. 

Key words search

MBA Top up, Senior Leader, Project Dissertation