| Unit name | Management Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EFIM30017 |
| Credit points | 40 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Richard Owen |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Management Research Methods (EFIM20025) |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Management - Business School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
The dissertation unit is a 40 credit unit that extends across both teaching blocks in the final year of UG study. It involves designing, carrying out and writing up a significant piece of independent research, with supervision. This is supported by a full programme of lectures and clinics, synched to the specific activities the student will be expected to undertake over the two teaching blocks. The unit provides hands-on experience in: formulating an appropriate research question, reviewing and synthesising relevant academic literature and theories to demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the state of the art and to identify a researchable gap in the literature; research philosophy, strategy, design; data collection and data analysis; and critical discussion of the findings and the limitations of the study. For some this may involve quantitative (descriptive / statistical) analysis of survey data, for others a qualitative study involving interviews and for others analysis of secondary data through a desk based study. A feature of the unit is the ability for students to focus on research topics and methods that stimulate their interest, and which may aid future employability.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The dissertation is a core, capstone unit for most undergraduate programmes in the Business School. It provides an opportunity to undertake an extended, individual in depth research project on a topic of interest to the student and which is relevant to their academic programme.
An overview of content
In this unit students learn how to design, undertake and write up a significant piece of independent research on a topic of them related to their programme / pathway. To support this, students are provided regular 1:1 supervision sessions with a member of academic staff in the School, complemented by a programme of lectures and online clinics that cover: formulating a research question, undertaking a literature review, library search methods, research philosophy, strategy and design, qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and design, research ethics, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, how to write a critical discussion of research findings and writing up a dissertation in full.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
This unit encourages students to think creatively, critically and analytically. Students acquire skills in synthesising and presenting relevant literature, research design and analysis. Importantly, students gain transferable skills in planning, time management and communication. Students often say the dissertation is one of the most rewarding, enjoyable and useful units they undertake as part of their programme of study.
Learning Outcomes
The dissertation is a self – directed piece of research that is undertaken with supervision. In this respect students receive 1:1 supervisory meetings with an allocated supervisor who is an academic member of staff in the School. Lasting on average an hour every other week, students receive 5 supervisory sessions each terms, although additional sessions may be scheduled. Students also attend 10 lectures (5 each Teaching Block) which provide supporting information in order for them to complete their programme of research. These are synched with the activities they are doing e.g. when they are conducting their literature review in TB1 they received lectures on undertaking a literature review, library search methods and formulating a research question. Some sessions are more practical in nature (e.g. quantitative analysis). Students are also invited to attend 2 online clinics each term, which is an opportunity for them to ask the Unit Director and Deputy Unit Director any questions that have about their research and dissertation.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
In Week 7 (TB1) students are required to submit an annotated literature review plan. This should be a plan that includes provisional sub headings for the literature review and an annotated list of key literatures to be included under each subheading. For each entry the annotation should include the key points made in the article and a brief explanation of why the article has been included. E.G. ‘I use this paper to establish background theory…’; ‘I will use this paper to evidence gaps in scholarship…’; ‘this paper provides an alternative approach to studying the issue…’; ‘this study highlights the importance of X…’ The document should conclude with candidate research question(s) that have been discussed with the supervisor. It should be a maximum of 3 pages, which will be assessed by the supervisor. An example is provided for students to follow.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
A 10,000 word dissertation that is submitted at the end of the Summer term, typically in early May. It is worth 100% of the marks.
When assessment does not go to plan
Students are offered the opportunity to resubmit the dissertation in August, subject to approval.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EFIM30017).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
