Unit information: The Management Research Project: Dissertation in 2026/27

Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.

Unit name The Management Research Project: Dissertation
Unit code EFIMM0158
Credit points 60
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director Dr. Michali
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

None

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

Unit Information

The Management Research Project: Dissertation is an extended report of an independent study in which a student identifies and investigates a particular question and explores it systematically over a sustained period of time.

The dissertation project provides students the opportunity to read extensively and apply research and interpretation skills to a chosen area of study. Projects may be either empirical or library-based and may include scope for adaptation in method or field of inquiry.

Why is this unit important?

A capstone unit such as The Management Research Project: Dissertation represents a fundamental component of postgraduate study at master’s level, presenting the opportunity for the application of theoretical, conceptual, and methodological elements introduced in the programme and the development of students’ research skills and other important transferrable skills.

How does this unit fit into your programme of study

Presenting the opportunity for the application of theoretical, conceptual, and methodological elements introduced in the programme to develop empirically founded theoretically informed answers or solutions to organisational or societal issues, this unit develops important research skills like critical thinking, information management, data collection and analysis, and an understanding of important issues relating to research ethics and GDPR alongside the development of other important transferrable skills.

Your learning on this unit

An overview of content

Through this unit, a student will undertake the fundamental aspects for conducting a research study: framing a clear, central research question based on a clear understanding of the context of the research and a critical review of literature relevant to the topic; choosing an appropriate research methodology including an understanding of associated ethical implications; conducting an accurate and reliable analysis and interpretation of findings in providing answers to the research question; and the effective presentation of a research report that meets required standards and protocols.

How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit

Through this unit, a student gains experience in research through application and interpretation, developing research skills like critical thinking, information management, data collection and analysis, and an understanding of important issues relating to research ethics and GDPR alongside the development of other important transferrable skills.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1) frame a clear, central research question based on an clear understanding of the context of the research and a critical review of literature relevant to the topic

2) understand and apply an appropriate research methodology and corresponding research ethics and GDPR processes and obligations to investigate the chosen topic

3) analyse data and/or evidence, where appropriate, and draw apposite conclusions that answer the central research question), integrating conclusions into wider academic debates

4) produce a dissertation in a clear, well-written and grammatically correct style, that conforms to the convention of academic presentation

5) Evaluate and reflect upon the completed project to identify clear learnings and recommendations for future projects

How you will learn

The unit is intended to promote self-directed learning and inquiry, under guidance of a project supervisor who will provide support and formative feedback through a series of meetings.

How you will be assessed

Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):

Although the expectation is that The Management Research Project: Dissertation is primarily an independent piece of work completed by the student, student learning is supported through a series of meetings with the project supervisor through which guidance and formative feedback are provided.

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):

A dissertation project report (10,000-12,000 words) (100%). [All Learning Outcomes covered]

When assessment does not go to plan

When a student fails the dissertation and is eligible to resubmit, a student will retake the dissertation project report. Depending on the nature of the failed first attempt, this reassessment could ether entail a revised version of the first submitted attempt or an entirely new piece of work (10,000-12,000 words) (100%). [All Learning Outcomes covered].

Resources

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. EFIMM0158).

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.