Unit information: Management Dissertation in 2019/20

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
Pre-requisites	Management Research Methods (EFIM20025)
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Management - Business School
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

The dissertation provides the opportunity to research a topic of interest and to develop knowledge and skills in working with a preferred methodology. It involves the carrying out and writing up of a significant piece of individual research, and provides hands-on experience in research design, data collection and data analysis. For some this may involve statistical analysis of survey data, for others a qualitative study involving interviews and observation in organisations. 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.

The unit aims to:

Develop understanding and appreciation of management research through experience;

Develop depth of understanding in a management related area;

Provide experience in the searching, analysis and synthesis of a body of literature, to identify a research issue, and to design, carry out, and reflect upon a programme of research;

Develop skills and understanding in writing up a research study;

Enhance self-directed study skills.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit, students will be able to:

Appreciate the range of methodologies in management research, and to design a study consistent with a chosen approach;

Demonstrate competence in locating, analysing and integrating a body of literature related to a focal management topic;

Set out the principles of designing a viable research study and apply these in formulating a research study to investigate a management issue;

Understand through practice selected data collection and data analysis methods;

Demonstrate capability in writing up a research study within time and space constraints.

Teaching Information

10 two-hour sessions on alternate weeks (lectures/data analysis sessions/clinics) across both teaching blocks. These sessions will be focused on topics related to the formulation and practice of research, providing concepts and information to support students with their individual dissertations. Building on the material presented in the Management Research Methods unit (EFIM20025), the sessions will cover topics such as formulating a research question, undertaking a literature review, developing an appropriate research design and research methods; collecting, analysing and presenting quantitative and qualitative data, writing a critical discussion and completing the dissertation.

10 x 30-40 minute one to one, timetabled meetings with dissertation supervisor held on alternate weeks across both teaching blocks.

Assessment Information

There is no formative assessment as students will receive continuous feedback from their dissertation supervisors throughout the Unit.

Summative assessment:

a) a 2500 – max 3000 word literature review (word count does not include references) submitted at the end of TB1 (20% of total mark)

b) a 9000 – max 10,000 word dissertation (word count does not include front matter and abstract, tables and figures, appendices and references) submitted at the end of TB2 (80% of total mark, literature review chapter not assessed)

Reading and References

Bryman, A and Bell, E (2015) Business research methods, 4^th edition, OUP

Collis, J and Hussey, R (2009) Business research: a practical guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students, 4^th edition, Palgrave

Creswell, J (2013) Research design: qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches, 4^th edition, Sage

Denzin, N and Lincoln, Y (editors) (2005) The Sage handbook of qualitative research, 4^th edition, Sage

Easterby-Smith, M, Thorpe, R and Jackson, P (2015) Management and business research, 5^th edition, Sage

Fink, A (2014) Conducting research literature reviews: from the internet to paper, 3^rd edition, Sage