MMM089-Dissertation

Module Provider: Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Email: liz.houldsworth@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

To provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to work independently and in detail on a substantial piece of work in a specialist area of their choice.

Aims:

To provide students with an understanding of the main research skills necessary to undertake an original piece of research in Management Science at Masters level. To give students an awareness of the appropriate use of methodology, theory, data, literature review, and original research in a Masters dissertation. To enable students to produce a piece of original research which has academic and practical outcomes.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to: 

• Assemble a literature review on a given topic which provides a synthesis and critical analysis of the relevant literature.


• Understand the main methodological questions concerning research in management and the social sciences.


• Appreciate the different main approaches towards the integration of theory into a research project.


• Assess th e suitability and usefulness of alternative sources of data for the analysis of research questions.


• Compose a research proposal outlining a research project suitable for a Masters level dissertation.


• Design, explain and justify the research approach adopted.


• Identify analyse, and evaluate collected data (where appropriate).


• Produce a reasoned set of practical and cost effective recommendations and action poi nts.


• Present information clearly and in required format.


• Reflect on personal learning and how this might be applied in the future.

Additional outcomes:

Students will develop an understanding of the research process and the main challenges encountered in undertaking a research project. Their skills with regard to organising and executing such a project will be enhanced. Skills regarding the collection and analysis of data, the surveying and synthesis of existing literature on a topic, the application of theoretical models to practical questions, and the preparation and production of substantial reports will also be improved. They will also develop further their skills around self-directed learning and time management.

Outline content:

1. The nature and practice of research 


2. The literature review process and the composition of a literature review 


3. The nature and role of methodology in management research 


4. The role and application of theory in management research 


5. Quantitative and qualitative data sources 


6. Data analysis and writing-up research findings 

Global context:

The module involves the student undertaking primary research, typically within an organisation operating in a global context.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Attendance of MMM070: Study Skill classes in the autumn and spring term.

Meetings with project supervisor in the summer term and thorough preparation for these meetings.

Students are expected to read a number of references provided for each lecture and to do further work on their individual research projects. They are also expected to actively participate in the lectures/workshops and in their project presentation seminar.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

These is no examination for this module.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students present a literature review and outline research proposal of 2000 words in week 28 of the Spring term before final allocation of a supervisor.

Students present their final dissertation of 12,000 words in the week after the end of the Summer term (week 53).

Word counts for written work in this module are +/- 10%. Word beyond the 10% excess limit is discounted in the grading of the assessment.

Formative assessment methods:

Feedback is given on draft chapters of the dissertation.

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A weighted average mark of 50%.?Note that it is a requirement of the award of the MSc that students pass this module with 50%.

Reassessment arrangements:

By resubmission of the dissertation (with the dissertation now carrying 100% weight). Students only have the right to be reassessed once.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 4 April 2020