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: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Elizabeth Houldsworth
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 the 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 points.


• 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.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	8	8
Tutorials		6
Project Supervision			3
Practicals classes and workshops		4
Fieldwork			32
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		30	60
Advance preparation for classes	4	12
Preparation for tutorials			6
Carry-out research project			157
Dissertation writing			40
Essay preparation		20
Reflection			10
Total hours by term	12	80	308
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	80
Project output other than dissertation	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

These is no examination for this module.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One 2,000 words (-+10% is not allowed) proposal (due in week 39). 

One 10,000 words (-+10% is allowed) dissertation (due in week 52).

The proposal has a 20% weighting in the overall assessment. The final dissertation has a 80% weighting in the overall assessment. 

Formative assessment methods:

Feedback is given on draft chapters of the dissertation.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

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: 30 March 2023