MQM3DISS: Leadership Study / Dissertation

Module code: MQM3DISS

Module provider: Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour; Henley Business School

Credits: 40

Level: Postgraduate Masters Stage 3

When you'll be taught: Full year

Module convenor: Dr Caroline Rook, email: c.rook@henley.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: No placement specified

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: F

Last updated: 28 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to:

• Build upon the knowledge gained during the MA Leadership programme and the application of that knowledge to a specific leadership problem or issue.
• Identify, define and scope a significant leadership problem or issue that can be addressed through structured and rigorous investigation.
• Demonstrate understanding of relevant investigative approaches and the ability to select and justify the chosen approach.
• Demonstrate the ability to collect and analyse relevant evidence as part of the overall investigation.
• Formulate logical, appropriate and actionable recommendations as a result of the investigation.
• Manage the investigative process and the stakeholders involved.
• Communicate the findings in writing and presentation in a convincing and articulate manner.
• Reflect critically on the personal learning from the leadership study / dissertation and MA Leadership programme experience.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Define and investigate a leadership issue or problem.
2. Analyse a problem or issue through a critical assessment of current thinking and use theoretical and mental models drawn from elements of both the programme and from specific and relevant wider reading in order to develop reflective and more insightful knowledge understanding of the problem or issue.
3. Design an appropriate approach to the investigation and a methodology that facilitates the collection, analysis and application of data robustly and appropriately.
4. Provide a clear exposition of the process and analysis in order to develop logical, grounded and practicable recommendations from their study.
5. Reflect on the theoretical, practical and personal learning from conducting the leadership study / dissertation and the MA Leadership programme.
6. Increased confidence in their ability to conduct rigorous, evidence-based research projects and leadership studies.

Module content

The module covers the following topics:

• Introduction to leadership research methods, including mixed methods.
• Reviewing literature.
• Critical analysis.
• Identifying a project and the proposal.
• Designing a leadership study / dissertation.
• Practical aspects of conducting leadership research.
• Presenting and documenting findings and recommendations.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

There will be an initial two day workshop for this module, followed by a one day mini conference looking at the interim findings, then a one day mini conference presenting the final findings. Teaching methods include working in a whole group of up to 50 with one or two tutors, and in smaller groups of up to 8 programme members. Other learning activities take place in pairs and individual reflection.  Teaching includes input from tutors, demonstrations of techniques and practice in small groups. Plenary discussion and table discussions are encouraged. Formative and summative feedback is given as appropriate.

Programme members are expected to draw on their personal leadership experience in their own or other organisations to help them conduct their chosen leadership study / dissertation. After the first workshop in this module, the programme members write their proposals.  After the proposal is accepted, programme members are supported and advised on their learning by a Supervisor who is an assigned subject specialist. The final submission is the full leadership study / dissertation document, including a separate learning reflection assignment.  Programme members are encouraged to keep a personal learning log, paper or electronic, during both this module and the complete programme, which should form the basis of the final learning reflection assignment.  Programme members have access to the Virtual Learning Environment (Canvas) throughout the programme, until the end of their registration period

Study hours

At least 35 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

50% pass mark - Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

This module is subject to the Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes policy, which can be found at:

https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties to work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar month 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; 
• where the piece of work is submitted more than one calendar month after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Workshop activities are undertaken to support formative assessment of the learning. These activities are not assessed for the purposes of the final module mark. This formative assessment takes the form of feedback given to students at workshops on syndicate work, presentations and exercises.  In addition, the assigned Supervisor will provide formative feedback on programme members work as they progress through the module.

Reassessment

Additional costs