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2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

LUBS5297M Dissertation (Business and Management)

60 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Dr. Dan Coffey
Email: D.J.Coffey@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 1 Apr to 30 Sep View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

The dissertation is in many ways the culmination of the Masters programme, it is an extended piece of research work during which you apply the skills and techniques gained on the Masters programme. It provides opportunities to apply aspects learned in other parts of the programme and develop these in greater detail and develop an initial idea through to a final written report. As an important part of the Masters programme it contributes 60 credits based on self-directed study, supervised by an academic member of staff (normally the intended PhD supervisor(s)). The dissertation helps you develop skills required to progress onto a PhD should you wish to do so.

Objectives

The aim of this module is to give students the independent research skills necessary to define, conduct and report a substantial piece of research including practical understanding of how various methods are used, the challenges (including ethical) associated with conducting fieldwork and the skills associated with analysing, writing up and presenting primary and/or secondary research data.

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this module students will be able to:
- Locate, extract, analyse and critically evaluate arguments, data and information from the academic literature
- Produce a focused, critical literature review in an area of management and business
- Identify and articulate clear research questions or hypotheses derived from the literature review
- Justify their chosen research design from a philosophical perspective
- Conduct field work, including the collection of qualitative, survey based or archival data sources
-Critically analyse primary and or secondary data (quantitative and qualitative)
- Apply the appropriate ethical dimensions of research for their specific research in the context of management and business
- Clearly articulate the research findings appropriately within the subject area
- Independently manage their own research project

Skills outcomes
Upon completion of this module students will be able to:
Transferable
- Identify research questions, extract relevant information and define justifiable conclusions
- Use current communication and information technology
- Find, evaluate and acknowledge and reference research sources
- Structure and communicate complex quantitative and qualitative information, ideas, analysis, argument and commentary in an appropriate academic format
- Exercise effective time management skills

Subject Specific
- Deploy the research skills necessary to identify key contemporary theories and relevant empirical research evidence in their chosen research field
-Explain the implications and relevance of the current knowledge boundaries in management and business


Syllabus

Indicative content
The syllabus for this module reflects the stages of a research project and will vary according to the research project selected. Following an initial consultation with the supervisor(s), the module will consist of mainly self-directed research directed by supervisors:
Proposing a topic discussed for approval by the supervisor(s) (who will usually be the intended supervisor(s) for the PhD).
Defining a research questions and problem
Evaluating competing methodological approaches (of a quantitative or qualitative nature)
Designing an appropriate research strategy
Data collection/review
Data analysis
Research conclusions
Writing up
Recommendations for future research

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Supervision101.0010.00
Private study hours590.00
Total Contact hours10.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)600.00

Private study

590 hours preparing dissertation

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Regular meeting with Supervisor who will help the student by:

- agreeing the dissertation outline, directing students towards relevant literature and other sources of information, and discussing appropriateness of theory and methodology;
- considering and finally approving the detail of the dissertation;
- reading a draft of the early chapters to provide feedback;
- reading a full draft of the dissertation so that again the student gets feedback prior to submission.

(Note: It is the student's responsibility to provide this draft within a reasonable time frame, supervisors will have several other drafts to read at the same time, as well as their normal duties).

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay or Dissertation12,500 words100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 13/07/2018

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