Overview

This module will introduce students to the key tenets of planning, designing, conducting and writing-up an effective research proposal and 3rd year undergraduate dissertation for business and management. Participants will be required to draft a proposal for a short research project within business management (and related) areas. This will include (but is not limited to) the formulation of a research hypothesis/ research question, set of aims, objectives, brief literature review and proposed methodology and timescale etc. Students will then be supported through the principles underpinning a quality research project and will receive support through one to one supervision through to the completion of their third year dissertation. The dissertation should include (but not limited to) the formulation of a (revised) research hypothesis/ research question, set of aims, objectives, detailed critical literature review and methodology including research methods theory and analysis, conclusions, limitations and recommendations. The final submission should appropriately on its subject matter from any area of business management or marketing.

Assessment Strategy

Threshold: D- to D+ (40-49%): No major omissions or inaccuracies in the deployment of information/skills. Some grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements. Integration of theory/practice/information present intermittently in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives.

Good: Lower 2nd Class: C- to C+ (50-59%): Much of the relevant information and skills mostly accurately deployed. Adequate grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements. Fair integration of theory/practice/information in the pursuit of the assessed work's objectives. Some evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills.

Very good: Upper 2nd Class: B- to B+ (60-69%): Most of the relevant information accurately deployed. Good grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements. Good integration of theory/practice/information in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives. Evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills.

Excellent: First Class: A- to A* (70% +): An outstanding performance, exceptionally able. The relevant information accurately deployed. Excellent grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practice elements. Good integration of theory/practice/information in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives. Strong evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills.

Learning Outcomes

• An ability to synthesise and critically appraise a body of academic or industrial literature to generate a research proposal.

• An appreciation and application of quality measures (such as reliability & validity) for measuring and reflecting on the quality of academic research projects

• An awareness of the issues facing businesses while focusing on a specific knowledge area while choosing across a wide spectrum of management topics, including but not limited by operations, human resources, marketing, entrepreneurship, information, and finance.

• Appreciate the purpose of key aspects of planning and carrying out research into business and management

• Demonstrate academic data collection and analysis skills appropriate to level 6 (3rd year UGT) for conducting academically informed research

• Demonstrate key presentation, organisation and writing-up skills through planning, editing and compiling a substantial research dissertation.