Dissertation Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the Masters Dissertation module, students will be able to:
1. Plan and complete a major research project on a contemporary business, financial, management or leadership topic and organise the findings into a comprehensive and explicit structure that is critically assessed and is linked to the conclusions drawn;
2. Demonstrate skills of analysis and synthesis in the selection and application of appropriate research methodology and method(s) to their chosen research topic;
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of innovative and contemporary research on the business and management community.;
4. Critically reflect on the processes involved in the research, including reflection upon their own ethical values and the contribution of the research to the topic area;
5. Acquire, interpret and apply specialist functional knowledge in relation to their programme of study (specialist programmes only).
Students will also illustrate and document progress within the dissertation process by providing an adequate set of working papers and log book.
Masters’ Programme Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: To develop the skills necessary for employment and career progression
1.1 Demonstrate awareness of personal strengths and weaknesses and the ability to engage in continuing self-development
1.2 Demonstrate the development of inter-personal and intra-personal skills
1.3 Demonstrate competence in contemporary analytical and ICT applications
Goal 2: Be culturally and ethically aware
2.1 Demonstrate their ability to work in culturally diverse groups and teams and make appropriate an personal contribution to team effectiveness
2.2 Reflect on their own ethical values
2.3 Understand the wider impact of individual or organisational decision making on social and environmental contexts
Goal 3: Have developed leadership and management capability
3.1 Analyse and communicate complex issues effectively
3.2 Demonstrate decision making, problem solving and project management skills
Goal 4: Have developed and applied knowledge of international business and management theory
4.1 Acquire, interpret and apply knowledge of international business, management and organisational functions
4.2 Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of innovative and contemporary research on the business and management community
4.3 Acquire, interpret and apply specialist functional knowledge in relation to their programme of study (specialist programmes only)
Goal 5: Have developed a range of research skills and project capabilities
5.1 Plan and complete a major piece of research or project on a contemporary business, financial, management or leadership topic
5.2 Demonstrate skills of analysis and synthesis in the application of research methods to the exploration of contemporary business and management issues
The Literature Review - This will include the following qualities:
- The topic of the dissertation will derive from a systematic body of knowledge;
- The review of this knowledge is made as current as possible;
- The knowledge is organised into a comprehensible and explicit structure;
- All major points are included and extraneous information omitted;
- Critical theoretical analysis/evaluation informs the choice of research approaches/methods;
- A summary is produced outlining the current state of the knowledge.
Research methodology and methods - A degree of proficiency in the understanding, selection and execution of research methodologies and methods must be evident. It is expected that these procedures will provide:
i) a defensible verification of the ideas put forward in the dissertation,
ii) development and exploration of the ideas in applied conditions. If an existing case is presented, sufficient secondary research must be attempted to produce a coherent and informed critical evaluation of that case.
It is also possible that the application of knowledge can be made under some other circumstances not directly indicated here, so long as the use of the knowledge is appropriate and illustrative.
The connection between the knowledge and the original case or primary data for the dissertation must be explicitly articulated and the case or data be presented as a valid and reliable means of verification of this knowledge. If the goal of the dissertation is not data based but conceptual in nature, then the validity and verifiability of the concepts must be established.
