NX9625 - Dissertation

This module is designed to enable you to be actively engaged in research-rich learning. The module is research-based but is also informed by a research-orientated and research-tutored and research-led curriculum.
The lectures introduce you to the underpinning knowledge necessary for undertaking an individual student-led investigation into an applied business problem or issue. The workshop-seminars provide you with the opportunity to put this knowledge into practice for your own proposed research area. You will develop team and peer-review skills through group activities and reflection upon them, helping you to identify areas for development in relation to the dissertation.
The one-to-one or small-group supervisions give you the opportunity to seek guidance on the research process. Your supervisor will not instruct you but will provide you with on-going formative feedback on your progress as you engage with the dissertation process.

A detailed guidelines handbook is provided for all students via the eLP.

A supporting reading list provides you with key references to enable you to undertake a more detailed and in-depth review of the research approach and methods that you choose to adopt for your own research. Examples of past dissertations are also available.

Assessment-for-learning
Formative Assessment will take place through applied group-based activities in workshop-seminars. You will be encouraged to discuss your research through peer-review activities and discussions. You will receive on-going formative feedback from your supervisor following the submission of your research proposal and throughout the period of your engagement with the dissertation process.
Summative Assessment: Submission of a research dissertation

The selection of a suitable dissertation topic rests with you, the student. However, to achieve this, you will be supported by the following academic staff:
• Lecture tutors
• Seminar-workshop tutors, who will usually be from, or have an interest in, your programme subject area, or a related field
• Supervisor, who will usually be from, or have an interest in, your programme subject area, or a related field
In addition you will be provided with support from your peers in the seminar-workshops. These seminar-workshops are typically based upon programme cohorts, so you will be grouped alongside other members from your particular degree programme or field.

The module is supported by an e-learning portal, which acts as a repository for: lecture materials, seminar-workshops exercises and materials, exemplar dissertations, assessment details. In addition the eLP houses the online reading list (including direct links to textbooks, journal papers, academic and conference reports) and various support facilities such as the recordings of certain lectures.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

By the end of this module, you should be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Apply and critically evaluate appropriate concepts, theories and models. (MLO1)
2. Establish a framework in which to appraise, analyse and synthesise the results of primary or secondary research. (MLO2)

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

3. Undertake independent primary or secondary research, adopting an evaluative and critical perspective throughout this research, thereby critically reflecting upon the research topic and approach to its study. (MLO3)

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

4. Generate and analyse relevant primary or secondary data using an appropriate level of, and critically justified, method while critically evaluating the limitations of the data source/s and the method/s employed. (MLO4)
5. Critically evaluate the ethical implications of the research work undertaken. (MLO5)
6. Develop and appraise key employability capabilities, including: time management, project management, communication (written and verbal), negotiation, persuasion and influence, discovery, initiative, creativity and innovation in problem-solving and analysis as a means of assessing personal development. (MLO6)

The module assessment comprises one component
• Dissertation of 10,000 words, (which must contain a 1,000 word max. research proposal and 500 word max reflection as an appendix)
This will address MLO1, MLO2, MLO3, MLO4, MLO5 and ML06.

Formative assessment will take place through applied group-based activities in workshop-seminars. You will be encouraged to discuss your research through peer review activities and discussions. You will receive on-going formative feedback from your supervisor following the submission of your research proposal and throughout the period of your engagement with the dissertation process.

Full and detailed handbook of guidance will be given on this assessment. The eLP will be used to permanently host this detailed guidance, also a copy of the marking criteria, to ensure that students can access it throughout the dissertation process

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This module provides you with the opportunity to examine, in depth, a business-management challenge of direct interest and/or that vexes you within your work or social life. Following initial weekly lectures and seminar-workshops, which provide an introduction to undertaking Business-Management research, you will work with a supervisor to identify a suitable research area, to generate empirical (primary) or secondary data, to analyse this data and to draw theoretically informed conclusions.

The module aims to equip you with the necessary intellectual and practical skills for undertaking your individual student-led, ethical investigation, while alongside, it also aims to equip you with key transferable, employability skills, including: time management, project management, communication (written and verbal), negotiation, persuasion and influence, discovery, initiative, creativity and innovation in problem-solving, analysis.

You will be assessed through two tasks: the development of an initial research proposal and the submission of a final dissertation.