Course Catalogue

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The course consists of several linked elements building towards the final dissertation, which is a major piece of original research.

Research methods covered through 24 hours of workshops and lectures, during both first and second terms.

40 hours over a week of a consultancy project to produce a self-reflection on the practice of gathering and analysing information for a client.

Time for supervision to be arranged between student and supervisor.

Students need to meet the requirements for progression to the dissertation based on the taught courses of the programmes as detailed in the Code of Assessment.

As part of the second component of the process, a 1500-word individual reflection representing 15% of the mark is submitted. An individual piece of work of around 15,000 to 20,000 words represents the other 85% or the mark.

The course consists of several linked elements building towards the final dissertation, which is a major piece of independent work. Each component of the course has different objectives.

The first component is Research Methods, which aims to:

■ Inform students what is required from the course

■ Build students' abilities in selecting an appropriate topic

■ Build students' abilities in selecting an appropriate research method

■ Develop writing skills and data presentation

The second component is a period of reflective practice, result from the consultancy project in which students gather information and help clients analyse and solve business problems in a structured way another organisation participating in the wider MBA programme. This will:

■ Give space to reflect on the application of theoretical insights encountered during the MBA and apply them to real business problems

■ Develop team working and presentation skills

■ Provide the opportunity for students to experience the corporate environment and the use of research in organisations

The third and final component is the dissertation itself. The aims of the dissertation are to:

■ Allow students to develop their independent research skills,

■ Enhance the ability to evaluate critically material when dealing with secondary data (such as academic sources and market data)

■ Build awareness of issues surrounding the appropriateness of various primary data collection and data analysis methods

■ Implement empirical research where necessary in relation to research design

■ Develop time management skills when dealing with research project issues

■ Contribute to the students' ability to work independently and to prosecute major projects of the type that are undertaken in the corporate environment.

By the end of the three stages of this MBA project, students will be able to:

1. Confidently identify, select, retrieve and critically evaluate appropriate sources of information, data and literature to address key questions according to established academic frameworks

2. Identify actual or potential gaps in this data and propose suitable methodologies to fill or take account of them

3. Present a synthesis and critical overview of the relevant literature

4. Develop a plan/proposal for a specific management problem 

5. Generate and evaluate critically competing approaches to addressing such problem

6. Assess critically, design and apply a range of research and analytical techniques and tools to gather and analyse data relevant to the project

7. Demonstrate skills in problem solving

8. Present the findings and draw appropriate conclusions that relate to problems identified

9. Communicate a complex extended argument effectively in writing

10. Execute and deliver a complex task to deadline

11. Reflect on their own experiences so that they can apply enhanced research and administration skills to their own professional practice

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.