MMM090-Dissertation

Module Provider: Business Informatics, Systems and Accounting
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring / Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: MMM049 Accounting and Finance Project
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Lei Tao
Email: lei.tao@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

To provide students with an understanding of the main research skills necessary to undertake an original piece of research atÌýMastersÌýlevel.Ìý

Aims:

To give students an awareness of the appropriate use of methodology, theory, data, literature review, and original research in aÌýMastersÌýdissertation. To enable students to produce a piece of original research.Ìý

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:Ìý

1. Assemble a literature review on a given topic which provides a synthesis and?critical analysis of the relevant literature.Ìý


2. Understand the main methodological questions concerning research in management and the social sciences.Ìý


3. Appreciate the different main approaches towards the integration of theory into a research project.Ìý


4. Assess the suitability and usefulness of alternative sources of data for the analysis of research questions.Ìý


5. Compose a research proposal outlining a research project suitable for aÌýMastersÌýlevel dissertation.Ìý


6. Produce an original dissertation, which critically analyses aÌýparticular researchÌýquestion and examines this question using appropriate data and methodology.Ìý

Additional outcomes:

Students will develop an understanding of the research process and the main challenges encountered in undertaking a research project. Their skillsÌýwith regard toÌýorganising and executing such a project will be enhanced. Skills regarding the collection and analysis of data, the surveying and synthesis of existing literature on a topic, the application of theoretical models to practical questions, and the preparation and production of substantial reports will also be improved. They will also be able to produce a structured research proposal.Ìý

Outline content:

• TheÌýnature and practice of researchÌý

• The literature review process and the composition of a literature reviewÌý

• The nature and role of methodology in management researchÌý

• The role and application of theory in management researchÌý

• Quantitative and qualitative data sourcesÌý

• Data analysis and writing-up research findings?Ìý

Global context:

The content is based on global accounting standards and international financial management policies and practices. It also involves studying global institutions and corporations. ?Ìý

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module is delivered based on 1Ìý1hourÌýsession providing general guidance on research methods and paradigms as well as providing information on the specific aspects of the dissertation that students would need to pay attention to. Students are then provided with one to one supervision meetings for their dissertation over the spring and summerÌýtermsÌýso they are provided with the support specifically tailored to their needs. Students are expected to readÌýa number of r eferences provided by their supervisors.Ìý

Contact hours:

Ìý	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	1
Project Supervision		20
Guided independent study:	Ìý	Ìý	Ìý
Ìý Ìý Wider reading (independent)	10	129
Ìý Ìý Preparation of practical report	10
Ìý Ìý Dissertation writing		100	130
Ìý	Ìý	Ìý	Ìý
Total hours by term	21	249	130
Ìý	Ìý	Ìý	Ìý
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	20
Dissertation	80

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

TheÌýinitialÌýliterature review word limit is 4,000. No excess will be read. Submission for this will be in weekÌý1 Summer term.ÌýÌý

The final dissertation word limit is 10,000-12,000 words. This includes the reference list but does not include the appendix if there are any. No excess will be read. Submission for this will be inÌýfirst week of September in the same year.Ìý

Formative assessment methods:

Students are required to provide drafts of the main parts of the dissertation and the final draft. They are provided with the feedback on all written work which allows them to improve their final draft that they submit in summer.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

It is a requirement of the award of the MSc that students pass this module with 50%.Ìý

Reassessment arrangements:

By resubmission of the dissertation (with the dissertation now carrying 100% weight). Students only have the right to be reassessed once.Ìý

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Printing and binding:

Two bound copies.Ìý Following the price at the time of printing and binding.

Last updated: 22 September 2022