Run by Bangor Business School

60.000 Credits or 30.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 3

Organiser: Prof Owain ap Gwilym

This module introduces you to research in action and therefore provides an opportunity to initiate, plan, and accomplish a substantial piece of research work. Undertaking a dissertation will entail writing an extensive review of the existing published theoretical and empirical literature on a clearly defined topic followed by conducting a piece of quantitative or qualitative research on the topic chosen. Thus you will have the opportunity to undertake fieldwork in your chosen area of interest.

There is no set syllabus as the tasks required will depend on the topic chosen.

good

Average Standard (B- to B): 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.

High Standard (B to B+): Very good performance 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

Excellent standard (A- to A*): 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.

threshold

Satisfactory standard (C- to C+): 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

1. Make use of library and electronic resources to identify literature and locate data.

2. Identify a suitable topic for research.

3. Plan, organise and manage an extensive research project on the chosen topic.

4. Compile, edit, and present a substantial research report.

5. Apply appropriate analytical, statistical, IT, research design, writing and other research skills in order to present relevant theoretical and/or empirical evidence on the chosen topic.

6. Synthesize and critically appraise a body of academic literature.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
DISSERTATION	Dissertation	A written report that includes the full description of a research project undertaken by the student. It would include title page, table of contents, abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, findings, discussion, conclusion and recommendations. References as well as relevant appendices are excluded from the word count.	100.00

		Hours
	Students will have up to 12 hours of contact time with staff to gain guidance and feedback on the write-up of the dissertation. It would be anticipated that although students would do the majority of the work over the summer months that they would be allocated a supervisor in semester 1 and therefore be able to have some preliminary meetings to explore topics prior to starting the summer semester. This is important sine students would likely progress the topic undertaken during the summer project to the PhD phase.	12
Lecture	One 2 hour lecture a the beginning of the summer term will introduce students to the background of the module and the requirements. A further 2 hour session will discuss ethical issues and codes of conduct for undertaking research.	4
Private study		484
Fieldwork	Independent but supervisor guided fieldwork to collect empirical data that forms that basis of the dissertation findings.	100

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
• Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
• Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

• Research: the ability to analyse and evaluate a range of business data, sources of information and appropriate methodologies, which includes the need for strong digital literacy, and to use that research for evidence-based decision-making.
• Articulating and effectively explaining information.
• Conceptual and critical thinking, analysis, synthesis and evaluation.
• Self-management: a readiness to accept responsibility and flexibility, to be resilient, self-starting and appropriately assertive, to plan, organise and manage time.

Compulsory in courses:

• N1BP: MSc Research Methodology year 1 (MSC/RM)