Studying at York
Dissertation in Management Studies - MAN00117M
- Department: The York Management School
- Credit value: 50 credits
- Credit level: M
- Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Autumn Term 2022-23 to Spring Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
The dissertation is a research-based activity involving sustained private study over the summer term and the summer vacation, culminating in the submission of a dissertation of not more than 8000 words. The aim of the dissertation is to develop and exhibit your abilities to initiate, design, and implement a research project, and to write-up the results of this.
By undertaking a longer piece of sustained research and writing, students will demonstrate critical analytical skills; ability to gather data and draw together information from a range of sources; writing and presentational skills; and subject-specific knowledge. As this is a self-study module, you will also draw on the skills that you have acquired throughout your whole degree, including self-management, working to deadlines and subject knowledge.
Module learning outcomes
Academic and graduate skills
Successful completion of the dissertation will demonstrate that students are able to:
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Undertake a research project
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Apply knowledge of research philosophy and methods
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Undertake empirical research involving the collection of primary data (where appropriate)
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Undertake secondary analysis of existing data and information (where appropriate)
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Critically analyse significant bodies of literature in the chosen topic area
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Prepare and write a well-presented and substantial piece of academic research
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Engage with ethical issues in undertaking research
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Critically reflect on the research skills and their relationship to future development and employability
Module content
In preparing the dissertation proposal and the dissertation itself, students will:
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Critically engage with relevant literature in relation to their named degree
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Identify a meaningful research question/topic/problem
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Engage with the key issues and questions arising in the topic area
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Identify and deploy an appropriate research methodology
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Collect and analyse data (where appropriate)
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Extrapolate key findings
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Consider the contribution of the dissertation to scholarship, policy, and practice as appropriate
The "Dissertation Proposal", to be completed by week 5 of the summer term, will consist of the following elements:
- Indication of relevant literature and topic context
- Identification of a specific research problem/question(s)/topic
- Identification and explanation of an appropriate research method
- Research plan including an indication of potential data sources
- Completion of Ethics Approval
Written feedback on the proposal will be provided, which will feed-forward into the completion of the dissertation itself.
The last 500 words of the final dissertation should be a reflective statement on the research process, looking back over the year as a whole, what challenges the student encountered and what they learned in the process.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 80 |
| Essay/coursework | 20 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
Student feedback will be in accordance with UYMS and University policy.
Written feedback from both examiners is released to students after the final exam board. In cases of a marginal fail where minor amendments are permitted, students will be given written guidance on the required amendments.
Indicative reading
Bryman, A., & Bell, E. (2015). Business research methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Buchanan, D. A., & Bryman, A. (Eds.) (2009) The Sage handbook of organizational research methods. London: Sage.
Neuman, W.L. (2011) Social research methods: qualitative and quantitative approaches. Boston and London: Pearson Education
Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2016) Research methods for business students (7th edn.). London: Pearson.
Symon, G., & Cassell, C. (2012). Qualitative organizational research: core methods and current challenges. London: Sage.
Yin, R. (1994). Case study research: Design and methods. Beverly Hills. CA: Sage publishing.
Neuman, W.L. (2011) Social research methods: qualitative and quantitative approaches. Boston and London:Pearson Education