Module title
Business Based Dissertation
Module code
INT3601
Academic year(s)
2015/6
Credits
30
Basic module details
Module staff
Andrew Charles Vaughan Prince - Lecturer
Duration (weeks) - term 1
Duration (weeks) - term 2
10
Duration (weeks) - term 3
5
Number students taking module (anticipated)
40
Description - summary of the module content
Module description
As written English is the preferred medium for the majority of University assessments, this Module provides a timely and
relevant guide to the process. Including both secondary and primary research, consideration of ethical issues & academic
criticism on the journey to producing of an extended piece of written work (6,000 words), as well as a presentation based upon
the student experience of the process, this Module helps prepare students for academic research and writing.
Module aims - intentions of the module
Module aims
The module will prepare students for assignment and dissertation writing. The dissertation itself brings together all the skills
and knowledge students have gained in the taught programme. It gives students the opportunity to apply these skills to a
specific business based programme. Students will be encouraged to develop independent study skills and be given an
opportunity to develop their communication and preparation skills.
Intended learning outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
1. demonstrate understanding of how to make correct use of source material for study
2. demonstrate skills in data collection and research for writing a dissertation
3. give an oral presentation on your dissertation
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
4. analyse research data
5. apply theory to a practical situation
6. evaluate research material
ILO: Personal and key skills
7. demonstrate self- management skills including the ability to set personal objectives, manage time and tasks and evaluate
your own performance
8. learn effectively and be aware of your own learning strategies, learning independently and co-operatively
Syllabus plan
Syllabus plan
Term 2
Study skills for writing assessments:
• Note-taking
• Using reference sources
• Paraphrasing, summarising, quotation
• Presentation of written work
• Qualitative and quantitative research methods
• Researching and writing the dissertation
• Oral presentation of key findings
Learning and teaching
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching
Activities
Guided independent study
Placement / study abroad
30
270
0
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category
Hours of study time
Description
Contact hour
10
Lectures
10
Seminars
10
Tutorials
Secondary Research
120
Collecting, evaluating and describing
other published works on the chosen
subject
Primary Research
120
Designing, implementing and evaluating
a small-scale research project
Presentation preparation and rehearsal
30
Summarising the research &
dissertation, including critical reflection.
Assessment
Formative assessment
Form of assessment
Size of the assessment (eg
length / duration)
ILOs assessed
Feedback method
Review of draft chapters
Not specified
1, 2, 5, 6, 7 & 8
E-mail or verbal
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework
Written exams
Practical exams
80
0
20
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment
% of credit
Size of the
assessment (eg
length / duration)
ILOs assessed
Feedback method
Project Proposal
including preliminary
theoretical literature
reviews
20
1,500 words
1,2,5,6
Written
Dissertation
60
6,000 words
1,2,4,5,6
Written
1 individual
presentation of the
dissertation findings
20
15 minutes
1-6
Verbal and written
0
0
0
Re-assessment
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
Original form of assessment Form of re-assessment
ILOs re-assessed
Timescale for reassessment
Dissertation
1,2,4,5,6
1 week
Re-submission
Re-assessment notes
Resources
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Collis, J. & Hussey, R. (2014). Business Research, A Practical guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students (th Ed.).
Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.
Howard, K. & Sharp, J. A. (1996). The Management of a Student Research Project. Aldershot: Gower. ISBN: 0566006138
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3294
University of Exeter Library online catalogue
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
None
Other details
Module ECTS
15
Module pre-requisites
Module co-requisites
NQF level (module)
6
Available as distance learning?
No
Origin date
2001
Last revision date
24/08/2015
Key words search
Research, dissertation, data, methodology