Dissertation & Research Methodology
• Research Methodology (2nd year option)
Course Coordinator: Dr Christine McLean
• UG Dissertation (3rd year option)
Course Coordinator: Dr Faith Hatani
What is a dissertation?
 Dissertation - independent and original piece
of research work
 Supervisor - advice and guidance.
 Word limit: approx. 15,000 to 18,000 words.
• Final-year option (Full Year - 30 credits)
• No timetabled lecture/seminar (one library
session & meetings with your supervisor)
• Assessment: Dissertation (100%)
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What is required?
 Secure a supervisor to register for UG
Dissertation (before the summer)
 Dissertation proposal submitted to UG office
in October (during your final year).
 Progress report to your supervisor before
Christmas. (1000-1500 words; not graded, but
the submission is compulsory)
 Full Dissertation - Week 11 of sem-2 in the
final year.
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BMAN31500 UG Dissertation
(Final year)
 Full detail of the dissertation course can be
found in the page ‘Dissertations’ of the
online UG handbook at;
https://ughandbook.portals.mbs.ac.uk/Myprogramme/
Dissertations.aspx
• Access to the Blackboard page once registered
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This is the
Dissertation page
(BMAN 31500)
More details are
provided in
sub-sections.
Please also read
attachments on each page.
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Research Methodology
• Prerequisite (Second Year, Semester 1)
Focuses on:
• Developing Research Questions
• How to conduct your Research & write a
Dissertation
• Linking RQs/Concepts/Literature/Assumptions
• Selecting Research Methods
• How to Plan & Organize Research Process
• Writing a Research Proposal
Lectures/ Seminars/ Feedback Surgeries
Course Outcomes
• Undergraduate Dissertations – overall
process – proposals, researching planning,
supervision, writing a dissertation...
• Postgraduate Research
• Coursework – presenting different arguments,
examining literature & evidence, writing
critical & coherent examinations of issues &
debates, reviewing papers & understanding
different perspectives & assumptions
Coursework
• Research Questions & Assumptions – Discuss
different methodological approaches &
assumptions - Select a research area/topic &
develop research questions. 1000 words – 30%
• Research Proposal – research questions,
conceptual & literature review (view of issues &
concepts; links to other studies), research
methods (data collection, presentation & ethics)
& plan. 2200 – 70%
Research Proposals: Examples
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Social Networking (Facebook, Twitter, Google +)
Uprising in North Africa – Arab Springs
Mobile Phone Technology (Android vs Apple)
Banking Crisis – Regulation, Impacts, Housing Mkt
Consumer Behr & Marketing – Nike, Obesity, Image…
Environmental Mgt & Sustainability – alternative energy
(petrol/electric/nuclear), solar/wind farms, plastic bags….
Music Piracy & revenue streams – CD vs MP3
Banking & M-Commerce
Management Accounting & Control in Orgns
Operations & Quality Mgt – TQM & Lean
Psychometric Testing in Orgn’s – Selection/Promotion
Stress & Motivation
Genetically Modified (GM) Foods