Skip to main content Skip to navigation

IB9Z9-45 Dissertation

Department
Warwick Business School
Level
Taught Postgraduate Level
Module leader
Roland Kassemeier
Credit value
45
Module duration
15 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

Introductory description

The module aims to allow students to synthesise, apply and extend the knowledge they have gained in the taught component of their course. The investigation of a contemporary research topic will help to develop students' theoretical and practical understanding of current problems in their pathway area, as well as their research and communication skills. Emphasis will be placed on taking a critical approach to the assumptions of prior literature and the methodologies they adopt to address their research question.

Module web page

Module aims

Students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an in-depth comprehension of the current literature in the topic area, including the boundaries of current
    knowledge and where these may be extended.
  • Understand the limitations of knowledge in their chosen area.
  • Construct and sustain an argument through a major piece of work.
  • Critically review relevant literature leading to the formation of testable hypotheses or research questions.
  • Use appropriate conceptual models for developing hypotheses or research questions
  • Develop, apply and interpret the outcome of appropriate tests of the hypotheses/ research questions.
  • Apply appropriate analytical methods to test hypotheses or explore findings answering their research question.
  • Fully appreciate and thoroughly explain the limitations of the research project and explain how these could be overcome by future research; be realistic in what conclusions can safely be drawn as a result of their own research.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Students will be allocated an individual supervisor to undertake planning and execution. Lectures will include:
Selecting a dissertation topic
Research methodology and selection
Reviewing literature
Proposal planning.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate an in-depth comprehension of the current literature in the topic area, including the boundaries of current knowledge and where these may be extended.
  • Critically review relevant literature leading to the formation of testable hypotheses or research questions
  • Understand the limitations of knowledge and current technologies in their chosen area.
  • Fully appreciate and thoroughly explain the limitations of the research project and describe how these could be overcome by future research; be realistic in what conclusions can safely be drawn as a result of their own research

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Research element

Dissertation (Literature Review, Hypothesis Development, Data Collection and Analysis, Deriving Implications for Theory and Practics)

Interdisciplinary

Dependent on dissertation topic

International

Dependent on dissertation topic

Subject specific skills

Use appropriate conceptual models for developing hypotheses or research questions
Develop, apply and interpret the outcome of appropriate tests of the hypotheses or research questions.
Apply appropriate analytical methods to investigate their research question.

Transferable skills

Use university/library resources to generate information/datasets for use in the project.
Written communication.

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 10 sessions of 1 hour (2%)
Tutorials 6 sessions of 1 hour (1%)
Assessment 434 hours (96%)
Total 450 hours

Private study description

No private study requirements defined for this module.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A2
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assessment component
Dissertation (45 CATS) 100% 434 hours No
Reassessment component is the same
Feedback on assessment

Dissertations are graded using standard University Postgraduate Marking Criteria and personalised, individual written feedback is provided.

Courses

This module is Core optional for:

  • Year 1 of TIBS-N500 MSc in Marketing and Strategy