RSCH09058 2023 Dissertation

General Details

Full Title
Dissertation
Transcript Title
Dissertation
Code
RSCH09058
Attendance
N/A %
Subject Area
RSCH - Research
Department
MKTS - Marketing, Tourism & Sport
Level
09 - NFQ Level 9
Credit
30 - 30 Credits
Duration
Semester
Fee
Start Term
2023 - Full Academic Year 2023-24
End Term
9999 - The End of Time
Author(s)
Suzanne Ryan, Catherine McGuinn
Programme Membership
SG_SMARK_M09 202300 Master of Science in Marketing SG_SMARM_M09 202300 Master of Science in Marketing SG_SMARL_M09 202300 Master of Science in Marketing
Description

The dissertation phase of the course aims to facilitate the student in drawing together the various aspects of the taught course with the academic skills developed and through engaging in a particular aspect of critical marketing study, relate the conclusions of their own area of practice.  The aim of this module is to enable students to undertake an ordered and critical investigation of the chosen research, which will demonstrate their ability to work independently at masters level, both in preparing and presenting their dissertation and subsequently. 

This process is designed to develop the skills and expertise required to facilitate the continued professional development of the student.  The dissertation will therefore, be indicative of the students research potential and will demonstrate an ability to extend the existing body of knowledge in the chosen field.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;

1.

Demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge and a practical understanding of how established techniques and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge;

2.

Develop analytical and critical appraisal skills that illustrate a conceptual understanding enabling the student to evaluate methodologies and, where appropriate, propose a new hypotheses;

3.

Demonstrate a clear reflective process, which enhances the student's own professional and personal development as a reflective, innovative practitioner able to approach practice as a dynamic agent for change;

4.

Select a contemporary marketing issue, determine Masters level research objectives, undertake a critical literature survey, set up an appropriate research design and deploy the chosen methods;

5.

Utilise appropriate concepts, theories and techniques, collect, analyse and present the data, qualitatively and or/quantitatively and draw appropriate conclusions,

6.

Present research in the form of dissertation to Masters standard in which research findings are communicated clearly, concisely and effectively;

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Self-directed learning.

 

Guidance/direction of a dissertation supervisor.

Module Assessment Strategies

 

Written dissertation 70%

Viva (20%) and Poster Presentation (10%) 30%

Repeat Assessments

Written dissertation 70%

Viva (20%) and Poster Presentation (10%) 30%

Indicative Syllabus

 Introduction: (LO 1 & 4)

•A brief outline of the background of the research

•Describes the key focus of the research issue

  

Review of Related Literature: (LO 4)

•Focused on the area of research

•Evaluation of prior research

• Informing the research process

 

 

Methodology: (LO 1 & 2)

•Research approach and justification

•How the results were analysed

•Limitations of the methodology

 

 

Results: (LO 1, 3 & 5)

• Must be logical and clearly articulated

•Must contain prose as well as tables and graphs

•Should contain the salient results only - appendices to be used appropriately

  

Discussions: (1, 3, 5 & 6)

• Critical and creative element

• Results explained and evaluated and related back to the literature

 

Conclusions: (LO 1, 3, 5 & 6)

•Key findings and conclusions

•Possible recommendations

• Limitations of the study and areas for further research

 

Coursework & Assessment Breakdown

Coursework & Continuous Assessment
100 %

Coursework Assessment

Title Type Form Percent Week Learning Outcomes Assessed
1 Written Report Dissertation Coursework Assessment Thesis 70 % Week 15 2,3,4,5,6
2 Viva and Poster Presentation Coursework Assessment Assessment 30 % End of Semester 1,2,3,4,5,6
             

Full Time Mode Workload


Type Location Description Hours Frequency Avg Workload
Supervision Not Specified Research Supervision 1 Weekly 1.00
Total Full Time Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 1.00 Hours

Online Learning Mode Workload


Type Location Description Hours Frequency Avg Workload
Supervision Not Specified Research Supervision 1 Weekly 1.00
Total Online Learning Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 1.00 Hours

Required & Recommended Book List

Recommended Reading
2010-12-20 Research Methods: The Basics Routledge
ISBN 0415489946 ISBN-13 9780415489942

Research Methods: The Basics is an accessible, user-friendly introduction to the different aspects of research theory, methods and practice. Structured in two parts, the first covering the nature of knowledge and the reasons for research, and the second the specific methods used to carry out effective research, this book covers:

  • Structuring and planning a research project
  • The ethical issues involved in research
  • Different types of data and data quality
  • Analysing and organising data to draw sound conclusions
  • Writing up and displaying data in effective ways

@text:Complete with a glossary of key terms and guides to further reading, this book is an essential text for anyone coming to research for the first time, and is widely relevant across the social sciences and humanities.

Recommended Reading
2005-04-21 Getting a PhD: An Action Plan to Help Manage Your Research, Your Supervisor and Your Project (Routledge Study Guides) Routledge
ISBN 0415344980 ISBN-13 9780415344982

This highly practical guide provides information that will help research students avoid needless mistakes. It informs and advises you about many of the important facets of postgraduate research, including:

  • what it means to conduct research at doctoral level
  • the requirements for independence, contribution to knowledge, originality and suitability for publication
  • planning a research project over a period of time
  • responsible research practice
  • criteria used in the examination of a PhD.

Getting a PhD is an essential handbook for PhD students and provides plenty of useful advice for Masters students or undergraduates conducting a research project.

Required Reading
2013-04-04 Doing Your Master's Dissertation SAGE Publications Limited
ISBN 1446263991 ISBN-13 9781446263990

'From finding a research topic through to the final write up, this clear guide takes the mystery out of graduate-level research. This book will help your project succeed' -James V. Spickard, Professor of Sociology, University of Redlands, US Just starting your Master's? Worried about your dissertation? This book is an indispensible guide to writing a successful Master's dissertation. The book begins by addressing issues you'll face in the early stages of writing a dissertation, such as deciding on what to research, planning your project and searching for literature online. It then guides you through different aspects of carrying out your research and writing up, helping you to: -write a research proposal - choose one or more methods - write the introduction and conclusion - discuss the literature - analyse your findings - edit and reference - formulate research questions - build your argument The book offers guidance that other books often miss, from dealing with emotional blocks, to ways of identifying your strengths and weaknesses, and improving your writing. It addresses the social aspects of the writing process, such as choosing and working with an advisor, using social media and forming student work groups for added help and inspiration. Each chapter ends with an action plan, which is a resource section that features exercises and reflection questions designed to help you apply what you've read to your own work. SAGE Study Skills are essential study guides for students of all levels. From how to write great essays and succeeding at university, to writing your undergraduate dissertation and doing postgraduate research, SAGE Study Skills help you get the best from your time at university.

Required Reading
2015 Business Research Methods Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN 9780199668649 ISBN-13 0199668647

An adaptation of 'Social Research Methods' by Alan Bryman, this volume provides a comprehensive introduction to the area of business research methods. It gives students an assessment of the contexts within which different methods may be used and how they should be implemented.

Required Reading
2018-11-05 Business Research Methods
ISBN 9780198809876 ISBN-13 0198809875

Business Research Methods is the complete introduction to doing business research and is an ideal guide for students embarking on a research project. Developed specifically with business and management students in mind, this textbook explores the nature and purpose of business research and the issues it entails, while also providing students with practical advice through "Tips and skills" boxes. In addition to a broad range of relevant examples,the book features a substantial discussion of ethics, and a strong emphasis on the most frequent challenges faced by students, such as choosing a research question, planning a project, and writing it up.Fresh voices and perspectives run throughout this edition. New author, Bill Harley, further internationalizes the book's coverage, based on his expertise in the Australian business and management context. Also hear from Amrit, Jordan, Anna, Ed, and Alex - an additional five students whose personalinsights and advice in the "student experience" feature help you avoid common mistakes, and follow their successful strategies when undertaking your own research project.This edition has been extensively revised, updated, and streamlined. Coverage of E-Research is now woven throughout the entire book to reflect the centrality of internet-based research methods. The book is accompanied by a suite of online resources that include: For students:* Multiple choice questions* Research Project guide * Interviews with students * Data sets * Using Excel in data analysis (in Excel)* Web linksFor lecturers:* Test bank* Discussion questions* PowerPoint slides * Lecturer's guide * Case studies * Figures and plates from the text* VLE cartridge

Required Reading
2023-03-27 Research Methods Pearson
ISBN 1292402725 ISBN-13 9781292402727
Required Reading
2019 Doing Academic Research
ISBN 0367207931 ISBN-13 9780367207939

Online student resource material cab be accessed under the 'Support Materials' tab at https: //www.routledge.com/9780367207939 Doing Academic Research is a concise, accessible, and tightly organized overview of the research process in the humanities, social sciences, and business. Conducting effective scholarly research can seem like a frustrating, confusing, and unpleasant experience. Early researchers often have inconsistent knowledge and experience, and can become overwhelmed - reducing their ability to produce high quality work. Rather than a book about research, this is a practical guide to doing research. It guides budding researchers along the process of developing an effective workflow, where to go for help, and how to actually complete the project. The book addresses diversity in abilities, interest, discipline, and ways of knowing by focusing not just on the process of conducting any one method in detail, but also on the ways in which someone might choose a research method and conduct it successfully. Finally, it emphasizes accessibility and approachability through real-world examples, key insights, tips, and tricks from active researchers. This book is a highly useful addition to both content area courses and research methods courses, as well as a practical guide for graduate students and independent scholars interested in publishing their research.

Required Reading
2019-04-30 Introduction to Research Methods 5th Edition Robinson
ISBN 1408711052 ISBN-13 9781408711057

Introduction to Research Methods contains everything from developing an initial idea into a proposal, through to analysing data and reporting results. Whether you have to undertake a project as part of your coursework, or as part of your employment, or simply because you are fascinated by something you have observed and want to find out more, this book offers you advice on how to turn your ideas into a workable project. Specifically it will show you how to: *Choose your research methods *Choose your participants *Prepare a research proposal *Construct questionnaires *Conduct interviews and focus groups *Analyse your data *Report your findings *Be an ethical researcher

Required Reading
2022 Business Research Methods Oxford University Press
ISBN 9780198869443 ISBN-13 0198869444

This extremely popular text is the complete introduction to doing business research and is the ideal guide for students embarking on a research project.The authors have extensively revised this sixth edition to make it the most engaging and relevant text available. New chapters on quantitative methods and visual research offer extensive coverage of these areas and even greater practical support in applying these techniques, while cutting-edgematerial on inclusivity and bias in research, feminist perspectives, and decolonial and indigenous research is also introduced.'Student experience' features provide practical tips, presenting personal insights and advice from fellow students to help you avoid common mistakes and follow others' successful strategies when undertaking your own research project. For the sixth edition, the 'Research in Focus' features provide agreater global range of examples, including new case studies from China, Denmark, Germany, Spain, and India, all of which demonstrate how fascinating and essential research can be.Above all else, the book places strong emphasis on those challenges faced most frequently by students, such as choosing a research question, planning a project, and writing it up. Presenting essential topics in a concise way, Business Research Methods will provide you with key information withoutbecoming overwhelming: it is now even clearer, more focused, and more relevant than ever before.The e-book offers a mobile experience and convenient access: www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/ebooksThis book is accompanied by the following online resources:For studentsVideo tutorials covering SPSS, Nvivo, R, and Stata.Self-test multiple choice questions with answer feedbackResearch project guideVideo interviews with students and lecturersLinks to additional resources (articles, data repositories, and third-party guides)Guide to using Excel in data analysisFlashcard glossaryFor lecturersPowerPoint presentationsAdditional case studiesDiscussion questionsLecturer's guide (includes suggested lecture outlines, problem-spotting, and practical teaching tips)Test bank containing multiple choice questionsFigures from the text

Required Reading
2019 Research Methods for Business Students
ISBN 1292208783 ISBN-13 9781292208787

"This accessible and clearly written textbook provides a comprehensive and in-depth treatment of philosophical, methodological and ethical aspects of conducting business and management research. Illustrative case studies drawing on published research studies are used throughout and readers are given multiple opportunities to consolidate their learning through review and discussion questions, quizzes, and other exercises. At the end of each chapter a case study takes the reader through the realities and practicalities of applying the knowledge to a specific student research project. This will be an invaluable guide for all students seeking to understand and undertake business and management research." Professor Natasha Mauthner, Newcastle University With over 400,000 copies sold, Research Methods for Business Students, is the definitive and market-leading textbook for Business and Management students conducting a research-led project or dissertation. The fully revised 8th edition answers key questions such as: How do I choose my topic and design the research? Why is research philosophy relevant to my research? How do I collect and analyse my data? When and what do I need to write? With the 8th edition you will discover: Fully updated chapters incorporating visual methods throughout, detailed insights on drafting the critical literature review, the latest EU data protection regulations, using audio recordings and visual images in observation research, collecting data using diaries, the use of online survey tools, and preparing and presenting an academic poster New cases using up-to-date scenarios at the end of each chapter Boxed examples throughout of research methods in the news, from student research and in published management research A glossary of clear definitions of over 700 research-related terms Practical guidance and opportunities for checking your learning and self-reflection to enable you to progress your own research Detailed chapters on choosing your topic, critically reviewing the literature, understanding philosophies, research design, access and ethics, secondary data, data collection methods and analysis techniques and writing about and presenting your research Teach yourself guides to research software available at www.pearsoned.co.uk/saunders with practice data sets About the authors Mark NK Saunders is Professor of Business Research Methods and Director of Postgraduate Research Programmes at Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham. Philip Lewis was a Principal Lecturer and Adrian Thornhill was a Head of Department, both at the University of Gloucestershire.

Module Resources

Non ISBN Literary Resources

 

Updated Literary Resources
Journal Resources
URL Resources
Other Resources

None

Additional Information

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