MG5642 Main Objective of the Assessment This module aims to allow you to conduct a piece of research, including the identification of the research enquiry, data collection and analysis and the presentation

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MG5642 PG Dissertation Coursework Assignment Brief 2024-25 | BUL

MG5642 Main Objective of the Assessment

This module aims to allow you to conduct a piece of research, including the identification of the research enquiry, data collection and analysis and the presentation of the results. The dissertation module, through the supervision of an academic member, develops you as an independent learner and brings together the knowledge and skills gained in the programme for the analysis of a specific research or business problem.

The module provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas: (A) Knowledge and Understanding 1. To critically evaluate relevant research and scholarship within the field of within the field of International Business. Cognitive (thinking) Skills 2. To choose and apply within a chosen business context appropriate techniques and enquiry, given the research problem (or question) addressed. 3. To propose, present, and critically evaluate a set of recommendations as a possible solution to the research problem addressed (or an answer to the research question) (C) Other Skills and Attributes (Practical/Professional/Transferable) 4. To communicate complex ideas and concepts in a clear, concise and articulate manner.

MG5642 Description of the Assessment

The Dissertation consists of 12,000 words (this word limit does not include references or appendices, but everything else), and the ethical approval needs to be included in the Appendix. 

Format

  • Dissertations must contain no more than 12,000 words, as measured by the standard word count available on Microsoft Word.  This includes all the text starting from Chapter 1 (anything before the first word of Chapter 1 does not count) but excluding the list of References list and the Appendices (if any).
  • Dissertations should have appropriate spacing (either single-line spaced or 1.5 line spaced), with a 3.5cm left-hand margin (to allow for binding) and 2.5cm top and bottom margins.
  • The recommended fonts are: Arial (or any other standard, modern font) or Times New Roman (should you prefer a more ‘traditional’ font).  Text should be in 11 or 12 point.  Chapter headings should be larger, that is, in either 12, 14 or 16 point.
  • Insert a page number at the bottom of the Dissertation in Word, click ‘insert page number’.
  • Chapters, sections and sub-sections should be numbered using standard report formats (for example, ‘Chapter 1: Introduction’; ‘1.1 The research problem’).
  • The title page should include: Dissertation title, your student ID number.  All title page text should be centred and presented in 18-point Arial font.
  • The Abstract should be no more than 250 words, summarising the whole Dissertation and highlighting your key findings.
  • It is essential to provide references for ALL source material that you use in your Dissertation using the Harvard format (for example, books, articles, reports, newspapers, webpages).  This includes citing sources in the text and providing full references in the list of References.  Additional guidance on how to cite/reference can be obtained from the Library.

Structure

The precise structure and presentation of your Dissertation will depend in part on the research and the approach that you have adopted. The following structure is typical (‘typical’ does not mean ‘required’):

  • Cover sheet.  However, if you forget to do this, you will not lose any marks, so there is no need to ‘take back’ any version and upload a new one if you forget.  As long as we have your student ID number on the front, this is sufficient in order for us to identify your work (this is the point of the coversheet).
  • Title page
  • Abstract
  • Acknowledgements
  • Table of contents page
  • List of figures page
  • List of tables page
  • Chapter 1: Introduction.  This chapter should include: background to the research area, problem definition/research gap, aims and objectives, proposed methodology and expected contribution and may also include a brief Dissertation outline.
  • Chapter 2: Literature review (you may insert a more meaningful title, based on the research area).  It is unlikely that you will need two chapters for this, but if you do, then you are free to do so.  This guidance, in this document, assumes that you will not (because, normally, you do not). This chapter should discuss the academic literature relevant to your research questions.
  • Chapter 3: Research methods.  Here you present and justify your research approach, method used, and the rest, that is, what data was gathered, and when, and how.
  • Chapter 4: Results/Findings.  Here, you present your analysis and the results/findings from the data that you gathered.
  • Chapter 5: Discussion/conclusion/recommendations. Here you summarise the whole piece of research, highlight what you have found/what contribution your study has made, state the limitations, set out the future work and state the practical or other implications to research and/or practice. 
  • References (Harvard referencing style).
  • Appendices (this may include, say, the questionnaire or other instrument used, the letter from the Research Ethics Committee).

There is no fixed allocation of words for particular sections/chapters; it is a matter of judgement (your judgement, not ours), within the overall word limit.  When initially allocating a word length to your chapters (and also when editing chapters at a later stage), you should take into account the kind of research you have undertaken (for example, some research questions may justify slightly longer literature reviews; largely quantitative research studies may require fewer words in the Results/Findings chapter, as findings can be summarised using graphs).  

Appendices should be used for relevant material that cannot be inserted in the main text without disturbing the logical flow and are cross-referenced in the Dissertation. 

  • Data Set: students do not have to submit their data set with the Dissertation. However, they must be able to produce a data set (e.g. statistical spreadsheets for quantitative studies and transcripts or other materials for qualitative studies) on demand.  

We recommend that you read several research methods textbooks, focusing on relevant chapters, and use these sources to support your arguments in the Dissertation. You can also learn a lot about research – including theory, concepts, evidence, methods, and presentation – by reading examples of published academic research (for example, journal articles, dissertations, theses and reports).  Just one warning: remember that other researchers may follow different sets of guidelines (for example, for report structure and referencing), than those specified for this Dissertation.

PG mark bands and grade point bands [Senate Regulation 3] are: 

Indicative Mark Band

Degree class equivalent

Grade Point

90 and above

A*

17

80-89

A+

16

73-79

A

15

70-72

A-

14

68-69

B+

13

63-67

B

12

60-62

B-

11

58-59

C+

10

53-57

C

9

50-52

C-

8

48-49

D+

7

43-47

D

6

40-42

D-

5

38-39

E+

4

33-37

E

3

30-32

E-

2

29 and below

F

1

Submission Instructions

Coursework must be submitted electronically via the University’s WISEflow system. The required file format for this report is Adobe PDF. Your student ID number must be used as the file name (e.g. 0123456, pdf).  You must ensure that you upload your file in the correct format and use the College’s CBASS-Coursework-Coversheet.docx (live.com). You will find the Coursework Submission Procedure at the electronic coursework coversheet. Please note that submissions of ‘.pages / .docx etc’ documents will not be accepted and must be converted to the approved format.

The CBASS-Coursework-Coversheet.docx (live.com) must be completed and included at the beginning of all coursework submissions prior to submitting on WISEflow. 

Below is the marking scheme, and it illustrates each assessment criterion achieved at each of the mark descriptors for this level:

 

PASS

 

 

 

FAIL

 

 

Assessment criteria and weighting

90-100%

70-89%

 

60-69%

 

50-59%

40-49%

 

30-39%

 

0-29%

 

 

 

Introduction

Clarity of problem definition, context and aims

(15%)

There is a particularly clear and concise abstract presented, covering all key points, that is, purpose, background, rationale, method(s), key finding(s), and contribution(s). The first chapter presents an excellent introduction, including an overview and motivation for what follows. There is an excellent overview/summary of the literature, clearly highlighting the gaps within existing works, leading to a well justified and argued research aim, which explicitly presents the overall intent of this research. The objective(s), in particular, are explicitly presented and provide very clear directions on how to achieve the overall aim of the research. This chapter suggests that this Dissertation has an interesting and relevant ‘story’ which identifies a suitable ‘research problem/issue or an opportunity to explore’. This chapter includes a particularly clear and concise summary of material to be covered in subsequent chapters.

There is a very clear and concise abstract presented, covering all key points i.e. purpose (background, rationale), method(s), key finding(s), research limitation(s)/implication(s), practical implication(s), and contribution(s). The first chapter presents a well articulated introduction including an overview and motivation for what follows. There is an excellent overview/summary of the literature. The research gap is identified, leading to the development of the research aim, which explicitly presents the overall intent of this research. The objective(s) are explicitly presented and provide very clear directions on how to achieve the overall aim of the research. This chapter suggests that this Dissertation has is a good ‘story’ which identifies a suitable ‘research problem/issue or opportunity to explore’. This chapter includes a very clear and concise summary of material to be covered in subsequent chapters.

There is a clear and concise abstract presented, covering all key points i.e. purpose (background, rationale), method(s), key finding(s), research limitation(s)/implication(s), practical implication(s), and contribution(s). The first chapter presents a good introduction including an overview and motivation for what follows. There is a good overview/summary of the literature. The aim is clearly presented and highlights the overall intent of this research. The objective(s) presented provide clear directions on how to achieve the overall aim of the research. This chapter suggests that this Dissertation has a ‘story’ which identifies a ‘suitable research problem/issue or opportunity to explore’. This chapter includes a clear and concise summary of material to be covered in subsequent chapters.

 There is a reasonably clear abstract, covering most key points i.e. purpose (background, rationale), method(s), key finding(s), research limitation(s)/implication(s), practical implication(s), and contribution(s). The first chapter presents a satisfactory introduction including an overview and motivation for what follows. There is a satisfactory overview/summary of the literature, which is to be discussed later, in the review of the literature chapter. The aim is presented and somewhat highlights the overall intent of this research. The objective(s) presented provide some directions on how to achieve the overall aim of the research. This chapter suggests that this Dissertation has a ‘story’ which identifies a suitable ‘research problem/issue or opportunity to explore’. This chapter, to some extent, indicate the material to be covered in subsequent chapters.

The abstract covers in a superficial way some key points i.e. purpose (background, rationale), method(s), key finding(s), research limitation(s)/implication(s), practical implication(s), and contribution(s). The first chapter presents an introduction that is less than satisfactory. There is a vague summary of the literature but there is no linkage between the literature and the research aim. The aim presented is somewhat unclear and does not highlights the intent of this research. The objective(s) presented provide limited directions on how to achieve the overall aim of the research. This chapter suggests that this Dissertation has a ‘story’ but it does not clearly identify a suitable ‘research problem/issue or opportunity to explore’.

There is evidence of many deficiencies due to any number of the following. Abstract is either missing or does not serve relevant purpose. The introduction chapter, which likely includes an overview and motivation for what follows, is either inadequate or missing. The overview/summary of the literature is either inadequate or missing. Reasonable aim(s) and objective(s) are not set in a clear nor concise manner. It suggests that this is not a ‘story’ which identifies a suitable ‘research problem/issue or opportunity to explore’. If there is a summary of material to be covered in subsequent chapters this is inadequate.

The work is unacceptable. The work presented does not show achievement of some (or all) of the learning outcomes described for this aspect of the task. This may be due to most of, or all of, the following. Abstract is either missing or is not clear. The introduction chapter, which likely includes an overview and motivation for what follows, is either inadequate or missing. The overview/summary of the literature which is to be discussed later, in the review of the literature chapter, is either inadequate or missing. The aim(s) and objective(s) are either inappropriate or missing. It suggests that this is not a ‘story’ which identifies a suitable ‘research problem/issue or opportunity to explore’. If there is a summary of material to be covered in subsequent chapters, this is inadequate.

Literature review

Critical evaluation of the literature

(20%)

There is a particularly excellent description and an equally excellent critical discussion of the literature in the field and its treatment, demonstrating a highly sophisticated, critical and thorough understanding of the subject matter. The literature is plentiful and wholly appropriate. The particularly excellent introduction includes an overview and motivation for what follows. The discussion, drawing on an excellent interpretation and understanding of the literature gathered to support the claim(s) made, is highly sophisticated in its critical powers. The analysis demonstrates an exceptional insight into the aspect(s) of business/management that have been chosen to be explored. It is a ‘story’ which identifies a suitable research problem/issue. If there is a framework of any type, this is well explained and it addresses to the identified research ‘gaps’ in an excellent manner. When hypotheses or research problems are presented, they are well argued and phrased in a logical manner, specifying the relations between independent and dependent variables.

There is an excellent description and an equally excellent critical discussion of the literature in the field (the subject matter) and its treatment demonstrates a sophisticated, critical and thorough understanding of the subject matter. The literature is plentiful and wholly appropriate. The introduction includes an overview and motivation for what follows. The discussion, drawing on an excellent interpretation and understanding of the literature gathered to support the claim(s) made, is well articulated in its critical powers. The analysis demonstrates insight into the aspect(s) of business/management that have been chosen to be explored. It is a ‘story’ which identifies a suitable research problem/issue. If there is a framework of any type, this is explained, addressing to the identified research ‘gaps’ in a clear manner. When hypotheses or research problems are presented, they are briefly argued and phrased in a logical manner, to specify the relations between independent and dependent variables.

There is a very good description and an equally good critical discussion of the literature in the field (the subject matter) and its treatment demonstrates a well-developed, critical and comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. The literature is plentiful and wholly appropriate. The very good introduction includes an overview and motivation for what follows. The discussion, drawing on a good interpretation and understanding of the literature gathered to support the claim(s) made, has good critical powers. The analysis demonstrates very good insight into the aspect(s) of business/management that have been chosen to be explored. It is a ‘story’ which identifies a suitable research problem/issue.  If there is a framework of any type, this is described in relation to the research ‘gaps’. When hypotheses or research problems are presented, they are phrased clearly to specify the relations between most of independent and dependent variables.  

There is a satisfactory description and a critical discussion of the literature in the field (the subject matter) and its treatment demonstrates a systematic and substantial understanding of the subject matter. The literature is sufficient in terms of type/amount and is for the most part appropriate. The satisfactory introduction includes an overview and motivation for what follows. The discussion, drawing on a satisfactory interpretation and understanding of the literature gathered to support the claim(s) made, is satisfactory in terms of its critical powers. The analysis demonstrates satisfactory insight into the aspect(s) of business/management that have been chosen to be explored. It is a ‘story’, although some parts may feel incomplete.  If there is a framework of any type, it is briefly described in relation to the research ‘gaps’. Some hypotheses may be presented; however they could be better argued for clarity amongst the constructs.

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