Page | 1Leicester Business SchoolLBPG5017 Dissertation Academic Year: 2020-2021Module Leader:Credit value: 60Name:Email:Dr. Martin Beckinsalembeckinsale@dmu.ac.uk Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/mbeckinsale Room:HU4.52Advice and Feedback hours: Assessment 1TypeOther courseworkLength12,000 – 15,000 wordsWeighting100%DeadlineThursday 9th September 2021 11.59amReturn date7th October 2021 Note: all coursework must be submitted electronically via Turnitin, unless otherwisespecified. If you are unable to submit by the deadline you must apply for mitigatingcircumstances – forms are available from the Student Advice Centre or from yourProgramme Blackboard site. Information on penalties and late submissions can befound at: http://www.dmu.ac.uk/dmu-students/the-student-gateway/academicsupport-office/deferral-of-assessments.aspxFaculty ofBusinessand Law[Type here]Page | 2The Faculty is committed to a 20 day turnaround time for the marking and return ofcoursework. The turnaround time does not include weekends, bank holidays oruniversity closure days. Please consult Blackboard for the most up-to-date informationon assessment deadlines and return dates.Leicester Castle Business School Our MissionOur VisionOur ValuesTo transform lives in ourglobal community of students,staff and partners throughoutstanding education andresearchTo go beyond business asusual by fostering creative,distinctive and pioneeringsolutions to real-worldproblemsTo promote the public goodthrough critical analysis of thepurpose of business andthrough active engagement ininitiatives aimed at tacklingbusiness, social andcommunity challengesThrough ourunsurpassedcommitment to the publicgood andtransformationalscholarship, we willposition ourselves as thedefinition of a 21stcentury global BusinessSchoolLEADERSHIP:Confidence and courageto shape a better futureINTEGRITY: Takingpersonal pride in ourworkCREATIVITY: Thinkingbeyond the usual andembracing ideasGLOBALMINDEDNESS: Findingopportunities in ourdiversityCOMMUNITY: Realisingthe purpose and powerof business The Teaching TeamModule Coordinator:Dr M BeckinsaleOther staff involved:Class – Centre for Learning and Study Support team. Timetabled resource anddissertation sessions.Supervisors from Finance, Marketing, Business and Management, Enterprise,Human Resource Management, Project Management, Risk Management and LCBS.These will be allocated at the start of the dissertation process in Semester 2during/from 1st Feb 2021.Page | 3Contents1 Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..52 Purposes of this guidance ………………………………………………………………………………………………..63 The dissertation defined ………………………………………………………………………………………………….64 The aims of the dissertation……………………………………………………………………………………………..75 Learning Outcomes …………………………………………………………………………………………………………76 Programme requirements………………………………………………………………………………………………..77 Key dates and deadlines, extensions and deferrals ……………………………………………………………..88 Reassessment Opportunity ………………………………………………………………………………………………99 Criteria for a good dissertation ……………………………………………………………………………………….1010 The focus of your dissertation…………………………………………………………………………………………1010.1 Helping you to choose your focus and identifying a supervisor…………………………………….1010.2 Your final choice of topic and completing the Topic Agreement Form…………………………..1010.3 Your Plan of Approach…………………………………………………………………………………………….1111 Research: key aspects ……………………………………………………………………………………………………1211.1 Choice of Methodology and data collection ………………………………………………………………1211.2 Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches………………………………………………………………….1211.3 The Ethics form and Fieldwork…………………………………………………………………………………1211.4 Fieldwork Abroad …………………………………………………………………………………………………..1311.5 Data Safekeeping and Availability …………………………………………………………………………….1311.6 Enhancing Research Skills………………………………………………………………………………………..1311.7 Getting Started on your Research …………………………………………………………………………….1411.8 Reference Material and Referencing…………………………………………………………………………1412 Expectations and Responsibilities of the Student ………………………………………………………………1413 Expectations and Responsibilities of the Supervisor…………………………………………………………..1514 Meetings: Supervisor/Supervisee and the Discussion Record Form…………………………………….1615 Writing up your research ……………………………………………………………………………………………….1615.1 The Dissertation Content and Sequence……………………………………………………………………1715.2 Literature review……………………………………………………………………………………………………1716 Dissertation: submission requirements ……………………………………………………………………………2016.1 Word Length, Format and Turnitin……………………………………………………………………………2016.2 Submission Date, Extension and Deferral Requests…………………………………………………….2016.3 Personal Reflection ………………………………………………………………………………………………..20Page | 416.4 Compulsory appendices ………………………………………………………………………………………….2016.5 Viva Voce………………………………………………………………………………………………………………2017 Frequently asked questions ……………………………………………………………………………………………2018 The appendices …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….2018.1 Appendix 1 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………2218.2 Appendix 2 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………2418.3 Appendix 3a: De Montfort University Guidelines for Ethical Research…………………………..2518.4 Appendix 3b ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….2618.5 Appendix 4: Recommended resources………………………………………………………………………2718.6 Appendix 5 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………2918.7 Appendix 6: Outline of chapter sequence and content ……………………………………………….3018.8 Appendix 7: Dissertation submission requirements ……………………………………………………3318.9 Appendix 8: Title page template ………………………………………………………………………………3519 Further Information………………………………………………………………………………………………..35Page | 51 IntroductionThe aim of this module handbook is to provide guidance and support for the Dissertationand fulfils a different function from most of the other materials produced on the MScprogrammes. The purpose of this handbook is not to provide knowledge, but rather to actas a resource and guide for a project that you will devise yourself. Therefore, the handbookcontains details of the expectations of both you and your supervisor, details on properpresentation of the dissertation and guidance on planning the research process.You should also refer to the materials from your research methodology module (LBPG5018),particularly in recapping any materials on the research process, including research designand specific approaches and techniques to research. The handbook is also supplemented bya range of materials and resources on the module site on Blackboard.There are three important points to note with regards to the process of researching andwriting for the Dissertation:• The process is fundamentally different from any other element on the Mastersprogramme. Instead of a number of small assignments, this involves one large piece ofwork in which the topic has to be properly sustained.• The actual subject for the research is devised by you rather than being set by a tutor.This means that the whole learning process is largely self-initiated and controlled by you.The role of the supervisor is responsive and so depends on material generated by you.The supervisor will not tell you what to look at, what to include or what to write: theywill advise, but not control the process. This, however, should be seen as a positive: it isan opportunity for you to look at an issue that really interests you and which you areable to study in some depth.• It is important to develop a strong relationship with your supervisor. Whilst thesupervisor will not direct the process, they will respond to requests for advice andguidance. They will be experienced both in writing academic pieces, but also in thesupervision of dissertations. They can therefore act as an important resource and as asounding board for ideas. There is a direct correlation between working closely with thesupervisor and successfully completing a dissertation. Under the COVID restrictionsengagement and meetings will be done through the use of online technologies such asMSTeams, Email, Blackboard or other.Page | 62 Purposes of this guidanceThe dissertation is an element of the Masters degree which requires you to take anindependent and self-structured approach to your learning. In order to complete yourdissertation successfully you will be required to focus on a particular topic, carry out aninvestigation and write-up your findings and discussion in a 12000 – 15000 worddissertation. During your period of study you will require and learn skills such as timemanagement and networking with other people along with the ability to express your ideasin the form of a coherent written text.The purpose of this guidance is to:• Set out the technical requirements for your dissertation submission• Advise you on the processes involved in dissertation preparation• Provide you with reading material on research and dissertation preparationIt is intended that this guidance should facilitate your ‘research journey’, which we hope willbe an interesting and beneficial learning experience for you. Therefore, you should taketime to read through this guidance. If you have any questions about any of the content, youshould ask your dissertation supervisor for clarification in the first instance or the moduleleader.3 The dissertation definedThe dissertation is an extended piece of scholarship in which you have the opportunity topursue in some depth an interest in a topic which is largely of your own choosing. Thisprocess encompasses:• the choice of topic;• searching and reviewing the literature related to the topic;• the formulation of a research strategy;• collecting and analysing data and incorporating all of these aspects in your write-up of acomprehensive and integrated text.Your dissertation is the final written document that embodies all of these activities togetherwith your conclusions and where appropriate, recommendations and reflection. Thedissertation should embody two things:• Focus: it should clearly state what the issue to be considered is; why it is important andthen how it is going to be considered.• Coherence: all the parts of the dissertation need to be related together into a cohesivewhole. It is important to always consider the relevance of the material and how it fits in.In addition, you need to remember that at postgraduate level a dissertation should beproperly analytical and reflexive and not merely descriptive. Your dissertation is the finalwritten document that embodies all of these activities together with your conclusions andwhere appropriate, recommendations and reflection.Page | 74 The aims of the dissertationThe aims of the dissertation are to:• Develop your ability to work independently on a task that requires a wide range ofanalytical and self-organising skills• Give you the opportunity to deepen your knowledge of business within aninternational context, by investigating a topic in some depth• Enable you to utilise and integrate your learning from your programme of study byapplying aspects of your learning to a particular topic of investigation5 Learning OutcomesBy completing the dissertation successfully you will demonstrate your ability to:• Identify a research topic which is realistic and manageable• Learn about your topic in some depth through a review of the literature andthe various activities involved in the process of dissertation preparation• Formulate a research strategy that allows your topic to be properlyinvestigated• Interpret and analyse ideas, concepts and data which are generated by yourresearch• Draw appropriate conclusions and make recommendations concerning yourinvestigation• Reflect upon the implications of your study for the literature and research inthis area• Manage the various elements of the research process within a set timescale• Produce a clearly written and well-presented text which includes all theelements required for the dissertation6 Programme requirementsThis dissertation module is part of the following programmes:MSc International Business and ManagementMSc International Business and HRMMSc International Business and FinanceMSc International Business and EntrepreneurshipMSc International Business and MarketingMSc Risk ManagementPage | 8MSc Project ManagementMSc Intercultural Business CommunicationEach programme has specific requirements for the dissertation. These are outlined in therelevant programme handbooks and have been drafted to ensure that you are able todeepen your programme specific specialist interest through your dissertation work. Youneed to ensure that programme requirements are followed when selecting your topic ofinterest.As a general rule, you need to ensure that your dissertation topic reflects your Master’sspecialty.7 Key dates and deadlines, extensions and deferrals Module commences:Supervisor allocation:Topic Proposal Form:Topic Agreement Form:Draft literature review:Ethics Form:Dissertation deadline:Week 29 (Introductory Session) but officially week 31/32Week 32/33Recommended submission week 29-32From Week 34From Week 37-38From Week 379th September 2021 11.59 am via TURNITIN Feedback and provisional mark:Normally within 20 working days as per the DMU Assessmentand Feedback Policy, if submitted on time and there are nospecific problems whilst marking and moderating takes placeViva: All students must be available and make appropriatearrangements to attend a viva, if requested. Depending oncircumstances and subject to prior agreement, videoconferencing or Skype may be considered as appropriatealternatives to being present on campus.Submission deadlines are published in order to ensure equity for students and to facilitatesound administration by assessors.Page | 9*Please note the deadlines for topic forms, topic agreement forms and ethics forms pus theliterature review are guidelines. You can submit after these deadline but please make sureyou discuss with your supervisor.It is expected that the Dissertation deadline will be met at all times. Only in exceptionalcases, and with the prior consent of the Dissertation Module Leader and / or ProgrammeLeader, will extensions to the final dissertation deadline be granted.If in advance of the given submission date you consider that you need an extension of time,you must:• Discuss the matter with your supervisor, explaining why you consider that anextension is necessary, in order to obtain his or her support. An extension will notbe considered, without the support of your supervisor. Appropriate evidence mustbe provided to the supervisor to support any request for extensions (e.g. medicalnote, etc).• Complete the appropriate Extension Application form and follow indicatedprocedures. An electronic version is available from the Module leader or ProgrammeAdministrator.Under exceptional and documented circumstances, you may request a deferral for yourdissertation. A deferral can be requested by a student if extenuating circumstances havebeen experienced which have prevented the student from completing a module assessmentby an agreed deadline. A student should only request a deferral if a short extension is notsufficient. The Programme leader can authorise 14 day extensions. A deferral requestshould be made using the relevant form which is available via the Student Advice Centre.Please email them studentadvicecentre@dmu.ac.uk. Please note that relevant evidencemust be included by the student with their deferral request to support the extenuatingcircumstances they have experienced. Should your request be successful when consideredby the appropriate deferral panel, you will be given a new deadline within the nextassessment period. Please note that this will delay your graduation.If you submit your dissertation after the published deadline, without an agreed extension ordeferral, your mark will be capped to a maximum of 50% (if submission is within 14 daysafter the published deadline), after this, the dissertation will be marked at 0%.8 Reassessment OpportunityStudents are entitled to one reassessment opportunity in each module, including thedissertation. Reassessments must be completed within the maximum period of registrationof the programme.Page | 10Reassessment is permitted in relation to fail marks only. The outcome of a reassessmentwill be given on a student’s transcript, together with the original fail mark. A reassessmentoutcome shall count as a minimum pass mark of 50%.Students must take reassessments when required by the Faculty.9 Criteria for a good dissertationYour dissertation must demonstrate that it has met the following criteria:• The focus is on a specific business topic that reflects your programme specialisation.• The research has been undertaken in a systematic and sustained way• There is a demonstration of originality in the application of knowledge• An analytical and critical approach has been taken in the investigation• Appropriate methods and techniques are applied in the enquiry• It incorporates an understanding and evaluation of theory• It demonstrates the implications of any findings for business and management andresearch10 The focus of your dissertation10.1 Helping you to choose your focus and identifying a supervisorYou need to choose a topic that is of interest to you. It might be related to your past orpresent work experience and one that might be beneficial to your chosen career. The topicneeds to be concerned with business and reflect your programme specialty. You also needto make sure that information on the topic is likely to be available. You will be asked to listup to three indicative titles and up to 5 key words or phrases that suitably describe yourtopic(s) of interest in the Topic Proposal Form (Refer back to key dates and deadlines andsee Appendix 1). You will also be asked to show which other modules your proposed topicsdraw upon so that we can find supervisors who have the relevant expertise in that area.Please note that whilst we will make every effort to match supervisors in relevant topics,this cannot be guaranteed.10.2 Your final choice of topic and completing the Topic Agreement FormThe dissertation must have a clear focus with definable boundaries. It is your responsibilityto agree your topic with your supervisor, so ensure that you have sufficient opportunity torefine your focus. You will need to complete a Topic Agreement Form (refer back to keydates and deadlines and see Appendix 2). This has to be agreed with and signed by yoursupervisor. It commits you to doing a study in a particular topic area. Whilst moderatechanges can be expected as your study progresses, and your knowledge of the subjectincreases, major topic changes will not be allowed at a later date.Page | 1110.3 Your Plan of ApproachA ‘plan of approach’ for your topic choice is given in Figure 1. This shows how youmight think through your topic ideas in order to complete the Topic Agreement Form.!Figure 1: Dissertation Topic Choice: A Plan of ApproachIdentify your general area of interest / Review yourresearch proposal (submitted to the ResearchMethodology module).ÜBrainstorm/write down topics that are of particularinterest to youÜIdentify specific ideas for your investigationÜUse these to identify key words and a topicÜDo some reading around the topicÜStart making notesÜDiscuss your ideas with your supervisorÜUpdate your original ideas with information from yourreading and your supervisor’s adviceÜCan you identify particular sections where your researchis more focused?ÜWithin one of these can you identify?• Key topics to focus on• A research question that you would like to try toanswer in your research• Emerging argumentsAre you in agreement with your supervisor?Complete your topic agreement form1.1.1.1.1.1.1 NoNNoo“#$!NoAsk furtherquestions todeepen yourresearchPage | 1211 Research: key aspects11.1 Choice of Methodology and data collectionYour choice of methodology and data collection methods must be agreed in advancewith your supervisor. You are normally expected to carry out some primary researchfor your dissertation. You can achieve this for example, by designing a questionnaireto send/give to respondents; to interview managers in a business organisation andinterpreting and analysing the data obtained. Exceptionally, a dissertation which usessecondary sources only may be acceptable, especially where there is a tradition ofsuch research, e.g in Finance and Economics. However, be careful not to confuse theliterature review with documentary analysis or desk research. A submission that ismerely an extended literature review would not meet the Dissertation requirements.11.2 Quantitative and Qualitative ApproachesThe approach which you will use in your research will depend on a number of factorsand will be heavily influenced by the research question which you set out at thebeginning. A quantitative study is predominantly concerned with facts and figures andwith any aspects of the investigation, which are measurable. For example if aresearcher wishes to compare the extent of ‘diversity of the workforce’ in a numberof business organizations this could be carried out by categorizing into male/female;age range; ethnic origin; length of service. So, the comparison would be a breakdownand analysis of measurable data. In contrast, a qualitative approach is less concernedwith accurate measurement and the comparison of figures and is more concernedwith the depth of information, for example, by obtaining comments and opinions fromindividuals. So, if a researcher wishes to carry out an investigation about ‘diversity ofthe workforce’, a qualitative approach might find out from particular groups ofemployees if they feel that they are given sufficient opportunities to participate in andcontribute to the goals of the organization. The opinions and views of individuals are‘open ended’ and open to interpretation and are not directly measurable and are notset out in the form of a set of figures.Your research question(s) as well as your data collection and analysis skills should bekey considerations when making methodological choices.11.3 The Ethics form and FieldworkYour choice of methodology and data collection methods must be agreed with yoursupervisor. If you are collecting primary data and your proposed fieldwork involvesthe issuing of questionnaires and/or the carrying out of interviews you must seekagreement to such proposals from your supervisor prior to any fieldwork being carriedout.Page | 13Any primary data gathered without ethical approval will meanit can not be used in the Dissertation and if used without ethicalapproval the Dissertation will fail. Ethical approval requires afull ethics form to be submitted.All fieldwork should be managed carefully and appropriately and in accordance withDMU’s ethical guidelines (see %&&#'()*!+,-!.#!/0’12031!4′)5#3$)16!78)(#9)’#$!203!:1;)
