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MN50581: Dissertation

[Page last updated: 05 August 2021]

Academic Year: 2021/2
Owning Department/School: School of Management
Credits: 30 [equivalent to 60 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 600
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Dissertation period
Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Aims: This is an independent research project associated with developing an initial business idea into a viable business model by following a systematic, theory-informed, learning-oriented research process.

Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit students will be able to:
* Identify, evaluate, and apply relevant theory to identify key business model assumptions behind the initial idea
* Collect and analyse data to test these assumptions
* Incorporate the results into more viable iteration(s) of the model.
* Capture the research / learning process in a written report.

Skills: Intellectual skills:
* Comprehensive and scholarly written communication (F/A)
* Identify, synthesize, and analyse data from various sources to inform decision making under uncertainty (F/A)
Practical skills:
* Take initiative to act on perceived opportunities while considering various risk factors (F)
* Communicate with and persuade others through informed opinion, and negotiate support for ideas (F)
Transferable skills
* Reflect, persevere, learn, and adapt in challenging environments in pursuit of business ideas (F/A)
* Synthesize multiple perspectives on the same problem (F/A)
* Work independently, without close supervision or guidance (F/A)

Content: The business idea to be developed as part of the dissertation project may be chosen in four different settings: (1) independent venture; (2) corporate venture (i.e. an entrepreneurial effort by an existing company); (3) family venture (i.e. an entrepreneurial effort by a family business); (4) social venture (i.e. entrepreneurial effort in pursuit of a social mission). It will be the students' responsibility to choose their research area, organise their research activities and negotiate access with other organisations, if required. Further guidance and details about the dissertation will be provided in the course handbook and the research methods component of the course, and via student meetings with faculty supervisors.

Programme availability:

MN50581 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

School of Management

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2021/22 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2022/23 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2021/22.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.