Rationale :-
Students who have successfully completed the 8 taught modules of Semesters 1 & 2 (120 credits) can elect to complete the remaining 60 credits of the MSc International Business programme via either the Dissertation or the Applied Research Project options.
BMG847 MSc International Business Dissertation Assignment – UK
The Dissertation provides an option to students seeking to focus on the more traditional academic path way through a Master’s study programme or as a gateway to a PhD programme for example. It brings together all relevant aspects of the course in research on an International Business issue or problem. International Business is an applied field and thus raises substantive questions of importance beyond the world of academia. Thus this individual Dissertation will show evidence of both conceptual and empirical rigour.
Learning Outcomes :-
Successful students will be able to:
1.Demonstrate a critical understanding of different research strategies and approaches.
2.Demonstrate knowledge and development of a critical literature review on an international business and topic.
3.Apply research skills to carry out empirical research on an international business subject including collecting, analysing and interpreting data.
4.Develop writing skills and be able to present an independently reasoned and logical argument in written communication.
Content
On completion of the Dissertation module, students will have identified topics within the international business domain that are of particular interest to them. The development of their research proposal document is a key component of this process, as are ongoing discussions with academic staff the modules studied prior to their Dissertation and the research expertise available within the Department.
BMG847 MSc International Business Dissertation Assignment – UK
By the end of semester two/year two, students will therefore have prepared and have had approved a Research Proposal Document and will each be allocated a suitable academic supervisor who will provide them with specialist guidance, advice, and editorial comment.
Key tasks of the supervision will be to ensure that the proposed research is theoretically and methodologically sound and that the student can complete it within the timescale available Typically the thesis will contain a rationale for the chosen subject of study, a review of the relevant literature research methodology, findings and analysis and conclusions and recommendations.
Learning And Teaching Methods
Learning will be split into two phases:
Phase 1 (weeks 1 to 5):Online whole group sessions
At the very beginning of this phase the students will be assigned a supervisor and will be put into small groups of 10.The members of each group will all have a common supervisor who will be responsible for the group. Each group will be scheduled to attend weekly online group sessions with each session lasting 1 hour.These sessions intend to deliver a planned 5-week programme which will consolidate student learning and its articulation in draft dissertation chapters.
During the group sessions the students will also be given the opportunity to discuss their topic direction and intention of their proposed topic and receive feedback from the supervisor. Students are expected to submit two draft chapters of their dissertation for review and formative feedback.These online sessions are compulsory and attendance will be recorded.
Phase 2 (weeks 6 to 12): Individual supervision
The main method will be directed independent study and research, via the academic supervisors appointed to each student. In addition, a dedicated Dissertation support area has been created via the module’s BBL area. Students are expected to participate in all on-line activities using this forum to exchange ideas and build knowledge in order to support the development of their Dissertation Management Project and produce rigorous empirical or applied international business research.
It is anticipated that students will receive a minimum of 1 hour per week directed supervision via a range of methods including face-to-face meetings. This may involve Skype/Face time for DL students telephone and email correspondence.
The Supervision Process
The module is taught through the means of one-to-one meetings between students and their supervisor. Students completing the Dissertation are also required to complete the module International Business Research Skills during which they will receive guidance on the research process. Individual consultations can also be arranged with the Module Coordinator. Group consultation and feedback workshops will be arranged as required.
Supervision Allocation :-
The Dissertation Coordinator for the Department of International Business is responsible for allocating supervisors in consultation with the Course Director and Head of Department (or designate) as appropriate. The Module Coordinator will provide students with contact details for their supervisor. The supervision process commences upon allocation of an academic supervisor post submission of an outline of their chosen topic.
Role of the Supervisor :-
The supervisor’s role is to provide guidance and feedback at various stages of the research process. Supervisors and students should work towards achieving a balance between the challenge of undertaking a Dissertation and being supported in learning. The supervisor’s role is not necessarily one of ‘subject matter expert’, but to guide students on issues such as critical analysis of the literature, methodology, structure and scheduling. However, in so far as possible students will be ‘matched’ with a supervisor with a background in their area of interest. The supervisor is required to monitor any material (such as a questionnaire) that a student might be sending from the University to an external agency, as these need to fit within the remit of the Ulster University Business School’s Ethical Approval Guidelines.
Remember that the supervisor will be one of the two staff members delegated to mark the final piece of work.
The Nature of the Supervision Process
Students are given the following information:
There are a number of pointers that can help ensure that the relationship between you and your supervisor is a business-like and productive one for both parties. First, be sure to meet early on in the process as soon as you have been assigned. It is your responsibility to initiate and maintain regular contact with your supervisor. Supervisors typically warm to written material submitted by students by email prior to meeting and tire of endless meetings ‘to discuss things’ Remember that above all else the dissertation is a written document. So from an early stage, make an attempt to always have some written material to bring along – written lists of articles located, an idea map for your literature review, a possible table of contents for the dissertation a timetable for your work output whatever is appropriate for the stage you are at. In this way you will avoid the ‘passenger syndrome of over-reliance on the supervisor or squandering valuable supervision time. Supervisors can make a more informed and useful call on your work only if what you submit is your best effort at that point in time. The majority of the learning time for the Dissertation will be independent study for research and report development by the student.
The provision of feedback on individual draft chapters will be at the discretion of the supervisor however supervisors will typically read and comment on several draft chapters throughout the research process. Please note also that they will typically only read a piece of work once. Feedback on additional drafts is at the discretion of the individual supervisor. This is intended to emphasise the point that the supervisor is a resource not an insurance policy and that the dissertation is not a joint research project. The supervisor is not a co-author! It may help your writing to take a look at the marking scheme that readers of your dissertation will use when it’s being examined. This is included at the back of this document for your benefit. In addition, your supervisor will not review a complete final draft of the Dissertation. Students have to take responsibility for deciding when the Dissertation is ready for submission. It is not the supervisor’s duty to tell a student that the work is ready for submission, thereby implying that the Dissertation is of a pass standard.
BMG847 MSc International Business Dissertation Assignment – UK
The process is largely self-driven, requiring significant self-discipline and time management skills. It is important that you are aware from the start that the process is self-led. Supervision Meetings Ideally the frequency of meetings will be decided jointly with your supervisor, however, it should be born in mind that supervisors will not chase after students who choose not to establish or maintain contact. Meetings can take various forms, e.g. face-to-face, telephone or via Skype. Although not prescribed it is recommended that six meetings take place over the course of the dissertation process. At the first meeting it is expected that the student discuss his/her initial proposal.
The Dissertation Coordinator for the Department of GBE responsible for allocating supervisors in consultation with the Module Coordinator Course Director and Head of Department or designate as appropriate. The Module Coordinator will provide you with contact details for your supervisor. The super vision process commences upon allocation of an academic supervisor post submission of an outline of your chosen topic.”
Supervision Meetings :-
Ideally the frequency of meetings will be decided jointly with your supervisor however it should be born in mind that supervisors will not chase after students who choose not to establish or maintain contact. Meetings can take various forms e.g. face-to-face, telephone or via Teams/Zoom/Skype. Although not prescribed, it is recommended that six meetings take place over the course of the Dissertation process. At the first meeting it is expected that the student discusses his/her initial proposal and how he/she would envisage the overall time frame for completing the dissertation and also his/her availability for the duration of the dissertation.
Mutual expectations and roles should also be discussed and agreed. There should be a promotion of dialogue as to how the student wishes to use supervision, and to the supervisor’s expectation of same. Such a dialogue would include the expected turnaround time for reading and commenting on drafts also the number of drafts the supervisor will expect to read and the means of communication. Both student and supervisor are required to keep records of meetings and the agreed actions. It is recommended that a formal record of meetings be kept and should be signed by both parties.
Student Responsibilities :-
As part of your duties and responsibilities as a Dissertation student you will need to:
Contact your supervisor at the earliest date to discuss your research proposal. Meet to discuss the Dissertation at times to be agreed with your supervisor. It is your responsibility to maintain regular contact with your supervisor.
1.Regularly report the progress of the Dissertation to your supervisor from the outline proposal to the final submission in accordance with the timetable agreed between the two of you.
2. Keep accurate records of supervision meetings
Contact the Module Coordinator in the event of extenuating circumstances arising over the course of your Dissertation.
3.Submit your final written Dissertation in accordance with the instructions on presentation and submission.
Assessment And Feedback :-
Dissertation :-
Final assessment of the completed Dissertation submission will be made by two internal assessors using predetermined evaluation criteria. A standardised and well-established marking criteria utilising a marking proforma will be used for all Dissertations. All Dissertations will be presented to the External Examiner for review.
Word count should be no more than 12,000 words.
The Dissertation must be submitted through the UK Turnitin link in Blackboard (instructions will be given in Blackboard).
Written feedback will be provided within three weeks of the submission date of the Dissertation after it has been first and second marked.
Formative assessment feedback is an integral part of the dissertation process. Supervisors and students meet regularly on a one-to-one basis at various stages of the research process to monitor and discuss progress and where guidance and feedback is provided.
BMG847 MSc International Business Dissertation Assignment – UK
Coursework: 100%
Examination: None
The pass mark for the dissertation is 50%.
Summary Description :-
The Master’s Dissertation enables students to carry out research on a chosen topic within the domain of international business. Academic supervisors are allocated who provide advice and guidance to students throughout this process. On successful completion of their 12,000 word Dissertation students will be awarded their MSc in International Business.
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