Modules

Module title: Dissertation
SCQF level: 10:
SCQF credit value: 40.00
ECTS credit value: 20
Module code: TSM10305
Module leader: Paul Barron
School The Business School
Subject area group: Tourism and Languages
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added
2018/9, Trimester 1, FACE-TO-FACE,
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: FACE-TO-FACE
Location of delivery: MAURITIUS
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Paul Barron
Module Organiser:


Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) Approach:
Learning and Teaching
Lectures will be held to describe and explain the dissertation process, however the general approach to teaching and learning is different from taught modules since students are allocated individual supervisors. Supervisors allocated to students do not present new knowledge to their students; they act as a facilitators in relation to the research process. Supervisors will be concerned, for example, with the development of the research topic, the suitability of research methods adopted for the dissertation and the extent to which students are making appropriate and timely progress in relation to their work.

Research / Teaching linkages
Students will be made aware of the latest developments in their chosen topic since they will be accessing contemporary articles in addition to established work. However, supervisors will be acting as facilitators not as subject specialists.

Embedding Employability / PDP / Scholarship Skills
The following employability and academic skills will be developed in this module: research skills; communication; reflection. The nature of the dissertation permits choice of a topic relevant to the student's career interests. Part time students in Hong Kong can select a topic area directly relevant to their work context.

Equality, Diversity and Internationalisation
The dissertation module content is adaptable to a wide range of subject disciplines and prior knowledge. Each students selects his or her own topic and can therefore ensure its suitability. WebCT is used to deliver module content in blended mode so that students can access printed notes if unable to attend the lectures.


Formative Assessment:
The University is currently undertaking work to improve the quality of information provided on methods of assessment and feedback. Please refer to the section on Learning and Teaching Approaches above for further information about this module’s learning, teaching and assessment practices, including formative and summative approaches.

Summative Assessment:
An outline dissertation proposal is submitted by the students normally towards the end of trimester 1, year 2. before their meeting with a member of the dissertation teaching team at the beginning of trimester 2. This outline proposal is worth 10 credits (25% of the student's overall mark) and is the starting point for a proposed area of research. It is also used to allocate supervisors to students at the start of trimester 2, year 2. Students will then make a detailed appraisal of their proposed research by reading key references (including books, journals and electronic sources) to determine the current state of knowledge, considering ideas as to how their research should be undertaken and assessing its practicality. Students may change the focus of their intended research after this evaluation.

The dissertation proposal (25%) addresses learning outcomes 1 - 3. The proposal is a critical component since it provides a detailed “road-map” for the rest of this module. It will conform to a template to ensure key areas are considered and included.

The final dissertation (75%) will be submitted mid way through trimester 3, year 2. It will conform to the structure outlined in section 11.4 above and will address learning outcomes 2 - 5. Students will be expected to analyse, assess, develop, synthesise, integrate and reflect on the findings of the research study relevant to their programme of study. Regular contact with the supervisor will encourage steady progress; setting goals and targets, planning and researching tasks etc.
Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)
Face To Face Lecture 9
Face To Face Seminar 22
Face To Face Guided independent study 15
Independent Learning Guided independent study 354
Total Study Hours400
Expected Total Study Hours for Module400


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words
Report 25 1-3 8 HOURS= 0, WORDS= 1000
Dissertation 75 2-5 14/15 HOURS= 0, WORDS= 10000
Component 1 subtotal: 25
Component 2 subtotal: 75
Module subtotal: 100
2018/9, Trimester 2, FACE-TO-FACE,
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: FACE-TO-FACE
Location of delivery: MAURITIUS
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Paul Barron
Module Organiser:


Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) Approach:
Learning and Teaching
Lectures will be held to describe and explain the dissertation process, however the general approach to teaching and learning is different from taught modules since students are allocated individual supervisors. Supervisors allocated to students do not present new knowledge to their students; they act as a facilitators in relation to the research process. Supervisors will be concerned, for example, with the development of the research topic, the suitability of research methods adopted for the dissertation and the extent to which students are making appropriate and timely progress in relation to their work.

Research / Teaching linkages
Students will be made aware of the latest developments in their chosen topic since they will be accessing contemporary articles in addition to established work. However, supervisors will be acting as facilitators not as subject specialists.

Embedding Employability / PDP / Scholarship Skills
The following employability and academic skills will be developed in this module: research skills; communication; reflection. The nature of the dissertation permits choice of a topic relevant to the student's career interests. Part time students in Hong Kong can select a topic area directly relevant to their work context.

Equality, Diversity and Internationalisation
The dissertation module content is adaptable to a wide range of subject disciplines and prior knowledge. Each students selects his or her own topic and can therefore ensure its suitability. WebCT is used to deliver module content in blended mode so that students can access printed notes if unable to attend the lectures.

Formative Assessment:
The University is currently undertaking work to improve the quality of information provided on methods of assessment and feedback. Please refer to the section on Learning and Teaching Approaches above for further information about this module’s learning, teaching and assessment practices, including formative and summative approaches.

Summative Assessment:
An outline dissertation proposal is submitted by the students normally towards the end of trimester 1, year 2. before their meeting with a member of the dissertation teaching team at the beginning of trimester 2. This outline proposal is worth 10 credits (25% of the student's overall mark) and is the starting point for a proposed area of research. It is also used to allocate supervisors to students at the start of trimester 2, year 2. Students will then make a detailed appraisal of their proposed
research by reading key references (including books, journals and electronic sources) to determine the current state of knowledge, considering ideas as to how their research should be undertaken and assessing its practicality. Students may change the focus of their intended research after this evaluation.

The dissertation proposal (25%) addresses learning outcomes 1 - 3. The proposal is a critical component since it provides a detailed “road-map” for the rest of this module. It will conform to a template to ensure key areas are considered and included.

The final dissertation (75%) will be submitted mid way through trimester 3, year 2. It will conform to the structure outlined in section 11.4 above and will address learning outcomes 2 - 5. Students will be expected to analyse, assess, develop, synthesise, integrate and reflect on the findings of the research study relevant to their programme of study. Regular contact with the supervisor will encourage steady progress; setting goals and targets, planning and researching tasks etc.

Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)
Face To Face Lecture 9
Face To Face Seminar 22
Face To Face Guided independent study 15
Independent Learning Guided independent study 354
Total Study Hours400
Expected Total Study Hours for Module400


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words
Report 25 1-3 8 HOURS= 0, WORDS= 1000
Dissertation 75 2-5 14/15 HOURS= 0, WORDS= 10000
Component 1 subtotal: 25
Component 2 subtotal: 75
Module subtotal: 100

Description of module content:

There will be a series of introductory lectures to explain the dissertation process and research methods. These will cover:
1. Research methods; the differences between Primary research and Secondary research
2. How to develop research aims and objectives;
3. The process of a literature review
4. The dissertation structure: Abstract, Literature review, Methodology, Referencing, Analysis of research findings, Conclusions & Recommendations and List of References.
5. Research ethics: ensuring that students adopt an honest approach and treat research subjects fairly There will regular contact between student and supervisor.
Students will plan their dissertations, read the literature, conduct the research, analyse the data collected and write up their findings.
Learning Outcomes for module:

LO1: Identify a topic for systematic investigation, analysis and evaluation
LO2: Establish a research aim and research objectives
LO3: Select and justify appropriate research methodologies
LO4: Critically assess literature relevant to the research to be undertaken
LO5: Collect, analyse and evaluate primary and / or secondary data and produce conclusions and recommendations
Indicative References and Reading List - URL:

Please contact your Module Leader for details
Click here to view the LibrarySearch.
 

Related information