Introduction to Undergraduate Business Research Project or Dissertation

Overview of the module and its objectives

By the end of this session students will be able to:

·To introduce the Undergraduate business research project or dissertation

·To outline the requirements of a Business Undergraduate dissertation

·To define the purpose and process of a dissertation project

This is your first lesson of the Business research dissertation

This module will provide you with knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles that underpin the business research dissertation. You will have opportunities to apply the key concepts and theories relevant for the research process. Some of the core books for this module are the following:

Saunders, M., Lews, P. And Thornhill, A (2012) Research Methods for Business Students, 6th ed. Harlow: Prentice Hall. Bryman, A. And Bell, E. (2011) Business Research

The first concept for the lesson is to introduce or define the concept of research.

“Research is a process of planning, executing and investigating in order to find answers to our specific questions. In order to get reliable answers to our questions, we need to do this investigation in a systematic manner, so that it is easier for others to understand the logic of and believe in our report” (Ghauri and Gronhaug 2005).

It is paramount to stress that a research dissertation firstly requires a research area or a topic, a dissertation proposal.

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Prior to writing your proposal, it is important to understand its content which are the following:

·Topic area

·Research questions, overall aim and objectives

·Evidence from available literature

·Possible methods for collecting data

·Possible organisation

The second part of the module will be taking place in form of one group and subsequent individual supervision meetings. All meetings should take place on site. In general terms, students will be required to select a topic, frame a research question that identifies a business-related problem for investigation, and undertake a programme of study and research in accord with the principles and methods learnt in completing the module. The topic must relate substantially to a management or business problem or a more specifically related problem for those students following a specialist business undergraduate route with Sunderland University in London, where appropriate. Thus, any technical aspects should only be of marginal or contextual significance to the study.

During the supervision term, the students will be expected to make regular progress reports (in form of completing Dissertation Supervision Records) and accept guidance about the conduct of  their work. A guidance on responsibilities of Supervisors and Students is available in Appendix 2.

Definition and purpose of research

Purposes of Business Dissertations

The Business Dissertation is a crucial part of completing a business undergraduate programmes. Its purposes are to enable you to demonstrate your ability to:

a) identify an original management or a business problem;

b) carry out a disciplined research study of that problem;

c) apply aspects of the knowledge you have accumulated during your undergraduate course;

d) seek out and apply additional relevant knowledge; and,

e) present coherent and meaningful critical analysis and discussion.

In so doing, a systematic and thorough approach is necessary and your conclusions should be valid, reliable, defensible and useful.

It is clear from this description that undergraduate Business Dissertations differ considerably from ‘projects’ or assignments encountered in other study programmes. With this in mind, it is essential that candidates attend a minimum of six supervisory sessions. Those who attempt to ‘go it alone’ may find that their approach lacks the necessary academic foundation, rigour and depth. In addition, as international students you are to be compliant with the University Regulations in terms of continued engagement on the course, attendance of supervision meetings, as scheduled and maintaining regular contact with the module team.

Essential Principles

Candidates will be expected to use a strategy for their dissertation which is founded upon sound research principles. In view of this, it is important to recognise that the philosophy underlying academic research is fundamentally different to that of any other study activity undertaken on your course at Sunderland University in London.

Crucially, research is not merely ‘finding out about’ something, or gathering and presenting information ‘about’ something. Nor can credible results be achieved by discussing, however cogently, what amount to your own opinions, or by reporting unsubstantiated ‘facts’ - no matter how much you ‘know’ them to be ‘true’. Likewise, anecdotes, ‘common sense’ beliefs or ideas, or ‘what everyone knows’ are never likely, on their own, to provide convincing support for your conclusions. A Business Dissertation can, of course, include some of these, but work that is purely descriptive is not sufficient. Occasionally a ‘case study’ may be suitable, but only if it is analytical and of sufficient depth and originality as to provide novel insights or significant examples of practice which might be transferable or of value to others.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this module, students will have demonstrated: Knowledge

K1. Critical understanding of appropriate theoretical models and conceptual debates to underpin their research in a business-related subject.

Preparation for the dissertation proposal

Skills

S1. An appropriate area of research interest in business and management, formulated and tested a research question.

S2. Evaluation and justification of how their methodological approach is appropriate for their research question.

S3. The ability to write a business research dissertation at the appropriate intellectual depth

• An introduction (including the research question and objectives, and a brief evaluation of the chosen organization used to collect primary data if required).

• Literature review where there will be an evaluation and synthesis of the existing theoretical models and debates related to the research questions

• Research methodology (a critique of the research approach adopted and the research methods used to collect the data. This section will also include a reflection upon the choice of research strategy and approach and include the limitations of the research strategy and how they would improve their research design)

• Data analysis (evaluation and analysis of the primary data collected)

• Conclusions and discussion (an evaluation and critique of the data collected and predominant themes identified from the research).

(i) Provide research methods and skills training

(ii) Produce, maintain and distribute a dissertation handbook for students and supervisors, which provides clear guidelines on the supervisory process (including number of supervisory hours) and guidance on writing a dissertation, including detailed information on correct referencing and avoiding (and penalties for) plagiarism as well as guidelines on the marking criteria;

(iii) Establish a Project Committee to review and approve dissertation proposals to ensure that they are feasible in terms of the timescale and resources available and allocated to supervisors with suitable expertise;

(iv) Consider providing students with research themes (in line with teaching staff’s research interests) on which to base their dissertation proposal;

(v) Ensure supervisors are allocated supervision times and ensure that the number of students allocated to a supervisor is such that he/she will have the capacity to fulfil the responsibilities noted below;

(vi) Provide clear written guidelines with regard to attendance of supervisory meetings, frameworks for meetings and general expectations

(vii) Ensure that processes are in place for the supervisor/supervisee to record and monitor meetings;

(viii) Ensure that where students require additional help with language or technical skills, this advice is provided as a service separate from the duties of the supervisor;

(ix) Ensure procedures are in place whereby a student is able to request a change of supervisor (or vice versa), and whereby an alternative member of staff is made available should any supervisor be absent for a prolonged period of time.