THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2018/2019

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Business School : Business Studies

Undergraduate Course: Research in Management (BUST09001)

Course Outline
SchoolBusiness School CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits0 ECTS Credits0
SummaryThis course introduces students to a range of research methods in management and provides a preparatory foundation for the completion of the Management Honours Dissertation in 4th year. The course consists of two 2-hour sessions in Semester 2, plus one additional 2-hour session for students who are intending to write their Dissertation in Accounting. Upon completion of these sessions, students will select a Dissertation topic and prepare a Dissertation Research Proposal that will be reviewed and approved by their chosen advisor. This course is compulsory for all 3rd year MA Business Studies/MA Accounting and Finance/MA International Business students (including joint degrees) who intend to write the Management Honours Dissertation in their 4th year.
Course description This short seminar series has two objectives in line with the School's objective to provide for the development of technical and theoretical understanding of management. Research in Management aims to help students prepare for the completion of dissertations in their fourth year. More specifically, it seeks to (1) explain the nature, purpose, and challenges of the Honours dissertation, (2) help students identify and formulate a research project of their own, consider how their proposed study relates to previous literature, and the research methods and research design that would be appropriate for the objectives of their study, (3) prepare students for submitting their dissertation proposal, using the Dissertation Support System (DSS), being matched with an appropriate advisor and working with their advisor over the project.

Syllabus
1. Overview and requirements of dissertation (ALL students)
2. Dissertation proposal format, research methods and the Dissertation Support System (DSS) (ALL students)
3. Writing a dissertation on an Accounting or Finance topic (for all students considering a project in either of these areas)

Student Learning Experience
Two 2-hour seminars will be delivered in February each year. As part of this seminar, students will be introduced to online resources detailing the research interests of staff within the Business School and Economics and instructed on the use of the 'Dissertation Support System' which assists in the selection of advisors, and through which students will submit their research proposals.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements Business Studies Honours entry
Additional Costs None
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2018/19, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 2
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 0 ( Lecture Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 0 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) In order to pass this course, students are required to submit a Dissertation research proposal via the School's online Dissertation Support System (DSS).
Feedback Entry into 4th year Honours requires that the submitted proposal follows the guidelines and is judged 'acceptable' by the student's registered advisor.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Understand the range of research and research methods available in subjects offered in the Business School.
  2. Make an informed choice of research project for the dissertation.
Reading List
Saunders, M, Lewis, P and Thornhill, A (2009/1997) Research Methods for Business, Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd
Ghauri, P and Gronhaug, K (2010/1995) Research Methods for Business Studies, Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd
See also: Booth, W, Columb, G and Williams, J (2008/1995) The Craft of Research, Chicago: University of Chicago Press
Perry, C (1998) 'A structured approach for presenting theses', http://users.ugent.be/~dgosseli/Presentations/PhD-Thesis-Approach.pdf (This is intended for postgraduate students but still contains some very useful guidance on structuring your dissertation)
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Preparation for the Dissertation
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Pauline Ferguson
Tel:
Email: Pauline.Ferguson@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMrs Judi Robertson
Tel: (0131 6)50 3900
Email: judi.robertson@ed.ac.uk
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