DISSERTATION - 2020/1

Module Overview

The dissertation is compulsory to all MSc programmes and is the final element of the programme, providing an opportunity for a sustained period of independent study and research. It allows students to concentrate on topics that are of particular interest to them and it draws upon a range of different aspects of the taught programme particularly the Research Methods module. It also gives an opportunity for students to work independently with individual supervision.

The Dissertation can take a range of forms. These include:

a)         An academically based dissertation. This form of dissertation follows the standard academic pattern of identifying a topic arising from a gap in the literature and developing a methodology to explore this area in depth.

b)         A business or applied dissertation. This form of dissertation starts with an emerging   business problem, either provided from an industrial partner or with their co-operation in the process, and seeks to provide a research based solution to or exploration of the problem.

c)         A business plan dissertation. This form of dissertation starts with a business idea, arising from the student, and provides an opportunity to develop this idea, through a process of research, into a clearly defined business plan

All forms of the dissertation seek to develop the same learning outcomes and follow the same assessment criteria. In some cases, taught modules, in addition to Research Methods, may be pre-requisites of taking a particular form of dissertation so that students are adequately prepared.

Module provider

Hospitality, Tourism & Events Management

Module Leader

SIRIPIS Maltika (Hosp & Tour)

Number of Credits: 60

ECTS Credits: 30

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

For those students in SHTM choosing a Business Plan Dissertation, to have completed the Business Plan for Hospitality and Tourism module MANM394

Module content

Students will identify a topic area of interest that they wish to develop further through their dissertation. This must be relevant to their programme of study. On the basis of this topic, students will be assigned a supervisor who will guide their work. The module is, however, largely based on self-directed study and research, which takes place during the Spring semester and the summer.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

The student is assessed on the basis of a 14000 word project report and a 1000 word executive summary. The assessment criteria are available in the Dissertation Handbook provided to all students. All Dissertations are also checked for plagiarism using an electronic plagiarism detection system.

Formative feedback

Students receive feedback throughout the semester via face to face teaching which will support them to complete the assessments.

Module aims

• undertake an original piece of research
• demonstrate an ability to select and define and focus upon an issue at an appropriate level
• develop and apply relevant and sound methodologies; analyse the issue
• develop recommendations and logical conclusions be aware of the limitations of research work.
• The students will also be expected to demonstrate an awareness of any ethical dilemmas that arise in their research

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

For 1 year MSc Students the module commences in the Spring Semester, and is completed by early September of the same year.

For Euromasters students the module commences in the Spring Semester and is completed by September of the following year.

The teaching and learning strategy is designed to develop the students’ ability to conduct and report independent research. It builds on the Research Methods module, allowing students to gain experience of applying some of the principles and methods learned. Included in the strategy is the development of a research proposal to help students crystallise their ideas.

The teaching and learning methods include regular supervision and support by an experienced tutor in more generic aspects of the process. Students will discuss initial ideas with the teaching team for their programme, and then will write a short research proposal outlining the problem, research objectives and their proposed research strategy – including approaches, and, as relevant, arrangements for fieldwork, development of instruments and sample. This is a summative assessment, and allows a fruitful discussion between student and supervisor about the proposed study. The proposal should be passed and agreed with the supervisor before proceeding with the dissertation. Subsequent meetings may include discussing details of methodological approaches, how to organise fieldwork and structuring and writing the dissertation. Where necessary, students must obtain ethical approval prior to data collection. The supervisor will also comment and provide feedback on one complete draft of the student’s work.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MANM387

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.