AF6042 - Dissertation

On this module you will learn through active engagement in research-rich learning. The module is predominantly enquiry-based but is also informed by a research-orientated, research-tutored and research-led curriculum. Lectures provide you with the underpinning knowledge necessary for undertaking an individual student-led investigation into a AEF related business problem worthy of academic investigation. The workshops provide you with opportunity to put this knowledge into practice for your own AEF related proposal. You will develop team and peer-review skills through group activities and reflection upon them, helping you to identify areas for developing further your research proposal.

The one-to-one or small-group supervisions give you opportunity to seek guidance on the research process ahead of working with your allocated supervisor. Your supervisor will not instruct but will provide you with on-going formative feedback on your progress as you engage with the dissertation process. You will learn to develop effective skills essential for graduate employment in managing your dissertation, time management, project management, communication (written and verbal), negotiation, persuasion and influence and innovation in problem-solving and analysis.

A detailed guidelines handbook is provided for you via the eLP. A supporting electronic reading list provides you with key references to enable you to undertake a more detailed and in-depth review of the research approach and methods that you choose to adopt for your own research. Examples of past dissertations are also available via the eLP. This independent learning will be further supported by various online materials housed within the module eLP covering recording of key lecture and seminar/IT workshop interventions.

You will receive on-going formative feedback from your supervisor through your meetings starting with your research proposal and taking place throughout the period of your engagement with the dissertation process.

The selection of a suitable dissertation topic that is specific to the AEF discipline rests with you. However, to achieve this, you will be supported by the following academic staff:
• Lecture tutors.
• Workshop tutors, who will be from the AEF discipline.
• Supervisor, who will be from the AEF discipline.

From part-way through semester one through to submission of your dissertation, your key point of support is the supervisor. The Dissertation module is led by an academic from the department who has oversight of this supervisory and support processed, alongside responsibility for supporting the e-learning portal, allocation of supervisors and regular communication with students on the module. They will provide ongoing support via the weekly webinar that further complements the formal inputs described above.

In addition, you will be provided with support from your peers in the workshops. These seminar-workshops are typically based upon programme cohorts or subject groups, so you will be grouped alongside other students from your discipline. suite.

The module’s e-learning portal acts as a repository for: lecture materials, workshops exercises and materials, exemplar dissertations and assessment details (including submission, plagiarism detection and marking criteria). In addition, the eLP houses the online reading list (including direct links to textbooks, journal papers, academic and conference reports) and various support facilities such as recordings of certain lectures. The eLP site will also provide a blended approach to learning housing various recordings of the module lectures and key IT workshop interventions that further support the classroom based study within the module.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
• Apply and critically evaluate appropriate concepts, theories and models relating to a subject of your choice within the AEF discipline. (MLO1)
• Establish a framework in which to appraise, analyse and synthesise the results of primary or secondary research relating to this AEF research investigation. (MLO2)

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• Undertake independent primary or secondary research, adopting an evaluative and critical perspective throughout this research, thereby critically reflecting upon the research topic in the AEF arena and approach to its study. (MLO3)
• Develop and appraise key employability capabilities, including time management, project management, communication (written and verbal), negotiation, persuasion and influence, discovery, initiative, creativity and innovation in problem-solving and analysis as a means of assessing personal development. (MLO4)

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• Generate and analyse relevant primary or secondary data using an appropriate level of, and critically justified, method while critically evaluating the limitations of the data source/s and the method/s employed. (MLO5)
• Critically evaluate the ethical implications of the research work undertaken. (MLO6)
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Formative assessment will take place through applied group-based activities in the workshops that will provide an initial input into the module. This formative assessment be built on weekly through the 1-hour lectures hosted by the module tutor. You will be encouraged to discuss initial your initial research ideas through peer review activities and discussions.

You will receive on-going formative feedback from your supervisor based on the research proposal and throughout the period of your engagement with the dissertation process.

A comprehensive handbook of guidance will be given on this assessment. The eLP will be used to permanently host this detailed guidance, alongside a copy of the marking criteria, to ensure that students can access it throughout the dissertation process.

The summative assessment will be an individual 10,000 word dissertation based about your choice from the AEF discipline. This will assess the module learning outcomes MLO1-3 and MLO5-6 inclusive.

In addition, you will be required to submit a 1,000 word reflective statement providing an individual assessment of how you have met the UG goals and objectives that underpin your programme and undergraduate study, and in doing so, how you are prepared for either graduate employment or higher-level study. This will assess MLO4.

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This module provides you with the opportunity to examine, in depth, a AEF related challenge of direct interest and/or that faces you from with your working life or work placement. The weekly lectures which provide an introduction to undertaking AEF research. You will prepare a dissertation proposal and will work with a supervisor to generate empirical (primary) or secondary data, to analyse this data and to draw theoretically informed conclusions.

The module aims to equip you with the necessary intellectual and practical skills for undertaking your individual student-led, ethical investigation, while alongside, it also aims to equip you with key transferable, employability skills, including: time management, project management, communication (written and verbal), negotiation, persuasion and influence, discovery, initiative, creativity and innovation in problem-solving and analysis. You will therefore engage significantly in enquiry-based research rich learning, alongside research tutored and research-led learning as you explore the AEF literature as part of your independent study.

You will be assessed through the submission of a final, individual dissertation.