Aims and Fit of Module

The aim of this dissertation module is to enable students to undertake a significant piece of independent research on a particular topic in business and management field.  This module provides students with opportunities to: (i) apply their learning to analyse contemporary and ‘cutting edge’ problems and issues of relevance to scholars or practitioners (or both); (ii) deepen their knowledge and understanding of a particular topic of interest to them; (iii) produce a complete piece of scholarly work or a project of practical value from conception through to a final thesis or report; (iv) further their independent research skills (i.e. data management, project management, writing and presenting findings; (v) enhance their intellectual and employability skills and their career prospects, and (iv) make an original contribution with either theoretical or practical value.


Students should identify, define and explore one or more problems or issues at the forefront of Project Management as an academic discipline. This may lead to a large piece of independent writing in one of the following styles:


•	Standard academic research based dissertation 

•	Business plan including sections of literature review and methodology

•	Business evaluation report

•	Case Study including case and teaching note. This style is relatively less rigorous on empirical data size and student can add some ‘made up’ information for teaching purposes. 

•	Capstone Consultancy Project (In company Project)

•	Company based project on a particular issue


The dissertation should demonstrate: (i) an analytical and critical approach to problem definition; (ii) the derivation of appropriate research questions and/or hypotheses; (iii) skills in designing and implementing a suitable methodology for gathering, analysing and interpreting data and information that address the research problem, questions and/or hypotheses; (iv) knowledge and understanding of literature and theory relevant to the area of inquiry, and the ability to apply it appropriately, and (v) the ability to write up and present the research as a dissertation in a way that combines academic depth and good scholarship with an appreciation of relevant practical and policy issues (as appropriate) in relevant subject areas.

Learning outcomes

A. Demonstrate a substantial and systematic understanding of current and recent theory and research focus in Project Management

B. Critically evaluate and apply relevant theories to construct suitable conceptual frameworks to study the research topic.

C. Develop skills of conducting a research project through producing a reasonable research design, paying attention to research ethical considerations, collecting data through appropriate methods and analyzing data using suitable approaches.

D. Present findings in a coherent and logical flow in the dissertation writing.

E. Think, learn and work independently whilst demonstrating initiative, responsibility, self-discipline, self-motivation, self-direction and originality in tackling and solving research problems in Project Management.

Method of teaching and learning

A. Full-time programme
As MSc dissertation is an independent research students are
required to do, students are expected to independently manage
the time and workload with the support of their dissertation
supervisor. 
Typically, the dissertation work starts in the second year of
study when students should attend the relevant lectures and
identify their dissertation focus. The lectures are provided in
Semester 3 for the dissertation module, to be delivered in the
pattern of 2 hours*3 times a week over the first 4 weeks.
Students can then select a research focus in one of the
following ways:
a) Select a topic proposed by IBSS faculties and seek agreement
with the faculty member.
b) Self-select a topic and approach the faculty who has similar
research interests and seek agreement. 
The role of the dissertation supervisor is to support students
during their dissertation project time once the supervision is
confirmed. Such support ends with the submission of the final
dissertation. Supervisors are expected to meet with their
students and support key aspects of the dissertation project.including topic selection, literature review, research
methodology and methods, data analysis and findings. Students
are expected to work on their confirmed dissertation plan once
their supervisor approves it. Without approval from
supervisors, students are not allowed to start their interim
presentation and final dissertation writing. Meeting with
supervisors proactively and reporting dissertation progress
proactively is necessary for students completing the
dissertation.
B. Part-time programme
As MSc dissertation is an independent research students are
required to do, students are expected to independently manage
the time and workload with the support of their dissertation
supervisor. 
Typically, the dissertation work starts in the third year of
study when students should attend the relevant lectures and
identify their dissertation focus. The lectures are provided in
Semester 5 for the dissertation module, to be delivered in the
pattern of 2 hours*3 times a week over the first 4 weeks.
Students can then select a research focus in one of the
following ways:
a) Select a topic proposed by IBSS faculties and seek agreement
with the faculty member.
b) Self-select a topic and approach the faculty who has similar
research interests and seek agreement. 
The role of the dissertation supervisor is to support students
during their dissertation project time once the supervision is
confirmed. Such support ends with the submission of the final
dissertation. Supervisors are expected to meet with their
students and support key aspects of the dissertation project
including topic selection, literature review, research
methodology and methods, data analysis and findings. Students
are expected to work on their confirmed dissertation plan once
their supervisor approves it. Without approval from
supervisors, students are not allowed to start their interim
presentation and final dissertation writing. Meeting with
supervisors proactively and reporting dissertation progress
proactively is necessary for students completing the
dissertation.
Besides, since the part-time students usually are occupied with
their work, it is strongly recommended that students have at
least bi-week meetings with their supervisors. If the
dissertation involves human-related data collection, students
need to fill out the research ethics application forms and seek
approval from the university ethics committee.