Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

Successful completion of the taught programme

Co Requisite Comment

None

Aims

To provide the opportunity for students to undertake independent research in a marketing / international marketing related topic.

Outline Of Syllabus

The syllabus includes the following themes:

1. An introduction to the module and the requirements for a marketing dissertation.

2. Referencing and plagiarism

3. Ethical approval process and fieldwork

4. Selecting a suitable dissertation topic

5. Completing a literature review and use of Endnote

6. Undertaking independent research, guided by a supervisor

7. Preparing the final dissertation

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

1. A systematic understanding of knowledge, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of the academic discipline, in a particular field of marketing/international marketing.

2. An understanding of how to apply data analysis techniques appropriate to a particular marketing problem/issue.

Intended Skill Outcomes

a) to evaluate critically current research in marketing/international marketing;
b) to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them, and where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses;
c) to undertake appropriate primary research to improve understanding of a marketing problem/topic in an ethically appropriate manner according to the Market Research Society (MRS) guidelines;
d) to analyse qualitative and/or quantitative data appropriately
e) to draw relevant conclusions and practical implications from a marketing research project.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures will introduce the specific requirements of the dissertation. This will complement the marketing research course which will provide training in research methods, qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. The lecturers on this module will hold drop-in sessions before students submit their proposals, so they can briefly discuss their topics.

A supervisor will be assigned to each student once their dissertation topic has been approved.
The supervision will be organised in a group format - supervisors will hold group meetings for the students they will supervise.

Students will meet with supervisors to discuss:
a) the scope of the proposed programme of work, the standard to be achieved, and the time scale for completion of the dissertation.
b) Guidance about sources of information, including, if appropriate, other members of staff.
c) Data collection and analysis

Supervisors will hold 'group surgeries' to enable students to 'drop in' to see their supervisors and discuss the progress of their individual projects within the group.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Students will produce an initial proposal in December. This will help students decide on a topic and gain feedback on its feasibility and guidance for the literature review.

The dissertation plan of 3000 words (due in April) will induce students to map out their dissertation, showing evidence of understanding the relevant literature and an ability to deliver a feasible dissertation in the timescale available that meets stated research objectives.

The final dissertation of 10,000(due beginning of September) allows the student to demonstrate his/ her ability to undertake independent research in a particular field of marketing / international marketing.

Formative assessment
Seminar sessions in Semester 1 where each student can obtain initial feedback on their dissertation idea. Most students engage in this interaction.

When allocated the supervisor, formative feedback is provided on continuous basis through face-to-face meetings and emails.

RESIT INFORMATION: If students are eligible to a second attempt resit will be an assignment and the resit calculation will be based 100% on the submission.

General Notes

N/A