NBS8512 : Dissertation in Marketing
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Qionglei Yu
- Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 5 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 5 |
| Semester 3 Credit Value: | 50 |
| ECTS Credits: | 30.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
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
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 7 | 1:00 | 7:00 | All PIP lectures |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured non-synchronous discussion | 6 | 0:30 | 3:00 | Canvas discussion board |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Synchronised small group online discussions (10 students/group) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Semester 2 whole group drop-in/surgery |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 583:00 | 583:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Dissertation/project related supervision | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | At supervisor level (4 meetings PIP) |
| Total | 600:00 |
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 Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research proposal | 2 | M | 20 | Dissertation plan & ethical approval form(3000 words).Submit start April. Marked by supervisor. Must pass to proceed to dissertation |
| Dissertation | 3 | M | 80 | Final Dissertation. Up to 10,000 words. Due beginning of September. To be marked by dissertation supervisor and 2nd internal marker |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research proposal | 1 | M | Students will receive feedback on this from an allocated dissertation supervisor, in order to submit the dissertation plan. |
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.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NBS8512's Timetable