MAR042-6 Capstone Business Dissertation - University of Bedfordshire

Aim:
- To bring theory and practice together to formulate a topic of your interest whether it is a research-oriented topic or a more clinical topic that is relevant to the context of business and conduct research on your choice of topic relevant to your field of study
- To stimulate you to reflect on issues critically and to identify aspects that need further research
- To provide you with the opportunity to explore a topic and appreciate the importance of literature review in the learning process
- To critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of other people's research to formulate your own study
- To enhance skills in time-management, research management, project organisation and decision-making
- To apply and reflect on the practicalities of research including access to sources and ethical considerations

You are introduced to the processes and techniques associated with research methods. You are allocated research mentors, who have relevant knowledge and expertise. Your research mentors will support you in developing your ideas, to ensure that you collect appropriate data to address your chosen topic of interest.

Indicative Content:
• Formulating and clarifying research topic aims and objectives
• Conducting a systematic and critical Literature Review
• Introduction and selection of appropriate research methodologies
• Academic writing skills, and good academic and professional practices
• Consideration on the impact that chosen methodologies have on key research indicators such as reliability, validity, relevance, and generalisibality can be demonstrated and how research findings can be used

Assessment 1: Individual business dissertation proposal

In Assessment 1, you are required to produce a written proposal and execution plan for your dissertation that will identify those activities that contribute directly to the acquisition, application and generation of knowledge and skills within your chosen project. Consideration at this stage will need to be given to the selection of a research topic that is of a Masters level, and relevant to your specific Master's degree. Your topic would need to be approved by the research supervisor. The integration of relevant research activities needed to support your chosen topic is another primary focus.

Assessment 2: Dissertation

Your final assessment will be an individual executive summary of your business dissertation and will be considered a comprehensive report on your findings and overall project context as well as learning gains. Your executive summary is a concise explanation of your dissertation that includes:
1. A definition of topic area of your interest including research aim and objectives (1000 words)
2. A discussion and summation of the research findings (2500 words)
3. A reflection on the dissertation process and a recommendation on how you would do it differently (1000 words)