Posted: June 23rd, 2015

Dissertation and Questionnaire paper: The Quality of In-flight Services and Customer Expectations: A comparison between Low-cost and Legacy Airline Companies

 

 

Project [MAM]

 

 

 

MA Management

 

 

Module Handbook

Academic Year 2014/2015

 

 

Submission Date: See module Blackboard site; date varies according to initial start date

 

 

The hand-in will have two components a hard copy and is an electronic copy.

• Two bound hard copies should be submitted together with completed CA1 forms and Library consent forms to the Marylebone Postgraduate Office via the Course Lobby.
• The electronic copy is to be submitted via Blackboard on the set date by 1:00pm. Note: It will be examined through TurnItIn software for plagiarism.

 

You are strongly advised not to leave your hand-in until the 1.00pm deadline as this can result in lateness penalties due to many unforeseen circumstances including queues, PC failure, lack of IT support etc.

 

Content

1    Introduction……………………………………………………………………………… 3

1.1    Contacts…………………………………………………………………………….. 3

1.2    What is a Project?…………………………………………………………………. 4

1.3    Preparation for the Project Module……………………………………………. 5

1.4    Project Dos & Don’ts……………………………………………………………… 5

1.5    Communication…………………………………………………………………….. 7

2    The Role of the Supervisor……………………………………………………………. 7

2.1    Responsibilities of the Project Supervisor……………………………………. 8

2.2    What NOT to expect from your Project Supervisor…………………………. 8

2.3    Responsibilities of the Student…………………………………………………. 8

2.4    Difficulties making contact with your supervisor……………………………. 9

3    Project Submission…………………………………………………………………….. 9

3.1    Hand-in Date for the Dissertation……………………………………………… 9

3.2    Applying for an extension to the hand-in date……………………………… 9

3.3    Handing-in Instructions………………………………………………………… 10

3.4    Project Submission & the ‘Fit-to-Sit’ Rule…………………………………… 10

4    Project Style & Structure……………………………………………………………. 11

4.1    Project Style………………………………………………………………………. 11

4.2    Typical Project Report Structure………………………………………………. 11

4.3    Further Notes Project Report Structure……………………………………… 12

4.4    Marking Schema………………………………………………………………….. 15

4.5    Word Length of the Project Report………………………………………….. 16

5    Assessment…………………………………………………………………………….. 16

5.1    A Referral [Resubmit]…………………………………………………………… 16

5.2    Retake……………………………………………………………………………… 16

5.3    Failure to Pass either a Referral/Resubmission or a Retake……………… 17

5.4    Publication of Results…………………………………………………………… 17

6    Appendices…………………………………………………………………………….. 18

6.1    Appendix A: Module Syllabus………………………………………………….. 19

6.2    Appendix B: Title Page…………………………………………………………. 24

6.3    Appendix C: Meetings with Supervisor Log……………………………….. 25

6.4    Appendix D: Library Consent Form…………………………………………. 26

6.5    Appendix E: CA1 Form…………………………………………………………. 27

1      Introduction

 

You are advised to read this Handbook several times to familiarise yourself with its contents.

Keep it safe as you will need to refer to it from time to time during the year.

This should help you to avoid making errors in procedure and interpretation, which may later prove inconvenient or costly.

Please consult this guide when you have questions about the Project. Most of the answers should be in here. Try not to contact tutorial and/or administrative staff for answers, which are easily available here.

 

1.1   Contacts

My Supervisor:
Location/Room:
E-mail:
Phone:

 

MAM Project Facilitator
Keith Patrick	M108
[email protected]	020 35066589

 

Postgraduate Projects Administrator:
Adrian Cosgrave	WBS Registry CG32
[email protected]

1.2   What is a Project?

Projects in the WBS context are similar to what is also referred to as a Dissertation. The core difference is the Project is viewed as a more practically orientated piece of work that looks at a real world management issue and typically includes primary data collection. They may also be called a Thesis but in the UK this is more typical of a piece of work that forms part of the work of an MPhil, [Master in Philosophy] or PhD [Doctorate].

The Project flows from Business Research Methods, which has helped you to develop the necessary knowledge and competence to carry out the research necessary to create your Project. The Project Proposal, the assessment component of the Business Research Methods module, will form the cornerstone of your Project.

In simple terms, the Project is an opportunity for you to demonstrate that you are capable of applying what you have learnt, and are learning, through your studies for the MA Management. That you are able to integrate the learning and theories gained during your studies, and to demonstrate your understanding of subjects across your course as a whole. Finally it is a piece of work that is self managed and self motivated, your project should be something of which you are proud, and something to take with you and keep and perhaps to show to prospective employers as a measure of your academic achievement at Masters level.

 

The Project will investigate an important management issue and follow one of the following types. Your project may come under one or more of the following headings:

1. A consultancy problem within the employing, or other host organisation.
2. A qualitative or quantitative study of a management topic, about which there is a gap in knowledge, as identified during the literature review.
3. Model building, based on original data collected by the student or reinterpretation of an existing data set.
4. A theoretical treatise, based on secondary data, and suitable for publication.

Your Project may come under one or more of these headings.

Projects are about examining key elements, discussing them, connecting them, pondering the nature of the possible relationships between them, and conducting a systematic evaluation of the whole process.

The MAM Project module is 20-credit module with a maximum wordage of no more than 10,000 words (The word count does not include cover page, table of contents, executive summary, references, or appendices).

In academic language, the Project is designed to provide an opportunity to translate both conceptual and practitioner knowledge acquired during the course to the analysis of a specific situation or of a contemporary, established and focussed area of academic/practitioner enquiry in the literature.

The topic and area of study will be of your own choosing, with suitable guidance provided through the Business Research Methods module. The Project topic MUST be seen to reflect the core of the Course and be some aspect of Management and its application. Where necessary the Business Research Methods teaching team and Project Facilitator will be the final arbitrators should the need arise.

Your Project may be conducted upon the basis of empirical (fieldwork) and/or conceptual (non-fieldwork) research but must be informed by demonstrable analytic rigour appropriate to Masters’ level research. On the basis of the findings the Project will, where appropriate, make practical recommendations for management action and/or a contribution to current knowledge based upon a synthesis and critique of existing theory and practice in your selected subject area.

Projects are hard work and will require your commitment throughout the year. Your project is based upon consistent progress of data gathering analysis and assimilation and reflection that can only take place over time. None of these activities should be under-estimated in the time required to organise, collect, collate, analyse, write-up, correct or edit the necessary data to create the final Project document.

1.3   Preparation for the Project Module

The Business Research Methods (BMAM708) module will have prepared you for the Project Module. Following submission of a Project Title/Topic form you will have been allocated a Project Supervisor, and produced a Project Proposal. This will have been marked by the Project Supervisor, and returned to you with advice and/or comments from your Supervisor.

1.3.1  Changing your topic after submission of a Project Proposal

There are extremely rare circumstances in which you will need to change your topic after having produced a Project Proposal. As an example, your project might have been work based, and you may have changed jobs. In any case where a student needs to change the topic after submitting a Project Proposal, he or she must IMMEDIATELY inform the Project Module leader or Project Administrator.

1.3.2  Requesting a change of Project Supervisor

Once allocated a Project Supervisor, you will not be permitted to have a change of supervisor.

1.4   Project Dos & Don’ts

1.4.1  Do:

• start work on your dissertation as early in the year as you can
• follow the procedures for dissertation presentation conventions in the following section
• follow the guidelines for dissertation content and Learning Outcomes in the Dissertation Module syllabus below
• attend any research methods seminars and/or academic dissertation/essay writing seminars arranged by the WBS
• consult published texts on how to conduct organisational research
• take note that some dissertation module members may be required to attend a viva voce[1] before a decision on their work is reached
• retain all of your fieldwork notes – interview schedules, questionnaires, and similar material not normally included as part of your completed submission – as you may be asked to produce them at any time after formally submitting your dissertation. Take care not to lose or destroy such notes since, if they are requested for viewing and cannot be produced, your dissertation may be deemed invalid. You are obliged to keep these for two years after graduation.
• resist the temptation to retrospectively blame others – e.g. your supervisor – if your dissertation has not attracted the level of mark you think it deserves. Remember that your supervisor can only guide and suggest, and the manner in which they do so may not always match your expectations. It is you who must risk yourself in the insecurity of assessed argumentation and debate and who must bear ultimate responsibility for the work whatever the evaluation of it turns out to be

1.4.2  Do not:

• go to supervision consultations empty-handed, that is, without having prepared for them even a little. It is essential to read in advance and think about some of the issues you intend to raise.
• expect your supervisor to think for you. S/he can only offer thoughts and suggestions which you must then appraise as to their value for your work
• take any notice of rumours about certain supervisors being ‘soft touches’ or demanding and hard-to-please. All supervisors work to the same rigorous standards and their final judgement on your work is always subject to the scrutiny of others.
• select or pursue dissertation topics which are too vague, too slight, too obvious or too ambitious
• select or pursue dissertation topics where organisational/library access and/or data-collection looks like being a problem
• freight your dissertation with unnecessary appendices and/or effusive acknowledgements
• forget that all writing has its moments of difficulty, doubt and despair, and that if it were all easy it would probably not be worth doing in the first place
• plagiarise ie lift data from elsewhere to pass off as your own, or have work custom-written for you
• expect any leniency or sympathy from the University authorities if you cheat and are penalised. Cheating is fraud and, particularly in the dissertation, it could cost you your degree. Annually students are exited when work submitted has not been found to meet the specified criteria above. Don’t be one of them

1.5   Communication

A Blackboard site will be maintained for this module. The site will contain:

• Electronic versions of the forms in the Appendices of this document
• Links to syllabi for each Project Module
• Announcements
• Contact details of the Project Administrator who deals with administrative matters relating to Projects
• Contact details of the Project Coordinators who deals with academic matters relating to Projects

The Project Facilitator and Project Administrator will post relevant information so this site should be checked often, they may also send e-mails using your Westminster e-mail address, as will your allocated Supervisor. It is the student’s responsibility to regularly check for e-mails or ensure that they are being forwarded to an address that is checked regularly. Note: Any student who has a Finance Hold, will not be able to access any University system; this includes Blackboard and University e-mail.

2      The Role of the Supervisor

The Project Supervisor is not expected to be an expert in your field of research; however, he or she will have a broad subject knowledge in your area, and will be able to offer generic advice as well as advice on how to structure your work.

2.1   Responsibilities of the Project Supervisor

• To meet with you at appropriate interspaced times during your study (an average of 4 meetings of approximately 30 minutes each is recommended).
• Offer advice and discuss your ideas, evidence, and methodologies.
• Discuss problems you might be experiencing with the project.
• Possibly recommend readings/sources of data appropriate to your research.
• Keep a log (see Appendix C) of your meetings.
• Provide comment on one or more drafts of your work. This cannot be detailed comment, but rather general advice and should not be seen as a measure or an indication of the mark you will eventually receive.
• Might request you to attend a viva voce before a decision on the work is reached.

2.2   What NOT to expect from your Project Supervisor

• The supervisor is not allowed to give judgements on the mark that the project is likely to be awarded. Do not ask if your project will pass. This question will not be answered, as the supervisor role is different from the marking role: marking is a formal process involving more people than the supervisor.
• Do not expect your supervisor to read the final version of your work prior to formal submission. Think of the final version as a commitment to the assessment process and you will understand why it should be drafted unassisted.
• Do not expect your supervisor or project co-ordinator to arrange for extensions of deadlines for you. Staff cannot organize this, so do not ask. The procedure for applying for extensions is clearly laid out in the WBS Postgraduate Handbook of General Information under Mitigating Circumstances.

2.3   Responsibilities of the Student

• To initiate contact with the Project Supervisor.
• To initiate requests for meetings with the Project Supervisor.
• To plan meeting dates according to availability of the Project Supervisor. (During the long summer break, Project Supervisors may not be available for lengthy periods. It is the student’s responsibility to plan and schedule their work around such possibilities).
• To familiarise themselves with the University regulations including plagiarism.
• To take necessary precautions in relation to the use of copyright material that may be used in your project.
• To take necessary precautions in relation to data protection (particularly with respect to primary data collection). Any questionnaires created by the student must be approved by the Project Supervisor before use.
• To alert the Project Supervisor of any difficulties which might interfere with meeting the final project hand-in date. In such cases you will need to follow the Mitigating Circumstances procedure. (for further information see the WBS Registry information which can be accessed via the link BlackBoard)
• To complete a Library Consent form (see Appendix D) to be enclosed with the final report when handing in the report.

2.4   Difficulties making contact with your supervisor

If you are experiencing difficulty making contact with your supervisor, you should inform the Project Administrator who will try to investigate any reasons for this. However, be a bit patient before seeking the help of the Project Administrator. Also bear in mind that during the summer period supervisors will often be on leave. Summer contact with your supervisor should be negotiated with them in advance of the end of semester 2

3      Project Submission

3.1   Hand-in Date for the Dissertation

For students who commence studies in September, the final hand-in date for the dissertation will be in August/September following the final semester of study. The precise date will be posted on the BMAM707 Blackboard site.

For students who commence studies in January, the final hand-in date for the dissertation will be in January of their final semester of study.

The precise date will be posted on the BMAM707 Blackboard site.

3.2   Applying for an extension to the hand-in date

It is not possible to be granted an extension to the hand-in date of your project. Your supervisor, project coordinator or project administrator are not authorised to give extensions. However, if you are unable to hand-in your project on the due date because of circumstances beyond your control you should complete a claim for Mitigating Circumstances.

Mitigating Circumstances are unforeseen, unpreventable circumstances that prevent students from completing the assessments for their course.

Information about submitting a Mitigating Circumstances (MC) claim form can be found on the intranet. You can also download a MC form from the intranet.

Please note the following:

• All MC claims must be handed in or posted to the Registry (not to your supervisor or other staff)
• MC Boards will only make decisions on claims when accompanied by independent documentary evidence.
• If you cannot submit the evidence with your claim you should still hand your form in by the due date and send the evidence at the earliest available opportunity.

3.3   Handing-in Instructions

Two bound copies of the final report must be posted into the Level 7 post box of the Marylebone Coursework Collection Lobby – CG32. (The Reprographics Centre in the Luxborough Building provides binding services for a small fee). A completed CA1 form (see Appendix E) should be attached to both copies, with a completed Library Consent form (see Appendix D). Additionally, an electronic copy of the Project should be submitted via BlackBoard.

Submission is only valid if ALL of the above items are handed-in.

Students should retain a back-up copy of the project documentation for two years after the module results are published.

It is quite often the case that students work on their projects abroad. The University DOES permit submission of your final dissertation to be made by international courier e.g. Federal Express. In such circumstances, you will need to check arrangements for doing this with the Registry e.g. exact address to which to send the work. Work must be submitted 3 days in advance of the deadline and late submission is not excused by postal or delivery delays.

If you do wish to submit your report by international courier, you should have the work delivered at least 3 days prior to the due date.

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure their Project is submitted on time and this should take into consideration all aspects of the relevant Postal Services and other services they may require to convey the Project so that it arrives at the University before the deadline, these include: industrial disputes, weather conditions etc.

3.4   Project Submission & the ‘Fit-to-Sit’ Rule

Taken from section 11.4 of the Academic Regulations:

Note: The University operates a ‘fit to sit’ policy, which means that in submitting coursework or sitting an exam and/or in-class test, a student deems themselves fit to do so. A mitigating circumstances claim cannot then be considered for poor performance within the assessment(s). It is the responsibility of the student to determine if they are fit to participate in assessment or if a mitigating circumstances claim should be submitted.

If in doubt students should familiarise themselves with the requirements for submitting a Mitigating Circumstances claim. If you are unsure you are strongly recommended to speak with your Project Supervisor, Project Facilitator or the Director of Postgraduate Studies

4      Project Style & Structure

4.1   Project Style

• Single sided word processed
• Adequate left margin for binding
• Font should by Times New Roman or Arial (point 12)
• Line spacing should be 1.5 or double
• Written in the 3^rd person (avoid “I”, “you” etc)
• Written in an academic style (avoid journalistic/sales type of speech/slogans/colloquialisms or slang etc)
• Written with enough clarity that someone OTHER than your Project Supervisor would be able to follow the work you have done. (note: the Dissertation will be 2^nd marked by another lecturer in the subject area of your project, and reviewed by one or more external examiners)
• Each Chapter should start on a new page
• Spell checked & grammar checked
• Proof read (this is not the responsibility of your Project Supervisor)
• Pages should be numbered

4.2   Typical Project Report Structure

This may have slight variation dependent on the type of project, however the following is a general example, you should also refer to the Marking Schema:

• Cover Page: The title of your degree, (of your project, your name and student ID number (see Appendix B)
• Executive Summary/Abstract – 2nd page: approx. 250 words
• Contents Page – 3rd page (to include Table of Contents, List of Figures/Tables)

 

• Introduction
  • Providing background and aim(s), a brief overview of sector and host organisations as appropriate
  • The setting out of objectives of the project, and a clear statement of your research question and working definitions of the core concepts under investigation
• Literature Review:
  • A summary of the most important pieces of previous research: at least 25 journal references
  • If particular analytical approaches, frameworks or methods are to be applied to the findings, these should also be discussed
• Research Design – Methodology
  • Description of methods and techniques you intend to use and a justification for your choice of methods
  • Your project should be able to be replicated from this description
• Main Chapters with numbered Chapter Headings and Subheadings
  • 2 or 3 chapters forming the main part of your report and containing findings and analysis
• Conclusions
  • An overall summary
  • Including how the objectives have been met or not met, with necessary explanation/s
• List of References Using Harvard Referencing System and alphabetically ordered by first author’s surname
  • References and the Reference List are not the same as a Bibliography, so you may require both elements
• Appendices

4.3   Further Notes Project Report Structure

4.3.1  The Executive Summary/Abstract

This should briefly describe the scope of your project, the research question being asked, the methods used and conclusions arrived at as well as any recommendations offered in brief. It should give someone enough information to be able to decide whether they wish to read the entire document.

4.3.2  Introduction: Providing Background

This section should describe your broad research focus and explain the rationale and context for identifying your research plans. You should provide sufficient background information on the issues you want to research for the reader to be able to understand the rest of your Project as well as its value. If you focus on an organisation or sector you should provide enough organisational information to put your research plans into context.

4.3.3  Introduction: Specific Research Objectives and Questions

Your specific research objectives should make it clear to the reader exactly what is being planned by the proposed research. Well-­defined objectives should identify what is to be analysed, and to what purpose. Your objectives should provide sufficient scope for a Project of this size, but also be achievable within the resources available to you. They should not be vague or too general and should lead to observable outcomes.

The research objectives will be used by the reader to judge the rest of your proposal, so make sure that your proposed research design, data collection and analysis fit with the objectives. Specific research questions (or hypotheses, if relevant) should be easily identifiable in your Project Proposal.

Define key concepts used as working definitions for the Project.

4.3.4  Literature Review

This should be presented under a separate heading. This review is not intended as a full critical analysis of the literature at this stage, it should demonstrate how the project in grounded in theory and, where appropriate, practice. It should provide an identification of the themes from academic and other relevant recent and/or historically important literature, which act as the basis for your intended study, and clarify where your intended study fits into this debate. If any particular theoretical models, frameworks or techniques are to be used as part of the analysis of the research data and findings these should also be included.

4.3.5  Research Design

This should provide an overall view of the approach and methods chosen to achieve your research objectives, as well as a justification for these choices. Providing information and justification for the research techniques and the methods you propose (for instance case study, cross sectional, time trends, etc.) and demonstrate your reading on the topic.

If relevant, it should also detail particular areas your research will focus on, such as sectors of industry or regions and the identity of your research population.

4.3.6  Main Chapters covering; Data Collection, Findings and Analysis

• These should
  • Each Chapter should start on a new page, and should contain a title (not just “Chapter 1, Chapter 2” etc).
  • Have a brief introduction (putting the chapter into context of the work as a whole), and a summary of your findings at the end of the chapter.
• They may include
  • analysis of data collected
  • further literature reviewed as the work progresses.
  • analysis of case studies
  • international comparisons
  • focus on particular objectives of your research.

All fieldwork based Projects should provide details of the data collected; the way in which you intend to collect these data (for instance investigation of secondary data, survey, questionnaires) and the way you intend to analyse these data.

Be as precise as possible. For instance: for secondary data collection, specify the exact data sources you intend to use; for surveys specify survey strategy, population and sample size; for interviews specify interview population, intended interview duration and method of analysis etc.

Provide clear information on access to this data: have you made sure all necessary data is available to you? If relevant, do you have the agreement of essential people to use certain data or conduct interviews? Has your Project been agreed with the organisation you focus on?

Are there any other particular ethical considerations you need to consider in your research?

4.3.7  Conclusions

This section is significant as it demonstrates how you have executed your research. Show your understanding of the underpinning theory and how it transfers to practice as identified in the literature and where relevant through your primary data collection. Demonstrate how you have applied the concepts to achieve your objectives, drawing across the range of modules and content of the Course. It should contain a summary of your overall findings, specific linkage to whether your objectives have been achieved and to what extent. Similarly if you did not achieve an objective that does not mean failure, but you should identify and explain why it was not achieved, this understanding is equally important as successful fulfilment of an objective. The third element should address any limitations in the study and recommendations for future work in this area. Finally, dependent on the type of project, you may offer limited recommendations

It should consider/include:

• Summary of your overall findings
• Reference to your original aims and objectives
• Make connections between findings in different chapters
• Make connections between your findings and those in your literature review
• Identify shortfalls/weaknesses in your work
• Make recommendations for future work
• NB you should NOT introduce new material that hasn’t been discussed within your report

4.3.8  Appendices

• Only include items, which will be discussed fairly extensively in the body of your report.
• Include ‘evidence’ of the work you did e.g. blank questionnaires, an aggregated questionnaire, interview schedule, list of interview questions
• Where used Analytical Modals populated with information from the Case organisation or analysis.
• NB: Retain but do NOT include: completed questionnaires, transcripts of interviews etc. These must be retained securely for two years after graduation

 

4.4   Marking Schema

This section sets out how the marks will be distributed across the core elements of the Project and indicates what would be expected in each element. This is not definitive and will vary according to the type and nature of your individual project. The % mark available for each element is also an indicator of its importance and the time, effort that should be allocated and similarly the allocation of suitable distribution of the overall word limit

• Structure & Presentation: (10%)
  • Clear Executive Summary /Abstract
  • Clear Introduction with background, aims, objectives and a clear research question
  • Chapters have clear titles, logical flows between chapters, well structured
  • References are cited and listed correctly
  • Documentation standard (word processing, structure, logical flow, use of English)
• Research: (30%)
  • Literature Review; evidence of a range of relevant background reading
  • Research methods are applied correctly
  • Methods used are clearly justified
  • Sources of data are wide and appropriate
  • Samples obtained for primary research, if used, are realistic and fully described
• Analysis: (50%)
  • Critical argument
  • Independent thought
  • Application of knowledge gained from more than one subject area
  • Analysis is appropriate and thorough, including the use of theories from taught modules
• Conclusions: (10%)
  • Conclusions are relevant, well formulated
  • Refer to original aims and objectives
  • Make links with literature review and analysis in chapters
  • Make appropriate recommendations for future work

 

4.5   Word Length of the Project Report

This should be no more than 10,000 words.

The word count does not include cover page, table of contents, executive summary, references, or appendices.

The overall distribution of this word limit should also consider the weighting and marking distribution as set out in the Marking Schema in how it is allocated by the student.

5      Assessment

For this module you will be assessed on a single piece of work: your dissertation. For the purposes of the regulations in the following sections, dissertation marks fall into these three categories:

• 50% and above :        Pass
• 40% – 49% :        Marginal Fail [Referral/Resubmit]
• 39% and below :        Fail [Retake the Module]

5.1   A Referral [Resubmit]

If you obtain a mark between 40-49%, you will be classified as a ‘referral/resubmit’ i.e. you will:

• Re-submit your dissertation at the next hand-in date for projects e.g. referral in September would mean that you would re-submit in the following January. Referral in January would mean that you would re-submit in the following August.
• Remain with the same Project Supervisor.
• Have your final mark for the project capped at 50% pass mark.

5.2   Retake

If you obtain a mark less than 40%, you will have to ‘re-take’ the whole module, and the mark you obtain will be capped at 50%. For a re-take, you will:

• Need to select a new topic and contact the Project Module Facilitator
• Possibly be allocated a different Project Supervisor
• Possibly be asked to provide a new Project Proposal by your Supervisor, however, this will be not be assessed.
• Pay the same fee as before
• Submit the final dissertation approximately one year later       (either the following August or the following January, dependent on when you start your re-take of the module).

5.3   Failure to Pass either a Referral/Resubmission or a Retake

If you earn a mark of less than 50% following your second opportunity to submit your project (whether referral or re-take), you will not be allowed any further attempts at the module, and you will fail to obtain a Masters.

Non-submission of your project without accepted Mitigating Circumstances will result in a mark of 0% being awarded and you will not be allowed any further attempts at the module, and you will fail to obtain a Masters.

However, in each of the above cases, you could qualify for an intermediate award e.g. Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate, depending on the number of credits passed.

5.4   Publication of Results

Results are normally published a week or so after the meeting of the relevant Examination Board. Dates for Exam Boards are published on the University Calendar.

Note: Checking your result is your responsibility.

Check on the SRS system (not on Blackboard) a day or two after the relevant Exam Board has taken place.

 

6      Appendices

 

A – Module Syllabus

B – Title Page Format

C – Meetings with Supervisor Log

D – Library Consent Form

E – CA1 Form

 

6.1   Appendix A: Module Syllabus

Module Title:	Project [MAM]
Short Module Title:	Project
Module Code:	BMAM707
Module Level:	7
Academic Credit Weighting:	20 level 7 credits
School:	WBS
Department:
Length:	One year
Site:	Marylebone
Host Course:	MA Management
Status:	Core
Relevant Course titles/pathways:
Subject Board:
Pre-Requisites:	Business Research Methods BMAM708
Co-Requisites:	Strategic Management BMAM706
Assessment:	100% Coursework
Special Features:	None
Access Restrictions:	None
Summary of Content The project is a very important part of the study programme. Its aims, content and the manner of execution reflect the integrative nature of projects at Master’s level. In addition to applying theories studied in the across different modules, students will be able to undertake an intensive study of on an area of their choice. Students are required to implement their research proposal, submitted as part of their Research Methods element. The project will enable students to demonstrate their ability to work autonomously and to apply the theory learned during the programme to a substantial real life problem. It is envisaged that the project will, in many cases, be of practical relevance to students in their future careers. Keywords:   Project, Dissertation

MODULE AIMS

• To demonstrate the ability to define and analyse a significant management problem or opportunity and to make practical recommendations for management action.
• To acquire an in-depth knowledge of the chosen topic of the project.
• To apply relevant theory to the chosen topic.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successfully completing the project, students will:

1. Have completed the Research Methods module in which they would have identified an appropriate topic for research and set clear and achievable project objectives to plan and carry out a programme of investigation.
2. Demonstrate an ability to manage project work in the context of competing time demands.
3. Demonstrate skills in negotiating access to data where necessary.
4. Be able to select justify and apply appropriate data collection methods
5. Have demonstrated skills in analysis including the ability to provide balanced argument and critical evaluation of data and the use of statistical techniques where appropriate.
6. Derive appropriate conclusions from research and offer viable recommendations to enable the organization to address the original problem and/or offer viable recommendations for decision-making.

 

INDICATIVE SYLLABUS CONTENT

N/A

 

TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS

Preparation for this module will include participation in the Research Methods Module that which includes a series of practically focussed workshops. Participation and engagement in the Research Module is critical for successful completion of the Project and is to this extent complementary.

The student will be allocated to a supervisor who will provide guidance on initial reading and data sources, comment on drafts and provide encouragement and feedback at all stages of the work.

 

ASSESSMENT RATIONALE

The project report enables students to demonstrate an evaluative understanding of the relevant aspects of management theory; the ability to carry out original primary research in order to investigate the problem and the ability to utilise the theory to analyse the results of that research and arrive at well-founded conclusions.

 

PROJECT TYPES

The project will investigate an important management issue. It may come under one or more of the following headings:

• A consultancy problem within the employing, or other host organisation.
• A qualitative or quantitative study of a management topic, about which there is a gap in knowledge, as identified during the literature review.
• Model building, based on original data collected by the student or reinterpretation of an existing data set.
• A theoretical treatise, based on secondary data, and suitable for publication.

 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Students will be assessed on:

• Their ability to build on the Research Methods module in which they will have identified an appropriate topic for research and set clear and achievable project objectives, to plan and carry out a programme of investigation.
• Their ability to manage project work in the context of competing time demands
• Their ability to collect, synthesise, and analyse appropriate data.
• Their ability to match theory learned during the programme to the critical analysis of the problem researched.
• Their ability to draw conclusions and, where appropriate, develop realistic recommendations.
• Their ability to write clearly, economically and persuasively in presenting the background to, and nature of, a problem, the alternative explanations of and perspectives on that problem, the evaluation of data and alternative solutions and the articulation of a preferred solution and its implications.

 

ASSESSMENT METHODS AND WEIGHTINGS

Submission of final project report, normally of 7000 words, exclusive of *cover page, contents page, executive summary, reference list and appendices.

All Learning Outcomes will be assessed in the final project submission.

 

Name of assessment	Weighting %	Qualifying mark/set %	LO’s Assessed
COURSEWORK: Report – (normally 7000 words*)	100%	as per standard PG	All

 

Structure & Presentation: (10%)

• Clear Executive Summary/ Abstract
• Clear Introduction with background, aims, objectives, clear research question
• Chapters have clear titles, logical flows between chapters, well structured
• References are cited and listed correctly
• Documentation standard (word processing, structure, logical flow, use of English)

 

Research: (30%)

• Research methods are applied correctly
• Methods used are clearly justified
• Sources of data are wide and appropriate
• Samples obtained for primary research, if used, are realistic and fully described

 

Analysis: (50%)

• Critical argument
• Independent thought
• Application of knowledge gained from more than one subject area
• Analysis is appropriate and thorough, including the use of theories from taught modules

 

Conclusions: (10%)

• Conclusions are relevant, well formulated
• Refer to original aims and objectives
• Make links with literature review and analysis in chapters
• Make appropriate recommendations for future work

 

REFERENCES LIST FOR RELEVANT SOURCES

• Anderson, V. (2009) Research Methods in HRM, 2nd edition, CIPD, 400p
• Beattie V. et al (2002) Research Methods and Methodology in Finance and Accounting, Thomson Learning, 240p
• Bowling (2009) Research Methods in Health: Investigating Health and Health Services, Open University Press, 496p
• Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2011) Business Research Methods, 3rd edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press
• Creswell J.W. (2003) Research Design – Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed methods Approaches, 2nd Edition, Sage Publications
• Denzin, N. K. and Lincoln, Y. (eds.) (2005)The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research, SAGE Publications.
• Fisher, C. (2010) Researching and Writing a Project: An Essential Guide for Business Students, 3 edition, Financial Times/ Prentice Hall, 448 pages
• Gill J. and Johnson P. (2010) Research Methods for Managers, 4th edition, London: Sage Publications, 288p
• Grix, J. (2004) The Foundations of Research, Palgrave Study Guides.
• Hardy, M. and Bryman, A. (2004) Handbook of Data Analysis, SAGE Publications.
• Malhotra, N. K. & Birks, D. F. (2006) Marketing Research: An Applied Approach updated, 2nd European Ed., London: Prentice-Hall International
• Sage University Papers Series in Quantitative Applications in the Social
• Saunders, M. Lewis P and Thornhill A. (2009) Research Methods for Business Students, 5th edition, Prentice Hall
• Sciences, Lewis-Beck M.S. (Series editor), London
• Silverman D. (2006) Interpreting Qualitative Data – Methods for Analyzing Talk,
• Text and Interaction, Third Edition, Sage Publications, 448p
• Travers M. (2001) Qualitative Research through Case Studies, Sage Publications -Wisker, G. (2001) The Postgraduate Research Handbook, Palgrave Study Guides.

 

DATE OF INITIAL VALIDATION:
DATES OF APPROVED MODIFICATIONS:
DATE OF RE-VALIDATION/REVIEW:	August 2011

 

6.2   Appendix B: Title Page

Dissertations should have a title page format, which conforms to the following specification:

 

Project BMAM707     ………………………………………………….………………………………………   ………………………………………………….……………………………………… (Title of Project)     this Project is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of   Master of Arts in Management   at the Westminster Business School of the University of Westminster, by     ………………….……………………………………… (Full name)   ……………………………………… (Student Id)   ……………………………………… (Date of submission)

 

6.3   Appendix C: Meetings with Supervisor Log

 

Meeting 1   Date:	Comments and Actions
Meeting 2   Date:	Comments and Actions
Meeting 3   Date:	Comments and Actions
Meeting 4   Date:	Comments and Actions

 

6.4   Appendix D: Library Consent Form

 

Marylebone Library PG Projects Collection

(Students on the MA Personnel and Development course should NOT complete this form)

 

COURSE: MA MANAGEMENT

 

PROJECT MODULE CODE: BMAM707

 

 

Session

 

Date of Submission

 

Student Name

 

Please complete this form and attach it to your project

 

Submitted projects may be selected by the Project Coordinator to become available for viewing as part of the Library PG Projects collection.

 

Do you wish to give the Campus permission for your project to be included in the library collection? (delete as appropriate)

 

Yes/No

 

Does the project contain confidential information, which would make it unsuitable for inclusion in the collection? (delete as appropriate)

 

Yes/No

 

Signed…………………………………..

 

Date…………………….

6.5   Appendix E: CA1 Form

The Project as with all Coursework’s should be submitted with a CA1 form attached, this can be located in the following Appendix, or via ‘Coursework Submission’ or the Module BlackBoard.

 

 

 

UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER	COURSEWORK COVERSHEET FORM CA1
MARYLEBONE CAMPUS

I confirm that I understand what plagiarism is and have read and understood the section on Assessment Offences in the Essential Information for Students. The work that I have submitted is entirely my own (unless authorised group work). Any work from other authors is duly referenced and acknowledged.

STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE THIS SECTION ONLY IN FULL AND IN CAPITALS

Surname

Forename

Registration No:

Course

Module Title

Module Code

Assignment No:

Date Submitted

Marker:

Word Count

Joint Assignments:

	24 hrs late/Over 24 hrs late:   MARK:

Date stamp

Tutor’s summary comments and feedback to student(s)                         All marks are subject to confirmation by the relevant Subject Board

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please be warned that the University employs methods for detecting breaches of the assessment regulations, including the use of electronic plagiarism detection software where appropriate.

[1] A viva voce is an examination by word of mouth or interview. It is used to supplement, test or examine further issues in and around a student’s written performance and for comparing their oral responses to questions on their topic with their written ones. The coherence or otherwise of oral and written performances is then used as a basis for academic judgement about what marks should be awarded for the assessment in question.