Management Investigations

& Dissertation
MN6P00

Autumn 2016/17
Week 1

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Welcome to
week 1
Module Leader: Bettina Coleman-Schoels

Email: b.coleman-schoels@londonmet.ac.uk

Office: MT2M-01
Extension: 1634

Feedback and Advice hours:

Tuesday 5-6pm MT2-01a
Wednesday 3-4pm MT2-01b

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Welcome back to your final year of university

Your grades from this year count towards your overall degree
award – make those the best you can

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Learning objectives of
today

• Introduction to module and time table

• Attendance
• Introduction to each other
• Research activity
• Introduction to tutors and supervisors
• Presentation

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Learning Outcomes

At the end of today’s session and with some more individual work you
will have:

• a good understanding of the aims and learning outcomes of this

module
• an overview of the weekly sessions
• a clear picture of our commitment and expectation
• met some of your peers
• started to think about the research process
• met tutors and potential supervisors

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Aims of the module

• To provide students with the opportunity to synthesise, integrate and

develop their learning from related modules and further direct their
research;
• To enable students to identify an industry in which they wish to build
their career;
• To undertake an investigation into a current and contemporary issue
within their chosen industry using secondary sources of data and/or
primary research;
• To report on their investigation in the form of a professional
dissertation
• To help students to identify and prepare for employment opportunities;
• To help them to develop up-to-date CVs and on-line personal profiles.

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Learning outcomes of
module

• Conduct an independent survey of literature in their chosen industry,

drawing on a range of appropriate sources in order to formulate an
emerging theme of study.
• Critically evaluate data sources and employ a range of analytical
techniques to summarise data
• Construct a compelling, persuasively argued rationale in the form of a
research proposal, fulfilling both academic and professional
standards.
• Conduct research;
• Demonstrate self-awareness and critical thinking in their choice of
industry in which to build their career;
• Develop CVs to meet the requirements of their chosen industry;
• Construct professional on-line profiles;
• Research the job market in their chosen industry;
• Identify and apply for job opportunities from published sources in their
chosen industry;
• Write up their dissertation;
• Demonstrate the capability to develop a well-researched and well-
structured dissertation. MN6P00 Management
londonmet.ac.uk
Investigations and
Dissertation
 Module Housekeeping

All communication on this module will be sent via your londonmet

account - Please either download the app, redirect to your personal
email or check our londonmet email account on a daily basis

New information will be dispersed via Weblearn – Please

make sure you check Weblearn on a weekly basis

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Employability for our graduates

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Job market at the moment

What did graduates do? (Prospect, 2014)

Numbers Entering
Working
graduating Entering further Unemployed at
Year and
(survey employment study/trai time of survey
studying
respondents) ning
2013 242,285 67.7% 13% 5.9% 8.5%

2014 256,350 70% 12,6% 5,6% 7,3%

• 1/3 of this year’s entry level positions will be filled by graduates who have
already worked for their organisations
• Recruitment is still well below pre-recession levels
• Negative effects on employment due to Brexit – especially accountancy,
banking and finance, business, consulting and management (Prospects,
2016)
londonmet.ac.uk
MN6P00 Management Investigations and
Dissertation
 Job Market in the News
Not too long ago....

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Londonmet students

91.4% are in employment and/or education 6 months after graduation

in 2015 (DLHE, 2015)

NSS results 2015:

Overall satisfaction on the

BA(Hons) Business Management 83%
BA(Hons) Business Management and Marketing 76%
BA(Hons) International Business Management 89%

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Get involved

Student Union (become a STAR) http://www.londonmetsu.org.uk/

Work placements, internships – speak to in house
employability, careers, ...
Network
Become a member of a professional body (CIMA, CMI,
IoD ...)
Accelerator (make your business idea into a business)
http://hatchery.accelerator-london.com/

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Our commitments to you

• to support you in your research into your chosen

industry
• to help you understand the research process
• to prepare you for your job hunt
• provide a safe learning community

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Our expectations

Your commitment is vital for your success!

Your professionalism (punctuality, discretion, participation,...)
Be courteous to your colleagues and allow a safe learning
community
Attendance Weekly attendance is imperative for your
achievements within the classroom as well as outside.
Take pride in your work and achievements
to move from here:

to here to here:

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Who does success depend on?

• To be a motivated learner
• To take responsibility and be
proactive
• To realise your research
interest and field
• To identify realistic and
manageable research
questions
• To work with your supervisor
• To do the research and write
up
• To submit all requirements on
time
MN6P00 Management Investigations and
londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Exercise in pairs

• Find a colleague you haven’t met/spoken to before

• Introduce yourself

• What is the degree course you are doing?

• What is your research interest?

• What material have you found so far and read up on?

• What will you be reading up on this week?

• Who would you like your supervisor to be?

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Reflection on exercise

Make notes on realisations you have come to, i.e.

What is still missing?

What ideas have you gathered from your discussion?

What do you need to do this week to start your success story?

How can you achieve the grade you want to?

Make notes of what you still need to do

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Assessments

There are different elements to assessment:

Description of
Assessment type % Weighting Tariff Week due
item

Proposal and
CWK 20 9
Literature review

Simulation Job
CWK 20 16
Application

CWK Dissertation 60 28

in order to successfully complete this module – weekly attendance

and engagement on Weblearn is essential

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Assessment Description

Assignment 1: Proposal and Literature Review

Needs to be discussed and agreed with your supervisor
Further details will be provided throughout the term
week 9 via Weblearn and Turnitin

Assignment 2: Simulation Job Application

Part 1: application to job advert, including CV and cover letter
Further details will be advised throughout the term
week 16 via HUB

Assignment 3: Dissertation
2 copies of your dissertation and Turnitin submission
Further details will be advised throughout the term
week 28 via HUB and Turnitin

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Weekly Program for 2016/17
3 hour sessions

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Introduction Preparing Research Ass Preparing for the Job Market Christmas
1 Break (2
Due weeks)

Meet with supervisor and agree research topic Meet with supervisor and discuss progress
12 14 1 16 17 18 19 20 2 22 23 24
13 5 1
Gathering Data Ass 2 Due Analysing Your Data Writing Your Dissertation EASTER

Meet with supervisor and discuss progress

25 2 27 28 29 30
6
EASTER Editing and Finalising Ass 3 Due
Your Dissertation

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Key stages towards a
successful completion of
your dissertation
• By week 3 research topic
• By week 5 choose topic and get supervisor assigned
• By week 9 submit proposal & literature review
• Stay in touch with and meet supervisor every couple of weeks
throughout the year – keep records to submit
• By week 13 appraise proposal and literature review with
supervisor and continue working on rest of research
• By week 16 submit CV, application form and cover letter
• By week 20 gathered data and analyse
• By week 24 submit final draft to supervisor to get feedback
• By week 28 submit final dissertation

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Other resources

Weblearn – please contribute on a weekly basis and check for

updates
• module handbook
• lecture notes
• further information, i.e. talks from industry, useful weblinks, etc
Library:
• Text books, Journal articles, Information on industries
Tutors and Supervisors:
• Ask for advice or guidance
Business Works:
• placements and promotion of extra curricular activities,
Student Services
• Career Development and Employment
Reputable Websites (recommendations will be provided throughout the term or on
Weblearn):
• Information and advice

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Starting the research process
Get into group of 5 - 7 people
One from each group collect a research topic & flip chart paper/pen from the front

In your groups discuss:

Analyse the topic – what does it mean?

Design a study according to the title
How will you construct your research (who, how, what, where,
when, why ...)?
What methods will you use and why (benefits and limitations)?
How can you ensure the reliability and validity of the study?

Write your answers on the flipchart and prepare to present after

the break.

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Present your research plan to another
group and be prepared for questions

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Potential Supervisors
Yaz Djebbour Ann Kennedy
Jalil Ahmed Katie Hemmings
Bettina Coleman-Schoels Sharka Volekova
Etienne Bresch Chahid Fourali
Susanne Ehrlich John Mrzek
Hemakshi Chokshi
Doug Smith
Zainab Fakhr

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 After the break

You will be introduced to

Carmel Carroll – Library

Dr Jalil Ahmed

Present your research to another group – be prepared for questions

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Dr Jalil Ahmed
Model of the Research Process

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Professional bodies

• How many people are there who have BM or

Marketing degrees?

• A degree gives you a baseline qualification in

your chosen subject i.e. Business
Management, Marketing etc.

• What can you do to standout from the crowd?

londonmet.ac.uk
 Professional bodies
• CIM [Chartered Institute of Marketing]
• CAM [Communication, Advertising & Marketing]
• CIPR [Chartered Institute of Public Relations]
• ICSA [ Institute of Chartered Secretaries and
Administrators]

• CIMA [Chartered Institute of Management

Accountants]
• ACCA [Association of Chartered Accountants
Association]
• ATT [Association of Accounting Technicians]

• CMI [Chartered Management Institute]

• IoD [Institute of Directors]
londonmet.ac.uk
 Membership benefits

• Have the potential to change competition in your

favour

• Gain membership & professional recognition of a

professional body

• Enhance your CV & take charge of your career

• Attend professional body events to broaden

knowledge [may even find a mentor]

• Network!
londonmet.ac.uk
 Preparation for next week

• Prepare articles uploaded on Weblearn before

next week – we will use it for an in class activity

• Read up on research skills and different

philosophical approaches (ontology,
epistemology, methodology, ..)

• Check your timetable for your room number

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Before you go …

• Please always check your timetable in good time as

some sessions will be held in the class room and
others in a computer room

• Attend all sessions – they are there to support you as a

motivated learner and researcher

• Once a supervisor has been allocated – make sure you

keep him/her up-to-date with your progress (keep a
record of your meetings)

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation
 Suggested reading list

Blumberg, B., Cooper, D. R., & Schindler, P. S. (2014). Business research methods.
Maidenhead, McGraw-Hill Education.

Bryman, A., & Bell, E. (2011). Business research methods. Oxford, Oxford Univ. Press.

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry and research design: choosing
among five approaches. Los Angeles, SAGE Publications.

Creswell, J. W. (2013). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method

approaches. 3rd ed. London, Sage.

Quinlan, C. (2011). Business Research Methods. Andover, England, Cengage.

Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2012). Research methods for business students.
Harlow, England, Pearson.

Zikmund, W.G., Babin, B.J., Carr, J.C. & Griffin, M. (2013). Business Research Methods. 9th
ed. Canada, Cengage.

MN6P00 Management Investigations and

londonmet.ac.uk Dissertation