Management Dissertation PG (6254.7)
| Available teaching periods | Delivery mode | Location |
|---|---|---|
| View teaching periods | ||
| EFTSL | Credit points | Faculty |
| 0.25 | 6 | Faculty Of Business, Government & Law |
| Discipline | Study level | HECS Bands |
| Institute For Governance And Policy Analysis | Post Graduate Level | Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan Social Work_Exclude 0905) Band 5 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021) |
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:1. Students will have conducted a substantial research project and written up the results;
2. Will know how to design and conduct research projects in the field of public sector management;
3. Will be able to ground theoretical elements of management in particular case study organisations; and
4. Will know how to interpret and present the results of research in management, including recommendations for future organisational action.
Graduate attributes
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
Prerequisites
Permission of course convener.Corequisites
None.Incompatible units
None.Equivalent units
None.Assumed knowledge
None.| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
|---|
Required texts
Below is a suggested list of resources you might find useful while working on your dissertation.
Books:
- Booth, W. C. et al. (2003) The Craft of Research. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
- Babbie, E. R. (2016) The Practice of Social Research (14th Edition). Cengage Learning.
- Graff, G. and Birkenstein, C. (2006) "They Say, I Say' The Moves that Matter in Academic Writing. New York: W.W. Norton& Company.
Online Resources:
- Harvard College Writing Centre: This website includes useful information about varies steps of constructing a thesis, strategies for close and critical reading, and various tips on grammar, punctuation and style. https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/developing-thesis
- Writing for Research: This site includes many short and useful blog pieces about different aspects of writing process, collated by Professor Patrick Dunleavy (University of Canberra). https://medium.com/@write4research You can also find and follow this site on Twitter @Write4Reserach
- Academic Toolkit: This is a toolkit designed by Dr Ben Ellway (University of Canberra) to help research students to solve problems, overcome obstacles, reach important milestones, and create, write, and publish quality research. https://www.academic-toolkit.com/about
Submission of assessment items
Extensions & Late submissions
Please submit your dissertation latest by 1 November 2021, 5pm via Canvas
Special assessment requirements
Dissertation assessment criteria
Your dissertation will be assessed by the Management Dissertation Unit Convener and by an anonymous internal examiner based at the University of Canberra.
Dissertations are assessed using the following criteria. However, it is important to note that the overall mark is a result of the assessment of the dissertation as a whole:
- Does the dissertation have a clear research question which it attempts to answer?
- Does the dissertation engage with and show sufficient knowledge of relevant literature?
- Does the dissertation demonstrate a logical flow of argument?
- Does the dissertation use sufficient evidence in support of its argument?
- Does the dissertation demonstrate critical thinking in relation to the existing literature,
arguments and evidence?
- Is the structure of the dissertation well developed?
- Is the dissertation adequately presented in terms of: correct referencing and quoting as well as spelling and layout?
Hence marks are normally allocated accordingly:
| Designated Grade |
Description |
| High Distinction (HD) |
Work of outstanding quality on the learning outcomes of the subject, which may be demonstrated in areas such as criticism, logical argument, interpretation of materials or use of methodology. This grade may also be given to recognise particular originality or creativity. |
| Distinction (DI) |
Work of superior quality on the learning outcomes of the subject, demonstrating a sound grasp of content, together with efficient organisation and selectivity. |
| Credit (CR) |
Work of good quality showing more than satisfactory achievement on the learning outcomes of the subject, or work of superior quality on a majority of the learning outcomes of the subject. |
| Pass (P) |
Work showing a satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes of the subject. |
| Ungraded Pass (UP) |
Work showing achievement of the learning outcomes of the subject to a satisfactory level or better. |
| DX |
Deferred Examination result pending |
| SX |
Supplementary Examination result pending |
| Fail (NW, NX, NC, NS or NN) |
Work showing an unsatisfactory achievement of one or more learning outcomes of the subject, and not qualifying for the grade of pass or conceded pass. |
Academic integrity
Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.
To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.
Use of Text-Matching Software
The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.
Participation requirements
The Unit does not include weekly contact hours. At the beginning of the term, students are expected to meet with the Unit Convener to discuss their research proposals and supervisory arrangements.
Please make an appointment with the Unit Convener Associate Professor Darren Sinclair darren.sinclair@canberra.edu.au for a meeting sometime between 2-6 August 2021.
Required IT skills
None
Work placement, internships or practicums
None
Additional information
Research process: some tips
There follows a number of tips which may help you during the research process:
- Start collating primary source materials and arranging interviews (if appropriate) as early as possible. It is particularly important to make sure that you have enough materials (data, secondary and primary sources etc) to complete your research project.
- Develop a detailed but feasible timetable. Organise your timetable around chapter deadlines and supervision meetings.
- Arrange interviews well in advance (if this is part of your remit). Always provide interviewees with a choice of dates for interview. Be prepared for late changes in plans. Remain flexible to the needs of the interviewee. Provide the interviewee with a list of questions or topics in advance of the interview. If you are taping interviews it is advisable to take key notes as well.
- Compile a full and accurate bibliography as you work. This will save you time in the long run.
- Be aware of the rules for the preparation and presentation of the dissertation. Set up your word processing files in the appropriate dissertation presentation proforma via WORD. This will save you a lot of time in the long run!
- Do not confine yourself purely to reading around your dissertation topic. Use part of your leisure time to read more widely. During the period of research, you should read work of contrasting styles (novels, biography, autobiography) paying particular attention to writing style.
- Everybody suffers from writer's block. One way around this is to initially organise the chapters of your dissertation around a series of questions. The process of answering the questions can help you revitalise your thinking and writing. If you don't feel up to writing, work on other tasks, such as compiling a bibliography, arranging an interview or searching and reviewing primary or secondary source materials.
- Aim to complete your first draft two weeks prior to the deadline. This will leave you plenty of time for editing your work.
- Proof read your dissertation extensively before submission. It is absolutely crucial that your dissertation is well written and clearly presented. Get one of your colleagues to proof read your dissertation or pay for professional help. But make sure that you shop around for the right price.
