| Unit name | Dissertation in Healthcare Management |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EFIMM0089 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. West |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Management - Business School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
The completion of a dissertation requires advanced critical thinking and is a test of one’s capacity for independent research. It is the culmination of all the learning on the programme and enables students to identify problems in their field, and develop an appropriate framework to explore their ideas in relation to their chosen topic.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The unit fits the MSc Healthcare Management Programme’s goal of equipping graduates and professionals interested in pursuing a career in management with an in-depth understanding of how to successfully and critically undertake a piece of independent research. This unit is designed to draw all the skills you will have acquired throughout the previous units of the MSc.
An overview of content
The aim of your project and associated dissertation is to allow you to pursue a major project in an area of personal interest relevant to healthcare management at the level of Masters. It will give you the chance to work autonomously on a project of your choice and to both demonstrate, and develop communication, problem solving, research and project management understanding, knowledge and skills.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
At the end of this unit, you will have undertaken a research project from conception to completion on a topic of your interest and choosing. This will enable you to develop a clear question, as well as identify literature to help inform your ideas to frame your research. You will then develop an appropriate research framework (including methodology and analysis) from which to test your idea. This can be empirical or library based where relevant. You will then draw Your conclusions and identify any relevant theoretical and practical implications, as well as limitations and possible future research avenues.
Learning Outcomes
1. frame a clear, central research question within the project topic chosen
2. identify and critically review literature relevant to the topic and central research question
3. understand and apply an appropriate research methodology to investigate the chosen topic including research ethics process and considerations
4. analyse data and/or evidence, where appropriate, and draw apposite conclusions that answer the central research question; integrate conclusions into wider academic debates
5. produce a dissertation in a clear, well-written and grammatically-correct style, that conforms to the conventions of academic presentation
There will be five hours of supervision with a dissertation supervisor. Contact will be also provided electronically via email. Supervisor responsibilities include guidance on aspects of the dissertation preparation (including a specific discussion on research ethics approval, where appropriate), checking and helping with formal arguments and theoretical models, data collection, analysis and conclusions as applicable.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
You will receive an introduction to the dissertation unit during the year 2 induction week. In addition, the academic concepts explored during the Enquiry in Healthcare Unit will prepare you to plan and develop a research proposal.
There will be five hours of supervision with a dissertation supervisor. Contact will be also provided electronically via email. Supervisor responsibilities include guidance on aspects of the dissertation preparation (including a specific discussion on research ethics approval, where appropriate), checking and helping with formal arguments and theoretical models, data collection, analysis and conclusions as applicable.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The unit is assessed by means of a 15,000 word written individual dissertation (100%) based on a topic agreed with their dissertation supervisor, and related to content relevant to the Healthcare Management MSc. The dissertation will address learning outcomes 1 – 5.
When assessment does not go to plan
When a student fails the dissertation and is eligible to resubmit, a revised version of the original dissertation will be reassessed.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EFIMM0089).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
