ULMS Electronic Module Catalogue
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DISSERTATION
Code MKIB336
Coordinator Dr R Frank
Strategy, IB and Entrepreneurship
Regina.Frank@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2024-25 Level 6 FHEQ Whole Session 30

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
 

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
 

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on a required basis:
 

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on an optional basis:
 

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 30

 6

       5

 41
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 259
TOTAL HOURS 300

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Assessment 2: Dissertation (Semester 2) Assessment Type: Coursework Size: 5000 Words Weighting: 70% Reassessment Opportunity: Yes Penalty for Late Submission: Standard UoL penalty applies Ano  0    70       
Assessment 1: Research Proposal (Semester 1) Assessment Type: Coursework Size: 1500 words Weighting: 30% Reassessment Opportunity: Yes Penalty for Late Submission: Standard UoL penalty applies  0    30       

Aims

This module aims to:
Give students the opportunity to study a subject of their choosing related to their specialist area of study;
Develop students’ expertise over that subject area;
Support students developing techniques which will improve their research skills in problem definition, information collection, analysis, synthesis and reasoned argument;
Develop students’ research methods skills;
Develop individual initiative and judgement;
Develop writing and other communication skills.

Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Students will be able to design and undertake an individual research project with supervision

(LO2) Students will be able to defend the research proposal using written communication skills

(LO3) Students will be able to present a logical, critical and sustained argument in the final submission

(LO4) Students will be able to collect, analyse, and evaluate secondary quantitative and qualitative data

(LO5) Students will be able to demonstrate a strong understanding on research methods

(LO6) Students will be able to demonstrate n in depth understanding on a variety of business and international business theories/concepts relevant to their selected topic

(S1) Ethically aware

(S2) Excellent verbal and written communicator

(S3) Lifelong Learning Skills

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Semester 1
Teaching Method: Lecture
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 18 (9 lectures of 2 hours each)
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method: Seminar
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 3 (3 seminars 1 hour each)
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching method: Individual Supervision meetings (2 supervision meetings, 1 hour each)

Self-Directed Learning Hours: 127

Semester 2
Teaching Method: Lecture
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 12 (6 lectures of 2 hours each)
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method: Seminar
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 3 (3 seminars 1 hour each)
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method: Individual Supervision meetings (3 supervision meetings, 1 hour each)

Self-Directed Learning Hours: 132

Skills Mapping

Skill: Ethically aware
How is it Developed: In the lectures via dedicated topics and while developing the dissertation
Mode or Assessment (if applicable): Resear ch Proposal and Final Dissertation

Skill: An excellent verbal and written communicator
How is it Developed: During the lectures and seminars and via the assessment
Mode or Assessment (if applicable): Research Proposal and Final Dissertation

Skill: Lifelong learner
How is it Developed: By producing an independent piece of work
Mode or Assessment (if applicable): Research Proposal and Final Dissertation

Syllabus
 

In this module students need to work on an individual piece of work, related to the specialist element within the International Business programme, undertaken by the student with supervisor support on an individual basis.
Supervision will involve supporting students with respect to scheduling the production of the Dissertation and its key stages; how to formulate research aims and how to express these aims in the form of appropriate research questions or a research hypothesis; evaluating what makes a good independent study module, bibliographic sources and referencing; time management, research design and using, appropriate methodologies; analysing data; drawing conclusions and suggesting policy and research implications.

To meet the above students will receive extensive research methods training through a series of lectures and seminars. The topics we suggest will delivered across both semesters. Topics to be covered include;

1. Introduction to Academic Resear ch and Research Methods
2. Introduction to Research Philosophies and Approaches
3. Research Ethics
4. Selection of the Research Topic and development of Research Questions
5. Critical Thinking and Critical Writing
6. Academic Databases – how to find information on your topic, correct referencing, plagiarism and paraphrasing
7. Developing a critical Literature Review
8. Formulating the Research Design
9. Developing a Research Proposal
10. Quantitative Data Collection (macro-economic and firm level databased)
11. Qualitative Data Collection (case studies, social media, and other secondary sources)
12. Analysing Quantitative Data (Regression analysis)
13. Analysing Quantitative Data (software, excel and stata)
14. Analysing Qualitative Data
15. Presentation and Discussion of research findings

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.