LUBS5970 – Management Dissertation
University of Leeds | Leeds University Business School
45 Credits | Core Module for MSc Management Programs
🎯 Module Overview
This capstone module provides students with the opportunity to conduct an independent research project in management studies. Through supervised guidance, students will design and execute original research that contributes to academic knowledge or addresses real-world business challenges. The dissertation demonstrates mastery of research design, critical analysis, and academic writing at postgraduate level.
Key Features:
- 12,000-word original research project
- Choice between empirical or library-based approaches
- Integration of research methods training from prerequisite modules
- Dual focus on academic rigor and practical relevance
- One-to-one supervision with faculty experts
📚 Learning Journey
Semester 2 Preparation
- Lecture 1: Introduction to dissertation requirements
- Lecture 2: Developing research questions
- Workshop: Program-specific guidance
- Lecture 3: Methodology and ethics deep dive
- Deliverable: Research proposal submission
Summer Execution
- June: Literature search workshop
- July: Methods refresher sessions (qual/quant)
- August: Final chapter workshop
- Ongoing: 4-6 supervision meetings
- Milestones: Ethics approval, data collection, analysis
🔍 Research Pathways
Empirical Research
- Primary data collection (interviews, surveys, experiments)
- Qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods
- Requires ethics approval
- Examples: Case studies, action research
Library-Based Research
- Secondary data analysis
- Systematic literature reviews
- Theoretical development
- Examples: Meta-analyses, conceptual papers
Company Projects
- For selected programs only
- Real organizational challenges
- Requires sponsor agreement
- Examples: Consulting reports, business analyses
👨🏫 Supervision Model
Supervisor Role
- Provide methodological guidance
- Review ethics documentation
- Feedback on draft chapters (1-3)
- Monitor academic progress
- First marking of final submission
Student Responsibilities
- Develop feasible research plan
- Initiate supervision meetings
- Adhere to ethics protocols
- Manage project timeline
- Produce original work
Note: Supervisors provide guidance but the dissertation remains the student’s independent work
📝 Dissertation Structure
- IntroductionResearch rationale, questions, and contribution
- Literature ReviewCritical analysis of existing scholarship
- MethodologyPhilosophical approach and research design
- FindingsPresentation and interpretation of results
- DiscussionTheoretical and practical implications
- ConclusionSummary of contributions and limitations
🎓 Skills Development
Research Skills
- Problem formulation
- Literature synthesis
- Research design
- Data analysis
Professional Skills
- Project management
- Academic writing
- Critical thinking
- Research ethics
Transferable Skills
- Time management
- Communication
- Independent learning
- Problem-solving