7MNST001W Project Assessment Brief Sem 2 and 3, 2025 | University of Westminster

7MNST001W Assessment Briefing

The University has arrangements for marking, internal moderation and external scrutiny. Further information can be found in Section 12 of the Handbook of Academic Regulations, westminster.ac.uk/study/current-students/resources/academic-regulations  

Projects in the WBS context are similar to what is also referred to as a Dissertation.  The core difference is the Project is viewed as a more practically orientated piece of work that looks at a real world management issue and typically includes primary data collection.  They may also be called a Thesis but in the UK this is more typical of a piece of work that forms part of the work of an MPhil, [Master in Philosophy] or PhD [Doctorate].
 
The Project flows from Business Research Methods, which has helped you to develop the necessary knowledge and competence to carry out the research necessary to create your Project.  The Project Proposal, the assessment component of the Business Research Methods module, will form the cornerstone of your Project.

In simple terms, the Project is an opportunity for you to demonstrate that you are capable of applying what you have learnt, and are learning, through your studies for the MA Management. That you are able to integrate the learning and theories gained during your studies, and to demonstrate your understanding of subjects across your course as a whole.  Finally, it is a piece of work that is self managed and self motivated, your project should be something of which you are proud, and something to take with you and keep and perhaps to show to prospective employers as a measure of your academic achievement at Masters level.

The pass mark for the module is 50%. To pass overall, the overall total calculated from adding weighted marks in each assessment component must be n/a (If your mark for the module is between 40 – 49 you will be required to complete one or more referral assessments and your mark for these will be capped at 50%. Any marks below 40 will be deemed a fail and you will be required to retake the module; the final mark will be capped at 50%).

NOTE: You can only make two attempts as passing this module, the initial attempt and one of the above to options, but, both.

• 50% and above    :    Pass
• 40% - 49%        :    Marginal Fail [Referral/Resubmit]
• 39% and below    :    Fail [Retake the Module]

Unless explicitly indicated otherwise all coursework must be submitted electronically via Blackboard. In addition to the detail given below, further information may be posted onto the Blackboard site for the module.

Anonymous marking

This module does not adopt anonymous marking by its nature of being a piece of work supervised by a dedicated academic

Assessment rationale, methods and weightings

The project report enables students to demonstrate an evaluative understanding of the relevant aspects of management theory; the ability to carry out original primary research in order to investigate the problem and the ability to utilise the theory to analyse the results of that research and arrive at well-founded conclusions.  The single assessment addresses all the Learning Outcomes.

7MNST001W Project Types

A MAM Project should be an applied piece of research that seeks to improve or change an organisational situation or opportunity or support the decision-making process. (Business Plans are not allowed)

The project will investigate an important management issue. It may come under one or more of the following headings:

• A consultancy problem within the employing, or other host organisation.
• A qualitative or quantitative study of a management topic, about which there is a gap in knowledge, as identified during the literature review.
• Model building, based on original data collected by the student or reinterpretation of an existing data set.
• An empirical study that offers a theoretical treatise meta-analysis, based on secondary data; and is suitable for publication.

7MNST001W Assessment criteria

Utilising the Business Research Methods module and the Project Proposal created as part of the assessment they will have identified an appropriate topic for research and set clear and achievable project objectives, to plan and carry out a programme of investigation.

Students will be assessed on their ability to show the following:

• their ability to manage project work in the context of competing time demands;
• formulate a relevant and clear research aim, and research objectives, with underlying rational for research;
• critically review significant and relevant academic and practitioner literature, and set their research aim within this context;
• include a relevant discussion of the background to and nature of the problem/issue, and context, as appropriate;
• explain, justify and correctly use an appropriate research approach, methodology and methods;
• identify, systematically collect synthesise, and analyse appropriate data, and include clearly presented findings;
• match theory learned during the programme to the critical analysis of the problem/issue researched.
• critically analyse and interpret findings in an integrated manner, in the context of the knowledge in the field (practitioner and academic literature);
• draw research and literature supported conclusions and, where appropriate, develop realistic recommendations;
• present a clearly written Project, that is well structured and is economical and persuasive in presenting the alternative explanations of and perspectives on that problem/issue, with the evaluation of data and alternative solutions and the articulation of a preferred solution and its implications.

7MNST001W Specific Criteria (Outline Marking Schema)

Structure & Presentation: (10%)

• Clear Executive Summary/Abstract as appropriate to the type of research
• Clear Introduction with background, ails, objectives, clear research question
• Chapters have clear titles, logical flows between chapters, well structured
• References are cited and listed correctly
• Documentation standard (word processing, structure, logical flow, use of English)

Literature Review (15%)

• evidence of a range of relevant background reading

• both academic research and theory; & practiced based literature ere relevant

• evidenced in the Project as support and justification for the ideas, discussion and argument being presented

Research: (25%)

• An appropriate outline of the overarching Research Design and approach
• Research methods are applied correctly
• Methods used are clearly justified
• Sources of data are wide and appropriate
• Samples obtained for primary research (if used are realistic and fully described}

Analysis: (40%)

• Critical argument
• Independent thought
• Application of knowledge gained from more than one subject area
• Analysis is appropriate and thorough, including the use of theories from taught modules
• Clear integration with the Literature and the Literature Review

Conclusions: (10%)

• Conclusions are relevant, well formulated
• Refer to original aims and objectives
• Make links with literature review and analysis in chapters
• Make appropriate recommendations for future work