IMA7006 Dissertation Assessment Brief 2026 | RCL

Learning Outcomes Assessed

AI STATUS: CATEGORY A: NO GAI TOOL IS PERMITTED

Brief

The dissertation is a research project based investigation of a topic approved in term 2. The outcome is likely to comprise answers to a set of research questions. The dissertation represents the culmination of your postgraduate study and is expected to demonstrate independent, critical, and original research capability at Level 7. 

The dissertation is the final stage of the master’s degree and provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate that you have developed the advanced knowledge, critical understanding, and intellectual independence required to design and conduct a substantial research project. It should demonstrate a systematic and holistic understanding of your chosen topic area, together with a comprehensive awareness of current issues and developments in the field of study. 

The dissertation will enable you to further develop your Research Methods topic from semester 2. It is expected that you will streamline and update introductory content in Chapter 1, expand the Literature Review in Chapter 2 and amplify Research Methodology (with justification of choices) in Chapter 3. You will improve these chapters in conjunction with your supervisor’s guidance. You will then combine primary data gathering and desk research to generate findings. You will evaluate and synthesise these results and must present them clearly. You will also produce a set of conclusions drawn from the findings. At the end you will write a reflective chapter on your overall journey as a researcher. 
Task
Your task is to devise and conduct an independent research project on an approved topic and write a 14,000 - 15,000-word dissertation, +/-10%, on the chosen subject. Primary data collection is compulsory. You must demonstrate

• Clear alignment between research questions, aim(s) and objectives, methodology and findings.
• Engagement with the most recent, high-quality academic literature.
• Adequate justification of methodological choices.
• Ethical compliance.
• A capacity for cohesive, critical writing.
• Expert scholarly practice, including handling of results and citation.

The dissertation must include the following elements.

Cover Page
Abstract 
Acknowledgements
Table of Contents
Glossary
List of Tables
List of Figures

1.    Introduction 

• Background to the study context.
• Statement of the research problem.
• Key research questions.
• A clear and succinct statement of the aim(s)  and research objectives the dissertation will address.
• A rationale for conducting the research, e.g., motivation for the project, who could benefit from it and how, the business significance of the study.
• Outline of the dissertation chapter structure.

The following chapters should start with a short introduction and end with a brief conclusion.

2.    Literature Review

• Critical review of key areas of literature.
• Discussion of relevant theoretical perspectives.
• Development of a conceptual framework.
• Identification of a literature gap.

3.    Methodology

• Research paradigm/philosophy.
• Research approach, strategy and design.
• Methods used, with supporting rationales.
• Sampling framework (for quantitative research).
• Sampling and participant selection criteria (for qualitative research). 
• Data collection processes.
• Data analysis.
• Ethical considerations (ethical issues you have identified and means of addressing them).
• Validity and reliability (for quantitative research).
• Credibility and reflexive analysis (for qualitative research).

4.    Findings and Analysis

• Summary and analyses of quantitative data (graphs, charts, results of statistical analysis, i.e. frequency distributions, descriptive and inferential calculations).
• illustration of theming and coding plus tabulation of main results  with commentary. (qualitative research).

5.    Discussion of findings

• Interpretation and triangulation of results, focusing on trends and patterns.
• Synthesis with literature including research gap outcomes.
• Relationship between findings and theory/theories applied.

6.    Conclusions

• Summary of main findings.
• Fulfilment of research objectives.
• Summary of contributions (e.g. theoretical, practical).
• Recommendations.
• Limitations and future research directions.

Personal Reflections Using a reflective model if possible e.g., Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle, you are required discuss the following:

• Key challenges during the dissertation process.
• Development of research and professional skills.
• Growth of ethical and inter-personal professional awareness.

7.    Word Count – to be confirmed at the end of the text. See advice below.

Additional requirements

• Minimum of 50 high-quality sources. A total of 80-100 is strongly encouraged. All sources cited the dissertation text should be included in the reference list.
• Strong preference for peer-reviewed journals, supported by relevant trade/business/industry sources, especially to tailor content to your context.
• Harvard referencing (strict, full adherence is required). Harvard Referencing
• Evidence of independent, critical thinking and cohesive academic writing.
• AI use must comply with the stated category (currently restricted).

Appendices. You are required to include the first three items AND quantitative/qualitative evidence as advised below.

• A completed supervisory meeting form.
• RE1 (Research Ethics) form.
• Ethics checklist accompanied by relevant supporting documents such as the participant information sheet and participant consent form.

Quantitative evidence

• A blank questionnaire (if used). Compulsory.
• A sample of a completed survey response including qualitative answers to open-ended questions. Compulsory. Well-selected, legible screen shots are acceptable.Selected results tables for quantitative research. Optional.
  Qualitative evidence
• Full interview transcriptions and links to recordings (for qualitative or mixed methods research). Compulsory.
• Evidence of full, systematic data coding, manual or through NVIVO. Compulsory.  
• Data analysis outcomes, showing alignment of codes, themes and categories. Compulsory. May take the form of evidence from NVIVO and/or manually-crafted tables. Some of this content will be included in Chapter 4 for illustrative purposes (with commentary) as advised by your supervisor.
• Additional interview notes for qualitative research, with analysis (only if used). Such notes may not replace interview recordings/transcriptions.

Formatting and style Guidance on formatting and presentation requirements, including font sizes, line spacing, etc., can be found here:

Word Count. You are expected to revise and edit your written dissertation to remain within +/- 10% of the allocated word limit for that piece of work. The bibliography/reference list and all tables, figures and appendices are EXCLUDED from the overall word count.

Minimum References – HE Level 7 Requirements. It is expected that the Reference List/Bibliography will contain sufficient sources to meet the expectations of a project output/portfolio at MBA level (minimum of 50).  For best practice, aim for 80-100 or higher.

The Reference List/Bibliography should mainly comprise good quality refereed academic journals/papers. They will be supported by credible/authoritative reports, Level HE7 academic books/book chapters, credible websites (e.g., company websites, government websites), established trade journals/magazines. 

AI Declaration: At the end of the assessment, you should include a declaration of any software tools including Generative AI (GAI) applications that you used in developing and completing the assessment. The assessment brief will specify if and how GAI applications may be used in the assessment (see p.1).
Late Work:

Late work will be penalised as outlined in the Programme Handbook.

Mitigating Circumstances:

If submission of your work is delayed because of extenuating/mitigating circumstances, please look at the Student Handbook for advice on how to proceed and discuss the matter with your SSO and tutor. All mitigating circumstance claims should be accompanied by evidence.

Fit to Submit:  Assignment Checklist

Please use the provided checklist below to make sure you are ‘fit to submit’ your work.
We recommend you use this checklist as soon as you get this assignment brief to help you plan your work. The purpose of the checklist is to help you avoid prevalent mistakes/oversights that students often make in their assignments. Students frequently lose marks because they forget some of the more basic assignment expectations.

CHECKLIST BEFORE FINAL SUBMISSION

Marking Scheme