PMAN7010 MSc Dissertation Module Handbook Semester 2, 2024-25 | OBU

Contents

• Module introduction    
• Module descriptor    
• Recommended reading list    
• Your Library Service    
• Upgrade – Study Advice Service    
• Assessment information    
• Regulations    
• Guidelines on using others to check your work    
• University regulation A3-13 Cheating    
• A note on equality, diversity and inclusion  

 Module Introduction

This module follows on from P33523 Applied Research Methods, and the aims and objectives of that module are all carried forward into this one. The aim is for students to carry out and write up an extended piece of research focused on applied project management in the built environment. Students are encouraged to undertake research in an area of interest to their employers.

Suitable forms of dissertation could include:

an investigation based on primary and secondary data of a project management or organisational practice

testing or development of an existing project management model; application of theories or concepts to the solving of a project management or organisational problem

a historical investigation into a managerial/organisational theory, concept or practice; a thorough review of the literature of a given field

The comparison and evaluation of international practices or approaches to an aspect of project management.

Module Descriptor

PMAN7010 Module Aims

The module aims not only to generate new knowledge or insights but also to develop students’ capacities to undertake rigorous research, to plan and execute an extended project and to communicate complex ideas effectively in words and graphically.

The detailed Research Proposal students submit for PMAN7009 will provide the direction needed to complete the Dissertation in terms of both the content and management of the research. Each student will work with a supervisor from within the School.

Aims:

• To provide students with the opportunity to produce an original piece of work of publishable quality.
• To assist students in the further development of their research proposal, to conduct their primary research and enable them to present their findings professionally.

PMAN7010 Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

• Critically review and demonstrate a full understanding of literature in their subject area.
• Evaluate, rationalise and apply an appropriate research technique, demonstrating awareness of the range of research tools available.
• Synthesise, analyse and integrate secondary and primary sourced data.
• Present their findings concisely and using appropriate graphs, images and media.

Outline Syllabus

The MSc dissertation is distinct from the undergraduate work in requiring that all students demonstrate; first, a theoretical and conceptual understanding of the subject and the ability to use and relate theory and concepts to the analysis and explanation of their topic; second, a critical awareness of their assumptions brought to the study and of their findings; thirdly, a contribution to the body of knowledge and understanding of the subject area.

Suitable subject areas for a dissertation could include:

• An investigation based on primary and secondary sourced data of a project management or organisational practice
• Testing or development of an existing project management model; application of theories or concepts to the solving of a project management or organisational problem
• The comparison and evaluation of international practices or approaches to an aspect of project management
• In addition, subject to the approval of the module leader, more technical topics examining different aspects of construction work or broader socio-economic and/or sustainability analysis related to the built environment may also be considered.
• Application of theories or concepts to the solving of contemporary and critical issues in the procurement, contractual and financial management of construction projects or organisations
• A historical investigation into a managerial/organisational theory, concept or practice; a thorough review of the literature of a given field (MSc PMBE only)
• In addition, subject to the approval of the module leader, more technical topics examining different aspects of construction work or broader socio-economic and/or sustainability analysis related to the built environment may also be considered.

Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Strategy

Each student will be allocated an individual tutor on the basis of the subject chosen. It is the function of the tutor to advise the student on the technical aspects of the project, on reading and other sources of information and the form and structure of the project.

Through researching (research literacy) and producing a major individual assignment of between 15,000 words (academic literacy and digital and information literacy), the MSc dissertation examines the ability of the student to organise and pursue work with minimal but sufficient supervision (critical self-awareness and personal literacy). It should demonstrate originality of thought, independence and an in-depth understanding of theory. It should meet the requirements of both theoretical validity and practical applicability, both in the local and global context (active citizenship).

Assessment Tasks

Opportunities for formative assessment and feedback

The student is provided with 15 hours of individual contact time with their dissertation supervisor, during which formative feedback is available on any aspect of the student’s work.

Assessment Information

This module follows the principles of the University’s Assessment Compact, developed in conjunction with the Student Union, to ensure good practice and transparency in assessment and feedback processes. The Assessment Compact can be found in your Programme Handbook or on your programme’s Brookes Virtual site.

Presenting a dissertation for assessment
See appendices 2 and 3

Submission date and instructions

• The date for submission of Master’s thesis for the Second Run, 2024-25, semester 2, is 23:59 hours GMT Friday 9th May 2025. Submission is in electronic form to the Turnitin link on Moodle. Late submissions will not be accepted.
• Submissions must be in a Word file.
• If you do not submit by the due date and time without valid mitigating circumstances, you will get a zero and fail the module. However, if you are still within the maximum permitted duration for the course, you can re-enrol for the module but will have to change your topic and will be liable for a continuation fee (to be advised). The examination committee may, at its discretion, waive the continuation fee subject to presentation of acceptable evidence of extenuating circumstances.
• In all cases last submission of drafts for supervisor comments should take place 3 weeks before the final submission deadline

Marking of your work

Following internal marking, a sample of work is reviewed by the External Examiner for the programme to ensure that the standards applied are comparable to those at other institutions.

Feedback

Students completing this module will have been given the opportunity to:

• Discuss their research proposal with the allocated supervisor;
• Regularly discuss progress with their supervisor throughout the dissertation period and receive formative feedback;
• The last submission of drafts for supervisor comments should take place 3 weeks before the final submission deadline.

Final feedback on your work will be provided in terms of agreed comments from the markers after the marks have been published on PIP.

If you would like further information about feedback or how to use it, please talk to your tutor on this module or your Academic Adviser (Personal Tutor).

Marking and moderation of your work

Dissertations will be marked by at least two members of staff. If there is a disagreement, the work is sent to a third marker and may also be referred to external examiners.
 
Withdrawing after week 4

In exceptional cases, it may be possible to withdraw from a run of the module after week 4. However, such a withdrawal must be agreed by the supervisor and module leader. In addition, it is only possible where students have not engaged in supervision. There is a maximum limit of 2 withdrawals after week 4 based on a lack of engagement in supervision.

Appendix Assessment 1 Criteria Guidance

Appendix 2 Dissertation Structure

Front Matter 
Abstract

The abstract is written last, although placed at the beginning of your dissertation. It provides a summary of the research you have undertaken and consists of approximately five hundred words (½ a page). It states the following:

• The reason why the research was conducted (the research goal)
• The research strategy and objectives of the research
• The main findings of the research -do not include details or examples at this stage
• The main conclusions of the research
• Word Count (Under the abstract you must provide a total word count (excluding footnotes, endnotes, bibliography and appendices), which must be no more than 15,000 words).
• Keywords (include the keywords that relate to the topic (i.e. Brownfield, Regeneration, Sheffield, PPG123, Social Exclusion).

Acknowledgements

This is a short paragraph where you can thank those individuals who assisted you in the preparation of your dissertation. Confine your thanks to those who assisted you in gathering information or providing contacts and information. Do not thank your parents, partners, brewers, pets.

Contents Page

You are to provide a table of contents generated by a word processing package such as Microsoft Word. For this to be possible you will have to use styles throughout the document, as such packages will create the Contents Page for you by finding each instance of the following styles in the document:

• Heading 1 – used for Chapter Titles (i.e. ‘CHAPTER ONE: Introduction to the Topic)
• Heading 2 – used for the main sections within each chapter (i.e. ‘1.0    Farming in the UK’)
• Heading 3 – used for any sub-sections used within the main sections (‘1.1 Recent Changes to Farming Practices’)

You need to employ no other headings in the main body of the dissertation (although see below for how to deal with Tables, Figures and other illustrations)

The main body of the dissertation, in other words, everything other than headings, is usually written in ‘Normal’ or ‘Body Text’ and double line spacing.

Once you have finished writing the dissertation and have used the styles detailed above, you can get the word processor to generate a Contents Page based on the page numbering of the document. This can be generated by clicking on ‘Insert’, followed by ‘Reference’, followed by ‘Index’, followed by ‘Tables’, then ‘Table of Contents’. Alternatively, you can generate a manual version of this.

List of Tables

Numerical and other information is typically presented in tabular form. As with illustrations, each table needs to have its caption (i.e. Table 1.1: Breakdown of Chartered Surveyors According to Age and Gender)

• Word processors allow you to insert a caption style that will number the tables automatically.
• Word processors will only generate a List of Tables based on the use of the caption style.

Remember to label figures and tables in the main body of your text and refer to them 

List of Figures

All illustrations (photographs, charts, technical drawings, etc) must be accompanied by a caption.
The caption is to detail the number of the illustration and describe the illustration (i.e. Figure 1.1: Chart of the population of London from 1960 to 2001: Source: HMSO, 2003)

• Word processors allow you to insert a caption style that will number the illustrations automatically.
• Word processors will only generate a List of Figures based on the use of the caption style (This is referred to as a ‘Table of Figures’ in Microsoft Word).

Glossary of Terms

Or an alternate title for this page could be; ABBREVIATIONS

If you need to use technical terms or abbreviations in the course of the dissertation, or rely on abbreviations (e.g., CIOB, RICS), then you need to provide a glossary in which these terms are defined:

• Cyberslacker – somebody who uses a company’s computer system for their entertainment.
• CIOB – Chartered Institute of Building        
• RICS – Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors        

Note: All of the above material is referred to as ‘front matter’ – its main function is to provide guides and signposts for the reader, so that they can quickly find sections of the dissertation by referring to the page numbers provided in the contents page and the list of figures and tables.

All of this front matter is to be provided with a page number at the bottom centre of the page. The numbering system for the front matter is to be in Roman (I, II, III, IV), not Arabic / Indian numbering (1, 2, 3, 4), which is used for the main body of the text.

Main Body

This is a breakdown of a typical ‘empirical style’ of dissertation. The style provides a framework for the writing up of your dissertation, but does not have to be followed rigidly. Your specific topic and style of research will largely dictate your ‘writing up’ and ‘style of presentation’; however this will give you a sound basis for the structure and framework for your work.

Appendix 3 Submission Requirements

Layout and Binding:

• The thesis should be 15,000 words with double line spacing.
• As a character font, use Times Roman or Arial type family. Do not use script or ornamental type fonts. The font type and font size must be consistent throughout the thesis. For the body text, use a minimum of 11 points.
• Margins should be standard 2.54 CM A4 word margin all round.
• Pages should be numbered consecutively through the main text, including photographs and/or diagrams included as whole pages.
• You should submit the dissertation online in Moodle through the Turnitin link.
• The electronic submission will be retained in the university archives for future use by students.

Submission Form and Title Page:

Please ensure you include the completed Dissertation Submission Form within your dissertation.

The title page should give the following information:

• The full title of the thesis
• the full name of the author
• Student number
• The month and year of submission
• That the thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the award of Master of Science degree in MSc Project Management in the Built Environment, Oxford Brookes University