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Assessment Strategy
Dissertation – 100% of overall mark
Submission deadlines: 15
th September 2023
Maximum length of coursework elements: 8000 – 10000 words
How to submit your work:
This coursework requires online submission only. You do not need to submit a hard copy of the
coursework. You should submit your coursework via Turnitin, which is a plagiarism and collusion
detection system. If you do not submit to Turnitin your work will not be marked.
To submit via Turnitin, you go to the assessment area for the module on canvas and you will find a link
for the coursework. Click on View/Complete and then on the “submit” icon for the paper. You are then
prompted to submit a title for the paper. Use the “browse” button to locate the file you want to submit,
then click “submit”. You will then be asked to confirm that you want to submit by clicking the “Yes,
submit” button. Note that Turnitin does not permit multiple submission attempts – your submission
is accepted as ‘first and final’.
Through the process of turning a basic research topic into a detailed argument
(theoretical/methodological/practical contribution), students develop and demonstrate; (1)
advanced academic skills, especially in the areas of research and writing, and (2) the ability to work
creatively and independently at a high level, with limited input from a supervisor (the supervisor
provides a degree of guidance, but the research and writing will largely be independent work by the
student).
When undertaking a Dissertation, you have 2 options;
1. Conduct an academic enquiry (secondary data only)
2. Develop a business plan/strategic plan/marketing plan for your own company
3.
Option 1: Conduct an academic enquire
You need to provide an academic piece of work meeting high academic standards on a topic of your
choosing. Think about a topic or discipline that interested you the most or something links to your
future career.
Data collection
Students doing a Dissertation are NOT permitted to conduct research using primary data. Students
can use secondary data that are publicly available to investigate their selected topic.
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Research Methodologies
Students undertaking a Dissertation can select among a variety of approved research methodologies
such as; Systematic Literature Review, Meta-Analysis, Regression/Statistical Analysis, Case Study
analysis.
Content of the academic enquiry
When conducting an academic research project, you need to submit a written dissertation covering
the following;
1. Executive Summary/Abstract
2. Introduction – Problem Definition
Set the scene – background to the research and importance of investigating this topic
Clear aims and objectives/ research questions
Summary of key theories/concepts/conceptual frameworks that you are going to use and their
relevance in answering your research questions
How the research has been conducted (briefly describe the methodology and data used)
Briefly mention your findings
Outline of the report
3. Literature Review
Critical review of relevant literature
Identification and discussion of appropriate theoretical frameworks – conceptual framework
Discussion of Hypotheses (if any)
o Your audience is the academic community!
4. Methodology
A detailed description of the research method and data collection techniques employed
Clear and contextually sound rationale for the selection of the aforementioned methods
and data collection techniques – will this research method and data collection process
help you answer your research questions How and why A critical evaluation on the
selected methodology.
5. Analysis
Presentation and analysis of data output – What have you found
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Critical discussion of your findings with reference to existing research findings
6. Conclusions & Recommendations
Concluding remarks – linked to initial diagnosis and to agreed outputs
Managerial and policy implications of your study
Limitations of your study
7. Appendix
If any
8. Reference List (full Harvard style)
Structure, Style and Presentation
Harvard Referencing style – in text citation and reference list
Page numbers & headings
Font style: Times New Roman (11) or Arial (12), 1.5 space between sentences, 10pt space after
paragraphs, justified text
Grammar, spelling, syntax
Option 2: Business Plan/Marketing Plan/Strategic Plan
Many students over the years have decided to start their own business upon completion of their MBA
degree. In the MBA we offer such students the opportunity to work in their business plan/business
idea during their final year project under the supervision of experienced members of staff. Alongside,
other students have used their final year project to create an improved business model/marketing
plan/strategic plan for their existing company.
Content of the Business plan/marketing plan/strategic plan
Students need to provide a detailed analysis of their company considering various aspects. The basic
contents of a business plan can be found below but please consult your supervisor and decide on the
exact content. The marketing and strategic plan will vary depending on the goal of its development.
Basic structure of a business plan:
1. Executive Summary
2. Elevator pitch
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What your business does, who is it for, what makes it different to the competitor.
This should have form of a summary – selling point
Usually it is written after have completed the business plan
3. Products and Services
What are you going to sell
Product/service characteristics
Complimentary services (after sales, experience enhancement etc
4. The target market
Businesses or individuals,
Target market characteristics,
How to attract them,
A bit of marketing strategy
5. Competitor analysis
Industry analyses
Benchmarking
6. Operations & Logistics
How will customers get your products,
Production,
Delivery,
Storage
7. Financial analysis
How much your product costs,
How much you will sell your products
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Profit margin,
Financial forecast,
Expected sales,
Costs of operation,
Initial investment
8. Back-up plan (what if it doesn’t work)
Students are asked to note that the word count is the absolute upper limit. There is no leeway over
this, i.e. you will be penalised if you submit work that exceeds the word limit (the suggestion that you
may exceed the word count by 10% is a myth!)
The following are not included in word counts:
Reference lists/bibliographies and question titles
Appendices/footnotes – provided these have been used only when necessary. If appendices or
footnotes are used excessively, or contain material which should clearly be included in the main body
of the essay/report, it is at the markers’ discretion to include these in the word count.
Tables/graphs
Contents pages and front pages of reports
Learning tips:
Attend classes and participate in group activities.
Discuss all aspects of the project with the supervisor.
Start from 1st June no later! Write write write!
Students are reminded that the following information is published in the ULMS Postgraduate Student
Handbook, available online at: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/intranet/management_x005f school/assessment/
This coursework requires a soft copy via Turnitin, which is a plagiarism and collusion detection system.
If you do not submit to Turnitin your work will not be marked. You can upload your work to check the
similarity report multiple times before the deadline. After the third upload it will take 24 hours to
produces a similarity report so please use this opportunity wisely.
To submit via Turnitin, you go to the assessment area for the module on CANVAS and you will find a
link for the coursework. Click on View/Complete and then on the “submit” icon for the paper. You are
then prompted to submit a title for the paper. Use the “browse” button to locate the file you want to
submit, then click “submit”. You will then be asked to confirm that you want to submit by clicking the
“Yes, submit” button.
Important information:
Re-sits
Penalties – presentation, use of Wikipedia, late submission
Referencing work
Marking criteria
ULMS group work policy
Exemption from Late Penalties (ELP)