BU5U04 - The Nature of the Contribution to Knowledge and Professional Practice 01 Sep 2015 - 31 Aug 2020 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: BU5U04
Module Title: The Nature of the Contribution to Knowledge and Professional Practice
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Professional Development
Faculty Sub Group: Professional Development
Module Leader: Jonathan Deacon
Module Team: Robert Thomas, Simon Thomas
First Intended Intake: SEP 2015 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 160 Credit Level: 8
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100078 - business and management
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2015
Valid To 31 Aug 2020

Module Aims

This module is designed to build on modules one to four on the DBA programme and will enable students to demonstrate how their research project has culminated in a contribution to knowledge, both theoretical and in terms of professional practice, demonstrating clear originality.

This module will enable students to critically evaluate the interpretation of their findings with reference to the theoretical frames established through the assessment of module two, and in doing so, show how a contribution to theoretical knowledge has been made.

This module will enable students to critically reflect upon the interpretation of their findings with reference to the practice-based context of their research project as established through the assessment of module two, and in doing so, show how a contribution to professional practice has been made.

This module will equip students to reflect upon how their findings relate to their research strategy and to determine whether a contribution to methodological knowledge has been made.

This module will enable students to critically reflect upon the limitations or boundaries of their research project and to determine where potential for future research development may lie.

Content Summary

• What constitutes a contribution to knowledge?
• Theory

• Practice

• Method

• Conceptual frames re-visited, and linking your findings to the literature

• Criticality re-visited

• Authoring skills for critical discussion.

• Structuring your discussion.

• Reflections on the process and thesis itself, including the place of the thesis in the developing research agenda.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Seminar 28
Independent Study 1272
Directed Study 300
Total Hours Selected 1600

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 The ability to deeply understand and argue various theoretical and practice-based aspects of the topic(s) of the research project, and critique in an enlightening, lucid, and constructive manner the relevant competing theories and ideas.
LO2 The ability to derive conclusions based on conceptual, theoretical and data analysis as appropriate for the nature of their research project.
LO3 The ability to reflect upon the boundaries of their research project and the implications for future research.
LO4 The ability to write up and present their thesis and argument in a correct and suitable format, in a clear, succinct an consistent style, paying attention to academic style conventions.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Written Assignment (CW) Essay (CW) 1 Students will produce a significant paper discussing how their own findings as set out in module four relate to the conceptual frames as set out in module two. It is recognised that the student may well have refined their original research question and the conceptual frames as the DBA has progressed. As well as concluding the overall research, this part of the final assessment will contain a critical reflection of the research process. 0 25000 100 No 0

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Essay (CW) 1 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Reading List

Latest editions of the following text(s):

Bell, J., Doing Your Research Project (3e), Buckingham: Open University Press
Bosworth, D., Citing your References: A Guide for Authors of Journal Articles and Students Writing Theses or Dissertations, Thirsk: Underhill Press.
Graves, N. and Varma, V. (Eds.), Working for a Doctorate. London: Routledge
Hoffman, A., Research for Writers (6e), London: Black.
Locke, L.F., Proposals That Work: A Guide to Planning Dissertations and Grant Proposals (4e), London: Sage
Phillips, E and D Pugh, How to Get a PhD (3e), Buckingham: Open University Press
Preece, R., Starting Research: An Introduction to Academic Research and Dissertation Writing, London: Pinter
Ashmore, M. and Woolgar, S., ‘The Reflexive Thesis’. Chicago: University of Chicago Press
Anderson, J. and Poole, M., Thesis and Assignment Writing, (2nd edition) Brisbane (Aus): John Wiley.
Bailey, E. and Powell, P., Writing Research Papers: A Practical Guide. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
Berry, R., The Research Project - How to Write It. London: Routledge
British Standard (BS4821). Recommendations for the Presentation of Theses
Dunleavy, P Authoring a PhD. Palgrave.
Meloy, J., Writing the Qualitative Dissertation: Understanding by Doing. New York: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Murray, R. How to Write a Thesis. Open University Press, McGraw Hill education
Rudestam, K. and Newton, R., Surviving your Dissertation: A Comprehensive Guide to Content and Purpose. Newbury Park (CA) Sage.