Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

Students on the dual degree programme will research and prepare an individual dissertation on an approved subject relevant to Technology, Operations Management and Supply Chain Management. The dissertation will emphasise leading edge thinking in theory and practice of the subject, through critical awareness of current published research and research methods.

The aims of this module are to

1.       Learning from research: Student develop conceptual and theoretical knowledge clearly based on (current)research
2.       Learning about doing research: Student learn about research methods and techniques. Furthermore they learn about the process of conducting scientific research
3.       Learning to do research: Students are involved in scientific research. They participate in conducting research
4.       Achieving an investigative attitude: Students develop the necessary academic attitude and personal skills to conduct scientific research according to research culture
5.       Social communicative skills: Students develop the skills to express themselves academically both orally and in written form, to work together with peers and to develop self-insight and self-management
6.       Professional orientation: students will extend/acquire (their)awareness of the characteristics fo the profession and employment opportunities.

Outline Of Syllabus

The modules the dual degree programme form the basis for the knowledge and skills that students need to display. Thus, this module should be seen as an additional support mechanism and not an exhaustive taught module. Sessions will be organised around the generic issues for conducting research such as:
•       designing a research, preparation phase, and research methods;
•       development of a specialised area of knowledge through critical and analytical study of relevant literature, research and theory linked to independent enquiry;
•       the procedures undertaken and how they can be justified, and
•       how to write a critical and analytical research dissertation to own field of enquiry.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students will have:
1.       formulate a problem definition and related research questions
2.       indicate the scientific and societal relevance and innovative character of your research
3.       critically discuss and use scientific literature to identify a research gap and build your arguments
4.       propose a research design by selecting in a concise manner the appropriate research methods needed to effectively address research questions
5.       design and plan a research project
6.       develop a research framework (e.g., a model, survey, case study protocol)
7.       perform the actual investigation of a research problem
8.       draw conclusions, make recommendations, generalise findings and identify limitations of the research
9.       report on the project by means of a research proposal, an academic paper and presentations
10.       reflect on the research process and product

Intended Skill Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
•       demonstrate high-level expertise in conducting specialised and advanced skills of research, presentation, interpretation and analysis;
•       identify and critique research foci, search literature, design research studies;
•       apply appropriate research methods and critique them;
•       critically analyse data, reach considered conclusions, and
•       display the ability to bring research ideas, enquiry and analysis into synthesis in a well constructed, coherent and critical dissertation.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Teaching methods will be through a combination of:
•       face to face discussions, and
•       individual/ group tutorials and supervision
•      
Two supervisors will be appointed, the main supervisor being based in Newcastle and a second supervisor in Gronengen. The supervisors can be used to check work in progress. Supervisors will advise students on their progress and direction of their dissertation project, indicating any flaws that may cause concern. With regards to student’s responsibility please refer to section 4 in the PG Dissertation Guidelines for details. On successful completion of the supervision process, students should be able to meet the intended learning outcomes.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The dissertation is the written evidence of the students’ ability to conduct and report an in-depth operations and supply chain management investigation. It forms the capstone to the assessment across the full programme.

General Notes

N/A