Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:30
The dissertation is compulsory to all students and is the final element of the programme, providing an opportunity for a sustained period of independent study and research.
It takes two forms, including:
a) An academically based dissertation.
b) An applied dissertation or practice-based ‘consultancy project.’
Two forms of the dissertation seek to develop the same learning outcomes and follow the same assessment criteria.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session | Third Sub Session | Credit Points | 60 credits (30 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
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This course intends to provide a degree of synthesis of the various course components. Students should be able to demonstrate that they are able to apply knowledge and skills gained and that they have an understanding of the wider context of the programme of study undertaken.
It allows students to concentrate on topics that are of particular interest to them, and it draws upon a range of different aspects of the taught programme. It also gives an opportunity for students to work independently with individual supervision.
a) Academically based dissertation:
This form of dissertation follows the standard academic pattern of identifying a topic arising from a gap in the literature and developing a methodology to explore this area in depth.
Students will further develop skills in formulating appropriate research questions, developing a research agenda, planning and conducting a research programme, analysing and evaluating materials and data generated, and communicating the findings by a fixed deadline.
b) Applied dissertation (practice-based project report):
It is designed as an alternative to writing an academically based dissertation and will, therefore, be attractive to those students seeking to enhance their employability skills and knowledge. It starts with an emerging business problem, either provided from an industrial partner or with their co-operation in the process and seeks to provide a research-based solution to or exploration of the problem. Students must be able to draw on some of the theories that were taught on the MSc International Tourism Management and to apply and integrate them to the subject being researched.
Students will be required to write a report that equates to a dissertation but is directly related to the industrial partner in which they work, shadowed, undertook a placement in, or are sufficiently familiar with. Unlike the academically based dissertation, the applied dissertation will enable students to focus on a very specific issue concerning a specific tourism organisation and undertake concerning the host organisation and undertake research relating to that issue. Undertaking the extended management report will enable students to develop their understanding of a managerial or organisational issue and where appropriate, make recommendations for strategic decisions that would enhance or improve the standing of the organisation concerned.
Sustainability
Students incorporate critical enquiry into the nature of tourism through research projects that focus on supply and demand side issues. Given the resource intensive nature of tourism, students are encouraged to consider the implications of tourism development, planning, management and marketing within a broad framework of sustainable futures.
External Engagement
Depending on the forms of dissertation the students choose project, there is the opportunity for a high level of external engagement with policy makers, corporate elites and consumers.
Employability
Students develop skills in project management and writing to specific aims and objectives as well as in a range of research tools such as interviewing, statistical analysis, qualitative analysis and other skills that increase employability in research and planning functions.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Students receive feedback throughout the semester via introduction lecture and one-on-one supervision which will support them to complete the assessments. Students will be provided with their marks and feedbacks within three weeks from the time of submission. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Use appropriate methods of quantitative and/or qualitative analysis to investigate the research problem, test hypotheses and draw appropriate conclusions. |
| Conceptual | Apply | Demonstrate an ability to plan and conduct a self-directed dissertation on a well-defined topic, paying regard to ethical issues. |
| Conceptual | Create | Develop appropriate research questions of importance to contemporary tourism business management, marketing, planning, policy, etc. |
| Conceptual | Create | Demonstrated the ability to present a major piece of coherent work based on self-directed research. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Critically evaluate different arguments, viewpoints, conclusions and recommendations, including their own. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Apply | Demonstrate an ability to plan and conduct a self-directed dissertation on a well-defined topic, paying regard to ethical issues. |
| Conceptual | Create | Develop appropriate research questions of importance to contemporary tourism business management, marketing, planning, policy, etc. |
| Conceptual | Analyse | Use appropriate methods of quantitative and/or qualitative analysis to investigate the research problem, test hypotheses and draw appropriate conclusions. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Critically evaluate different arguments, viewpoints, conclusions and recommendations, including their own. |
| Conceptual | Create | Demonstrated the ability to present a major piece of coherent work based on self-directed research. |
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