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Dissertation in Management Studies (Academic) - MAN00158M

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  • Department: The York Management School
  • Credit value: 60 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2026-27
  • Notes: This is an independent study module

Module summary

The module requires students to conduct an academic research on a contemporary organisation or management issue. It involves sustained private study over semester 3, culminating in submission of a dissertation. Students are expected to choose a topic that is related to their programme.

Professional requirements

For HRM students module Learning Outcomes and assessment are subject to CIPD requirements.

Related modules

Pre-requisite modules

Additional information

Any students on MSc Global Marketing will need to have taken MAN00141M - Advanced Research Methods in Marketing. All other students need to have taken MAN00150M - Research Methods.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Summer Semester 2026-27

Module aims

The aim of the module is to develop and demonstrate abilities to design and implement an independent academic research project related to your programme and to write-up the results.The dissertation will provide an in depth and critical review of the relevant research literature and a critical consideration of methods and methodology used to investigate the issue, presentation and analysis of research findings and a critical discussion of these.

By undertaking a longer piece of sustained research and writing, students will demonstrate: critical analytical skills; ability to gather data and draw together information from a range of sources; writing and presentational skills; and subject-specific knowledge. As this is a self-study module, you will also draw on the skills that you have acquired throughout your degree, including self-management, working to deadlines, and subject knowledge.

In addition to the above, students on the MSc HRM programme will be expected to develop an advanced set of evidence-based business recommendations relevant to HRM practice, including implementation considerations. They will also need to produce a personal reflective statement evaluating the knowledge, skills, and professional insights gained through the project and their relevance to future HRM practice and professional development, in line with CIPD accreditation requirements.

Module learning outcomes

Successful completion of the dissertation will demonstrate that students are able to:

  • Undertake a significant enquiry into a contemporary issue relating to their degree programme.
  • Critically analyse significant bodies of literature in the chosen topic area
  • Apply knowledge of research/information search strategies and organisational methods
  • Engage with ethical issues in undertaking research
  • Analyse appropriate data and present findings clearly
  • Prepare and write a well-presented and substantial academic dissertation
  • For students on MSc Human Resources Management - Demonstrate an ability to summarise and communicate research findings and implications to a business audience

Module content

In preparing the dissertation students will:

  • Critically engage with relevant literature in relation to their named degree
  • Identify a meaningful research question/topic/problem
  • Engage with the key issues and questions arising in the topic area
  • Identify and deploy an appropriate research methodology
  • Collect and analyse data (where appropriate)
  • Extrapolate key findings
  • Consider the contribution of their work to scholarship and/or policy and/or practice

For MSc HRM students only:

  • Develop realistic, evidence-based recommendations and present these in the form of a professional business report, including an implementation plan and costed options where appropriate.
  • Produce a reflective account evaluating what has been learned through the project and how this learning could inform their future academic work, professional practice, and career development within HRM and related organisational contexts

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Graduate/Postgraduate Dissertation 100.0

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Graduate/Postgraduate Dissertation 100.0

Module feedback

Feedback will be given in accordance with the University Policy on feedback in the Guide to Assessment as well as in line with the School policy.

Indicative reading


•Alvesson, M. & Sandberg, J. (2024). Constructing research questions: doing interesting research. 2nd Edition. London: Sage.
• Anderson, V. (2024). Research Methods in Human Resource Management, 5th edition. Wimbledon: CIPD.
• Bell, E., Bryman, A., and Harley, H. (2022). Business Research Methods. 6th Edition. Oxford University Press.
• Biggam, J. (2021). Succeeding with your Master’s dissertation: a step-by-step guide. 5th edition. Open University Press.
• Bryman, A., and Bell, E. (2015). Business Research Methods. 5th Edition. Oxford University Press.
• Cameron, S., and Price, D. (2010). Business Research Methods: A Practical Approach, Wimbledon: CIPD.
• Cresswell, J.W., and Poth, C.N. (2024). Qualitative inquiry and research design: choosing among five approaches. 5th Edition. SAGE publications.
• Dawson, J. (2017) Analysing quantitative survey data for business and management students. Eds. SAGE publications.
• Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R., Jaspersen, L.J., Thorpe, R., and Valizade, D. (2021). Management and Business Research, 7th edition. London: Sage.
• Fisher, C.M. (2010) Researching and writing a dissertation: an essential guide for business students, 3rd edition. Financial Times/ Prentice Hall.
• Gill, J., and Johnson, P. (2010). Research Methods for Managers, London: Sage.
•Hart, C. (2005). Doing your Master’s dissertation. SAGE publications.
• te Grotenhuis, M., and Matthijssen, A. (2016). Basic SPSS. Eds. SAGE publications.
• Saunders, M., Lewis, P., and Thornhill, A. (2023). Research Methods for Business Students, 9th edition. London: Prentice Hall.
• Silverman, D. (2021). Doing qualitative research: A practical handbook, 6th Edition. London: Sage.
• Silverman, D. (2024). Interpreting Qualitative Data, 7th Edition. London: Sage.
• Wetcher-Hendricks, D. (2011). Analayzing quantitative data: an introduction for social researchers. Eds. Wiley, Hoboken, New Jersey.
• Yin, R.K. (2018). Case Study research and applications: design and methods, 6th edition. Thousand Oaks, California.
• Yockey, R.D. (2023). SPSS Demystified: A Simple Guide and Reference. 4th Edition. Routledge.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.