module specification

This module provides students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge they have acquired in their degree to produce a research proposal followed by a dissertation through independent but guided study on a commercial aviation related topic.

The module aims to provide a ‘capstone’ project experience for the student in their final year of study.  Supervised by a project tutor, the chosen subject should be able to capitalise on the knowledge and understanding they have acquired during the previous years of study. The module seeks to encourage a more reflective approach to their industry understanding, hone their research skills and develop convincing, logical arguments to highlight real issues facing the sector.

A review of key industry issues for the aviation sector
Methods of collecting secondary data
The sources of secondary data
Understanding primary research
Development of research instruments for the aviation sector
The analysis of primary research data
The use of data and interpretation of data
The structure of the dissertation – breaking down all key components

The formal delivery of the teaching and learning will be based on three contact hours per week. The contact hours will be formed of a three hour work shop involving lecture/seminar periods.  The first 15 weeks will involve formal teaching / lectures thereafter there will be a more interactive approach as the dissertation moves into the production stage.

The teaching and learning techniques employed on the module will consist of the following: lectures, guest speakers, case study discussions, panel debates, films/DVDs, as well as scenario-based activities.

Within the module there is significant opportunity to participate in proactive learning activities via the use of Weblearn facilities which promote inter-active discussions between both peers and lecturers and enables learners to share resources and access links to external journal articles, websites and other sources.

Discussion and debate are actively encouraged both within the classroom context and via Weblearn. Students participating in this degree come from a variety of background s and often have a wealth of industry experience upon which to draw. It is useful to access this via proactive and inter-active classroom management. Students have a responsibility to prepare for forthcoming lectures so as to ensure that they fully understand the concepts discussed and, so as they can participate fully in debates and discussions. This can be done via accessing the module specifications on-line or via Weblearn, and ascertaining the forthcoming weeks lecture content.

Opportunities for reflective learning will be available throughout the module as students are given the opportunity to consider their approach to tasks and discussions whilst simultaneously having the opportunity to reflect upon informal feedback that may be given from lecturers on ideas and concepts spoken of in class and, on assessments submitted.

Lecture  and seminar programme for weeks 1-10 of 2 hours = 20 hours of taught research methods

On completion of the module the student will be able to:

• Structure a research proposal that meets a specific industry requirement for new information.
• Evaluate the appropriate research methodology and research instruments for an appropriate research programme.
• Produce a well-constructed dissertation that demonstrates the benefits of the appropriate research methods and provides genuine new insights into a relevant industry issue or problem.
• Produce a dissertation that follows the required structures for a dissertation on time and using the correct dissertation framework.

Assessment of this module consists of two assignments.  The first stage is the development of a research proposal that will be assessed as a presentation (10%) .  The second stage is the production of the dissertation (7-8,000 words) which is 90% of the weighting.

Core text:
Bell. J (1993) Doing your research Project , Open University Press.
Frankfort-Nachmias, C. (1992) Research methods in the Social Sciences, Edward Arnold

Additional reading:
Clark, P. (2010)Stormy Skies, Ashgate Publishing, Aldershot
Eaton, J. (2001)Globalization and Human Resource Management in the Airline Industry, Ashgate, Aldershot
Graham, A. (2008) Managing Airports an International Perspective, Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford
Hoppe, E. (2011) Ethical Issues in Aviation, Ashgate Publishing
Janic, M. (2007)The Sustainability of Air Transportation, Ashgate Publishing
Lawton, T. (2010) Strategic Management in Aviation, Ashgate Publishing
Lawrence, P. (2008) Deep stall , Ashgate Publishing
Lumpé, M. (2008)Leadership and Organization in the Aviation Industry, Ashgate Publishing
Pilarski, A. (2007) Why Can't We Make Money in Aviation? Ashgate Publishing
Rhoades, D. (2008)Evolution of International Aviation ,  Ashgate Publishing
Taneja, N. (2008) Flying Ahead of the Airplane, Ashgate Publishing
Taneja , N. (2010)Looking Beyond the Runway, Ashgate Publishing
Taneja, N.(2002) Driving Airline Business Strategies through Emerging Technology, Ashgate Publishing
Williams, G. (1994) The Airline Industry and the Impact of Deregulation ,Ashgate Publishing

There are a range of e journals of management generally and the aviation industry to access via the online library facilities for this module.  For example – The Journal of Air Transport Management , Aviation Management and Education, Airline Business, Airport Business, Flight International etc.   There are also industry data bases to access which provide current industry information on the aviation sector.