module specification

In this module students consolidate their previous learning by engaging in a research dissertation while simultaneously focusing on their employability. They will pick up the research threads introduced and developed in BA4006 and BA5001 by identifying and researching an industry or sector in which they wish to build their careers and they will write up their findings in the form of a dissertation.  

Their research will involve the review of a wide range of publications (secondary data sources) around the broad area of investigation and this will lead to the formulation of a research proposal for their dissertation.  Students will pursue a robust enquiry into a theme emerging from their investigations in their chosen industry,  and as the theme emerges, the research methodologies, appropriate methods of data collection, data processing and analysis are evaluated. Both the process and the knowledge and skills gained will inform their approach to their future career and more specifically to their immediate employability. For example, students will be required to identify whether secondary data sources alone will be sufficient to satisfactorily answer their research question. Their ability to critically analyse, synthesise and present data in useable form will contribute to their management capability. This process will therefore inform their research,  as well as their future career path.  The undertaking of the investigation, evaluation, synthesis and analysis of data will help them to prepare for the graduate job market.

Researching the industry, identification of contemporary issues and completion of associated activities will enable students to raise their self-awareness, identify their strengths, plan their career and excel in the application process.

In addition, the module will help students to prepare for the graduate job market by ensuring they have an up-to-date and professional on and offline profile. They will prepare an up-to-date CV and they will engage in simulated interviews to enhance their interview skills while simultaneously completing their dissertation.

• To provide students with the opportunity to synthesise, integrate and develop their learning from related modules and further direct their research;
• To enable students to identify an industry in which they wish to build their career;
• To undertake an investigation into a current and contemporary issue within their chosen industry using secondary sources of data and/or primary research;
• To report on their investigation in the form of a professional dissertation ;
• To help students to identify and prepare for employment opportunities;
• To enhance their employability by focusing on the strengths they bring to interviews;
• To help them to develop up-to-date CVs and on-line personal profiles.
• To enhance their interview skills.

The module also aims to enhance students’ skills in the following skills:

• Academic  reading and writing;
• Researching;
• Data analysis;
• Self- awareness;
• Completing tasks and projects;
• Commercial awareness;
• Application of knowledge and presentation of data
• Career management;
• Report writing

Review of the philosophy and approaches to research;
Evaluation of literature sources;
Conducting a literature review;
Project planning and report writing;
Accessing economic, financial and market data
Assessing the reliability and validity of data
Analysing & synthesising data
Research methodologies
Making and defending recommendations
Ethical considerations of research
Evaluating reports
Identifying an industry in which to pursue a career; 
Training needs analysis on personal skills for the graduate jobs
Developing professional on and offline profile
Identifying job opportunities
Interview simulations

This module will be delivered through weekly 3-hour workshops at the beginning of the term but will gradually move towards more independent learning supported by 1-2-1 tutoring.

Concepts of action and experiential learning will be revisited and students will be reminded to focus particularly on the opportunities the classroom sessions provide to engage in, and reflect upon, their aspirations as soon-to-be-graduates. 

Since the module is partially student driven, the area of investigation is to be determined by the individual student. There are certain generic skills that can be supported in formal classroom sessions. In addition to tuition on the advanced use of library data bases and other resources, there will also be classroom sessions to prepare for recruitment.

The approach to learning is essentially action orientated with the teaching starting from what the students need to do and the theory of researching being explained in the context of underpinning the action. The main focus being the use of data to enhance understanding of an emerging theme within the industry, employability, commercial awareness and preparation for interviews. 

Given the dynamic and very competitive nature of the job market it is envisaged that students will be exposed to a series of talks by a number of external speakers working in different fields [i.e. finance, HR, marketing, management, voluntary sector, public sector]. This will be supplemented by talks from the Londonmet Career Services, which will increase students’ urgency to develop an early focus in pursuit of employment. Guidance will also be given to those who want to continue further studies at Masters level within the university or elsewhere.

Advice on CV writing will be provided so that students can better market themselves. In addition, interview techniques will be practiced using mock interviews.
Weblearn: will be used for the distribution of the Module booklet. It will also be used as an interactive mechanism between students and tutors, for example, to direct students to particular readings or to provide news about the module or the module content. It will also be used for the timely provision of generic feedback following formative assessment.

Linkedin: Students will be required to prepare personal professional profiles which could be used to market themselves via the linkedin tool

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

1. Conduct an independent survey of literature in their chosen industry, drawing on a range of appropriate sources in order to formulate an emerging theme of study.
2. Critically evaluate data sources and employ a range of analytical techniques to summarise data
3. Construct a compelling, persuasively argued rationale in the form of a research proposal, fulfilling both academic and professional standards.
4. Conduct research;
5. Demonstrate self-awareness and critical thinking in their choice of industry in which to build their career;
6. Develop CVs to meet the requirements of their chosen industry;
7. Construct professional on-line profiles; 
8. Research the job market in their chosen industry;
9. Identify and apply for job opportunities from published sources in their chosen industry;
10. Engage in and perform well in interview simulations;
11. Write up their dissertation;
12. Demonstrate the capability to develop a well-researched and well-structured dissertation.

The module will be assessed using three elements:
1. The preparation of a research proposal and literature review in a chosen industry
2. Preparation of on and offline profile according to a real life job advert in chosen industry
3. The development of a dissertation

This module will require students to generate their own reading list as part of the development of their literature review; however, below are suggested texts to aid generic areas of research, literature review, project planning and career management:

Bryman, A. & Bell, E. (2007). Business Research Methods. Oxford: Open University Press.
Done, J. & Mulvey, R. (2011). Brilliant Graduate Career Handbook. London: Prentice Hall.
Hatton, A. (2007) The definitive business pitch: how to make the best pitches, proposals and presentations. England: Financial Times Publishing
Jankowitz, A. D. (2005). Business research projects. London, Thomson Learning.
Marsh, R. (2012). Skills for employability. Part two. Wrexham, Christal.
Saunders, M. Lewis, P. Thornhill, A. (2009) Research Methods for Business Students. 5th Edition England: Prentice Hall.
Schein, E. H. (2006). Career anchors: participant workbook. San Francisco, CA, Pfeiffer.
Swift, L. Piff, S. (2005) Quantitative Methods for Business, Management & Finance. 2nd ed. England: Palgrave MacMillan.
Trought, F. (2012). Brilliant employability skills: how to stand out from the crowd in the graduate job market. Harlow, England, Pearson.
Woodruffe, C. (2007). Development and assessment centres: identifying and developing competence. London, Human Assets.

Websites to be used – for research on sector, future career paths, raising self-awareness
https://intranet.londonmet.ac.uk/studentservices/careers/career-planning/research-your-sector/research-your-sector_home.cfm
http://ww2.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/What_jobs_would_suit_me___Prospects_Planner_/Show_login_page/p!eLaXgjk

The London Metropolitan University Library website is a good source of information - books and journals:
http://catalogue.londonmet.ac.uk/

The London Metropolitan University Library and Business School also provides access to the Bloomberg Research and Trading Room.  Youtube will also be used.