University of Technology SydneyHandbook 2008

21912 Thesis Proposal in Management (Honours)

Faculty of Business: Management
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Undergraduate

Result Type: Grade and marks

Handbook description

This subject requires the student to produce a written thesis research proposal of about 6,000 words that forms the basis of the research to be carried out in 21913 Thesis in Management (Honours). Students are allocated an academic supervisor from within the School of Management, with whom they meet regularly throughout their enrolment in the subject. The subject develops the student's competency in carrying out a critical review of the literature, choosing appropriate research methodologies, and the writing of research proposal.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

  1. Research the academic and practitioner literature in areas relevant to their honours thesis topic.
  2. Write a literature review based on the above research of the literature.
  3. Conceptualise and develop a research proposal on an original problem of a theoretical or applied nature in the area of management.
  4. Write a research proposal that incorporates a review of the relevant literature and a description of the proposed methodology.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject is a preparation for the Honours thesis, which is the culmination of the Honours degree. It enables students to decide on an appropriate topic for their Honours thesis, to obtain the required knowledge and understanding of the literature relevant to their thesis topic, and to decide on the appropriate methodology for carrying out the research.

Teaching and learning strategies

This is an individually supervised subject with no formally scheduled class. An academic supervisor will be allocated to each student at the commencement of enrolment in the subject, and regular meetings will occur at times to be arranged. Students will also be required to give an oral presentation to staff and other research students at a seminar arranged by the School of Management.

Content

  • Writing a literature review
  • Development of a research topic
  • Deciding on appropriate research methodology
  • Ethical considerations in the carrying out of management research
  • The writing of a research proposal

Assessment

Thesis Proposal (Individual)100%
The thesis proposal will be evaluated on the basis of the quality and originality of the development of the research questions, the conducting of the literature review, the choice and justification of the appropriate research methodologies, and the quality of presentation of the written document. Addresses objectives 1-4.

Recommended text(s)

Faculty of Business (2007). Guide to Writing Assignments, Faculty of Business, University of Technology, Sydney.

University Graduate School (2004). Thesis Development. www.gradschool.uts.edu.au/star/thesis/index.html. University Graduate School, University of Technology, Sydney.

Indicative references

Australian Government Information Office (2003). Style Manual for Authors, Editors and Printers (6th ed.). Fortitude Valley, Queensland: John Wiley and Sons, Australia.

Gary D. Bouma, G.D and Ling, R. (2004). The research process. South Melbourne : Oxford University Press, 2004.

Faculty of Business (1999). Presentation and Submission of Honours Theses. www.business.uts.edu.au/students/honours/index.html. Faculty of Business, University of Technology, Sydney.

Oliver, P. (2004). Writing Your Thesis. London: Sage.

Wollcott, H.F. (2001). Writing up qualitative research. Thousand Oaks, Calif. : Sage.