Dissertation
30 Credits (ECTS)
Dissertation
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€525 refund on this module
Module Description
The final dissertation aims to provide students with the opportunity to undertake an independent, in-depth investigation into a specific topic within the field of healthcare management and leadership.
It is designed to enable students to apply the knowledge, skills, and competencies acquired throughout the programme to a real-world problem or research question.
Through this process, students will demonstrate their ability to critically analyse complex issues, synthesise evidence, and generate innovative solutions or original insights that contribute to the advancement of healthcare practices, policies, or organisational strategies.
The dissertation serves as a culmination of the program, showcasing the student’s capacity for rigorous research, critical thinking, and professional-level communication.
Entry Requirements
Candidates who apply for this course must have:
- Level 6 Degree and 2 years’ work experience.
Preference is given to applicants having:
- Level 6 Degree in a discipline related to the Study Programme; and
- A minimum of 2 years’ work experience in management within the sector covered by the Study Programme.
OR
- Level 5 Diploma or Higher Diploma and 5 years’ work experience in a supervisory or managerial role.
* Students whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate English language capability at IELTS level 6.0 or equivalent.
Target Audience
This course is targeted at Healthcare professionals with work experience; people such as:
- Individuals seeking to advance their academic and professional knowledge in healthcare management.
- Individuals wanting to pursue senior management and leadership careers within the healthcare profession.
- Individuals wanting to enhance their ability to interpret, assess, and communicate healthcare-related information.
Career Paths
This programme is not designed to prepare students for specific warranted professions or regulated occupations.
Instead, it aims to provide participants with the knowledge, skills, and competencies outlined in this curriculum, equipping them for diverse leadership and management roles within the healthcare sector.
This programme is targeted at healthcare professionals, managers, and aspiring leaders seeking to advance their careers in healthcare management. It also caters to individuals from non-healthcare backgrounds who wish to transition into healthcare leadership roles.
Graduates will be well-prepared for senior management and leadership positions in hospitals, healthcare organisations, government agencies, consulting firms, and international health institutions.
How you’ll be assessed
This module shall be assessed through a dissertation not shorter than 22,000 words and no longer than 25,000 words to be submitted via an online portal.
Dissertation Grading Structure:
- Between 86 and over – Pass with Distinction.
- Between 71-85 – Pass with Credit.
- Between 56 to 70 – Pass with Merit.
- Between 41 and 55 – Pass.
- 40 and less– Fail.
Final, MSc Artificial Intelligence qualification grade is a weighted score of:
- Final Modular Grades – 60%
- Final Dissertation Grade – 40%
Learning Outcomes
Competences:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Critically analyse the literature evidence on a specific topic within the field of healthcare management and leadership, identify a gap in knowledge as a starting point for research, and formulate an appropriate research question.
- Critically appraise a range of methodological designs to determine an appropriate approach that can effectively address the research question.
- Apply for the relevant ethical permissions to undertake the research study.
- Undertake a substantive piece of robust research and consider its implications for management practice, policy education, and research in relation to their chosen topic.
- Write an abstract summary of the research with a view to future presentation at a conference or publication.
Knowledge:
Students will be able to critically analyse the rationale, significance and implications of the following topics:
- Acquire a holistic overview of key research philosophical perspectives.
- Identify a gap in existing literature and the need to address it.
- Critically evaluate quantitative and qualitative research methods.
- Consider the effectiveness of employing a mixed methods approach.
- Learn how to select an appropriate research topic for a master’s dissertation.
- Demonstrate advanced awareness of ethical research practice.
- Know how to gain access to data and sample groups.
- Know how to formulate appropriate research questions and hypothesis.
- Explain the significance of the study.
- Critically discuss how research impacts practice, policy, education, and research in health care management and leadership.
Skills:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Identify a research problem.
- Relate problem to some relevant theory studied in this programme.
- Formulate the research problem precisely.
- Generate interest in the problem by giving a detailed overview of the background to the problem.
- Compile relevant historic and currently available literature/secondary information in and around the field of study.
- Structure the research paper/dissertation in an appropriate manner.
- Use a range of verbal and written communication skills to provide a rationale for choice of study.
- Appraise the quality of published research using validated tools such as CASP.
Module-Specific Learner Skills
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will be able to:
- Present own discussion and developments in a logical and organised manner through approaches of critical feedback and self-reflection.
- Engage with peers and/or team members to share and reflect on own development.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences
The learner will be able to:
- Navigate through the online learning platform to find assignments, discussion boards, literature, tutorials, etc.
- Use of academic databases, reference management software, and secure data storage tools.
- Critically evaluate online resources and adhere to academic integrity using plagiarism detection tools.