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    Overview

    Production of an independent piece of research under the guidance of an expert supervisor.

    Under the guidance of a supervisor, students will, independently, design and undertake a program of research to develop a dissertation. Research can take on a variety of forms, as appropriate to the specific nature of the study and subject specialisation. You will gain hands-on experience with methodologies tailored to your field, develop critical thinking skills, and make a meaningful contribution to your discipline.

    About this paper

    Paper title Dissertation
    Subject Business Studies
    EFTS 0.5000
    Points 60 points
    Teaching period(s) 1st Non standard period (20 October 2025 - 20 February 2026) (On campus)
    2nd Non standard period (20 October 2025 - 10 July 2026) (On campus)
    4th Non standard period (24 February 2025 - 27 June 2025) (On campus)
    5th Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 14 November 2025) (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $4,713.50
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Restriction
    BSNS 580
    Notes
    Note(s): (i) Any distance occurrences of this paper are only available to students enrolled in the MSusBus. (ii) A student must have passed the other compulsory papers for their subject of study, as specified in the MBus schedule, prior to enrolling in this paper.
    Eligibility
    Enrolments for this paper via distance require departmental permission. View more information about departmental permission.
    Contact

    This paper is utilised across a range of Masters within the Business School. The contact details of the subject/Masters coordinator for each one that utilises the BSNS590 are provided below:

    MBus subjects:
    Accounting and Finance – Associate Professor Helen Roberts: helen.roberts@otago.ac.nz
    Economics – Dr Peter Gibbard: peter.gibbard@otago.ac.nz
    Finance – Associate Professor Helen Roberts: helen.roberts@otago.ac.nz
    Philosophy, Politics and Economics – Associate Professor Trent Smith: trent.smith@otago.ac.nz
    Entrepreneurship and Innovation – Associate Professor Kirsten Robertson: kirsten.robertson@otago.ac.nz
    International Business – Dr Dana Ott: dana.ott@otago.ac.nz
    Marketing – Dr Mathew Parackal: mathew.parackal@otago.ac.nz
    Tourism – Professor Hazel Tucker: hazel.tucker@otago.ac.nz
    Leadership and Management – Professor Richard Greatbanks: richard.greatbanks@otago.ac.nz
    MSusBus – Dr Joe Cooper: joe.cooper@otago.ac.nz

    Teaching staff

    Accounting and Finance – Associate Professor Helen Roberts: helen.roberts@otago.ac.nz
    Economics – Dr Peter Gibbard: peter.gibbard@otago.ac.nz
    Finance – Associate Professor Helen Roberts: helen.roberts@otago.ac.nz
    Philosophy, Politics and Economics – Associate Professor Trent Smith: trent.smith@otago.ac.nz
    Entrepreneurship and Innovation – Associate Professor Kirsten Robertson: kirsten.robertson@otago.ac.nz
    International Business – Dr Dana Ott: dana.ott@otago.ac.nz
    Marketing – Dr Mathew Parackal: mathew.parackal@otago.ac.nz
    Tourism – Professor Hazel Tucker: hazel.tucker@otago.ac.nz
    Leadership and Management – Professor Richard Greatbanks: richard.greatbanks@otago.ac.nz
    MSusBus – Dr Joe Cooper: joe.cooper@otago.ac.nz

    Textbooks

    Textbooks are not required for this paper.

    Learning Outcomes

    Students who successfully complete the paper will be able to:

    • Independently design and undertake a program of research
    • Demonstrate a critically informed depth of knowledge in a specific field of research
    • Think logically, analytically and critically
    • Assess and apply appropriate research methodologies
    • Demonstrate a critically informed awareness of ethical issues associated with research
    • Independently produce a critically informed research output

    Timetable

    1st Non standard period (20 October 2025 - 20 February 2026)

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    2nd Non standard period (20 October 2025 - 10 July 2026)

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    4th Non standard period (24 February 2025 - 27 June 2025)

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    5th Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 14 November 2025)

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard
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