Master of Commerce in Marketing Management

Purpose

This qualification's primary purpose is to educate and train researchers who can contribute under supervision to the development of new knowledge at an advanced level in the field of marketing management, and to learners' career prospects and the social value of their work. The qualification provides a well-rounded focussed education that will bestow upon the successful learner advanced theoretical, practical, research and managerial skills in the broad field of marketing and research as well in the specific topic area under investigation. It will enable the successful learner to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in an academic or professional context. Learners are required to complete an advanced research project in a chosen area of specialisation in marketing management which culminates in the production of an acceptable full dissertation. This qualification sis envisaged to open doors for learners in terms of their career advancements as well as entry into Doctoral studies.

Rationale

The rationale for the qualification is to provide advanced training and scholarship in the field of marketing management to enable learners to conduct independent research in marketing related qualifications. This qualification will contribute towards the development of researchers and academics in the marketing field. It might also lead to learners articulating to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Management (marketing specialisation).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

All admission through RPL must be in accordance with the principles laid down in the Institution's RPL Policy. This qualification can be achieved through Recognition of Prior Learning.

The institution's RPL office can supply full details of processes and procedures relating to the assessment and accreditation of learning from prior experiences. Evidence can be presented in a variety of forms, including international or previous local qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practice and performance records.

All such evidence should be judged according to the general principles of assessment described in the notes to assessors. Institution's lecturers will act as assessors for RPL purposes.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Marketing Management, NQF Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

• Full Dissertation in Marketing Management, NQF Level 9.

1. Undertake extensive secondary research and compile a literature review of the marketing management topic under investigation within a chosen context.

2.Undertake an appropriate empirical investigation based on a sound statistical and research methodologies.

1. Complete a high level data analysis of the data gathered and report on the findings comprehensively.
2. Compile relevant conclusions and recommendation based on the findings.
3. Prepare a comprehensive, readable, logical and professional research dissertation that meets university, college, departmental and supervisor(s) requirements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Identify a comprehensive list of appropriate and recent sources in support of his/her topic.
• Prepare a logical and readable synopsis of the applicable literature in support of the chosen topic and context.
• Weave and integrate the literature with identified research objectives.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Identify, outline and justify an appropriate research methodology to drive the empirical part of the study in keeping with the thrust of the study indicated.
• Design a suitable research instrument for collecting the data as indicated in research methodology.
• Explain the data gathering and editing process adopted for the study.
• Discuss and justify the statistical methods used to analyse the collected data.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Undertake and gather data as proposed.
• Undertake an analysis of the data as proposed.
• Present a comprehensive report on the findings obtained from the analysis of the gathered data (fieldwork).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Compile a set of conclusions based on the literature review and empirical findings that meet the study's research objectives.
• Extract recommendations based on the findings and conclusions that are defendable for the study.
• Provide a list of appropriate limitations in the context of the study.
• Reflect on the contribution of the study to existing knowledge.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Compile a professional academic dissertation that meets the university, college, departmental and supervisor(s) requirements.
• Ensure that the dissertation is free of plagiarism (provide a suitable report and declaration to this effect).
• Ensure that the dissertation is professionally edited (provide a letter from a registered/reputable academic editor).
• Capture all references used in the study according to the approved departmental referencing method.
• Incorporate annexures as deemed necessary for the study in agreement with the supervisor.

Integrated Assessment

Learners are required to undertake a substantial piece of research work. In this, the learners are expected to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and technical skills in relation to a particular set of issues of interest and importance for understanding the activities of business people.

The integration of skills learnt in this qualification is assessed by means of a dissertation of approximately 50 000 words. The dissertation must demonstrate competence in the following areas, all of which are assessed in the examination of the dissertation:

• Research problem formulation.
• Integration of literature.
• Appropriate design and execution of research.
• Use of appropriate methods of data collection and analysis.
• Integration of findings.
• Appreciation of the limits of the study.
• Use of the publication and style conventions of the discipline.

This qualification will be achieved through a research proposal and credible research dissertation which will contribute to the marketing body of knowledge.

In the research writing proposal module, formative assessment take place in a form of learners submitting three draft research proposals which are evaluated by the supervisor and provide feedback to learners with comments for improvement. Summative assessment takes the form of submission of a final research proposal which will undergo evaluation to determine whether the research proposal should be accepted or rejected.

In the case of the dissertation, the formative assessment takes place whereby learners are required to submit the various chapters of the dissertation for evaluation.

Once the dissertation is completed, summative assessment takes place whereby the dissertation will be sent for examination to the Office of Graduate Studies. Examiners consist of one internal and at least one external examiner.

Formative and Summative Assessment

Learners work with the supervisor to prepare a research proposal. As part of the summative assessment, the learner presents the proposal at a colloquium - made up of senior staff members. These staff members evaluate the learner to determine if he/she has completed the research proposal satisfactorily. On completion of the research proposal, the learner completes a dissertation which is submitted to internal and external examiners. These examiners assess the learner and advice if the learner has satisfactorily met the master dissertation criteria.