Module overview
Organisations exist in dynamic environments, which mean that frequent changes need to be made to remain competitive. This requires managers to make important decisions which can ‘make or break’ an organisation. These decisions need to be based on sound evidence and critical analysis in order to ensure that the changes are appropriate and are likely to contribute to an organisation’s success. Subsequently, the need to design, execute and understand the outcomes of research projects is crucial to managers and their organisations. Using a portfolio of innovative content, including online theoretical and practical lectures, supporting workshops, and input from leaders in consultancy and business research, students will become acutely aware of the importance of undertaking research in business, how to design research projects, collect data and undertake analysis. This module will also prepare students with the skills necessary to design and successfully complete their own research project, which will take the form of a dissertation in the final year.
Students attending an Erasmus exchange in Part 2, Semester 2 of a programme where this module is compulsory to the programme, are required to study this module during their exchange
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- plan and control effectively for successful completion of workload;
- communicate effectively in writing, using and justifying argument within reports.
- apply critical analytical skills on research projects;
- apply numeracy and quantitative analysis skills;
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- prepare an effective research proposal, formulate research questions, and choose appropriate methods of data collection and analysis.
- interpret the results of data analysis, and understand the strengths and weaknesses of different methods;
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- the principal methods of business research using both quantitative and qualitative modes of analysis, in particular archival data, surveys, qualitative interviews, focus groups, netography and ethnographic research.
- different research paradigms, with their divergent assumptions on what constitutes valid knowledge and how it can be reliably gained;
- the relationship between theory, hypothesis, research questions, investigation and analysis;
- the importance of business research to organisations, to retain and develop competitive advantages;
Syllabus
The topics covered in this module will include:
- The role and importance of research in contemporary organisations to understand clients and consumers;
- Motivations behind the use of research and how it is used to derive a competitive advantage;
- The development of literature reviews to inform research projects;
- Framing research needs, aims and research questions;
- Appropriate design, planning and delivery of research projects;
- How to critique research plans and projects;
- Sources of data available to researchers and how to generate primary material;
- Qualitative and quantitative data – modes of data collection;
- Analysis of quantitative and qualitative data;
- Practical issues in research and ‘best practice’;
- Research ethics.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include:
- Lectures
- Face to face seminars
- Statistics workshops
- Directed reading
- Private/guided study
- Students on Erasmus exchange will have access to recorded Lectures and online course
Learning activities include:
- Introductory online lectures
- Individual assignment
- Case study / problem solving activities
- In class debate and discussion
- Private study
- Use of online materials
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Seminar | 10 |
Wider reading or practice | 30 |
Completion of assessment task | 36 |
Lecture | 24 |
Preparation for scheduled sessions | 25 |
Follow-up work | 25 |
Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2015). Research Methods for Business Students. Harlow: Financial Times Prentice Hall.
Denscombe, M. (2014). The Good Research Guide. Buckingham: Open University Press.
Collis, J., & Hussey, R. (2009). Business Research. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R., & Jackson, P. (2015). Management and Business Research. London: Sage.
Assessment
Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
Peer assessmentSummative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Research proposal | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Research proposal | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Research proposal | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External