Research Inquiry for Practice
| Module title | Research Inquiry for Practice |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEP2060 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Constantine Manolchev (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 70 |
|---|
Module description
The ‘Research Inquiry for Practiceis a compulsory module on the BSc Business programme. Its core aim is to prepare you for making decisions based on evidence from quantitative (number-based) and qualitative (word-based) data. The module will equip you with core research skills which will allow you to manage your dissertation research project as well as offer research-based advice to businesses in the present, information-driven world.
On completing the module, you will be able to design an appropriate research strategy for data collection, analyse both qualitative and quantitative data, as well present it in the most impactful way. Finally, you will be familiar with a range of software packages for data analysis.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The principal aim is to prepare you for your own independent study in the form of a dissertation. To do this, the module will show you how to map a body of literature and use it to inform your own research. It will equip you with the skills required to analyse qualitative and quantitative data, choosing the most appropriate method, appropriate to the type of data available. Finally, the module will enable you to present your data in a clear and visually compelling way.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Choose the most appropriate approach for a given research question.
- 2. Analyse/discuss issues associated with the validity of research claims
- 3. Assess and select the most suitable research methods and analysis tools to investigate your chosen research questions.
- 4. Analyse quantitative and qualitative data
- 5. Present and visualise data
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Read, analyse information from complex data-sets
- 7. Prepare reports for an academic audience
- 8. Use databases to obtain reports and academic articles
- 9. Apply a methodology suitable for the exploration of a chosen research question
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 10. Use a variety of software platforms to analyse and present research findings
- 11. Gain critical understanding of different research paradigms
Syllabus plan
-
Introduction: module and assessment overview
-
Descriptive statistics: types of variables, ways of describing and visualising them
-
Hypothesis: probability testing, types of error, distributions
-
Inferential statistics: T-test, ANOVA, chi-square, correlations
-
Field trip
-
Literature review: mapping a body of research
-
Thematic analysis: coding data
-
Dissertation: feed-forward, topic choice and supervision
-
Q&A: two revision workshops
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 8 | Taught lectures to deliver the course content |
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 5 | Tutorials |
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activity | 9 | Workshop |
| Guided Independent Study | 128 | Private study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fieldtrip | 5 min group presentations | 1 | Verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data Analysis Report | 30 | 1,000 words | 1, 3-7, 9- 11 | Written individual feedback |
| Thematic analysis report | 70 | 2,000 words | 2, 4- 8, 11 | Written individual feedback |
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Analysis Report, 30% | Report on the methodology of a quantitative/qualitative article of own choice, 1,000 words | 1, 2-6, 8- 11 | Referral/deferral period |
| Literature Review, 60% | Review of the literature on a chosen subject culminating in either a research question or a hypothesis, 2,000 | 5-7 | Referral/deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
?
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Bazeley, P. and Jackson, K., (2013) Qualitative Data Analysis with Nvivo,Sage,
- Bell, J. (2005) Doing Your Research Project, Open University Press
- Black, K. (2007): Business Statistics for Contemporary Decision-Making, Fifth Edition, Wiley
- Bryman, A. & Bell, E. (2011), Business Research Methods. Third Edition, Oxford University Press.
- Burke, R. (2003) Project Management: Planning and Control Techniques, Fourth Edition, Wiley.
- Coles, T.E., Duval, D.T. and Shaw, G. (2013) A Student’s Guide to Writing Dissertations and Theses in Tourism Studies and Related Disciplines. Abingdon: Routledge
- Cresswell, J.W. (2008) Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, Sage.
- De Walt, K.M. (2010) Participant Observation: A Guide For Field Workers, AltaMira Press
- Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R. & Jackson, P. (2012) Management Research, Fourth Edition, Sage
- Gill, J. & Johnson, P. (2012) Research Methods for Managers, Fourth Edition, London: Sage
- Gray, D. (2009) Doing Research in the Real World, Second Edition, Sage
- Hart, C. (1998) Doing a Literature Review, Sage
- Horn, R. (2009) Researching and Writing Dissertations: A Complete Guide for Business and Management Students, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
- Jankowicz, A. (2005) Business Research Projects, Fourth Edition, Thomson Learning
- McMillan, K. & Wevers, J. (2009) How to Write Dissertations and Project Reports, Prentice Hall
- Myers, M.D. (2008) Qualitative Research in Business and Management, Sage
- Yin, D. (2009) Case Study Research: Design and Methods, Fourth Edition, Sage
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/09/2014 |
| Last revision date | 19/09/2024 |
