Integrated Business Research Project: Research Methods

 

 

 

MODULE HANDBOOK

 

 

 

Academic Year 2021-2022

Semester 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About this Module Handbook:

 

In this module guide, you will find everything you need in order to complete the module. Further learning materials are available on Canvas under the module code  Integrated Business Research Project: Research Methods/A

 

Contents:

 

Introduction. 4

Aims and Learning Outcomes. 4

Learning and Teaching Strategies: 4

Attendance. 5

Module Textbook. 5

Weekly Schedule. 5

Module Assessment 6

Formative Assessment Requirements. 7

Structure of Research Report 7

Other Reading/Texts. 7

Harvard Referencing: 8

Academic Regulations: 8

Module Evaluation: 9

Feedback on your learning throughout this module: 9

Module Description. 10

 

 

 

 

Introduction

 

This module will provide students with a strong understanding of research methods in a business context ahead of undertaking the Integrated Business Research Project. Students will study and evaluate research philosophies, learn how to develop research strategies, and understand how to select research methods appropriate to the research question.

 

 

Aims and Learning Outcomes

 

By the conclusion of this module, a student will be expected to be able to:

 

• Demonstrate a systematic and critical understanding of research methods as relevant to Master’s level business research projects
• Undertake a preliminary review of the literature that provides the context for a research project
• Critically evaluate alternative approaches in order to select and justify an appropriate and ethically acceptable research method for a given research project

 

 

 

 

		Learning outcome
Assessment Activities	Assessment title/type	a	b	c
Formative	Research Proposal/ Report (written assignment)	✓	✓	✓
Summative	Research/Dissertation	✓	✓	✓

 

 

 

Learning and Teaching Strategies:

 

Learning and teaching for this module will comprise of the following:

• Directed learning – to include lectures and seminars/workshops
• Independent/student managed learning – to include reading, research activities and preparatory work for seminars/workshops
• Preparatory assessment – preparatory assessment aims to help you to identify your strengths and areas for development and improve learning through the provision of ongoing feedback. Preparatory assessments are important in helping you to develop your knowledge, skills and confidence.
• Summative assessment – summative assessment evaluates student learning and one for which a mark/grade is given. Preparatory assessment and feedback throughout the module should help to develop your knowledge, skills and confidence in the completion of the summative assessment. Feedback from the summative assessment can help guide you in your learning and activities in future modules and assessments.

Module Textbook

 

• Saunders, M., Lewis, P. & Thornhill, A. (2016) Research Methods for Business Students. 7th ed., Harlow: Pearson.

Weekly Schedule

 

Week 1	Introduction to Research & Analysis Methods ·         Module overview, aim and learning outcomes ·         Formative Assessment Briefing – Research Report ·         Research Processes – linear v iterative
Week 2	Formulating and Clarifying Research Topics ·         Depth and Scope ·         Applying the Watson Box to draft topic ideas ·         Problematizing – v – Gap Spotting ·         Theories-in-Use
Week 3	“Critically” Reviewing Literature ·         Horizontal and Vertical approaches ·         Scoping out literature – thematic concentration ·         Managing the process
Week 4	Academic Writing ·         Thinking to write / writing to rethink ·         Writing exercises
Week 6	Philosophies of Research ·         Knowledge production – epistemological location of researchers ·         Ontological perspectives ·         Research strategies
Week 7	Research Design ·         Methodology – v – Methods ·         Multi-methods & Mixed-methods ·         Research Ethics
Week 8	Qualitative Data Gathering ·         Interviews – types and formats ·         Focus Groups ·         Ethnographic Methods ·         Discussion guides Analysing and Presenting Qualitative Data ·         Thematic Analysis ·         Developing theorised analyses
Week 9	Quantitative Methods ·         Introducing quantitative research ·         Data collection using survey method ·         Questionnaire design ·         Linking literature to data collection
Week 10	Sampling ·         Probability and non-probability sampling
Week 11	Analysing Data ·         Data types/variables ·         Univariate, Bivariate and Multivariate analysis ·         Software used for analysis: SPSS introduction
Week 12	Analysing Data ·         Software used for analysis: SPSS introduction
Week 13	Analysing Data ·         Software used for analysis: SPSS introduction

 

 

 

 

Prepare a Research Proposal of 4,000 words, comprising working title, research objectives, preliminary literature review, and outline methodology indicating proposed data collection and analytical approach. The Research Proposal will form the foundation of the Integrated Business Research Project.

Structure of Research Report

 

Cover page with a title

Table of contents

List of Figures (if any)

List of Tables (if any)

Executive summary

Introduction

Background (context/problem statement)

Research questions/aim and objectives

Theoretical underpinnings (summary critical literature review)

Proposed Methodology

Summary

References

Appendices (if any)

 

Other Reading/Texts

• William G. Zikmund, Barry J. Babin, Jon C. Carr, Mitch Griffin, (2010) Business Research Methods, (8th Edition), South-Western, Cengage Learning, Canada.
• Baker, M.J. and Foy, A. (2011) Business and Management Research: How to complete your research project successfully, 3rd Ed., Westgate.
• Biggam, J. (2012) Succeeding with your master’s dissertation: a step-by-step handbook, 2nd ed., Open University Press
• Birks, M. and Mills, J. (2010) Grounded Theory: A practical guide, Sage.
• Blaxter, L., Hughes, C. & Tight, M. (2006) How to Research. 3rd Ed., Open University.
• Bolton, g.e.j. (2010) Reflective Practice: writing and professional development, 3rd ed., sage.
• Brown, R.B. (2006) Doing your dissertation in business and management: The reality of researching and writing. London: Sage.
• Bryman, A. & Bell, E. (2011) Business Research Methods, 3rd Ed., Oxford University Press.
• Coffey, A. & Atkinson, P. (1996) Making Sense of Qualitative Data London: Sage
• Collis, J. & Hussey, R. (2009) Business Research, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
• Corbin, J.M and Strauss, A.C., (2008) Basics of qualitative research: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory, 3rd Ed., Sage.
• Cottrell, S., (2011) Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis and Argument, 2nd Ed., Palgrave Macmillan
• Creswell (2007) Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design, 2nd Ed., Sage.
• Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R., Jackson, P. & Lowe, A. (2008) Management Research: Theory and Practice, 2nd Ed., Sage.
• Fielding, J. & Gilbert, N. (2006) Understanding Social Statistics, London: Sage
• Gabriel, Y., (2000) Storytelling in organisations: Facts, Fictions and Fantasies, Oxford University Press.
• Gray, E. D, (2018) Doing Research in the Real World, 4th Ed., Sage
• Gummesson, E. (2000) Qualitative Methods in Management Research, California: Sage
• Executive MBA / Senior Leaders Master’s Degree Apprenticeship – Level 7 – BS8003 – Research & Analysis Methods 8
• Hart, C. (2018) Doing a Literature Review, London: Sage
• Hart, C. (2005) Doing Your Masters Dissertation, London: Sage
• Jankowicz, A. D. (2004) Business Research Projects, London: Thompson Learning
• Levine, D. M., Stephan, D., Krehbiel, T. C. & Berenson, M.L. (2014) Statistics for Managers using Microsoft Excel, London: Prentice Hall
• Malhotra, N.K., Birks, D.F. and Wills, P., (2012) Marketing Research, An Applied Approach, Financial Times/Prentice Hall.
• Mason, J. (2002) Qualitative Researching, London: Sage
• Maylor, H. & Blackman, K. (2016) Researching Business and Management, London: Palgrave
• Oppenheim, A. N. (2000) Questionnaire Design, Interviewing and Attitude Measurement, Pinter Publishers
• Patton, M.Q. (2002) Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods, London: Sage
• Poynter, R. (2010) The Handbook of Online and Social Media Research: Tools and Techniques for Market Researchers, Wiley
• Punch, K.F., (2006) Developing effective research proposals. 2nd ed. London: Sage
• Quinton, S. & Smallbone, T. (2006) Postgraduate Research in Business, London: Sage
• Robson, C. (2011) Real World Research: A Resource for Social Scientists and Practitioner Researchers, Oxford: Blackwell
• Saunders, M., Lewis, P. & Thornhill, A. (2019) Research Methods for Business Students. 5th Ed. Financial Times/ Prentice Hall.
• Silverman, D. (2010) Qualitative Research. 3rd Ed., London: Sage.
• Wallace, M. and Wray, A., (2011) Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates, 2nd Ed., Sage.
• Yin, R. (2008) Case Study Research, 4th Ed., Sage.
• Yin, R. (2011) Applications of Case Study Research, 3rd Ed., Sage.

 

Harvard Referencing:

 

All written work submitted for modules within the Business School require you to use the Harvard referencing system. Correct referencing shows academic and professional skill and protects the writer from accusations of plagiarism. For further details see the faculty’s guide to Harvard Referencing on the Canvas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Module Description

 

 

1.    Module Title:      Integrated Business Research Project: Research Methods					Module Code:
2.    Credits: 20 CATS 15 ECTS	Level: 7	Status: New			Type: Taught
3.    Owning Programme: Master of Business Administration (full time) Co-validated Programme(s):					Core
4.    Pre-requisites:          None Co-requisites:            None
5.            Learning Outcomes for the module. By the conclusion of this module, a student will be expected to be able to: (d)    Demonstrate a systematic and critical understanding of research methods as relevant to Master’s level business research projects (e)    Undertake a preliminary review of the literature that provides the context for a research project (f)      Critically evaluate alternative approaches in order to select and justify an appropriate and ethically acceptable research method for a given research project
6.    Catalogue Summary   This module will provide students with a strong understanding of research methods in a business context ahead of undertaking the Integrated Business Research Project. Students will study and evaluate research philosophies, learn how to develop research strategies, and understand how to select research methods appropriate to the research question.
7.    Assessment Pattern Research Proposal		Weight % 100%	Pass Req Yes	Comments 4,000 words
8.    Indicative Tutorial Team

 

 

 

9. Indicative Learning and Teaching Activities

 

 

10.  Sample Assignments   Prepare a Research Proposal of 4,000 words, comprising working title, research objectives, preliminary literature review, and outline methodology indicating proposed data collection and analytical approach. The Research Proposal will form the foundation of the Integrated Business Research Project.   Your work should focus on a public domain business case.

12. Indicative Reading   Books:   Baker, M.J. and Foy, A. (2011) Business and Management Research: How to complete your research project successfully, 3rd Ed., Westgate. Biggam, J. (2018) Succeeding with your master’s dissertation: a step-by-step handbook, 4th ed., Open University Press Birks, M. and Mills, J. (2010) Grounded Theory: A practical guide, Sage. Blaxter, L., Hughes, C. & Tight, M. (2010) How to Research. 4th Ed., Open University. Bolton, g.e.j. (2018) Reflective Practice: writing and professional development, 5th Ed., Sage. Brown, R.B. (2006) Doing your dissertation in business and management: The reality of researching and writing. London: Sage. Bryman, A. & Bell, E. (2018) Business Research Methods, 5th Ed., Oxford University Press. Collis, J. & Hussey, R. (2021) Business Research, 5th Edition. Red Globe Press. Corbin, J.M and Strauss, A.C., (2015) Basics of qualitative research: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory, 4th Ed., Sage. Cottrell, S., (2017) Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis and Argument, 3rd Ed., Palgrave Macmillan Creswell (2016) Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design, 4th Ed., Sage. Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R., Jackson, P. & Lowe, A. (2021) Management Research: Theory and Practice, 7th Ed., Sage. Fielding, J. & Gilbert, N. (2006) Understanding Social Statistics, London: Sage Gray, E. D, (2018) Doing Research in the Real World, 4th Ed., Sage Hart, C.  (2018) Doing a Literature Review, London: Sage Levine, D. M., Stephan, D., Krehbiel, T. C. & Berenson, M.L.  (2014) Statistics for Managers using Microsoft Excel, London: Prentice Hall Malhotra, N.K., Birks, D.F. and Wills, P., (2012) Marketing Research, An Applied Approach, Financial Times/Prentice Hall. Maylor, H. & Blackman, K. (2016) Researching Business and Management, London: Palgrave Oppenheim, A. N. (2000) Questionnaire Design, Interviewing and Attitude Measurement, Pinter Publishers Punch, K.F., (2016) Developing effective research proposals. 3rd ed. London: Sage Robson, C. (2011) Real World Research: A Resource for Social Scientists and Practitioner Researchers, Oxford: Blackwell Saunders, M., Lewis, P. & Thornhill, A. (2019) Research Methods for Business Students. 5th Ed. Financial Times/ Prentice Hall. Silverman, D. (2016) Qualitative Research. 4th Ed., London: Sage. Wallace, M. and Wray, A., (2016) Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates, 3rd Ed., Sage. Yin, R. (2018) Case Study Research and Applications, 6th Ed., Sage.