Overview

This module exposes students to the field of business and management research. This includes the underpinnings and debates in management research and how they inform and shape research as well as key research skills such as conducting a literature review, various types of methodologies, strategies and designs, reflecting on research findings and contributions. Ethics and reflexivity in scholarship underpins the module. The module highlights how understanding research is a critical management skill, beyond a postgraduate dissertation, and is useful for discerning between 'good' knowledge and 'weak' knowledge as a manager and leader impacting change in organisations.

This module will consist of the following components: An introduction to the management research Formulating the research topic and critically reviewing the literature Research philosophies; ontology, epistemology and axiology Research strategies and design Sampling methods in management research Issues of quality in business and management research Quantitative research (collection and analysis) Quantitative research (collection and analysis) Writing up your research; types of report, styles of writing and sections to include Assignment preparation workshops Course review

Assessment Strategy

Threshold: C- to C+ (50-59%): Satisfactory performance. No major omissions or inaccuracies in the deployment of information/skills. Some grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements. Integration of theory/practice/information present intermittently in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives. Knowledge of key areas/principles only. Weaknesses in understanding of some areas. Limited evidence of background study. Answer inadequately focused on task and with some irrelevant material and poor structure. Arguments presented but lack coherence. Minor factual/computational errors. Lacking original interpretation.

Merit: B- to B+ (60-69%): Good performance. Most of the relevant information accurately deployed. Good grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements. Good integration of theory/practice/information in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives. Evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills. Understands most but not all concepts/issues. Evidence of background study. Focused answer with good structure. Arguments presented coherently. Mostly free of factual errors. Some limited original interpretation. Well known links between topics are described. Problems addressed by existing methods/approaches. Good presentation with accurate communication

Distinction: A- and above (70) and above: An outstanding performance, exceptionally able. The relevant information accurately deployed. Excellent grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practice elements. Excellent integration of theory/practice/information in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives. Strong evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills.

Learning Outcomes

• Appreciate the nature, value and broad range of contributions of research in business and management

• Compare, contrast and critically evaluate alternative research strategies and designs.

• Demonstrate an awareness of the philosophical roots of both quantitative and qualitative approaches to research in management; including ontology, epistemology and methodology

• Interpret and evaluate different types of business and management research across both qualitative and quantitative approaches, and provide an informed and considered opinion as to academic rigour and quality.

• Understand, explain and apply the key methods of data analysis across qualitative and quantitative approaches