Research Methods for Management Studies

Code

BUSI4434

School

Business

Level

4

Credits

20

Semesters

Spring UK

Summary

Component 1: Introduction to research methods including topics such as formulating and evaluating research questions, literature reviewing, common research strategies and research designs in management studies, research quality, research ethics, and reporting research findings. 

Component 2: Qualitative methodology: main assumptions; data collection, processing, and analysis techniques. 

Component 3: Quantitative methodology: main assumptions; hypothesis formulation and testing; data collection, processing, and analysis techniques, including inferential statistics and econometric modelling. 

Each of these components includes applications to the MSc dissertation students will write in Semester 3.

Target Students

Only available for MSc Business and Management OR MSc International Business OR MSc Management and MSc Exchange students.

Classes

• One 2-hour lecture each week for 11 weeks
• One 2-hour computing each week for 3 weeks

This module has a total of 22 hours of in-person lectures, 6 hours of in-person computing lab sessions, and 11 hours of pre-recorded asynchronous lecture content for a total of 39 hours.

Assessment

• 50% Coursework: 2,500 words. Reassessment details: Individual coursework 3,500 words.
• 50% Exam (1-hour): Written in person exam. Reassessment details: Individual coursework 3,500 words.

Assessed by end of spring semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding: 

This module develops a knowledge and understanding of:

• Tools and techniques for transforming (big) data into useful information for business analysis and decision support [E]

Professional Practical Skills:

This module develops:

• The ability to conduct research and enquiry into business and management issues either individually or as part of a team through research design, the collection and analysis of qualitative data, synthesis and reporting [CW]
• The ability to conduct research and enquiry into business and management issues either individually or as part of a team through research design, the collection and analysis of quantitative data, synthesis and reporting [E]
• The ability to recognise and address ethical dilemmas, corporate social responsibility and sustainability issues, applying ethical and organisational values to situations and choices [CW]

Transferable (key) Skills: 

This module develops:

• Effective communication: networking, listening, oral and written communication of complex ideas and arguments, using a range of media, including the preparation of business reports [CW, E]
• High personal effectiveness: critical self-awareness, self-reflection and self-management; time management; conflict  resolution, displaying commercial acumen, the ability to continue to learn through reflection on practice and experience [CW, E]
• Soft skills: understanding the needs of others and empathy towards them; sensitivity to diversity in people and in different situations [CW]

Intellectual Skills: 

This module develops:

• Being able to think critically and be creative: manage the creative processes in self and others; organise thoughts, analyse, synthesise and critically appraise. This includes the capability to identify assumptions, evaluate statements in terms of evidence, detect false logic or reasoning, identify implicit values, define terms adequately and generalise appropriately [CW, E]
• Being able to solve complex problems and make decisions: establish criteria, using appropriate decision-making techniques including identifying, formulating and solving business problems; and the ability to create, identify and evaluate options; the ability to implement and review decisions [CW, E]
• Using information and knowledge effectively in order to abstract meaning from information and to share knowledge, including the use of quantitative skills [CW, E]

Conveners

• Dr Gerardus Lucas