Research Design, Practice and Ethics
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| BUSI4660 | Business | 4 | 20 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- BUSI4660
- School
- Business
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
This course focuses on the analytical, practical and ethical organisation of social science research. The analytical organisation is often referred to as 'research design' and will constitute the bulk of the content of this course. Research design consists of choices necessary to transform a research question into actual research. These choices pertain to strategies and modes of case selection, observation methods, data collection and modes of analysis, and such choices have to be made irrespective of whether the research in question is of 'qualitative', 'quantitative' or 'mixed methods' character. Every research question can be elaborated in different ways (i.e., with different designs), none of which will be ideal in all respects. Each design has its own advantages and disadvantages that affect how sound and compelling the study and its findings will be seen to be. The course discusses these implications and how to handle the resulting choice problems in actual practice. The practical organisation of research is closely related to design choices but focuses particularly on issues relating to logistic timing and resources. Ethical organisation of the research involves awareness of ethical issues, of ethical consent procedures and of their implications for research design and practical organisation.
Target Students
Available to PGR students, students on MA Social Science Research plans, MA/PGDIP Research Methods (Health) plans and students on MSci Hons Psychology.
Assessment
- 100% Coursework: 1 x 4000 word coursework
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
The aims of this module are to train students to diagnose and evaluate design choices in existing studies and to recognise trade-offs involved in these choices, enable students to make conscious design choices for their own research, and imbue students with sufficient insight to organise the practical and ethical aspects of their research.Learning Outcomes
Diagnosing and evaluating design choices in existing (published) empirical research in one's field of social science interest, and the impact of these choices on how sound and compelling the study and its findings will be seen to be. Recognising trade-offs involved in design choices.
Understanding of the significance of alternative epistemological positions and how epistemological choices impact on findings produce. Understanding of the application of good ethical practice across the entire research process including data ethics which is inclusive of digital approaches.
Understanding of how to conduct and disseminate research in a way that is consistent with both professional practice and the standard principles of research ethics. Understanding Open Science principles and practices to enhance reproducibility of research.
Applying abstract criteria for evaluating designs of empirical research to concrete studies and research projects.
Applying abstract approaches to address ethical issues in empirical research to concrete studies and research projects.
Understanding the implications of issues of practical research.