PGR Designing Doctoral Research: Philosophy and Practice

Code

BUSI4703

School

Business

Level

4

Credits

20

Semesters

Full Year UK

Summary

Philosophical foundations of research, ontology and epistemology. Critical issues relating to the conduct, context and impact of research.

Target Students

PhD students core module.

Classes

• One 3-hour lecture
• One 6-hour lecture
• One 6-hour lecture

Total Contact Hours – 33 Lectures & Seminars 1 x 3 day Block 1 Semester 1 – 18 hours Lectures & Seminars 1 x 2.5 day Block 2 Semester 2 – 15 hours Total Contact Hours = 33 + independent study (e.g. background reading, coursework preparation, revision purposes etc.) = 167 =200 hours total Total Hours - 200

Assessment

• 50% Assessment 1: 2000 word written paper for the philosophy element.
• 50% Assessment 2: 2000 word research proposal.

Assessed by end of designated period

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding: This module develops a knowledge and understanding of:

• Customers and stakeholders - customer expectations, service and orientation.
• The management of projects.
• Communications, the comprehension and use of relevant communications for application in business and management, including the use of digital tools.
• The importance of sustainability issues, including an understanding of the challenges and opportunities arising from the activities of people and organisations on the economic, social and environmental conditions of the future.

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.
• 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.
• Using information and knowledge effectively in order to abstract meaning from information and to share knowledge, including the use of quantitative skills.

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.
• 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.
• Effective performance within team environments and the ability to recognise and utilise individuals' contributions in group processes and to negotiate and persuade or influence others; team selection, delegation, development and management.  
• Leadership and performance management: selecting appropriate leadership style for different situations; setting objectives, motivating, monitoring performance, coaching and mentoring.
• The ability to recognise and address ethical dilemmas, corporate social responsibility and sustainability issues, applying ethical and organisational values to situations and choices.

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.
• 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.
• Soft skills: understanding the needs of others and empathy towards them; sensitivity to diversity in people and in different situations.

Conveners

• Professor Stephen Timmons
• Prof Kenneth Peter Starkey