Business Research

Module overview

Organisations exist in dynamic environments, which mean that frequent changes need to be made to remain competitive. This requires managers to make important decisions which can ‘make or break’ an organisation. These decisions need to be based on sound evidence and critical analysis in order to ensure that the changes are appropriate and are likely to contribute to an organisation’s success. Subsequently, the need to design, execute and understand the outcomes of research projects is crucial to managers and their organisations. Using a portfolio of innovative content, including online theoretical and practical lectures, supporting workshops, and input from leaders in consultancy and business research, students will become acutely aware of the importance of undertaking research in business, how to design research projects, collect data and undertake analysis. This module will also prepare students with the skills necessary to design and successfully complete their own research project, which will take the form of a dissertation in the final year. Students attending an Erasmus exchange in Part 2, Semester 2 of a programme where this module is compulsory to the programme, are required to study this module during their exchange

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

the principal methods of business research using both quantitative and qualitative modes of analysis, in particular archival data, surveys, qualitative interviews, focus groups, netography and ethnographic research.
different research paradigms, with their divergent assumptions on what constitutes valid knowledge and how it can be reliably gained;
the relationship between theory, hypothesis, research questions, investigation and analysis;
the importance of business research to organisations, to retain and develop competitive advantages;

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

apply critical analytical skills on research projects;
plan and control effectively for successful completion of workload;
apply numeracy and quantitative analysis skills;
communicate effectively in writing, using and justifying argument within reports.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

interpret the results of data analysis, and understand the strengths and weaknesses of different methods;
prepare an effective research proposal, formulate research questions, and choose appropriate methods of data collection and analysis.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include: • Lectures • Face to face seminars • Statistics workshops • Directed reading • Private/guided study • Students on Erasmus exchange will have access to recorded Lectures and online course Learning activities include: • Introductory online lectures • Individual assignment • Case study / problem solving activities • In class debate and discussion • Private study • Use of online materials

Study time
Type	Hours
Lecture	24
Follow-up work	25
Completion of assessment task	36
Preparation for scheduled sessions	25
Seminar	10
Wider reading or practice	30
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2015). Research Methods for Business Students. Harlow: Financial Times Prentice Hall.

Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R., & Jackson, P. (2015). Management and Business Research. London: Sage.

Collis, J., & Hussey, R. (2009). Business Research. Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Denscombe, M. (2014). The Good Research Guide. Buckingham: Open University Press.

Assessment

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Peer assessment

Assessment Type: Formative
Feedback: Feedback will be via peer evaluation
Final Assessment: No
Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Research proposal	100%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Research proposal	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Research proposal	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External