Module Directory

This module builds further on the knowledge and understanding of research philosophy, design and data analysis students gained in Business Research Methods module and gives an opportunity to final year students to carry out an independent research project to focus on a topic of their choice in relation to the degree course.

The aims of this module are:

• To give students an opportunity to manage a research project from beginning to the end, under the guidance of an individual supervisor.


• To draw on appropriate literature to construct a research framework and theoretical context, explain the logic of research methodology, data collection and draw relevant empirical findings.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Demonstrate evidence of a thorough and comprehensive understanding of relevant literature in the field of business administration and supply chain management.


2. Locate and read relevant literature and produce summaries and critical analysis of the relevant literature.


3. Demonstrate critical thinking involving the consideration of alternative approaches and research methods.


4. Apply an appropriate design methodology to achieve aims and objectives of research project.


5. Use Gantt charts and time management techniques to plan and manage a research project.


6. Record plans, ideas, results, and reflections in a written journal.


7. Work as an individual to specify and design research project under the guidance of a supervisor.


8. Demonstrate written communication and analytical skills through the writing of the interim report and reflective journal, and final project report.


9. Discuss ideas informally with academic supervisors.

This module is part of the Q-Step pathway. Q-Step is an award which you can gain simply by enrolling on specific modules and will signal to employers your capability in quantitative research. Learn more about the Q-Step pathway and enhance your degree now.

Undergraduate students at Essex Business School (Southend Campus) are expected to complete a research project in the final year of their degree. The project can take a variety of forms but unlike other assignments it involves you conducting and writing-up a piece of original research. This final research project will be supported by the knowledge and understanding of research methods, and use the framework for research skills and the boundaries of their research, identified in the Business Research Methods module.

The undergraduate Research Project is the equivalent of one term module in your degree course and is expected to be about 4000 to 5000 words in length. The project runs in parallel with your other third year modules. You will need to apply and be granted ethical approval by the University in order to undertake primary data collection (details and information on Ethical Approval process are available on Moodle).

The supervisor will be assigned by the SOE Group. Once the project has been accepted, the student is advised to meet with their supervisor on a regular basis. The student must undertake a considerable part of the basic research for the project during the Spring Term. In the Autumn Term (week 7), students must decide their research project topic.

The project can take a variety of forms, ranging from empirical research using methods such as surveys, questionnaires, interviews and content analysis to library based theoretical work. The students will find that this can be a most worthwhile learning experience, and a good project is a useful reference for a postgraduate study as well as outside employment.

Syllabus

Preparing your research project

• Introduction


• The ethical approval process and topic choice guidance


• Choice of topic


• Data collection – a refresher


• Academic referencing and Q&A


• Ethical approval form submission online

Implementing your research project

• Analysing data


• Writing the report


• Q&A


• Submission of full draft of report to supervisor

This module will be delivered via:

• Support sessions or lectures.
• Individual project work.
• Supervisor meetings.

The supervisor will:

• Provide guidance on the scope, nature and focus of the research topic.
• Help to provide opportunities for critical discussion of the student’s work.
• Monitor progress through meetings and encourage ownership by the student of the project (including form, style and content).
• Provide formative assessment of the research project.
• Assist the student in identifying appropriate literature and sources of information.
• Make constructive criticisms as appropriate and suggest appropriate alternatives.