BE969-7-AU-CO:
Research Methods in Management
PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.
2023/24
Essex Business School
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Inactive
Tuesday 06 October 2020
Friday 18 December 2020
20
15 August 2023
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BE972
This module introduces students to the methodology and methods of research in the field of Management. Students are acquainted with the nature of the philosophical assumptions that underpin the choice of research design, in particular case studies for data collection and analysis.
The module explores a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods to illustrate the suitability of these methods for designing research projects. The ethical, practical and legal questions raised by research are explored. Practical aspects of the research process are examined including the skills required to evaluate published research, organise and undertake a research project within the body of relevant knowledge, and make practical and actionable recommendations.
This module is designed to provide students with the necessary guidance to undertake advanced level independent research in Management. The module has two aspects.
First, it focuses on the nature of research in the area, and the social sciences in general, examining the knowledge and skills necessary to manage and undertake a research project.
Second, it provides students with opportunities to familiarise themselves with important empirical and theoretical concepts in Management research. It will provide students with a critical understanding of how to conduct a complex practical investigation of a business issue in an organizational setting and to make practical proposals for change. These skills are intended to provide a good foundation to successfully undertake a Masters level research project.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
1. Appreciate the ways in which management research is located in the broader corpus of the social sciences;
2. Understand the significance of, and the relationship between epistemological positions, research approach and design considerations;
3. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the principles and techniques of research design and method;
4. Identify and apply a range of research methods and analysis techniques, and reflect on how it determines the quality of research;
5. Evaluate the ethical and practical concerns in undertaking research in the real world.
Skills for Your Professional Life (Transferable Skills)
The module will also enable you to develop a range of transferable skills:
1. Develop written communication skills through writing and receiving feedback on module assignments.
2. Develop oral communication skills through interactive discussions on relevant topics related to your coursework.
3. Practice analytical skills through the application of relevant data analysis techniques for a specific research context.
4. Hone critical and analytical thinking by evaluating different approaches and methodologies for management and marketing research specific to your research proposal.
5. Develop IT literacy through electronically accessing module materials and completing and submitting assignments.
This module will be delivered over ten weeks in ten 2-hour lectures that will step-wise explain the key stages involved in designing research projects and will describe the fundamental concepts to encourage and facilitate your independent thinking and skills.
There will also be five 1-hour virtual seminars, designed as student engagement sessions, to provide opportunities to actively discuss ideas in relation to planning a research project. These sessions will enable students to exchange ideas and participate in discussions, drawing on the topics and theories taught in the lectures. In seminars, students can present their ideas and receive informal feedback for the development of their coursework. Information on each seminar will be posted on Moodle before the scheduled virtual seminar and will include details on what you should prepare prior to the session.
Each of the lecturers has virtual academic support hours every week, which you can find on the EBS PGT Moodle page. During these academic support hours, you will be welcome to discuss various aspects of the module or your assessment. Whilst we endeavour to provide you with any advice we can, it should be clear that we are not there to tell you what the 'answers' are regarding the assessments. For this reason, it is extremely important that you start thinking about your assignments in good time. The more work you have done before you come and see us, the more fruitful the discussion will be.
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Saunders, M.N.K., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2023d)
Research Methods for Business Students. 9th edn. Harlow, UK: Pearson Education. Available at:
https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/2329759.
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Saunders, M.N.K., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2019) ‘Formulating the Research Design’, in
Research Methods for Business Students. 8th edn. Harlow, UK: Pearson Education, pp. 172–230. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/reader.action?docID=5774742&ppg=205.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Additional coursework information
2 pieces of coursework, 50% each.
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Yingqin Zheng, email: y.zheng@essex.ac.uk.
Dr. Yingqin Zheng, Dr. Juneho Um and Dr. Hamid Foroughi
ebspgtad@essex.ac.uk
No
No
No
Available via Moodle
Of 1464 hours, 15 (1%) hours available to students:
1449 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
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