This module aims to allow students to independently identify problems, opportunities or issues that require structured research activity in order to draw significant conclusions/recommendations, in the form of a consultancy project. The module will allow students to identify problems or opportunities within a professional context in order to frame their work as well as provide significant depth to the issues at hand. Students will be expected to use appropriate research methods, data collection, and analysis methodologies appropriate to the issues they identify.
The project will facilitate learners acting in a consultancy role for an organisation of their choice.
20 hours of seminar sessions
Placement Hours: as agreed
Lectures 10
Independent Study Hours: 270
Total Study Hours: 300
Research Project Proposal – 500 words (20%)
Research Project Report - 5000 words (80%)
A pass must be achieved in the project report in order to pass the module.
Reassessment method:
100% Coursework
Reading list (Indicative list, current at time of publication. Reading lists will be published annually)
Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2015) "Research Methods for Business Students" 5th Ed. Pearson Education, Harlow, England.
Bryman and Bell (2011) "Business Research Methods" 3rd Ed. Oxford University Press, Oxford England.
Collis, J. and Hussey, R. (2009) "Business Research: A Practical Guide for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students" 3rd Ed, Palgrave Macmillan, London.
Hart, C. (1998) "Doing a Literature Review: Releasing the Social Science Research Imagination" Sage Publications, London, England.
King, N. and Horrocks, C. (2010) "Interviews in Qualitative Research" Sage Publications, London.
Foddy, W. (1994) "Constructing Questions for Interviews and Questionnaires: Theory and Practice in Social Research" Cambridge University Press.
In the light of this unit testing students as 'independent learners / problem solvers', a range of e-learning materials will be provided across the whole of the research process. Here the expectation will be set that students will need to drive their own learning as an individual based on the context/situation there are attempting to consultant on.
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
- Identify and define problems or opportunities which require a justifiable and substantial level of structured research activity.
- Critically review information which is appropriate to the issue identified in order to further understand the situation they are investigating.
- Devise a justified research methodology (research methods, data collection, data analysis) suitable to the research context in order to achieve the research objectives set.
- Objectively and effectively present research data.
- Interpret research data gathered on the problem or opportunity and use academic literature where appropriate.
- Discuss the implications of the research findings and make appropriate recommendations in light of the identified problem or opportunity.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
- Apply research and basic project management skills.
- Plan, manage and complete a substantial piece of work
- Effectively and appropriately communicate arguments which justify their decisions made throughout a research project, and appropriate, supported recommendations.
- Demonstrate a detailed understanding of a variety of sources of information and data, including those typically used in business contexts, and an ability to evaluate their relevance and applicability to a project.
- Work independently, and devise and complete relevant tasks with limited supervision and respond professionally and constructively to feedback.
- Apply analysis of information and data to contemporary business contexts or issues and identify opportunities and challenges including any ethical issues.
- Communicate and present information in appropriate formats in a professional manner.
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