Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook
This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Postgraduate Handbook 2019-2020 (archived)

Module BUSI49M15: METHODS OF INQUIRY (TAUGHT)

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI49M15: METHODS OF INQUIRY (TAUGHT)

TypeLevelCreditsAvailabilityModule CapLocation
Tied 4 15 Available in 2019/2020 None. Durham

Tied To

  • N1KR17: Business Administration (Finance) (Global) (for students entering between Oct 2010 - Apr 2013) (see Postgraduate Handbook 2016-2017 for details)
  • N1KS17: Business Administration (Global) (for students entering between Oct 2010 - Apr 2013) (see Postgraduate Handbook 2018-2019 for details)
  • N1N317: Business Administration (Finance) (Global) (for students entering between Oct 2013 - Apr 2015) (see Postgraduate Handbook 2018-2019 for details)
  • N1N417: Business Administration (Global) (for students entering between Oct 2013 - Apr 2015)

Pre-requisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combinations

  • METHODS OF INQUIRY (ONLINE) - BUSI42R15

Aims

  • To equip students with the necessary training both to be able to assess the academic research and literature in the fields of business and management and to prepare them to undertake the dissertation.

Content

  • Understanding Quantitative Research
  • Discrete-Choice Scales
  • Behavioural Coding
  • Performance Outcome Metrics
  • Understanding Qualitative Research
  • Interview and Focus Group Techniques
  • Management Research Ethics
  • Developing Management Research

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge
  • By the end of the module, students should:
  • have a critical appreciation of how empirical research is conducted in a business context;
Subject-specific Skills
  • By the end of the module, students should:
  • be able to conduct advanced literature searches to identify important literature and outstanding research questions;
  • be able to write an evaluative review of the literature;
  • be able to conduct a Masters-level research project from beginning to end. This involves the following: identifying an interesting and practical research question at an appropriate advanced level; developing a method for answering the question; conducting the research, including managing all aspects of the research project.
Key Skills
  • Written communication; planning, organising and time management; problem solving and analysis; using initiative; computer literacy.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Learning outcomes will be met through a combination of taught input, groupwork, case studies and discussion, supported by guided reading and specially-written self-study material.
  • The summative assessment of the module is designed to test the acquisition and articulation of knowledge and critical understanding, and skills of application and interpretation within the business context.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotal HoursAttendance Monitored
Workshops (a combination of taught input, groupwork, case studies and discussion), timetabled in blocks 3 1 per day 8 hours 24
Preparation and Reading 126
Total 150

Summative Assessment

ComponentComponent WeightingElementLength/DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Written Assignment 100% Essay 4,000 words maximum 100% Same

Formative Assessment

The formative assessment is to contribute and present, in a group, a research project proposal.


Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.