Module BUSI5Q260: Theory into Practice (Level 5)

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI5Q260: Theory into Practice (Level 5)

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To ensure that students are familiar with relevant and rigorous theories of business and management research.
• To ensure that students are aware of neighbouring theories that they can take advantage of in terms of borrowing insights and/or research methods.
• To develop the level of integration of students field knowledge.
• To develop students ability to identify a suitable research topic, and generate theoretically relevant research questions that can be answered rigorously and scientifically.
• To develop students ability to identify suitable research methods to answer their research questions.
• To develop students ability to appreciate ethical issues in research.
• To enable students research projects to make a potentially important contribution to both academic knowledge and the practical business world.

Content

• Logic and argumentation
• Rigor and relevance in business and management research theories, models and methods
• Epistemology
• Deduction, Induction, Abduction
• Suitability of different analytical methodologies
• Data structures
• Qualitative and Quantitative methods
• Data collection methods: Unstructured, semi structured and structured interviews; Questionnaire design; Experiment design; Survey data; Panel data; Finance databases; archival data.
• Regression analysis, Multiple Regression, Binary Regression, Mediation, Moderation, SEM
• Use of software packages: Stata, NVIVO
• Research ethics

Learning Outcomes

• Have a comprehensive understanding of the relevant theoretical basis for their research topic.
• Understand contemporary developments in research methods in business and management.
• Have an advanced understanding of research design issues in business and management.
• Have a comprehensive understanding of key methodological considerations in business and management research.
• Understand the time demands of different data collection methods as well as limitations on data availability in business and management.
• Understand ethical challenges and other practical issues concerning research access and confidentiality.
• Devise/propose a research design incorporating appropriate research methodology.

• Ability to skilfully conduct research in business and management
• Ability to critically assess existing research in business and management
• Ability to develop novel theory in business and management
• Ability to unify or synthesise theories relevant to business and management

• Ability to make an initial formulation and articulation of a research problem
• Ability to transform the research problem into a set of research questions
• The ability to formulate, articulate and complete a scheme of research at doctoral level
• Ability to design and execute data collection.
• Ability to design data coding
• Ability to design the data analysis
• Effective oral communication skills

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

• The module will be delivered via workshops taking the students through all the relevant phases of research design.
• By commenting on each others suggestions students will acquire both the capability and the attitude to critically evaluate and improve research designs.
• Learning will also occur through tutor-supported learning groups.
• The assessment of the module is by a combination of: an oral examination of the students on research design issues by an independent panel; a 15,000 word written assignment based on an extensive literature review and field knowledge. The assessment is designed to test students' knowledge and understanding of the subject-matter and their ability to articulate a researchable issue.
• The module is assessed on a pass/fail basis, with a pass required in both components.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Individual-based presentation and tutor feedback within webinars. Individual 5000 word assignment (the draft assignment after 10 weeks from Part I delivery).

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University