research methods

1. Aims
Enable students to examine plan and evaluate issues surrounding qualitative and
quantitative research processes for business.
Enable participants to examine the relationships between Philosophy, Science and
Empiricism.
Enable participants to develop skills in qualitative design and analysis, using business
ethnographic, phenomenological and positivist approaches.
Enable participants to undertake a quantitative research design incorporating exploratory,
descriptive and causal methodologies.
Enable participants to develop skills in a range of analytical methods, using SPSS and
NVivo.
Enable participants to critically evaluate research design, undertaken epistemic
approaches, distinguish interpretive approaches, realist philosophies and develop
hypotheses.
Learning outcomes
After completing the module, the student should be able to:
1. Critically appraise the salient qualitative and quantitative issues surrounding a
business research problem.
2. Plan and identify the stages and tasks for an evaluation of a business research
problem, incorporating preliminary research approaches, primary and secondary
data requirements, sampling frame and sampling methods.
3. Produce a research design, proposal and ethical approval form for a Masters level
research project for business management.
1

2. Outline Syllabus
1. Research and managers
2. Developing a research proposal
3. Role of theory and literature
4. Designing a research
5. Writing up a proposal
6. Quantitative data – SPSS (1)
7. Quantitative data – SPSS (2)
8. Qualitative data – N-vivo (1)
9. Qualitative data – N-vivo (2)
10.Tips on how to make a good proposal
Recommended Texts:
1. Punch, K. F. (2009) Developing Effective Research Proposals, 2nd Edi, Sage Publishing,
London.
2. Gill John and Phil Johnson (2010) Research Methods for Managers, 4th Edi, Sage Publishing,
London.
3. Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2009) Research Methods for Business Students,
4th Edi, Prentice Hall, London.
4. Creswell, J W (2009) 'Research Design :qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches'
Sage
5.
Module Format
1. 1 x 3- hour lecture/Seminar per week
2. Directed study
Note taking in essential
2

3. Assessment
You are required to develop a research proposal towards an understanding and
resolution of a business problem/issue. This includes:
1. A research topic that fit within a business and an organisational setting;
2. Literature review that demonstrate your understanding of the subject matter;
3. Research design that links a range of data skills/strategies in seeking quality
answers to the research question(s) indicated by the topic and literature review;
and
4. A detailed plan that justifies an appropriate use of network, resources and time,
and considers related ethical issues.
The assessment is 100% coursework and individual-based. Word count: 3,500.
The hand-in date is Thursday
3

4. Teaching schedule
Date Session One (2 hrs) Session Two (1hr)
Week 1 Introduction, module guide, Research proposal, research topic,
assessment, teaching schedule linking RT to RP, student exercises
Week 2 What makes a good research topic 1 Frameworks for developing research
proposals
Week 3 What makes a good research topic 2 The role of theory and dealing with the
literature
Week 4 What makes a good literature review Methods and methodologies
Week 5 Data and data strategies Writing the proposal
Week 6 Reading week
Week 7 Research proposals: structure and Quantitative analysis – SPSS1
presentation
Week 8 SPSS1, questions and discussions Quantitative analysis – SPSS2
Week 9 SPSS2, questions and discussions Qualitative analysis – N-vivo1
Week 10 N-vivo1, questions and discussions Qualitative analysis – N-vivo2
Week 11 N-vivo2, questions and discussions Tips on developing research proposals
4

5. Research Methods for Managers
Research proposal mark criteria & feedback sheet
Student’s name: Student ID: Date:
Proposed dissertation title:
Problems and issues
Clearly explains problems/issue justifying why it is important both from an 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
organisational and a personal perspective
Research questions and objectives
Provides a clear statement of what the research seeks to achieve. Flows from 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
previous section and objectives precisely written with observable outcomes
Indicative literature review
Demonstrates knowledge of the relevant literature by identifying key debates, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
concepts and theories
Clarifies how the proposal fits into the debate within the literature and how the 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
literature will be used to inform the research design.
Methodology
Explains the methodological approach 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Justifies the research strategy and data collection methods, includes a summary 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
table
Explores the credibility of the research and how the concepts of validity and 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
reliability generally can be applied to the proposed research.
Access & resource implications
Reflects on and appraises the resources required including the researcher’s 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
knowledge & skill. Considers the access and ethical implications associated with
the proposal.
Action Plan
Provides an action plan or chart that demonstrates the proposal is viable given 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
the available resources –time – researcher skills – access to data etc.
Overall structure
Uses report format and presents items in a logical structure. Users Harvard 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
referencing in text bibliography.
Key: 0 = Does not meet expectations 10 = Exceeds expectations
Please interpret in conjunction with ‘grading criteria’ Handout.
Key strengths of this proposal:
Main areas for improvement:
Final Mark (<=40%): Agreed mark (<=40%):
st
1 Marker: Signature: Date:
nd
2 Marker: Signature: Date:
5