BUSI49L60: Research Design Workshop (Level 4)

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• To ensure that students are familiar with relevant and rigorous theories of organisations ranging from theories of: organisational change, organisation ecology, theories of leadership, and power, control and resistance in Organisations
• To ensure that students are aware of some of the neighbouring theories that can supply additional insights and/or research methods.
• To develop a Level 4 integration of students field knowledge.
• To develop students ability to tell apart poorly and well conducted research, and Understand what research questions can be answered rigorously and scientifically.
• To develop students ability to identify suitable research methods to answer given research questions rigorously.
• To develop students ability to appreciate ethical issues in research

• Models and methods
• Logic and argumentation
• Suitability of different analytical methodologies
• Observation plans
• Data structures
• Data collection methods: Participant and non-participant observation; Unstructured, semi structured and structured interviews; survey data; archival data
• Ethical challenges associated with the conduct of research into organisations
• Under supervision, students will deliver the most up to date overview of their field and an up to date survey of neighbouring fields together with an empirical pilot study

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Have an up-to-date knowledge of relevant theory fragments
• Have an overview of neighbouring theories
• Understand research methods
• Have an understanding of subject specific research design and its implications
• Have a comprehensive understanding of key methodological considerations
• Understand limitations on data availability and research access
• Understand the time demand of different data collection methods
• Understand issues concerning research and confidentiality
• Understand ethical challenges associated with the conduct of research into organisations, and the appropriate responses

Subject-specific Skills:

• Ability to critically assess existing research
• Ability to understand novel theory
• Ability to apply theories to generate novel understanding and predictions

Key Skills:

• Ability to make an initial formulation and articulation of a research problem
• Ability to understand how the research problem is developed into a set of research questions
• The ability to evaluate the research that answers a particular research question
• Ability to evaluate data coding
• Ability to assess the data analysis

• The module will be delivered in a workshop format over two intensive three-day teaching blocks. Workshops will bring 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, as well as self-support learning groups. There will also be on-line teaching support through a module blog. Finally, the module enables the students to develop their own research design.
• The assessment of the module is by a 10,000 word essay 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.

Students will receive the RDW assignment brief and pre-reading at least 2-weeks prior to the module being delivered and will produce a formative piece of work in preparation for the main module assignment. When in attendance at the module, students will be required to deliver an individual presentation to a group of Module Leaders, relevant Faculty and members of their respective cohort and feedback will be provided.

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