BUSI4Q160: Theory into Practice (Level 4)

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• To ensure that students are familiar with relevant and rigorous theories of business and management research. To ensure that students are aware of some of the neighbouring theories that can supply additional 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.

• Logic and argumentation
• Models and methods in business and management research
• Suitability of different analytical methodologies
• Data structures
• Data collection methods: Unstructured, semi structured and structured interviews; Questionnaire design; Experiment design; Survey data; Panel data; Finance databases; archival data.
• Research ethics

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• 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

Subject-specific Skills:

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

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 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 summative assessment of the module is by a 15,000 word written assignment based on an extensive literature review and field knowledge. This is designed to test students' knowledge and understanding of the subject-matter and their ability to articulate a researchable issue.

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