Undergraduate Course: Business Research Methods II: Applications and Analysis (CMSE10003)
Course Outline
| School | Business School |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Business research has been defined as the systematic gathering, recording and analysing of data about problems relating to businesses. This course, which follows on from Business Research Methods I, introduces further aspects of business research and demonstrates its fundamental importance in the making of appropriate business decisions. It provides an understanding of the philosophical building blocks of research design, outlines both qualitative and quantitative techniques for data collection and analysis and gives students the chance to collect and analyse data themselves. This course has been designed to achieve the following aims/outcomes:
- To develop an understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of research design;
- To provide an appreciation of the literature search and review process;
- To develop a working understanding of different methodologies including methods used in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis;
- To undertake and develop skills in the actual data collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data;
- To enable the confident undertaking of a dissertation research project.
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| Course description |
Not entered
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | A pass in Business Research Methods I: Quantitative Techniques (CMSE08002) equivalent.
Visiting students should have at least 3 Business Studies courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses.
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Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2014/15, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
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Lecture Hours 20,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 5,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
169 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
60 %,
Coursework
40 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Group assignment comprising Research Report (3000 words maximum) 25%
Peer Evaluation of group project 5%
Individual quantitative data analysis assignment 10%
Degree examination 60% (2 hours)
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| Feedback |
Not entered |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 2:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
This course represents a core addition to the undergraduate programmes in Business Studies single honours and combined degrees, and International Business degrees. The course is designed to fill a gap in the application and analysis of core research skills, building on key skills acquired in Business Research Methods I in year 2. It aims to provide students with the skills and capabilities to undertake research, including designing appropriate research strategies, selecting appropriate research methods (both qualitative and quantitative methods), analysing and interpreting data and presenting research results. The course is designed to be ¿hands-on¿ providing students with the opportunity to learn by conducting research and analysing data, in addition to understanding the theoretical underpinnings of business research decisions.
Knowledge and Understanding
On completion of this course you should be able to:
- Understand the nature and scope of business research and its relevance to business practice
- Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the relevant literature on business research
- Describe the stages of the research process and be able to apply them and adapt them to a specific research context
- Demonstrate a critical appreciation of various research approaches along with an awareness of both their contribution and limitations
- Evaluate different research methods (qualitative and quantitative) and understand their benefits and limitations
- Understand how to analyse data qualitatively and quantitatively
- Make judgements of the accuracy, reliability and validity of data used
- Understand how best to present and report research findings.
After completing the course students will have acquired skills as follows:
Cognitive Skills
On completion of this course you should be able to:
- Demonstrate that you can move beyond a simple description of business research techniques to the analysis and evaluation of business research using key concepts learned during the course
- Assess the relative strengths and weakness of different research methods to a given research context
- Demonstrate that you can make informed decisions regarding choice of research methods and can justify your decisions
- Demonstrate your ability to collate, analyse and synthesise data
- Arrive at conclusions and recommend a course of action based on the analysis of data.
Key Skills
On completion of the course you should be able to:
- Engage in critical discussions of business research issues through class discussion
- Debate and defend considered arguments
- Make informed and justified courses of action in the gathering and analysis of research data
- Utilise and source information from the library, internet and database sources
- Study independently and in groups and take responsibility for sourcing, reading and analysing related reference material for the course
- Develop ¿hands-on¿ experience of gathering and analysing both qualitative and quantitative data
- Use SPSS to code, transform and analyse survey data.
Subject-Specific Skills
On completion of this course you should be able to:
- Summarise and synthesize literature and secondary data sources to inform the research issues and identify specific research questions
- Identify an appropriate research design for a specific research problem
- Conduct qualitative research and analyse qualitative data
- Design and write a plan for the administration of a quantitative survey
- Build on your knowledge of quantitative tools and techniques gained in Business Research Methods I and use them to analyse quantitative data using SPSS
- Present research results in a professional way.
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Reading List
Required Reading
Alan Bryman and Emma Bell (2011), Business Research Methods, (3nd edition), Oxford University Press.
(Note: earlier editions of this book can also be used)
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
1 hour(s) per week for 4 week(s). One hour tutorial x 4 weeks |
| Keywords | BRMII |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Mary Brennan
Tel: (0131 6)51 5550
Email: Mary.Brennan@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Anastasia Fliatoura
Tel: (0131 6)50 3826
Email: Anastasia.Fliatoura@ed.ac.uk |
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