Postgraduate Course: Methods of Research (CMSE11091)
Course Outline
| School | Business School |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 15 |
ECTS Credits | 7.5 |
| Summary | This course is divided into three parts: 'research design', 'qualitative analysis' and 'quantitative analysis'. These are designed to provide students with an overview of the conventions on research in social sciences in general, and management studies in particular, and the role of qualitative and quantitative research in such research. It is assessed by the development of a draft research proposal by the student that communicates their research question, chosen research design to address this question, and the balance of qualitative and quantitative research methods in this design. |
| Course description |
Aims, Nature, Context
This course has three objectives. First, to help the student understand the research process in the field of management. Second, to facilitate them in planning, carrying out and communicating the research project that will be the basis of their Masters dissertation. Third, to assist them in understanding how to read and evaluate research in the management task.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | For Business School PG students only, or by special permission of the School. Please contact the course secretary. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2015/16, 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:
150
(
Lecture Hours 30,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 3,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
107 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Assessment is by way of a 3,000 word research proposal. This should
-Identify clearly the research question to be answered;
-Critically evaluate the key literature that underpins this question;
-Review the efficacy of different research approaches to addressing this question; and
-Present their chosen approach and the rationale for it.
Students also have to submit their ethical approval form - see separate document. This is not assessed BUT no student can pass this course without submission of this form.
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| Feedback |
Weeks 1 to 11 Questions and discussion in lectures / small group work.
Weeks 1 to 11 Individual meetings with course lecturers, as appropriate
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| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Explain the principles of research in social sciences and management studies;
- Plan how they define research questions in relation to their chosen topic area;
- Choose an appropriate research design for a management research question;
- Identify and critically evaluate literature in a given management field;
- Evaluate, select, justify and apply appropriate qualitative or quantitative data collection, presentation and analysis methods to their chosen area of research, in order to ensure that the evidence generated, its analysis and the conclusions drawn from it are valid and reliable & Use such knowledge to construct an original piece of research of their own, and develop further independent research skills as well as the skills for presenting the findings of their research in a professional manner.
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Reading List
A Bryman & E Bell (2015) Business Research Methods (Oxford University Press)
G Nieuwenhuis (2009) Statistical Methods for Business and Economics, McGraw-Hill
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
After completing this course, students should be able to:
-Develop research questions and objectives in a chosen research area;
-Critically evaluate both relevant literature and different research design and data collection/analysis methods
-Produce a sound research proposal
-Recognize qualitative and quantitative techniques appropriate to the analysis of some particular circumstances, understand their strengths and limitations, and choose between them.
-Design and implement a research project to form the basis of their Masters dissertation.
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| Keywords | MGMT-MOR |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Stephen Harwood
Tel: (0131 6)51 5243
Email: stephen.harwood@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Peter Newcombe
Tel: (0131 6)51 3013
Email: Peter.Newcombe@ed.ac.uk |
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