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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2016/2017

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Business School : Common Courses (Management School)

Postgraduate Course: Research Methods for International Business (CMSE11208)

Course Outline
SchoolBusiness School CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits15 ECTS Credits7.5
SummaryResearch Methods is a required course for MSc students. It aims to introduce students to issues of ontology, epistemology, methodology and ethics in preparation for their dissertation. It therefore aims to facilitate students' choice of research area, topic, research question(s) and appropriate methods for that major piece of independent research.
Course description Aims, Nature, Context
The course provides students with an understanding of the research process. The course offers students opportunities to prepare for a significant research project, including how the to engage with journal articles, analyse data, etc.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements For Business School PG students only, or by special permission of the School. Please contact the course secretary.
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2016/17, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 2
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 150 ( Lecture Hours 20, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 3, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 127 )
Additional Information (Learning and Teaching) Preparatory Reading 42hrs, Workshop Preparation 10hrs, Assignments 75hrs
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Assessment is based on a 4,000 word research proposal. In the proposal, students will:
-Introduce the nature of the problem to be investigated and the context of the research
-Clearly identify the research question,
-Specify the contributions that the project is intended to accomplish
-Critically evaluate the key literature that underpins this question,
-Review the data collection and analysis methods selected
-Explain how your ontology and epistemology have influenced the research
Feedback Formative feedback is provided on a one-to-one basis.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Identify the role of international business research in the discipline of business - understand different ontologies and epistemologies
  2. Understand different ontologies and epistemologies & understand research ethics
  3. Understand the differences between quantitative and qualitative research methods - frame a study
  4. Plan and conduct different methods of data collection
  5. Analyse quantitative and qualitative data & generate a research proposal for a dissertation
Reading List
Saunders, M., Lewis, P. & Thornhill, A. (2016) Research Methods for Business Students (7th edition). Harlow: Pearson.

Bryman, A. & Bell, E. (2015). Business Research Methods (4th edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Demonstrate and/or work with:
1. Knowledge that covers and integrates most of the main areas of the subject/discipline/sector - including their features, boundaries, terminology
and conventions.
2. A critical understanding of a range of specialised theories, concepts and principles.
3. Extensive, detailed and critical knowledge and understanding in one or more specialisms, much of which is at, or informed by, developments at the forefront.
4. A critical awareness of current issues in a subject/discipline/sector and one or more specialisms.

CHARACTERISTIC 2: PRACTICE: APPLIED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND UNDERSTANDING
1. Apply knowledge, skills and understanding:
2. In applying a range of standard and specialised research and/or equivalent instruments and techniques of enquiry.
3. In planning and executing a significant project of research, investigation or development.
4. In demonstrating originality and/or creativity, including in practices.

CHARACTERISTIC 3: GENERIC COGNITIVE SKILLS
1. Apply critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis to forefront issues, or issues that are informed by forefront developments in the subject/discipline/sector.
2. Identify, conceptualise and define new and abstract problems and issues.
3. Develop original and creative responses to problems and issues.
4. Critically review, consolidate and extend knowledge, skills, practices and thinking in a subject/discipline/sector.
5. Deal with complex issues and make informed judgements in situations in the absence of complete or consistent data/information.

CHARACTERISTIC 4: COMMUNICATION, ICT AND NUMERACY SKILLS
1. Use a wide range of routine skills and a range of advanced and specialised skills as appropriate to a subject/discipline/sector, for example:
2. Communicate, using appropriate methods, to a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge/expertise.
3. Communicate with peers, more senior colleagues and specialists.
4. Use a wide range of ICT applications to support and enhance work at this level and adjust features to suit purpose.
5. Undertake critical evaluations of a wide range of numerical and graphical data.
6. Exercise substantial autonomy and initiative in professional and equivalent activities.
7. Take responsibility for own work and/or significant responsibility for the work of others.
KeywordsIBEM-RM in IB
Contacts
Course organiserDr Ling Liu
Tel: (0131 6)51 1429
Email: Ling.Liu@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr Peter Newcombe
Tel: (0131 6)51 3013
Email: Peter.Newcombe@ed.ac.uk
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