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 comprises of 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 aims to draw attention to the importance of carefully designed research as well as its relevance to business practice. |
| Course description |
Aims, Nature, Context
This course has three objectives. First, to assist them in understanding how to read and evaluate research in the management task. Second, to help the student understand the research process in the field of management. Third, to facilitate them in planning, carrying out and communicating the research project that will be the basis of their Masters dissertation.
It is assessed by the development of first 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. Second a log which explains the rationale in producing the proposal.
Syllabus
Study Programme and Readings are posted in a separate document on LEARN. The first lecture will be delivered in Semester 1, with the expectation that students reflect on this and start making enquiries about a possible research proposal. It is expected that students will have identified at least one possible research project for the recommencing of the course in January 2017, which will be examined and developed over the duration of the remainder of course.
Student Learning Experience
The aim is to encourage engagement through a variety of approaches, including class discussion and exercises.
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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 2018/19, 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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| Additional Information (Learning and Teaching) |
Preparatory Reading 20x3hrs, Assignments 47hrs
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Coursework (100%)
-Essay (2,500 word proposal) 80%
-Reflective Log 20% |
| Feedback |
Feedback opportunities are provided during the duration of the course:
Questions and discussion in lectures / small group work.
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
M. Saunders, (Author), P Lewis and A Thornhill (2016) Research Methods for Business Students (7th ed.) Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd.
A Bryman & E Bell (2015) Business Research Methods (4th ed.) Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Michael Barrow, Statistics for Economics, Accounting and Business Studies Longman, London & New York
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
After completing this course, students should be able to:
A: critically evaluate the quality and value of research presented to them, especially if in a business or management role
B: design and implement a research project that addresses a business or management issue (e.g. a business plan in a business context or a dissertation in an academic context)
- 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 | |
Course secretary | Ms Rhiannon Pilkington
Tel: (0131 6)50 8072
Email: Rhiannon.Pilkington@ed.ac.uk |
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