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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2020/2021

Information in the Degree Programme Tables may still be subject to change in response to Covid-19

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

Postgraduate Course: Critical Enquiry for Business (MBA) (CMSE11252)

Course Outline
SchoolBusiness School CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits0 ECTS Credits0
SummaryThis 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 Capstone Project; and third, to assist them in understanding how to read and evaluate research in the management field.
Course description This course is divided into two parts: research design and qualitative and quantitative methods and 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 methods in such research.

Syllabus:
The research process
Literature searching and reviewing
Desiging a research study, identifying and clarifying your research question, and research ethics
Writing your proposal and your dissertation/business plan/business report
Collecting and analysing qualitative research data
Collecting and analysing quantitative research data

Student learning experience:
The course is delivered through a series of lectures and intensive workshops incorporating practical exercises. Progress is assisted by the development of a draft research proposal by the student that communicates their research question, chosen research design and the balance of qualitative and quantitative research methods in the design.
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
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Explain and discuss the principles of research in social sciences and management studies.
  2. Plan to define research questions in relation to the student's chosen topic area, choose an appropriate research design for a management research question.
  3. Identify and critically evaluate literature in a given management field.
  4. 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.
  5. Construct an original piece of research and develop further independent research skills as well as the skills for presenting the findings of the research in a professional manner.
Reading List
Essential Reading:
A Bryman & E Bell (2007) Business Research Methods, 3rd Edition, Oxford University Press
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Cognitive and Subject Specific Skills:
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 or business plan/report proposal.
Recognize qualitative and quantitative techniques appropriate to particular circumstances; understand their strengths and limitations, and choose between them.
Design and implement a research project to form the basis of their dissertation or business plan/report.
Additional Class Delivery Information A series of lectures and practical workshops, totalling 24 contact hours.
KeywordsResearch Enquiry Qualitative Quantitative
Contacts
Course organiserProf Susan Murphy
Tel: (01316)51 5548
Email: Susan.Murphy@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Inga Ackermann
Tel: (0131 6)51 3854
Email: Inga.Ackermann@ed.ac.uk
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