BMM5582 - Business Research

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Outline specific research aims and objectives, as well as the boundaries of research project.
Investigate the existing body of knowledge in line with identified research aims and objectives and produce a comprehensive literature review, including a theoretical framework.
Appraise the various approaches to the investigative method and data collection, compare and contrast a range of research methods and justify their usage.
Propose a small-scale research project into a chosen business, management, marketing, finance and accounting, international business, or economics topic, and develop a research proposal suitable for undergraduate level.

Content:

This module introduces students to the key principles of social science research which underpin business, management, economics, accounting and finance, and marketing methodologies. Theoretical and empirical investigative methods will be explained, as well as a range of qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches and techniques, such as systematic literature review, survey, interview, focus groups, and statistical analysis using primary and secondary databases.

The module will also guide students through the process of research design and writing a realistic, small-scale research proposal, ideally conducted in the UK or international business organisations.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The module will be delivered via a series of weekly 3-hour teaching blocks, comprising whole-group interactive lecture and seminar covering fundamental theories and applications. Lectures and seminars will be supported by in-depth applied workshops. Taught lectures will increasingly build toward workshops and group activities on various research methods and principles.

The course will also focus on developing individual research proposals through small group and one-to-one feedback and discussion. Students will be provided with, and/or directed to, relevant reading and additional questions/ exercises to support their progress through the module material.

Lectures/Seminars
Contact hours: 30
Intended Group size: Cohort

Workshops/Tutorials
Contact hours: 10
Intrended Group size: Cohort or variable sized groups

Guided independent study
Hours: 160

Further details relating to assessment
Group presentation: The aim of the group presentation is to give the student the opportunity to have a detailed review of an allocated topic with the purpose of practicing the research process. In the group assessment, all student will receive the same marks. Students will have the option to carry out theoretical or empirical research. Empirical research could include either/both primary and secondary sources. Theoretical and purely secondary databases will not require ethical approval. However, if an element of primary research is included in the project, students will need to get support of a member of the business team who will act as a supervisor. Support from the academic should be included in the report.

Research proposal: The research portfolio should evaluate the purpose of the study, research questions, initial literature review, justification of methodology and methods and, feasibility. Ethical approval will be obtained in BMM6442 for primary research projects.

Alternative assessment: any students who defer or re-sit any components of the assessment will be assessed by a written report with equivalent pro-rata loading.

Other relevant matters
As a result of Leeds Trinity University's responsibility for ensuring that research conducted by its staff and research students abides by accepted standards of conduct and ethics, students undertaking an element of primary research will need to seek ethical approval in module BMM6442. The importance of ethics in research and process is integrated within the content of this course. The ethics application process is coordinated by a module leader and requires the support of a supervisor. Ethical clearance should be approved by the representative of the department ethics committee before any project can be actioned in BMM6442. The process follows key principles of Leeds Trinity's Code of Research Conduct and Ethics, available on the University Intranet.

Assessment:

001 Presentation; 20mins; end of semester 2 40%
002 Research proposal; 2,400 words; end of semester 2 60%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Greg Barnes
Level - 5
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 5S2

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