MBE7242 - Work based project: Systems Thinking. Inquiry, information gathering and analysis

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

Make a reasoned and critical selection of research approaches and data gathering techniques.

Critically reflect on their role as a practitioner researcher

Demonstrate clear links between the aims of the research, its methodology and the key work imperatives concerned with a view to making a significant contribution to his or her professional practice as well as that of relevant work organisations/ communities of practice.

Demonstrate a critical understanding of ethical considerations of undertaking research as an insider in their professional area/work organisation/community of practice.

Demonstrate the ability to present a written work based project which is persuasive to an academic audience and has potential benefit to their work organisation/community of practice.

Content:

The aim of the module is to develop critical awareness of research and development issues in the work place; to reflect upon the position of the practitioner researcher and the ethical issues involved and to develop a work-based research project.

The module covers:

Research methodology and theoretical approaches

Qualitative and quantitative methods

Techniques of data collection

Ethics of workplace and work-based research

Designing, conducting and justifying work-based research

Presenting and analysing project results

Presenting benefits of the research to the organisation

Ethical practices and management of risk are core underpinning themes which should be addressed in all of the modules within this apprenticeship programme

Learning and Teaching Information:

The sessions will be organised in teaching blocks. Lectures will deliver core theoretical frameworks, followed by tutorials and personal exercises for reflection and development. Tutorials will be designed to support learners to be self-directed in additional research and with particular emphasis on research within their own employing organisation.

The module will present apprentices with selected scenarios for basic analysis in order to develop both analytical competence and the ability to identify and apply appropriate techniques in a range of typical situations.

The module will make use of case studies and developing business trends and so the nature of the topics and exercises will vary. Apprentices will be provided with, and/or directed to, relevant reading and additional questions/ exercises to support their progress through the module material.

Typically delivered on a blended learning basis with a combination of workshops and on-line support the learning and teaching will include a range of methods such as lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, with emphasis on real life work experience and both team and peer support. There will be large and small group discussions, problem-solving activities and individual and paired working.

Apprentices may be expected to draw on a range of theoretical/academic, personal and work-based resources. Course documentation, support materials and web-based materials will be available on the VLE as appropriate.

Implementation of study skills will be supported and in particular teamwork, and the capacity to develop written argument will be developed. During the course of sessions, and subsequently through the contractual apprenticeship progress reviews there will be opportunities for tutor/learner interaction to meet individual needs and to help develop skills, confidence, competence, knowledge and understanding relating to the aims and objectives of the module and more widely meeting the overall Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) of the Senior Leader apprenticeship standard. Accessing library resources and help with coursework study skills will be available from services across the University.

Apprentices would be expected to prepare for the sessions by reading set texts and completion of tasks set in class or via the VLE and will be expected to take part in a wide range of learning activities.

Apprentices will maintain their Personal e-portfolio during this module and on-going self-evaluation will be part of the apprentices’ identification of needs.

Lectures
Hours: 30
Intended group size: Cohort

Guided independent study
Hours: 170

Further details relating to assessment
Within the assessments for the module, because the programme is an apprenticeship and therefore some of the assessment may relate specifically to the organisation in which the apprentice works, it may be beneficial to encourage the apprentices to submit the assessment using different mediums such as blogs, vlogs and podcasts.

Students will be offered formative feedback throughout the module in order to help them to achieve successful coverage of the apprenticeship standard’s KSBs in conjunction with the modules aims and outcomes. This will be done via formal sessions and also via online interactions on the Moodle platform and the use of tools such as email and Microsoft Teams.

Assessment:

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 7
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered -

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