Description

Research Methods (MBA7004) – 20 Credits

This is the module descriptor for Research Methods and identifies aims and objectives along with required and recommended reading:

Aims:

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to research as practised in business and management disciplines. It provides an overview of the key quantitative and qualitative methodologies that are needed to undertake, evaluate and present a small scale research project. Following an introduction to research the module will move on to explore the major paradigms and debates in business research. It will help students to build appropriate strategies for reviewing literature and developing a coherent set of aims and objectives for a research study. The module will cover major research methods (observation, surveys, case studies, interviews and action research), the implications of using them as well as the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data and presentation of findings. It identifies how to develop research questions/hypotheses and how to produce robust and realistic research considering issues of data validation, triangulation and reliability. Following satisfactory completion of this module, students will progress to the dissertation.

Introduction to research: academic and non-academic research (e.g. market research; opinion polls; economic indicators; media research). Ontology, epistemology, methodology and method. Alternative paradigms of business and management research.

Reviewing the field: Choosing a research question and methodology: Writing a research proposal. Critical analysis of published research. On-line and library research skills. Research skills: writing and presentation skills; referencing procedures. Time management.

Research ethics: confidentiality; plagiarism; copyright; IPR.

Measurement & data collection strategies: Types of measurement. Choice of qualitative/quantitative variables. Sources of data. Quantitative methodologies: surveys; experiments; modelling, sampling; questionnaire design; choosing survey media. Small sample surveys and analysis. Qualitative methodologies: Ethnography; action research; hermeneutics; discourse analysis; history; biography. Qualitative methods: sampling; interviewing; participant observation; self-reporting; data recording and transcription; critical incident diaries; deep description.

Data analysis, interpretation & evaluation: Quantitative data analysis: Data coding and management. Factor analysis. Regression, correlation, causality; extrapolation. Quantitative analysis software: Excel and SPSS. Qualitative data analysis: Categorising; comparing; the use of narrative. Qualitative analysis software: NVIVO.

References:

The university recommends the use of Cite Them Right online to refer to on Harvard referencing:

https://www-citethemrightonline-com.ezproxy.cardiffmet.ac.uk/

Presentation:

1. All copies shall be presented in permanent and legible form in typescript or print and the characters shall be not less than 12 pt and preferably Arial font.

2. 1.5 spacing shall be used in typescript but for indented quotations single spacing shall be used.

3. Drawings and Sketches shall be in black ink; unnecessary detail should be omitted and there should be at least 1 mm between lines.

4. Page margins for both left and right side should be set at 3cm.

Dissertation Proposal (WRIT2 75%)

Use the headings in the marking scheme to structure your proposal. The marking scheme is shown overleaf. Your proposal should be 3000 words +-10%, excluding references. Use the headings mentioned below to structure your proposal.