Learning objective 1:

LO1: Examine appropriate research methodologies and approaches as part of the research process

P1. Produce a research proposal that clearly defines a research question or hypothesis supported by a literature review.

P2. Examine appropriate research methods and approaches to primary and secondary research.

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1.1: Developing a research proposition:

• The importance of developing methodical and valid propositions as the foundation for a research project.
• Rationale: the purpose - raison d'être - and significance for research question or hypothesis.
• The value of the philosophical position of the researcher and the chosen methods.
• Use of Saunders's research onion as a guide to establishing a methodological approach.

1.2: Literature review: University example

• Conceptualisation of the research problem or hypothesis.
• The importance of positioning a research project in context of existing knowledge.
• Significance and means of providing benchmarks by which data can be judged.

Example of questions

• Football research

1.3: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed method research: Video example

• Key theoretical frameworks for research.
• Advantages and limitations of qualitative and quantitative research approaches and methods.

Lecturer Notes:

1. The nature of business and management research
2. The role and important of research
3. Formulating and claifying the research
4. The research process: Coming to terms
5. Critically reviewing the literature
6. Selecting the problem of reviewing the research

****** Unit 11: Task 1: Research Proposal (Example) *******

Learning objective 2:

LO2 Conduct and analyse research relevant to a chosen business research project.

P3 Conduct primary and secondary research using appropriate methods for a business research project that consider costs, access and ethical issues.

P4 Apply appropriate analytical tools to analyse research findings and data.

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2.1: Research as a process:

• Research has distinct phases which support a coherent and logical argument. This includes using literature review - secondary research to inform a primary, empirical, study.
• Individual appointments to discuss draft literature review
• Conducting research

Lecturer Notes:

1. The Research Process: Coming to terms

2.2: Selecting a sample:

• The importance of gathering data and information (qualitative or quantitative) to support research analysis.
• Selecting sample types and sizes that are relevant to the research.
• Considering sampling approaches and techniques including probability and non-probability sampling.

Lecturer Notes: 

1. Selecting Samples
2. Sampling and Generalizability

2.3: Ethics, reliability and validity:

• Research should be conducted ethically. How is this achieved and reported?
• Research should also be reliable (similar results would be achieved from a similar sample) and valid (the research measures what it aimed to measure).

Lecturer Notes: 

1. The Importance of Practicing Ethic in Research
2. Negotiating Access and Research Ethic

2.4: Analysing data:

• Using data collection tools such as interviews and questionnaires.
• Using analytical techniques such as trend analysis, coding or typologies.

Lecturer Notes: 

1. Data Collection and Discriptive Statistics
2. Collecting primary data through observation
3. Collecting Primary Data using semi-structured, in-depth and group interviews
4. Collecting Primry Data Using Questionaires
5. Analysing Quantitative data
6. Analysing Qualitative data

2.5: Primary research / field work - independent research:

• Experiment, Survey, Case study, Action research,
• Grounded theory, Ethnography and Archival research

Lecturer Notes:

1. Understanding Research Philosophies ad approaches

Unit 11: Task 2: P3 and P4 (Example)

Learning objective 3:

Communicate the outcomes of a research project to identified

stakeholders

LO.3: Communicate the outcomes of a research project to identified stakeholders

P5: Communicate research outcomes in an appropriate manner for the intended audience.

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3.1: Stakeholders: 

• Who are they? 
• Why would they be interested in the research outcomes?
• What communication method do they expect?

Lecturer Notes:

Stakeholders: Relationship and Engagement

3.2: Communicating research outcomes:

• Consideration of different methods of communicating outcomes (e.g. written word, spoken word) and the medium (e.g. report, online, presentation).
• The method and medium will be influenced by the research and its intended audience.

3.3: Convincing arguments:

• No matter what the method/medium, all research should be convincing and presented logically where the assumption is that the audience has little or no knowledge of the research process.
• The importance of developing evaluative conclusions

Lecturer Notes:

1. Writing a report 

Unit 11: Task 2: P5 (Example)

Learning objective 4:

LO4: Reflect on the application of research methodologies and concepts

P6: Reflect on the effectiveness of research methods applied for meeting objectives of the business research project.

P7: Consider alternative research methodologies and lessons learnt in view of the outcomes.

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4.1: Reflection for learning and practice:

• Difference between reflecting on performance and evaluating a research project.
• The former considers the research process; the latter considers the quality of the research argument and use of evidence.
• Reflection on the merits, limitations and potential pitfalls of the chosen methods.

4.2: The cycle of reflection:

• To include reflection in action and reflection on action.
• Considering how to use reflection to inform future behaviour and future considerations.

4.3: Reflective writing:

• Avoiding generalisation and focusing on personal development and the research journey in a critical and objective way.

Lecturer Notes:

1. Writing a report 

Unit 11: Task 2: P6 and P7 (Example)