module specification

This module builds on the module entitled Research Methods for Aviation Management, where students will have identified a suitable topic for research and produced a research proposal.

Students will demonstrate an understanding the sector and the significance of issues within it via high level analysis, assimilation and interpretation of key information and statistics.

Students are expected, via independent research, to develop an awareness of the importance of rigorous investigative techniques, standards of data collection and analysis in business decision making.

Students are to produce a project based, consultative post-graduate report and a summary of the research undertaken. Both documents should be to a professional standard and suitable for both an academic and business audience.

Aims
1. To undertake, with the necessary supervision, an independent, project based consultative report based on an agreed proposal. This should be an investigation into an organisational or sector issue with the aim of making strategically sound recommendations for the future of the organisation or sector. 
2. To foster a critical awareness and deep understanding of an aviation topic and to combine knowledge and analysis acquired in core MSc modules to explore that topic fully
3. To enable students to communicate the purpose, method, findings and recommendations of the research in an accessible, engaging and professional manner both as a report and in summary form

CA7001

Students would be expected to conduct appropriate primary and secondary research to conduct a literature review and to interpret the findings of such research.

Students will undertake a rigorous research project into a defined
business issue and report on it to a professional and postgraduate standard LO1,LO2

Students will be provided with a supervisor to support them through the process of undertaking and reporting on a piece of defined independent research.

The final full report will include a reflective statement of personal learning and the contribution made to the student’s professional development

Digital literacy development

The learning, teaching and assessment strategy for this module will enable students to develop their capabilities in digital literacy and information handling appropriate to professional/master’s level study as outlined in the Open University Digital and Information Literacy Framework (DILF: available to view at http://www.open.ac.uk/libraryservices/pages/dilframework  )

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

1. Produce a substantial piece of original work that highlights or solves a specific and pertinent industry issue, using the latest research and supporting literature. This includes setting up and managing a project that evidences critical thinking.

2. Research a range of inter-related theoretical concepts as they relate to the subject area and collect, analyse and evaluate data and evidence from such sources in order to assimilate knowledge.

Students are expected to produce a professional report of between 8,000 and 9,000 words and a summary (equivalent to 1,000 words) of the research suitable for both an academic and a business audience.

Module project supervision is expected to finish at the end of July with the students then given the month of August to write up their final project-based report and summary. The end of August will be the hand in date but, if a re-assessment is needed, then will then carry forward to the Jan of the next academic year, as per standard university procedures.

Students will be provided with a comprehensive Business Research Project Handbook and are advised to consider a range of research texts, journal articles and websites, and identify those that best meet their particular requirements. Students are also advised to refer to reading lists for individual modules including Management Learning and Research to support their particular research topic.

Suggested texts.

Bryman, A (2012). Social Research Methods. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2015). Business Research Methods. 4th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Collis, J. and Hussey, R. (2013, 4th Edition). Business Research: a practical guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students.  3rd edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.
Cottrell, S. (2014). Dissertations and Project Reports: a step by step guide. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.
Davies, M and Hughes, N. (2014). Doing a Successful Research Project. 2nd edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan
Kuiper. S (2009). Contemporary Business Report Writing. South Western Mason Ohio
Quinlan, C. Babin, B. Carr, J. Griffin, M. and Zikmund, W.G. (2015). Business Research Methods. Andover: Cengage Learning.  (available as an e-resource through the library
Saunders M, Lewis P and Thornhill, A (2012). Research Methods for Business Students. FT/ Prentice Hall
Van Der Velde M et al (2004). Guide to Research Methods. Oxford:  Blackwell.
Wilkinson, E. and Weitkamp, (2016). Creative Research Communication: theory and practice. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Wisker, G. (2008). The Postgraduate Research Handbook. 2nd edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.

Journals
In addition to the recommended texts it is expected that students will consult the appropriate journals in their own specialist area. These provide examples of the ways different research designs have been applied in empirical research.

Examples of these journals are
ICAO Journal
Journal of Air Transport Studies
Action Research; Organizational Research Methods; Qualitative Research; International Journal of Management Research

Suggested online resources

Airline Business
Airport Business
Airports International
Aviation Week and Space Technology
Business and Commercial Aviation

Chartered Association of Business Schools (2015). Ethics Guide 2015: advice and guidance. Available at https://charteredabs.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ethics-Guide-2015-Advice-and-Guidance.pdf