module specification

This module aims to develop students’ ability to understand and apply problem solving methods and analysis in relation to issues that may arise in business and management subject areas.   It seeks to enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of the business environment and develop their data management and data analysis skills using IT packages as appropriate.

The module provides the quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills that underpin the success of an empirical research project. This module helps to build the sound foundation required to undertake the final year dissertation modules.

You will have an opportunity to collect, present, analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data from a variety of data sources such as ONS and other sources.

LO1:
• Identification of problems that may arise in business and management subject areas.
• Refinement of issues for investigation, and formulation of empirical research questions.
• Problem-solving approaches and philosophical perspectives: positivism, realism, pragmatism and interpretivism.
• Distinction between deductive, inductive and abductive approaches
• Formulation of epistemological, ontological, and axiological positions

LO2:
• Problem Solving Methodological Choice: quantitative methods, qualitative methods, multiple/mixed methods
• Choosing research strategies: Case Study, Survey, Archival Research

LO3:
• Describing data types: secondary data and primary data
• Primary data sources such as observation, surveys, interviews
• Secondary data sources such as economic indicators, ONS
• Data sampling and data collection methods
• Analysing qualitative and quantitative data
• Using tables, charts, graphs, diagrams and statistics
• Using IT packages such as Excel
• Data interpretation, making inferences, and reporting results

Delivery of the module will consist of 2-hour lectures and 1-hour seminars. The emphasis will be on student learning through problem solving, participation and feedback. The seminar will be student centred. Students will be encouraged to research business and management related issues from a variety of sources that may include databases, newspapers, textbooks and on-line sources to identify aspects and issues relevant to their areas of study. They are expected to develop qualitative and quantitative data collection and data analysis skills as well as cognitive abilities and generic skills that enable an appreciation of the nature of business research.

Students are expected to complement the 'formal' learning activity with reading of the material suggested in the teaching sessions, collecting, analysing and interpreting data, and writing, planning and preparing for research projects.

Students are encouraged to adopt a reflexive approach, drawing on their diverse socio-cultural backgrounds and experiences. A student-centred approach is adopted. Equality is promoted by treating everyone with equal dignity and worth, while also raising aspirations and supporting achievement for those students with diverse requirements and backgrounds.

The virtual learning environment (Weblearn) supports the relevant module learning and teaching materials such as lecture slides, seminar questions, assessment and marking criteria, deadlines and feedback details.

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

• Identify problems and issues that may arise in business and management subject areas, and formulate empirical research questions (LO1)

• Critically examine and apply qualitative and quantitative methods and techniques for understanding and addressing research problems and questions (LO2)

• Collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative data in a subject context, and appropriately interpret and report results and findings using relevant IT packages (LO3)

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/97942CB2-8722-3476-F495-931D7FCD1710.html

Electronic Databases/ Search Engines:
ScienceDirect
Google Scholar