module specification

Since this module will be taught in the final year of a three-year degree, students will be required to build on previously gained knowledge and research skills. It requires students to pick up research threads introduced and developed in previous analytical modules, identify a topic of their interest and deepen their knowledge further through research, data collection, analysis and write-up of a dissertation.

Their research will involve the review of a wide range of publications (secondary data sources) around the broad area of investigation and this will lead to the formulation of a research proposal for their dissertation.  Students will pursue a robust enquiry into a theme emerging from their investigations in their chosen industry, and as the theme emerges, the research methodologies, appropriate methods of data collection, data processing and analysis are evaluated. Both the process and the knowledge and skills gained will inform their approach to their future career. For example, students will be required to identify whether secondary data sources alone will be sufficient to satisfactorily answer their research question. Their ability to critically analyse, synthesise and present data in a useable format will contribute to their management capability. This process will therefore inform their research, as well as potentially their future path.  The undertaking of an investigation into a management topic, analysis of data, evaluation and synthesis will help them to prepare for the graduate job market or post-graduate studies.

The module aims to allow students to:
• Decide on a suitable research area
• Propose a feasible study investigating their field of interest
• Present their plan and defend it accordingly
• Conduct extensive literature research into their chosen topic
• Develop a suitable proposal including a literature review and methodology
• Conduct the study accordingly by analysing and interpreting data
• Report their investigation in the form of a professional dissertation

Level 5 research methods module or equivalent

Review of the philosophy and approaches to research LO2
Evaluation of literature sources LO1
Conducting a literature review LO1
Project planning and report writing LO2 
Research methodologies LO2
Accessing economic, financial and market data LO3
Discussing reliability and validity of data LO3
Analysing & synthesising data LO3
Making and defending recommendations LO3
Ethical considerations of research LO2
Evaluating reports LO3
Producing a dissertation LO4

This module will be delivered through weekly 3-hour workshops at the beginning of the term but will gradually move towards more independent learning supported by 1-2-1 supervision.  
 
Concepts of action and experiential learning will be revisited, and students will be reminded to focus particularly on the opportunities the classroom sessions provide to engage in and reflect upon, their research and analytical skills.   
 
Since the module is partially student-driven, the area of investigation is to be determined by the individual student. Certain generic skills can be supported in formal classroom sessions. In addition to tuition on the advanced use of library databases and other resources, there will also be classroom sessions to prepare for the design of research methodology, research methods, data collection, analysis and write-up.  
 
The approach to learning is essentially action orientated with the teaching starting from what the students need to do and the theory of researching being explained in the context of underpinning the action. The focus is the use of data to enhance understanding of an emerging theme and the development of their research study. 
 
This will be supplemented with talks from current researchers and links to external research forums. 
 
Weblearn: will be used for the distribution of the Module booklet. It will also be used as an interactive mechanism between students and tutors, for example, to direct students to particular readings or to provide news about the module or the module content. It will also be used for the timely provision of generic feedback following formative assessment. 


The module will be assessed using two elements: 
1)    The presentation of a research proposal and literature review (30% weighting 2000 words) and a 5-minute video (20%)
2)    The development of a dissertation (50% weighting 2500 words)

The first element will allow the student to identify an interesting and relevant research topic of their choice and design a study accordingly. Students will need to consider their philosophical approach to design a suitable study whilst researching academic literature extensively to guide them. They need to provide a rationale for their study, a literature review and proposed methodology and methods. This will set them up to conduct their study thereafter. LO 1 and 2 will be satisfied in the first element. Overall, the proposal, literature review and methodology will be presented in a report (30%) and video format (20%).

The second element will build on and integrate the first part. Once students have received feedback on element one, they will be able to update their study design and literature review and conduct the study. This may require them to collect and analyse primary or secondary data and interpret it accordingly. Thereafter, students need to write the final part of the academic dissertation and submit it as the second element. The final dissertation will include the updated introduction, literature review and methodology (from element 1), data collection, analysis of data, discussion of results and conclusion.

 

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

1. Undertake an extensive literature survey into a specific area, identifying strengths and weaknesses of previous work, including digital tools.  
2. Select and apply appropriate methodologies and techniques to investigate complex problems and identify appropriate sources of assistance.  
3. Conduct a critical in-depth analysis of a complex problem or situation, generating appropriate conclusions and/or recommendations.
4. Produce a well-structured and coherent dissertation

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/9B1BFE30-106B-9355-8720-A9286FC13DE5.html?lang=en-GB&login=1

In addition to the reading list, students are required to generate their own reading list as part of the development of their literature review.