module specification

This core Module will focus on the preparation and completion of the student individual Business Research Project, the topic of which will be their own choice, and linked to their own career and employability.  The Module will be student-centred, practical, and engaged with the preparation and completion of the three major sections (see below), which will also include a final section where the student looks back and reflects on their Business Research Project overall.  Each student will be allocated a supervisor to guide them through their Project, as well as having a weekly class dedicated to the delivery of the skills and techniques required to undertake research.

The aims of this Module are to:

1. Enable the student to synthesise learning from previous Modules at Level 4 and Level 5 into developing a Business Research Project of their choice
2. Allow the student to engage in developing a Business Research Project in order to develop their career and employability
3. Develop the student academic and professional ability in a range of graduate level skills and techniques in business research, writing, interviewing, data collection and analysis, and presentation

Studying previous / external business research projects
The rational and philosophy underpinning Business Research
Software for Business research (e.g. SPSS, Excel, Microsoft Project)
Preparing the Project Proposal
Writing the Literature Review
Completing the Business Research Project

The Module will be delivered over 30-weeks, one 3-hour session per week.

Students will be required to research, gather, and evaluate information and data from various sources and relate contemporary business academic issues to their module assignment(s).

Guest speakers will be invited from industry and the professional bodies to give master classes and to discuss career opportunities and prospects with students.

The facilities of Web Learn will be used as part of a blended learning approach by providing students with support information and as a resource to support independent learning.  Students will be encouraged to undertake wider reading of academic journal articles and the business press and to demonstrate these in seminar discussions, debates and in their assignments. This module also requires students to reflect upon their experiences and record their skills and personal development plan (PDP).
 

On completing the Module, students will be able to:

1. Develop skills and techniques in business research, including conducting interviews, collecting and analysing data, and referring to and analysing current literature
2. Enhance their academic and professional expertise in their chosen business topic, blending with their career and employability
3. Plan, design, research, write and present research to a graduate level

The Module will have three assignments: Component (i) will be the Project Proposal, 1,500 words (max), developed with the Module Leader, component (ii) will be the Literature Review, 1,500-words (max), also developed with the Module Leader, and component (iii) will be the completed Research Project, 3,000 words (total), developed primarily with the allocated supervisor, and will in addition include a 500-word reflection on the Business research Project, Module, and what impact completing the Project will have for the student career and employability.

Beech, J (2015) Doing Your Business Research Project, Sage
Cottrell, S (2014) Dissertations and Project Reports: A Step-By-Step Guide, Palgrave
Gray, David (2016) Doing Research in the Business World, SAGE
Saunders, M et al (2015) Research Methods for Business Students, 7th Edition, Pearson
Sloan, L et al, (2017) The SAGE Handbook of Social Media Research Methods, SAGE
Wilson, J (2014) Essentials of Business Research: A Guide to Doing Your Research Project, Sage

Kingston University Business School Business Projects, at:
http://business.kingston.ac.uk/research/research-centres/small-business-research-centre/completed-projects