module specification

This module is an integrative module which seeks to bring together issues/functional areas of the course.  Students will investigate an organisational, or an industrial, issue with the aim of making ethical and socially responsible recommendations for the future of the organisation or industry.

The report will be between 8,000-10,000 words in length.  Each student will agree a topic for the report with the module leader.

This module seeks to introduce MBA students to different skills including rigorous investigative techniques and standards of data collection and analysis are employed with the aim of writing a consultancy focused report.  The aims of the module are:

1. To provide students with the practical skills necessary to undertake a successful investigation writing at postgraduate level informed by principles of responsible management;
2. To enable students to acquire the necessary skills to conduct an investigation within an organisation
3. To formulate a coherent ethical consultancy proposal with appropriate aims and objectives and a realistic plan of execution;
4. To foster a critical awareness and deep interest in a business topic and to combine knowledge and analyses acquired in core MBA modules to explore that topic fully;
5. To enable students to produce a professional report on an appropriate business topic.

Introduction to the application of rigorous research techniques to business consultancy problems in the context of management research.
Secondary Research: literature searching-framing a literature search; data base research and bibliographical citations.
Primary Research: appropriate data collection techniques depending on the nature of the data (quantitative or qualitative).
Research Design; in a consultancy context formulating consultancy proposals, using data and analytical techniques to formulate a consultancy project.
Analysis for Consultancy:  interpreting and presenting statistical data, graphical representation of data; reflective versus objective analysis; content and discourse analysis.

Teaching and learning in this module will be driven by the principle that research methods can be most effectively learnt through reflective practice.  To this end, contact hours will comprise a mix of interactive classroom and workshop activities, in which students will be supervised as they prepare their management report. 
Preparation for the report will be underpinned by workplaced development work at the Diploma stage of the course, and further supported by a series of up to 6 workshops which will initially focus on the project proposal and methods stages of the investigation and thereafter on students’ progress and compilation of the report.

E learning
Students will be timetabled for regular workshops which they must attend. Students should also look at Weblearn/Blackboard regularly to see any preparation activities that they need to undertake or slides or other material that they may wish to print or download. Additionally students should  spend time each week online maintaining and updating their Learning Journal which is on WebLearn/Blackboard. This journal records not only what students have done in class but also other activities, and thoughts and reflections which contribute to their learning. Students will be guided in class as to what they should focus on each week. It is important that students make their entries regularly as they will help to consolidate learning throughout the module.
The module tutor / lecturer will regularly review entries in students Learning Journal and will comment and leave feedback. This provides regular formative feedback.

Entries in students learning journals can only be viewed by the student and the tutors on the module.

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

1. Devise a carefully considered report proposal;
2. Explain complex ideas and analyses in their area of research through written and oral expositions;
3. Carry out independent and evidence informed investigation, which analyses and evaluates aspects of a business problem.

Saunders M, Lewis P and Thornhill, A  (2012) Research Methods for Business Students FT/ Prentice Hall
Bryman, A (2012). Social Research Methods. 4th ed. Oxford university Press
Gill, J. and Johnson, P (2009). Research methods for managers  London; Sage
Kuiper. S (2009). Contemporary Business Report Writing South Western Mason Ohio
Markham. C (2007). Practical management Consultancy  CCH Surrey
Newton R (2010). The Management Consultant; Mastering the Art of Consultancy Harlow England; Financial Times/Prentice Hall
Van Der Velde M et al (2004). Guide to Research Methods Blackwell Oxford.