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Advanced Business Research Methods

SL704

Course CodeSL704
ECTS

Course Description

The aim of this unit is to develop learners’ ability to prepare for various types of academically based management research through the development and design of a research proposal. Learners will develop a critical understanding of the philosophical, practical and ethical concepts of research within the context of the business environment.

Course Outline

WeekTopics
1Identifying business research problems
2Selecting and justifying a research problem
3Research aims and objectives within a defined scope and timeframe
4Exploring, selecting and justifying research approaches
5Theoretical approaches to a research problem
6The literature review: purpose, sources and selection
7Critically reviewing and structuring the key literature
8Midterm evaluation
9Research methodologies and their relationship with research objectives
10Designing a methodology for a defined population
11Justifying the methodology within agreed ethical guidelines
12Building the research proposal: research question, literature review and methodology
13Techniques for qualitative data collection and analysis
14Techniques for quantitative data and finalising the research proposal
15Review and coursework completion
16Final evaluation and project assessment

Learning Outcomes

  1. LO1 Be able to develop research approaches in a relevant context.
  2. LO2 Be able to critically review literature on a relevant research topic.
  3. LO3 Be able to design business research methodologies.
  4. LO4 Be able to develop a research proposal.
Learning Resources

Cameron, S. (2005) The MBA Handbook. Harlow: Prentice Hall. Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2010) Research Methods for Business Learners. Harlow: Prentice Hall. Anderson, V. (2009) Research Methods in Human Resource Management. London: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Binsardi, A. (2008) Research Methods for Management. Cambridge: International Academic Press. Booth, A., Papaioannou, D. and Sutton, A. (2012) Systematic Approaches to a Successful Literature Review. London: Sage Publications. Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2011) Business Research Methods. New York: Oxford University Press. Burns, R. P. and Burns, R. (2008) Business Research Methods & Statistics Using SPSS. London: Sage Publications. Cooper, D. R. and Schindler, P. S. (2006) Business Research Methods. Boston: McGraw Hill. Deniels, P. and Becker, L. (2012) Developing Research Proposals. London: Sage Publications. Denscombe, M. (2007) The Good Research Guide. Maidenhead: Open University Press. Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R. and Jackson, P. (2012) Management Research. London: Sage Publications. Fink, A. (2009) Conducting Research Literature Reviews. London: Sage Publications. Flick, U. (2011) Your Research Project. London: Sage Publications. Gill, J. and Johnson, P. (2010) Research Methods for Managers. London: Sage Publications. Jankowicz, A. D. (2005) Business Research Projects. London: Thomson Learning. Jesson, J. K., Matheson, L. and Lacey, F. M. (2011) Doing Your Literature Review. London: Sage Publications. Keleman, M. L. and Rumens, N. (2008) An Introduction to Critical Management Research. London: Sage Publications. Malhatra, N. K. (2007) Marketing Research: An Applied Orientation. New Jersey: Pearson. McNiff, J. and Whitehead, J. (2009) Doing and Writing Action Research. London: Sage Publications. Moutinho, L. and Hutcheson, G. D. (2011) The Sage Dictionary of Quantitative Management Research. London: Sage Publications. Robson, C. (2002) Real World Research. Hampshire: John Wiley and Sons. Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2009) Research Methods for Business Learners. Harlow: Financial Times/Prentice Hall. Thomas, R. and Lynn, P. (2009) Survey Research in Practice. London: Sage Publications.

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