Developing Research Capability

Course Description

This unit aims will enable learners to gain comprehensive understanding about the role of research in solving business problems and develop capabilities to critically evaluate existing body of knowledge to put forward a case for further research.

Course Objectives

This unit aims will enable learners to gain comprehensive understanding about the role of research in solving business problems and develop capabilities to critically evaluate existing body of knowledge to put forward a case for further research.

Key Topics

1. LO1: Be able to explain the importance and purpose of business research.
2. LO2: Be able to critically evaluate existing body of knowledge and establish the need for further research.
3. LO3: Be able to examine the nature of knowledge from philosophical, ontological and epistemological perspectives.
4. LO4: Be able to critically evaluate various types of published research and draw conclusions.

Course Outline

Learning Outcomes

1. LO1 Be able to explain the importance and purpose of business research.
2. 1.1 Assess the problems faced by businesses.
3. 1.2 Identify a problem that can be solved within a stipulated time.
4. 1.3 Develop problem statement and justify the need for further investigation.
5. LO2 Be able to critically evaluate existing body of knowledge and establish the need for further research.
6. 2.1 Search and evaluate relevant literature, draw conclusions and justify the need for further research.
7. 2.2 Evaluate various theories and choose a specific theory for explaining the observed phenomenon.
8. 2.3 Develop a theoretical solution for the identified problem and justify the need for further research.
9. LO3 Be able to examine the nature of knowledge from philosophical, ontological and epistemological perspectives.
10. 3.1 Explain epistemological and ontological assumptions and its impact on the nature of our understanding.
11. 3.2 Understand the relationship between ontology, epistemology, methodology, methods and sources
12. 3.3 Demonstrate understanding of research. philosophies and its influence in data collection process.
13. LO4 Be able to critically evaluate various types of published research and draw conclusions.
14. 4.1 Define an area of research by providing a clear rationale, scope and express it in terms of contribution to wider body of knowledge.
15. 4.2 Evaluate existing studies by examining its methodological gaps, discrepancies in theoretical stance, findings and analysis.
16. 4.3 Evaluate literature from the ontological and epistemological views of the author.
17. 4.4 Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of a chosen subject area and present them as a logically structured succinct report to relevant audience.
18. 4.5 Provide a theoretical debate by critically evaluating relevant theories for a given discipline.