London School of Commerce Business Research Methodologies Department: BA Business Studies Module Code: MOD003393 Level: 5 Academic Year: 2016/2017 Semester/Trimester: Feb-May 2017 Previous occurrence of the module:   Contents 1. Key information, Introduction to the Module and Learning Outcomes 2 1.1 Key Information 2 1.2 Introduction to the Module 2 1.3 Learning Outcomes 3 2. Employability Skills in this Module 3 3. Outline Delivery and Reading Lists @ Anglia 4 3.1 Outline Delivery 4 3.2 Reading List and Learning Resources 4 4. Assessment on this Module 5 4.1 The Assignments 5 4.2 Feedback 9 4.3 Word Count 9 4.4 Re-assessment Information 10 1. Key information, Introduction to the Module and Learning Outcomes 1.1 Key Information Module title: Business Research Management Module Leader: Roger Telfer Campus: LSC London Email: [email protected] Module Tutors: Roger Telfer Every module has a Module Definition Form (MDF) which is the officially validated record of the module. You can access the MDF for this module in three ways via:  the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)  the My.Anglia Module Catalogue at www.anglia.ac.uk/modulecatalogue  Anglia Ruskin’s module search engine facility at www.anglia.ac.uk/modules All modules delivered by Anglia Ruskin University at its main campuses in the UK and at Associate Colleges throughout the UK and overseas are governed by the Academic Regulations. You can view these at www.anglia.ac.uk/academicregs. An extract of the Academic Regulations, known as the Assessment Regulations, is available at this website too (all new students will have received a printed copy as part of their welcome pack). We strongly recommend that you read these regulations. In the unlikely event of any discrepancy between the Academic Regulations and any other publication, including this module guide, the Academic Regulations, as the definitive document, take precedence over all other publications and will be applied in all cases. 1.2 Introduction to the Module The module aims to introduce and develop the skills needed to conceptualise a problem, make use of available literature, design a research strategy, evaluate, organise, and integrate relevant data (both existing and new), derive useful solutions based on knowledge, and communicate those solutions to clients and colleagues. The module aims to:- • prepare students to continue their own professional education, • contribute to the development of their profession as a whole, and • maintain their service to clients at a standard commensurate with the current level of knowledge in the subject. The module surveys the basic processes of research methodology as practiced in the social sciences and business. Underlying principles of science and logic are emphasised and special attention is directed toward the recognition of common sources of error and bias in the implementation and interpretation of research studies as they affect the outcomes of research utilisation. Module assessment comprises two elements of equally weighted coursework. 1.3 Learning Outcomes This module, like all modules at Anglia Ruskin, is taught on the basis of achieving intended learning outcomes. On successful completion of the module, the student will be expected to be able to demonstrate the following: Learning Outcomes (threshold standards): On successful completion of this module the student will be expected to be able to: Knowledge and understanding 1.Critically describe, comprehend and discuss the role, principles, function and application of research, research methodologies, and researching as these are appropriate within both academic and/or applied business contexts 2. Understand, critically comprehend and be able to apply with insight appropriate research methodologies to differing types of research problems, hypotheses, or fields of investigation Intellectual, practical, affective and transferable skills 3. Conceptualise and formulate a research project, including the formation of a hypothesis; the identification of field and evidence; the identification of research methodological approaches; the carrying out of a sustained piece of research, and the forming of conclusions while evaluating and applying the outcomes of research to a particular context/problem or issue 4. Demonstrate and apply the researching skills and project management skills which are required and which are necessary to carrying out a successful and sustained piece of individual work which may be applicable to academic and/or business contexts The assessment is based on meeting these learning outcomes, shown explicitly in section 4, where the assessment task is linked to these learning outcomes. 2. Employability Skills in this Module It is important that we help you develop employability skills throughout your course which will assist you in securing employment and supporting you in your future career. During your course you will acquire a wide range of key skills. In this module, you will develop those identified below: Skill Skills acquired in this module Communication (oral) x Communication (written) x Commercial Awareness x Cultural sensitivity x Customer focus x Data Handling x Decision making x Enterprising x Flexibility x Initiative x Interpersonal Skills x Leadership/Management of others x Networking Organisational adaptability Project Management x Problem Solving and analytical skills x Responsibility x Team working Time Management x Other 3. Outline Delivery and Reading Lists 3.1 Outline Delivery The table below indicates how the module will be delivered. However, this schedule is indicative and may be subject to change. Week Lecture / Seminar/Workshop Core text reference Reading from Saunders et al’s book (see below) 1  Introduction to research  The importance of research in business  Planning focus groups - Chapter 1: Business and management research, - Chapter 16: Group discussions 2  Data collection methods  Writing questionnaires  Finding secondary resources - Chapter 14:Using secondary data - Chapter 17: Collecting primary data using questionnaires 3  Developing a research proposal  Writing research objectives  Undertaking a literature review - Chapter 8: Formulating and clarifying the research topic - Chapter 9: Critically reviewing the literature - Chapter 11: Formulating the research design 4  Data analysis  Introduction to SPSS  Using excel for analysis - Chapter 18: Analysing quantitative data - Chapter 19:Analysing qualitative data 5  Seminar activity on personal research plans 3.2 Reading List and Learning Resources The reading list and learning resources for this module are shown below: Essential Reading  M.N.K. Saunders, P. Lewis, A.Thornhill Research Methods for Business Students 6th Edition. Apr 2012 ISBN: 9780273750758  Alan Wilson Marketing research: An Integrated Approach Aug 2011: Pearson Education ISBN-13: 9781405898881 Both these books are available as online books on the ARU library. 4. Assessment on this Module The assessment for this module consists of one element. Final submission dates for elements of assessment vary. Element Type of assessment Word or time limit % of Total Mark Submission method Final Submission Date 010 Assignment 2000 50% Turnitin®UK Grademark 20th April 2017 by 23:59 PM 011 Assignment 2000 50% Turnitin®UK Grademark 20th April 2017 by 23:59 PM All forms of assessment must be submitted by the published deadline which is detailed above. It is your responsibility to know when work is due to be submitted – ignorance of the deadline date will not be accepted as a reason for late or non-submission. Any late work will NOT be considered and a mark of zero will be awarded for the assessment task in question. You are requested to keep a copy of your work (excluding exams). 4.1 The Assignments 010 Assignment 1: Assignment 010 Coursework: Research Design Proposal You are required to create a proposal for a research project aimed at examining a business related issue. (2000 words) Guidelines for undertaking the Research Design Proposal Assignment 010 The research proposal must include a background which describes the basic situation underlying your project. It must include a statement of the problem or issue that is the subject of your project. It must describe the rationale for your project, why you wish to carry out this research and the benefits that will accrue from its successful conclusion. You must create a research question and research objectives that, when successfully completed, will have the information that enables you to answer the question originally set. You must evaluate and fully describe the research methods that will be necessary to successfully complete the research. Data collection methods must be selected and described which are consistent with the research philosophy necessary for its completion: these can include primary, secondary or both data sources. The methods by which you would intend to analyse the collected data will be stated and justified. - Please note that in the dissertation module, you will only be allowed to undertake secondary research. Finally, ethical, validity and reliability issues relevant to the research must be discussed. • Discussion and debate on the above mentioned topics should be seen. • There must be sufficient linkage between theory and practice. • Harvard style of references should be used Detailed discussion of the above will be held in class lectures. Marking Criteria for 010 Topic Learning Outcome Possible Marks Background and Introduction Context, academic validity of topic, problem statement, rationale. Focussed and clear research question/hypothesis and appropriate research objectives LO3 15 Research Methodology Appropriateness of the methodology and methods to the research task Classification of the data types Definition and justification of the target populations and samples LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 50 Data analysis Link to research question/hypothesis Specification of analytical method(s) LO3 LO4 20 Ethics, validity and reliability Discussion of these in relation to the proposal LO4 10 Presentation Utilises report style while appropriately structured to link the various sections of the report. Written in professional/academic language following Harvard protocols. 5 011 Assignment 2: Literature Review You are required to answer both tasks below: Task 1: Undertake a Review of existing literature and research undertaken in the “field” you selected in your answer to Assignment 1. (1200 words) Task 2: a. Explain why it is important to review literature and existing research in the research process. b. Describe and evaluate the main sources of information for a Literature Review and justify your conclusions. (800 words) Guidelines for undertaking 011 Task 1 You will have selected a broad topic area, research question and research objectives in answer to Assignment 1. Task 1 requires you to investigate and report on writing and research already undertaken in the area, “field” or domain within which your question exists. Task 2 For this you need to write an essay covering parts a. and b. to demonstrate that you understand the purpose of undertaking a review of existing writings and research in the research process, and also demonstrate that you can distinguish “good” sources of information from the “less good”. Detailed discussion of the above will be held in class lectures. ENSURE THAT AT THE START OF 011 YOU STATE THE RESEARCH QUESTION AND RESEARCH OBJECTIVES FULLY.   Marking Criteria for 011 Topic Learning Outcome Possible Marks The Literature Review (Task 1) Identification of field; relevance to the objectives Structure – from the general to the particular Level of “criticism” Range of valid sources; citation, models, seminal works. Emergent conclusion or conceptual framework LO3 50 The Literature Review (Task 2) Understanding of existing writings/research Increased understanding of topic and methods Review of suitability of question and research objectives A critical evaluation of sources for a literature Review LO1 LO3 LO4 40 Presentation Utilises report style while appropriately structured to link the various sections of the report. Written in professional/academic language following Harvard protocols. 10 4.2 Feedback You are entitled to feedback on your performance for all your assessed work. For all assessment tasks which are not examinations, this is accomplished by a member of academic staff providing your mark and associated comments which will relate to the achievement of the module’s intended learning outcomes and the assessment criteria you were given for the task when it was first issued. This feedback will be available on-line via Turnitin/Grademark®. The marker of your assignment will include feedback on written assignments that includes answers to these three key questions: 1. What is your overall feedback? 2. How does your assignment compare to the marking criteria? 3. How can you improve in the future? Examination scripts are retained by Anglia Ruskin and are not returned to students. However, you are entitled to feedback on your performance in an examination and may request a meeting with the Module Leader or Tutor to see your examination script and to discuss your performance. Anglia Ruskin is committed to providing you with feedback on all assessed work within 20 working days of the submission deadline or the date of an examination. This is extended to 30 days for feedback for a Major Project module (please note that working days excludes those days when Anglia Ruskin University is officially closed; e.g.: between Christmas and New Year). Personal tutors will offer to read feedback from several modules and help you to address any common themes that may be emerging. On occasion, you will receive feedback and marks for pieces of work that you completed in the earlier stages of the module. We provide you with this feedback as part of the learning experience and to help you prepare for other assessment tasks that you have still to complete. It is important to note that, in these cases, the marks for these pieces of work are unconfirmed. This means that, potentially, marks can change, in either direction! 4.3 Word Count The word count is 2000 words for each assignment. Please do not exceed this word count or you will be penalised. The following is an extract from the student academic guidelines which explain what happens if you exceed the word count (for full details, these guidelines are published on ARU’s website): “Exceeding Word Limits 6.65 A written assignment must not exceed the maximum word limit set for that assignment. Students are required to enter an accurate word count on the Assignment Cover Sheet. 6.66 When a written assignment is marked, the excessive use of words beyond the stated word limit is reflected in the academic judgement of the piece of work which results in a lower mark being awarded for the piece of work. 6.67 In determining the text to be included within the maximum word limit, the following items are excluded:  Abstracts  Indented quotations (of more than 50 words)  Tables  Figures  Diagrams  Footnotes/endnotes used for reference purposes and kept within reasonable limits  List of references and/or bibliography  Appendices.”