Description:
| Aims: The broad aim of this unit is to introduce the importance, objectives, methods, analyses, and interpretation of social science based research with particular regard to applications in international management.
The specific objective of the unit is to facilitate successful preparation and execution of the independent MSc research dissertation in terms of overall project development and planning, research design and implementation, data analyses, and the interpretation of evidence.
Learning Outcomes: Successful completion of the unit will help enable students to:
* Conduct reviews of the theoretical and empirical literature;
* Identify and develop feasible research questions and hypotheses;
* Appraise the appropriateness of different research methods;
* Design and implement qualitative and/or quantitative data collection;
* Undertake data analyses;
* Interpret findings;
* Draw research conclusions.
Skills: Research skills
Interpretation of data (T, A)
Critical writing (F, A)
Application of theories from international business, economics, law, political science and sociology to real world cases (T, A)
Ability to use internet resources (F).
Content: The unit will give an overview of conceptual issues in research methods and the critical evaluation of evidence with particular emphasis on topics and issues in international management. The unit will explore the key steps in preparing MSc dissertation research, including the review and synthesis of existing social science literature, identifying research questions/hypotheses with an international dimension, and conceptualizing a research design. A selection of specific research methods will be introduced, including both quantitative methods and a range of qualitative methods (including case studies, interview techniques, comparative methods and cross-cultural analysis). Students will be sensitized to a range of relevant secondary data sources and approaches to primary data collection. Finally, the module will also examine the presenting research findings and conclusions.
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