- Student Records
Programme & Unit Catalogues


MN50492: Initial research proposal

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2012/3
Follow this link for further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: School of Management
Follow this link for further information on credits Credits: 30
Follow this link for further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Follow this link for further information on period slots Period: Dissertation period
Follow this link for further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW 100%
Follow this link for further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Follow this link for further information on unit rules Requisites: This unit is only available to students on the Integrated PhD in Management.
Follow this link for further information on unit content Description: Aims:
To assist candidates systematically (i) to identify and develop a workable PhD research question, (ii) to relate that question to relevant literature, (iii) to develop a cogent and coherent thesis that addresses the research question, (iv) to develop propositions or hypotheses to examine that thesis, (v) to explore, evaluate and justify appropriate and feasible research methodologies to investigate propositions/hypotheses, and (vi) to critically reflect on all the foregoing as an initial research proposal to subsequently possibly to comprise in a revised form part of the basis of the MPhil/PhD transfer examination.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the unit, the students should be able to demonstrate the skills listed below.

Skills:
Knowledge and Understanding
* demonstrate a good knowledge of the literature on the chosen research question
* present independent analysis, argument and/or application of theory in a coherent fashion
Intellectual skills
* define a researchable question/focus
* integrate evidence to support arguments
* appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of existing literature
* develop and present a detailed argument in an original or stimulating way
Professional practice skills
* identify and access relevant information sources
* understand and apply in a correct fashion key research presentation skills such as referencing, bibliographical information, comprehensible tables and diagrams
* communicate arguments in a coherent and interesting manner
Transferable/Key skills
* apply research management skills such as time and resource planning and monitoring, archiving of data
* develop good writing, presentation and dissemination skills
* competency in the presentation of research propositions/hypotheses.

Content:
Any area of research for which an adequate level of supervision is available and can be offered.
Follow this link for further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

MN50492 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

School of Management
Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2012/13 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2013/14 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2012/13.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.