School of Management, Unit Catalogue 2011/12 |
|
 Credits:
| 36 |
| Level:
| Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7) |
| Period: |
Dissertation period Modular (no specific semester) |
| Assessment:
| OT100 |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Supplementary assessment information not currently available (this will be added shortly) |
| Requisites:
| Students must complete all core MBA units before taking this unit. |
| Description:
| Aims: This unit consists of the Research Methods Workshop and subsequently the Final Project itself. The aims of the Research Methods workshop are: * to provide the student with the knowledge and ability to conduct research; * to prepare students for the process of planning and undertaking their final dissertation or project. The aims of the Final Project itself are: * to give the student the opportunity to apply and evaluate the knowledge gained through working on a strategically orientated project; * to enable the student to focus on a business area of their own choosing and develop their own research agenda to solve a business problem. Learning Outcomes: On completion of the course, students should be able: * to critically evaluate the theoretical and practical worth of management theories and apply them to relevant business problems; * to build on theories and integrate various components of the total degree programme and their own experience; * to plan and execute an original investigation into a management problem; * to show evidence of personal skills especially those of organisation, negotiation, research, analysis and synthesis. Skills: Intellectual Skills * a critical awareness of current issues and frameworks in management (A); * the ability to acquire and analyse data, information and situations; to evaluate relevance and validity, and to synthesise it in the context of topical business problems (F/A); * a conceptual understanding of theoretical concepts and frameworks that enables the student to meaningfully link theory and practice and the ability to critically appraise and apply both theory and practice (F/A). Professional Practical Skills * apply practical decision-making methods and tools at both tactical and strategic levels (A); * operate independently and effectively (F/A) * to hone consultancy skills (F/A) Transferable/Key Skills * an openness and capacity to continue learning with the ability to reflect on earlier knowledge and practice and integrate the new with past experience and effectively apply it to the present situations (F/A); * ability to recognise ethical corporate/social responsibility issues and to manage in light of these issues (A). Personal/Interpersonal * the facility to communicate including presenting and marketing themselves and their ideas; preparation and production of effective business plans and reports (F/A). Content: Before attending the workshop, students will be sent a copy of the Project Guidelines which contains general instructions. During the workshop the following will be covered: * Nature of suitable projects, working with the organisation(s), developing their project idea, the role of a supervisor, time management and research ethics. * Nature and forces that shape research methodology; the use of different methodological approaches; the concepts of validity, reliability and generalisability; locating and evaluating secondary data; the role of theory in project work; sampling theory; quantitative and qualitative data analysis; and the use of different software packages to capture and analyse qualitative and quantitative data. * Optional topics depending upon needs of the group may include inter alia the practicalities of undertaking specific research techniques, specific techniques under the broad headings of: qualitative interviewing; observation techniques; survey techniques; and experimental techniques. |
| Programme availability: |
MN50488 is Compulsory on the following programmes:School of Management
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