Summary of content

This module is designed to introduce students to the principles of research design, data collection, analytical skills, and writing proposals to develop research skills. It is designed to give students the pre-requisite knowledge for the Honours Dissertation.
This module adopts a multidisciplinary approach to delivery and students are introduced to a comprehensive range of research methods used in business, media and journalism and social contexts. These transferable skills will prepare students for the Honours level dissertation by proving a critical knowledge of research paradigms, methodologies and a range of research techniques to underpin an extensive and independent research project in their cognate area. Students will be encouraged to identify and investigate contemporary research topics which directly address issues which face organisations and industries for example, social, legal, ethical, economical, media and communication, international business, financial, human resource or marketing and how such issues may be successfully researched.
The objective of this module is not to provide an in-depth competence in any specific method per se but to explore the theoretical assumptions and logic underlying various research methods and philosophies- across all subject disciplines undertaking this module. On completion of this module students will emerge better equipped to undertake independent research that will produce valid inferences about social, political, economic and institutional phenomena. They will also acquire the ability to become analytical thinkers in their selected fields of business, management and the creative industries.
The delivery is split into three parts. In block 1, the module explores generic themes and those debates underpinning the competing and complementary approaches to knowledge and what is constructed as truth and corresponding research strategies. In addition, the Learning Development Centre (LDC) delivers a number of sessions on writing the research proposal

Module structure

Assessment methods