You will work alongside an employer to identify an area of research which is valuable to the organisation. The module enables you to choose a project which is best suited to your current areas of interest and career aspirations, and develop a deep understanding of the process of collaborative research. You will be involved in real-time problem solving, recommending actions and present your findings to employers in an end of course showcase.


Learning

Identify a suitable approach and methodology to prepare and conduct an investigation into a real time consultancy based individual project. Characterise, evaluate and critically reason conclusions and/or recommendations with reference to appropriate underpinning theory and/or frameworks.


Practice

Work in conjunction with an employer to conduct a critical reasoned evaluation from analysis of secondary data and primary research to draw robust conclusions and make recommendations relating to the project topic. Evaluate the wider implications of the projects conclusions and how they relate to wider business.

Assessment 1 – Learning Outcome 1 and 2. The research proposal is a 10-minutes long project presentation.

Assessment 2 – Learning Outcome 3 and 4. The project report includes 6000 words long report on the selected topic.

Students are expected to commit a total of 400 hours towards achieving the learning outcomes. Out of those 400 hours, 78 hours will be in direct contact with a tutor and 322 hours will be directed, guided and self-study. All the materials – including learning materials and independent learning materials – will be provided.

A mixture of activities including lectures and in-class discussions, individual problem-solving and self-directed learning will be utilised in this module.

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the research process and differences between quantitative and qualitative research.

2. Analyse and critically appraise management issue.

3. Generate a set of justifiable, innovative and enterprising approaches and solutions to identified management issues which inform decision making.

4. Reflect upon and evaluate your research skills and development.

VLE learning material

University’s library and learning resources

Selection of peer reviewed papers, research reports, official statistics, contemporary case studies

Module handbook

Bell, E., Harley, B., and Bryman, A. (2022) Business Research Methods, 6th Ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Baaij, M. (2022) An Introduction to Management Consultancy, 2nd Ed. London: Sage Publishing.

Veal, A. (2017) Research Methods for Leisure and Tourism: A Practical Guide, 3rd Ed. Harlow: FT Prentice Hall.

In the first part of the module, you will learn about research, research process and differences between quantitative and qualitative research. In the second part of the module, you will develop collaborative consultancy/management project with an organisation of your choice to identify an area of research beneficial to both you and the organisation. You will be involved in real-time problem solving, develop a set of recommendations based on your research findings and present those findings to the organisation.