This module is designed to introduce students to the techniques and methods of research from setting objectives and developing a proposal, through to writing the end report.

Through negotiation, students will select and obtain approval to undertake a project which will focus on an aspect of Business or Business Management relating to the workplace.

The project should focus on the one or more of the Business areas which have been studied on the student's chosen award, together with work based experiential learning, e.g. operations management, managing people, accounting and finance, marketing, etc., thereby enhancing knowledge and skills in the context of the student's workplace.

Students are expected to integrate knowledge and skills developed in the other modules on the HNC / Foundation degree programme to address the issue under investigation.

The module will enable students to make effective use of the library, and technological resources, both on and off campus as learning resources.

In addition the module will further develop communication skills, e.g. oral, report writing and developing lines of argument, formal presentation, use of Excel and the presentation of qualitative and quantitative data.

This will module will also provide the opportunity for personal and/or professional development. The student is expected to integrate knowledge and skills developed in the other modules on the HNC / Foundation degree programme to address the issues selected for investigation. Research will comply with the University Ethics Policy.

The learning strategy requires students to commit to 300 learning hours (including assessment). This will consist of guided independent learning with tutor support and supervision on a negotiated basis.

The first part of the module will focus on the examination of potential business issues, establishing the objectives of the project, and the research process. There will be 4 x 6 hour sessions incorporating lectures and workshops focusing on the investigation process and the key aspects relating to the coursework assignment (including generation of and analysis of statistics) and the production of a proposal for the project.

The remainder of the module will focus on the development and potential implementation of the project, with one 2 hour workshop to discuss common issues.

There will also be an opportunity for up to 2 hours of one-to-one discussions with the Module Tutor regarding the specific details of the investigation and proposed project.

The Library
The Internet
The University Information Services Website

Gill,J.and Johnson,P. (2010) Research Methods for Managers, 4th Edn. Sage
Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A (2012) Research Methods for Business Students, 6th Edition. Financial Times. Prentice ISBN 9780273750758

1. Individual Presentation (15 minutes) (meets Learning Outcome 1, 2 & part 3) (weighted at 25%)
2. Report (individual) 3000 words + references, to include a reflective statement of 500 words (weighted at 75%) (meets Learning Outcomes 1, 3, 4)

Students must achieve a minimum 40% pass grade in the Report component of the assessment to pass the module