Module Descriptors
PRACTICAL RESEARCH
XXEM50069
Key Facts
Faculty of Business, Education and Law
Level 5
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Susan Clews
Email: S.Clews@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 36
Independent Study Hours: 114
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- REPORT weighted at 100%
Module Details
Module Indicative Content
This module enables students to complete a business focused practical research project either related to their career interests or to their student experiences. It will include:
Developing a research rationale and research objectives
Data collection methodology, including use of IT and social media
Sample planning
Data analysis and interpretation
Students will propose a research project to include a rationale based on secondary research findings, research objectives, suggestions for data collection and a sampling procedure. Students will engage in data collection after practising and evaluating a variety of methods. The findings will be analysed, interpreted and presented in a verbal presentation as well as a written report.
Skills acquired in other modules will be utilised (e.g. the innovation process) to develop a research topic. Time and project management skills will be developed as will communication, numeracy, critical writing and interpersonal skills.
Developing a research rationale and research objectives
Data collection methodology, including use of IT and social media
Sample planning
Data analysis and interpretation
Students will propose a research project to include a rationale based on secondary research findings, research objectives, suggestions for data collection and a sampling procedure. Students will engage in data collection after practising and evaluating a variety of methods. The findings will be analysed, interpreted and presented in a verbal presentation as well as a written report.
Skills acquired in other modules will be utilised (e.g. the innovation process) to develop a research topic. Time and project management skills will be developed as will communication, numeracy, critical writing and interpersonal skills.
Module Learning Strategies
8 x 1 hour Lectures - to introduce the module and research process; data collection methodology; sampling methodology;
2 x 2 hour Workshops (4 hours in total per week, over 6 weeks) to practice skills of topic generation, secondary research, preparing a proposal, data collection, sampling, data analysis
Formative assessment of posters indicating each students research proposal to be held during a workshop
Individual tutorials to monitor progress against students personal time scales (4 x 1 hour spread over the group)
Group work will facilitate idea generation, critical evaluation, practice using data collection tools and will include formative presentations and poster discussion
2 x 2 hour Workshops (4 hours in total per week, over 6 weeks) to practice skills of topic generation, secondary research, preparing a proposal, data collection, sampling, data analysis
Formative assessment of posters indicating each students research proposal to be held during a workshop
Individual tutorials to monitor progress against students personal time scales (4 x 1 hour spread over the group)
Group work will facilitate idea generation, critical evaluation, practice using data collection tools and will include formative presentations and poster discussion
Module Resources
A range of resources, including, University library and IT facilities, the Internet, journals and databases
Module Texts
Blaxter, L., Hughes, C., and Tight, M.(2010) How to Research (4th Edition) Maidenhead: Open University Press (ISBN 9780 335 21746)
Bradley, N. (2010) Marketing Research tools and techniques (2nd Edition) Oxford University Press (ISBN 978019956434)
McDaniel, C., & Gates, R. (2010) Marketing Research Essentials (7th Edition) Wiley USA, ISBN 9780470169704
Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A., 2009, Research methods for business Students (5th Edition) Financial Times Prentice Hall, ISBN 978-0-272-71686-0
Bradley, N. (2010) Marketing Research tools and techniques (2nd Edition) Oxford University Press (ISBN 978019956434)
McDaniel, C., & Gates, R. (2010) Marketing Research Essentials (7th Edition) Wiley USA, ISBN 9780470169704
Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A., 2009, Research methods for business Students (5th Edition) Financial Times Prentice Hall, ISBN 978-0-272-71686-0
Module Additional Assessment Details
Individual written report (2000 words) on the research findings (100%) which will incorporate a reflective statement (500 words) on how the experience has impacted on the student's skills set and employability prospects (Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3 & 4)