Reference no: EM133059994 , Length: word count:2500

BMG835 Management Studies and Research Methods - Ulster University

Learning Outcome 1: Analyse current business and management issues and formulate a suitable and viable project topic.

Learning Outcome 2: Lead and manage a research project and achieve desired results in a changing business environment in an ethically and socially responsible manner.

Learning Outcome 3: Select and apply a wide range of diagnostic techniques, business models and tools and techniques that will enhance understanding and help formulate responses to business problems that are complex and unpredictable.

Learning Outcome 4: Employ a range of communication skills to present qualitative/quantitative data in appropriate form for a target audience.

Aims

The focus of this module is to study the variety of management skills and research methods available. On completion, students should be able to make more informed research and problem solving choices and be prepared to address a range of issues that arise in the course of investigating their chosen project. In addition, students will be expected to prepare a project outline proposal. Furthermore, students will have an insight and appreciation of how to lead and manage a research project effectively to achieve key results within set constraints.

Specifically, the aims of the module are:
• To develop research, project management and consultancy skills to enable them to conduct a consultancy project related to management;
• To equip students with the necessary management competencies to communicate their findings through a structured, well-presented report; and
• To enhance and further develop knowledge, intellectual, professional and transferable skills that will help prepare students for a career in management

CONTENT

The module is normally delivered through a traditional face-to-face mode, however, in the given circumstances it will be online, and indicatively will cover the following topics in order to give students the requisite research, consultancy and project management skills in order to complete their management dissertation. However, given the profile of the learner (typically international and non-experiential), introductory management studies sessions will be included at the outset.

Management Studies

• Effective information search techniques and critical reading - how to utilise University databases to search for relevant information and how to review these critically;
• Academic writing - Understanding the assessment criteria at Level 7 and how this relates to planning, structuring, and finally writing academic assignments;
• Referencing and plagiarism - Introducing referencing and plagiarism and why they are important; how to reference proficiently within the text of assignments and in the reference section; and
• Presentation Skills - Formal presentation skills from effectively planning the presentation to developing the presentation content through to actual delivery.

The Research Process

• Establishing and agreeing the terms of reference for an applied project
• Conducting a critical literature review
• Quantitative research methods including developing and testing theories, the use of the null hypothesis
• Qualitative research methods including case studies, focus groups and participant observation
• Data collection
• Validation of data
• Presentation of results
• Drawing conclusions and linking finds to existing research
• Risks of bias, assumptions and inappropriate conclusions

Project Management

• Introduction to projects and project management
• Project aims, budgets, pricing policy, constraints, methods, timelines, and reporting.
• Working with project teams (difference between groups and teams; effective project team working; factors influencing team performance).

This will provide students with a thorough underpinning and necessary skills to address the range of phases involved in the development of the project, namely:

• In Phase 1: The ‘Management Skill Development andIdea Generation' phase will equip students with the management skills and knowledge to further identify, and articulate reliable and valid project issues. Further, this phase will equip students with the skills to develop clear and articulate research objectives in support of their project idea; in partnership with their host organisation.

• In Phase 2 of management project, students will further develop project management skills allowing students to scope projects, gain access to organisations, adhere to both the organisation and the University's ethical processes, and develop a valid project plan and terms of reference.

• In Phase 3, students will further develop their understanding of research skills, and cover a range of salient research methods, tools and techniques.
• In Phase 4, how to manipulate and interpret data will be the focus alongside the ability to present and report findings in a succinct and informative manner.

The Research Proposal

The research proposal plays a critical role in the dissertation process. It should provide an outline of the study, as well as a blueprint for future action (O'Leary, 2010). A well-designed and well-written research proposal should provide a clear overview ‘of the what, why, how, when and where of your research project' (Saunders et al., 2019, Chap2).

• What do you plan to accomplish in your research? (Objectives)
• Why do you want to undertake this research? (Rationale)
• How will you carry out this research? (Methodology)
• Where will the research be conducted? (Methodology)
• When will the research be conducted? (Timetable)

• Research Title
This is not a fixed statement, however, you are advised to concisely describe your project. Your title should be unambiguous and indicate the specific content and context of the problem you wish to explore.

• Introduction and Rationale
An overview of the issue or problem you intend to address. You should clearly articulate why the problem merits investigation and its significance. It should provide some context to the problem.

• Research Question/ Hypothesis, Aims and Objectives
Developing a well-articulated research question (or hypothesis) is vital because it defines the project, sets boundaries, gives direction, and acts as a frame of reference for evaluating your work. Your aims stem from what you hope to achieve through undertaking the research? What is its overall purpose? You should formulate your overall expectations and aspirations. Objectives should be more specific and set out how you hope to achieve your overall aim. They should be precisely written and lead to observable outcomes.

• Literature Review
How does your research relate to what has been done before in the subject area? You must demonstrate your knowledge of the relevant literature and outline how and where your study is positioned within this body of work. It is also important that you identify, explain and justify the theoretical approach informing your work and the role this theory (or theories) will play. This section should further develop your rationale and should contain clear statements of the gaps that your research will fill. In conducting a literature review, it is useful to look for contradictions and paradoxes as these can help to highlight interesting research questions which could be addressed. It is important that you cite well known and authoritative material (from academically robust sources), critically reviewing the findings, implications and conclusions from previous work.

• Research Design and Methodology
Articulate your plan for the research; how will it be carried out? You should clearly identify how your research will lead to credible answers to the questions posed. It is important that the methods you describe are very clearly linked to the objectives you have previously defined. Be explicit in your writing and state exactly how the methods you have chosen will fulfil your objectives. Under this heading, you should explain and justify your approach, e.g. qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, how you will find respondents (including articulation of population and sampling procedures), the data collection method (s) you intend to use, e.g. surveys, interviews, focus groups etc., and methods of analysis. You should clearly highlight why your chosen method(s) will achieve your objectives over other possible research approaches. Attention should also be paid to issues of ‘validity' and ‘reliability'. Additionally, you should try to provide some indication of the research instruments you intend to use and possible sources of information.

• Business Value
Your proposal should clearly outline the practical importance of your study. It should convince the reader that research into your chosen area is essential for improving a situation or problem resolution. The manner in which your research will add value should be clearly specified.

• Indicative Timetable
Your timetable should be realistic and conform to any overarching time-frames or deadlines. You should be very specific with respect to dates and are advised to follow the suggested progression dates for key sections of your work in the BMG843 Dissertation Module Handbook. You may find it useful to develop a Gantt chart to monitor your progress and set personal deadlines (see Saunders et al., 2019, p.59 for an example). You should factor in time for contingencies and feedback from your supervisor. Common problems that arise in research projects include time delays in gaining access, or interviews cancelled at short notice.

• References
A list of the sources you have cited in the proposal. This is important as it provides an assessment of your knowledge of your chosen research area and indicates your ability to source robust material.

Project Proposal

This broad outline should include project aim and objectives, the rationale for the project including the business value expected, an appreciation of the relevant literature for the topic, an overview of the intended approach to be employed and a project plan including time and cost considerations.

Key tasks:
1. Identify a title for your project;
2. Identify a set of research objectives for your project;
3. Conduct a preliminary literature review (minimum 10-15 high quality references);
4. Outline and justify appropriate research methodology to undertake the study;
5. Outline a project plan to execute the study.

Attachment:- Management Studies and Research Methods.rar