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BU502J: PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACHES IN BUSINESS RESEARCH (2023-2024)

Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 10:43


Course Overview

All research is underpinned by ontological and epistemological assumptions of some form. The choice of research philosophy is an important step in the research development process. On completion of this course, students will be able to critically reflect on the foundations of research styles and be able to identify and justify an appropriate research design and theoretical approach for their own project, which will enable them to conduct academically rigorous research. This course bridges the gap between the master’s level research skills and the doctoral level.

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Term First Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Audrey Paterson

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Postgraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course bridges the gap between the master’s level research skills and the doctoral level and introduces students to the common ontological and epistemological assumptions within social science and business research.

All research is underpinned by ontological and epistemological assumptions of some form, business research is no exception. The choice of research philosophy is an important step in the research planning process. Different philosophical and theoretical assumptions inform and have implications for the choice of research methods, the approach to fieldwork or data-gathering, and the analysis and synthesis of the findings. This course introduces students to some common paradigms in business research: positivism, which is often associated with quantitative methods, interpretivism (or constructivism,) which is applied to qualitative research, and the more recent mixed methods approach which combines both qualitative and quantitative methods. Understanding of the foundations of these research approaches will enable development of a research design that will ensure the different components of the research project are properly integrated, which will assist in answering of the research question.

This course is designed to introduce students to the role of philosophy and theory, and the critical skills that are involved in doing research.

By the end of the course students will have knowledge of the common ontological and epistemological approaches within social sciences and business research and be able to assess and understand the:

• The ontological foundations of different research traditions
• The differences in the epistemological starting points of qualitative and quantitative approaches
• The links between philosophical debates and research practice.
• Fundamental issues involved in research design
• Why various approaches may be ethically appropriate/ inappropriate for their work-based research question and
• How to outline and defend the choices they have made in designing their research project.


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 80
Assessment Weeks 10 Feedback Weeks 12

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Feedback

Written feedback will be provided.

Word Count 3000
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseCritically analyse research outputs and assess their theoretical and methodological soundness. (Programme objective 4)
ConceptualApplyIdentify and apply an appropriate philosophical and theoretical framework to their own research. (Programme objective 2)
ConceptualCreateDemonstrate writing analysis and interpretation skills. (Programme objective 5)
ConceptualEvaluateAbility Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the different study designs. (Programme objective 1)
ProceduralApplyApply ethical standards and codes of practice to their own research and professional activity. Demonstrate awareness of the importance of information security and research data protection.

Oral Presentation: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks 8 Feedback Weeks 9

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Feedback

Immediate feedback via discussion of the presentation content. Written comments will also be provided by week 9.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseCritically analyse research outputs and assess their theoretical and methodological soundness. (Programme objective 4)
ConceptualApplyIdentify and apply an appropriate philosophical and theoretical framework to their own research. (Programme objective 2)
ConceptualCreateDemonstrate writing analysis and interpretation skills. (Programme objective 5)
ConceptualEvaluateAbility Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the different study designs. (Programme objective 1)
ProceduralApplyApply ethical standards and codes of practice to their own research and professional activity. Demonstrate awareness of the importance of information security and research data protection.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Written feedback will be provided.

Word Count 3000
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualEvaluateAbility Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the different study designs. (Programme objective 1)
ConceptualApplyIdentify and apply an appropriate philosophical and theoretical framework to their own research. (Programme objective 2)
ProceduralApplyApply ethical standards and codes of practice to their own research and professional activity. Demonstrate awareness of the importance of information security and research data protection.
ConceptualAnalyseCritically analyse research outputs and assess their theoretical and methodological soundness. (Programme objective 4)
ConceptualCreateDemonstrate writing analysis and interpretation skills. (Programme objective 5)

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