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BU502K: RESEARCH METHODS FOR DOCTORAL PROJECTS (2023-2024)

Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 10:43


Course Overview

This course bridges the gap between master’s level research skills and the doctoral level. The course examines the issues involved in designing and conducting research in a business area. The course examines a variety of research philosophies and methodological approaches commonly applied with business research as well as the skills required to conduct in-depth critical and systematic literature review. It utilises a research orientated set of readings and examples. The course will also be of interest to those undertaking a professional or work-based doctoral project such as a DBA.

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 seeks to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of research methods and approaches in business. The course introduces a variety of research philosophies and methodological approaches commonly applied with business research as well as the skills required to conduct in-depth critical and systematic literature reviews. The course engages students in the critical examination of various research approaches and philosophies, identifying their strengths and weaknesses. This will enable students to make informed choices about appropriate methodologies and analytical approaches for their own project, taking into account any ethical issues and considerations. This course bridges the gap between master’s level research skills and the doctoral level.

This course is divided into two parts: 'literature review and research design' and 'qualitative and quantitative methods'. These are designed to provide students with an overview of the conventions of research in social sciences in general, and the role of qualitative and quantitative approaches in business research specifically.

By the end of the course students will have knowledge of the principles of social science and business research and be able to:

• Identify and critically evaluate literature within their field.
• Formulate research questions in relation to their chosen topic area.
• Identify an appropriate research design that follows a succinct and logical plan to tackle their established research question.
• Be able to select, justify, and apply appropriate qualitative or quantitative data collection methods to their research question and evaluate their findings.
• Apply these skills to construct an original piece of research of their own and develop further independent research skills including presenting the findings of their research in a professional manner.
• Write and present research proposals and outcomes for academic and practitioner audiences.

This course is also suitable to students undertaking a professional or work-based doctoral project such as a DBA.

 


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

Oral Presentation: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks 7 Feedback Weeks 8

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Feedback

Immediate feedback via discussion of the presentation content. Written comments will also be provided by week 8 to enable refinement of the research proposal for the final submission.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualCreateAbility to design, conduct and communicate (written and verbally) original research proposal.
ConceptualEvaluateDevelop understanding of qualitative and/or quantitative methodology and analytical techniques as appropriate to their own area of research.
ConceptualEvaluateCritically evaluate research outputs and assess their conceptual and methodological soundness.
ConceptualEvaluateIdentify, critique and synthesize relevant literature within the subject discipline. Develop knowledge of core concepts, philosophical & theoretical frameworks/debates within the subject discipline.
ProceduralApplyDevelop understanding of academic ethics, integrity and culture. Ability to reflect ethically on academic research and seek ethical approval for the proposed research.

Project Plan

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 80
Assessment Weeks 10 Feedback Weeks 12

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Feedback

Written feedback will be provided.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualCreateAbility to design, conduct and communicate (written and verbally) original research proposal.
ConceptualEvaluateDevelop understanding of qualitative and/or quantitative methodology and analytical techniques as appropriate to their own area of research.
ConceptualEvaluateCritically evaluate research outputs and assess their conceptual and methodological soundness.
ConceptualEvaluateIdentify, critique and synthesize relevant literature within the subject discipline. Develop knowledge of core concepts, philosophical & theoretical frameworks/debates within the subject discipline.
ProceduralApplyDevelop understanding of academic ethics, integrity and culture. Ability to reflect ethically on academic research and seek ethical approval for the proposed research.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Project Plan

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks 8 Feedback Weeks 10

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Written Feedback will be provided.

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
ConceptualEvaluateDevelop understanding of qualitative and/or quantitative methodology and analytical techniques as appropriate to their own area of research.
ProceduralApplyDevelop understanding of academic ethics, integrity and culture. Ability to reflect ethically on academic research and seek ethical approval for the proposed research.
ConceptualEvaluateCritically evaluate research outputs and assess their conceptual and methodological soundness.
ConceptualCreateAbility to design, conduct and communicate (written and verbally) original research proposal.
ConceptualEvaluateIdentify, critique and synthesize relevant literature within the subject discipline. Develop knowledge of core concepts, philosophical & theoretical frameworks/debates within the subject discipline.

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