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Research Methods Theory & Data Analysis - ELE00133M

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  • Department: Electronic Engineering
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Bidyut Baruah
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module summary

The development of any idea or product needs to begin with researching what has already been done by others and gathering new information where needed. You will learn the fundamentals of research theory, research methods and data analysis, enabling you to undertake and evaluate research.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Summer Term 2022-23

Module aims

Subject content aims:

  • Ensure students are able to carry out appropriate research into identified issues using a robust and ethical approach;
  • Underpin the need for a thorough and critical literature review before any new research activity is initiated;
  • Allow students to fully understand the range of research approaches, methodologies and strategies available to them;
  • Give students the tools or knowledge by which they can collect data for analysis;
  • Clarify evaluation methods for collected data; and
  • Give feedback on chosen research methodologies for MSc projects to follow.

Graduate skills aims:

  • Capacity for analysis and synthesis
  • Capacity for applying knowledge in practice
  • Planning and Time management
  • Report writing
  • Communication skills
  • Research skills
  • Information management skills

Module learning outcomes

Subject content learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will:

  • Generate research ideas
  • Undertake a critical literature review
  • Evaluate appropriate research methodologies
  • Analyse qualitative and/or quantitative information
  • Synthesise information and formulate appropriate outputs
  • Apply the principles of research ethics to data collection, storage & reporting
  • Communicate the output of research appropriately

Graduate skills learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

  • Analyse and synthesise data evidenced through the module assignment.
  • Apply knowledge in practice – evidence of application in the assignment
  • Plan and manage their time – plan their own activities and manage their own time to achieve the required deliverables
  • Communicate – through the module assignment
  • Research independently – the student will need to identify the information they need and the find it through desk research and by talking directly to people
  • Manage information – need to search for information from several sources, analyse and synthesise it from a relevance and usefulness point of view

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Individual report		 N/A 70
Groupwork
Group poster presentation		 N/A 30

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

There will be formative working within the teaching schedule, e.g. practice using data analysis techniques and example research papers explaining how to complete certain types of data gathering and why the reporting of outputs needs to be particularly precise. There will also be examples of ethical practice in research to ensure this learning outcome is fully understood.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Individual report		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Formative feedback will be given following the poster evaluation, the summative feedback will follow normal rules circa 25 days. It may be possible to combine the summative feedback of the individual report with that for the poster but typically each assessment type will have its own feedback schedule. All marks and feedback will be available before the MSc progression BoE,

Indicative reading

Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2019) Research Methods for Business Students, 8th edition, Harlow: Pearson Education.

Taylor, S. (2007) Business Statistics for non mathematicians, London: Palgrave-McMillan.

Pallant, J. (2020) SPSS Survival Manual: a step by step guide to data analysis using IBM SPSS, 7th Ed., London: McGraw-Hill Education.

Creswell, J.W. (2014) A concise introduction to mixed methods research. London: Sage Publications Inc.

Other text that could be used:

Field, A.P. (2017) Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics: and sex drugs and rock ‘n’ roll, 5th Edition, London: Sage.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.