Accessibility statement

Research Methods for MSc IBSM Suite & MSc Management - MAN00084M

« Back to module search

  • Department: The York Management School
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Bill Cooke
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module summary

The module aims to equip participants with the practical, technical, and methodological skills to conduct independent research for their own masters dissertation in the domain of business and management broadly defined.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

The module aims to equip participants with the practical, technical, and methodological skills to conduct independent research for their own Masters dissertation in the domain of business and management broadly defined. It recognises that conducting management/business research requires the development of specific and generic research skills, including: understanding the research design process, understanding different techniques for conducting research in business and management studies, and appreciating the ethical and social implications of undertaking business and management research. This module will enable students to develop critical awareness of business and management research, and will develop their skills as researchers and/or practitioners.

Module learning outcomes

Academic and graduate skills

At the successful completion of the module students will be able to:

  • Understand the use of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research in business and management studies
  • Apply relevant research methodologies to specific business/management problems
  • Draw up an appropriate research strategy for their own dissertation project
  • Understand the underlying philosophies, theoretical principles, methods and techniques applicable to research in business and management
  • Identify the practical/ethical issues involved in conducting business/management research

Module content

Subject content

  • Different qualitative and quantitative approaches to business/management research (e.g. interviewing, archival research, ‘at a distance’ methods, content analysis, internet-based research, surveys, case studies, etc.)
  • The strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to business/management research
  • The theoretical foundations of different research methodologies
  • The practicalities of business/management research (sources, evidence, dealing with human subjects)
  • The ethical, legal and safety dimensions of conducting business/management research
  • Preparing a dissertation research question, strategy, and plan

The practical sessions will include (indicatively):

  • Explanations of relevant quantitative and qualitative research methods
  • Exercises examining how to apply different research methods
  • Explorations of the challenges involved in different research methodologies

 

Teaching Material

  • Handouts and lecture slides will be available
  • Step by step instruction notes and secondary data will be provided for the practical sessions
  • A detailed reading list covering the module contents will be available on the VLE

 

Assessment

The “Research Report” is a formative assessment that is based partially on private study and partially on in-class group work. The task is to closely examine and reflect on the methodology of a published academic article, analysing the method of composition, the nature of the research presented, and evaluating its strengths and limitations as a piece of management research. Following the in-class group work, students will submit a one-page summary “Review Report” about the article and about the reflexive processes of group learning. This formative assessment will be marked and returned to students quickly in order to help feed into the “Written Assignment” summative assessment to follow.

The “Written Assignment” will require students to apply a chosen research method (or methods) to a specific business and management issue. In the process, students will be required to critically reflect upon, and justify, the methodological choices that they have made, and describe any practical, academic, and ethical challenges they expect to face during the research process.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Written Assignment		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Reassessment: Written Assignment		 N/A 100

Module feedback

A comprehensive module assessment report is released to students after the summer term exam board. Individual written feedback is made available to students at the same time.

Indicative reading

  • Bryman, Alan and Emma Bell (2015). Business Research Methods (4th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press
  • Chilsa, B. (2012) Indigenous Research Methodologies. London: Sage
  • Denzin, N.K., Lincoln Y.S., and Tuhiwai Smith, L. (2008, Eds.) Handbook of Critical and Indigenous Methodologies London: Sage
  • Hantrais, Linda (2009). International Comparative Research: Theory, Methods and Practice. Basingstoke and New York: Palgrave
  • Piekkari, R. and Welch, C. (2011, Eds.): Rethinking the Case Study in International Business and Management Research, Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar
  • Marschan-Piekkari, R. and Welch, C. (2004, Eds.): Handbook of Qualitative Research Methods for International Business, Cheltenham, UK and Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar
  • Neuman, W.L. (2011) Social research methods: qualitative and quantitative approaches. Boston and London:Pearson Education

 


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.