100015 M1 Research Methodology and Methods

The aim of this module is to explore the nature and associated complexities of research methods and methodology.

Doctor of Business Administration

Course/Unit Information

Course

Doctor of Business Administration

Unit No.

100015

Unit Name

Research Methodology and Methods

Unit Code

M1

Schedule Code

RMAMONLSE2507A

 

Assignment Information

Full/ Part Assignment

Full Assignment

Date Assignment Issued

 

Date Assignment Due

 

Assessment Type

Portfolio

Assessment Weighting

100%

Assessment Limits

5,000 words (excluding appendices & references, with an allowance of +/-10% allowed.  Any excess will not be considered in grading. Excessive appendices and references to be avoided.

 

Your assignment should meet the following requirements.
Please confirm this by ticking  the boxes before submitting your assignment

 The first page is completely labeled with my name, instructor name and assignment information.
 I have completed and ticked the declaration page.
 The contents of my assignment have been submitted to Turnitin and I have downloaded the report.
 I have strictly followed Harvard Referencing Style and Citations.


Research Methodology and Methods Description

The aim of this module is to explore the nature and associated complexities of research methods and methodology. This is explored specifically in relation to methods and methodology as they are applied in a business and organisational context. Business research is based on the principles of social science methodology and is a broad term which encompasses many diverse aspects and interests. The basic elements encompass the development/application of theory and a clear definition of the problem. From there we collect data/information and subject that to suitable analysis then communicate and apply our findings. In essence business research is designed to promote a well-informed critical decision-making process for managers and business owners alike. Therefore, ultimately this module is designed to equip you with the knowledge to pursue research at mastery level and be able to apply this in a specific organisational context in your later proposal and final project.


Module Content

To equip you with the relevant knowledge we examine ten key topic areas as follows.

  1. Introduction to research
  2. Critically reviewing the literature
  3. Understanding research philosophy and approaches
  4. Research strategies
  5. Selecting samples
  6. Using secondary data
  7. Collecting primary data through observation
  8. Collecting primary data using semi-structured, in-depth and group interviews
  9. Collecting primary data using questionnaires
  10. Understanding and analyzing qualitative data
  11. Understanding and analyzing quantitative data.

Each area builds on each other in a development way so that you appreciate fully research journey. Each topic also contributes to the knowledge needed to be able to apply yourself to the assignment and meet the core learning outcomes as set out below.

LEARNING OUTCOMES AND ASSESSMENT FEEDBACK

Name of the Assessor

 

   

Module Code & Title

M1

Research Methodology and Methods

 

Module Learning Outcomes

LO1

To explore the main research paradigms within the field of management research.

LO2

To critically understand the methods of quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis

LO3

To demonstrate advanced skills in data handling, using appropriate statistical software.

LO4

To demonstrate high-level skills in qualitative research methods.

LO5

To demonstrate deep competence in quantitative research methods.

Assessment Types

Marks

Marks Achieved

Paper Focus: Purpose/ Position Statement

20

 

Analysis

30

 

Evidence (Sources)

30

 

Organization

10

 

Writing Quality & Adherence to Format Guidelines

10

 

Overall Score

100

 

Overall Grade

 

Click or tap to enter a date.

 

GENERAL GUIDELINES

(Please read the instructions carefully)

  1. Complete the title page with all necessary student details and ensure that the declaration form is ticked.
  2. All assignments must be submitted as an electronic document in MS Word to the LMS (Use 12 Times New Roman script).
  3. All assignments must be submitted with an accompanying Turnitin report.
  4. Assignment that is not submitted to the LMS by the prescribed deadline will be accepted ONLY under the REDO and RESIT submission policy of Westford.
  5. The results are declared only if the student has met the mandatory attendance requirement of 75% and/or a minimum of 50% under extenuating circumstances approved and ratified by the Academic Director. The student has to repeat the module (with additional fees applicable) if the attendance is below 50%.
  6. Submit the assignment in a MS Word document with the file name being: First Name Last Name_ abbreviation of the subject.

Assignment Title

Research Methodology and Methods

Assessment Task

The portfolio is comprised of two tasks (5000-word budget in total). Part 1 is worth 70% of the available marks and Part 2 is worth 30%.

1. Part 1 is an essay style task where you are required to write a critical essay in response to the following question:

Critically discuss the main considerations when designing a research project in business and management

In your essay, you should consider, amongst other things, the following:

  • The main research paradigms in the field of management and research
  • The difference between quantitative and qualitative research and the circumstances in which each are appropriate
  • Different techniques of data-gathering operationalized in qualitative and quantitative business research
  • Different techniques of data analysis used in qualitative and quantitative business research
  • Issues of validity and reliability
  • Sampling strategies and techniques.

(LOs tested 1, 2, 4 and 5).

2. Part 2 requires you to obtain a readily available data set (ask your tutor(s) for assistance if you need to) and perform a rudimentary descriptive analysis (using Excel or other appropriate software) of the data. You need to produce the following information and discuss the meaning in relation to the data set (LOs tested 3 and 5): 

  1. Mean
  2. Mode
  3. Median
  4. Standard Deviation
  5. Sample Variance
  6. Kurtosis and Skewness
  7. Range
  8. Correlation Coefficient (you will need to compare two variables in the data set for this).

In order to achieve all of the above we recommend you copy across the data output (including charts where necessary), from which ever software you use to analyse the data, into a Word document in the first instance. From there you will be able discuss the relative meanings of each output from a) to h) as above.

Note: As per good data handling procedures, always keep three copies of your assignment in progress. One copy on a USB type medium; one in a cloud-based storage system and one on your PC.

Learning Outcomes Tested

  1. To explore the main research paradigms within the field of management research.
  2. To critically understand the methods of quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
  3. To demonstrate advanced skills in data handling, using appropriate statistical software.
  4. To demonstrate high-level skills in qualitative research methods.
  5. To demonstrate deep competence in quantitative research methods.

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