Research Methods for Managers
Faculty: Lord Ashcroft International Business School
Module Code: MOD001104
Academic Year: 2012/2013
Semesters: 1, 2 and 3
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Contents
1. Key Information....................................................................................................... 3
2. Introduction to the Module ..................................................................................... 3
3. Intended Learning Outcomes ................................................................................ 4
4. Outline Delivery ....................................................................................................... 5
4.1 Attendance Requirements.................................................................................... 5
5. Assessment .............................................................................................................. 6
6. How is My Work Marked? ....................................................................................... 8
7. Assessment Criteria and Marking Standards 11
8. Assessment Offences........................................................................................... 13
9. Learning Resources.............................................................................................. 15
9.1. Library.................................................................................................................. 15
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1. Key Information
Module/Unit title: Research Methods for Managers
Module Leader: Dr. George Panagiotou
London School of Marketing
LS Education Group
Module Tutors: Nayani Perere (Online Delivery)
Gayan Jayasinghe (Online Delivery)
Every module has a Module Definition Form (MDF) which is the officially validated record of the module.
You can access the MDF for this module in three ways via:
· the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
· the My.Anglia Module Catalogue at www.anglia.ac.uk/modulecatalogue
· Anglia Ruskin’s module search engine facility at www.anglia.ac.uk/modules
All modules delivered by Anglia Ruskin University at its main campuses in the UK and at Associate
Colleges throughout the UK and overseas are governed by the Academic Regulations. You can view
these at www.anglia.ac.uk/academicregs. A printed extract of the Academic Regulations, known as the
Assessment Regulations, is available for every student from LS London office.
In the unlikely event of any discrepancy between the Academic Regulations and any other publication,
including this module guide, the Academic Regulations, as the definitive document, take precedence
over all other publications and will be applied in all cases.
2. Introduction to the Module
This module provides course participants with the appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities they will
need to effectively carry out a piece of small scale business / management research. A particular
emphasis will be placed upon developing individuals towards their workplace based Masters dissertation
/ project. A focus is given to the specific issues faced by managers and researchers when carrying out
research in an organisational setting. These will include the philosophical aspects of enquiry in social
settings, operating in political contexts, negotiating access to key individuals and data, and meeting the
research outcomes expected by multiple organisational stakeholders. Consequently, this module will
focus on providing individuals with the skills necessary to meet these challenges and therefore
effectively plan, carry out and report upon their Masters level dissertation / project.
One of the main focuses for the design of this module has been the further development of relevant
employability and professional skills. Such skills are implicit in the learning outcomes.
Multiculturalism has been considered during the design of this module and will be considered when the
assessment brief is written.
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On successful completion of this module the student will be expected to be
able to:
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Knowledge and
understanding
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1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the different approaches to
research used in business / management and the social sciences.
2. Identify and justify decisions regarding their chosen topic, research
questions and research methodology.
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Intellectual,
practical, affective
and transferable
skills
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3. Synthesise and critically evaluate the current theoretical and
methodological developments in their chosen field of study, making
clear their own contributions to this body of work.
4. Demonstrate the required skills and abilities needed to successfully
plan, organise, undertake and communicate the findings of, a piece
of small scale business / management research.
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3. Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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4. Outline Delivery
Indicative content for the module
Each master’s module will be structured according to the relevant discipline, but in general the following
headings outline what would normally be covered within the curriculum.
· The nature of business and management research and its significance for researchers-ethics,
politics, power, gender, the action imperative, expectations of sponsors/clients, stakeholders and
researchers.
· Theories and conceptual frameworks – perspectives on research methodologies – positivist and
phenomenological paradigms, variety of forms of research.
· Methods and techniques – Quantitative and Qualitative research, primary and secondary data,
participant-observation, action research, ethnography, questionnaires, documentary analysis, data
storage, sampling theory, hypothesis testing, interviewing and recording.
· Research Design – research proposals, research questions, literature reviews, construction of
research frameworks, choice of investigative methods, data collection, analysis and interpretation,
formulating conclusions and recommendations.
· Constraints – gaining acceptance, entry and intervention issues, bias, data access,
client/researcher relationships and multiple client dilemmas, researcher as change agent, micro-
politics and confidentiality.
· Presentation – structuring and sequencing the dissertation and write-up, the canons of scholarly
writing, potential uses of findings and expectations of clients, summaries and dissemination.
4.1 Attendance Requirements
Attending all your classes is very important and one of the best ways to help you succeed in this module.
In accordance with the Student Charter, you are expected to arrive on time and take an active part in all
your timetabled classes. If you are unable to attend a class for a valid reason (eg: illness), please
contact the academic department on academic@lseducationgroup.com .
London School of Marketing will closely monitor the attendance of all students and will contact you by e-
mail if you have been absent without notice for two weeks. Continued absence can result in various
consequences including the termination of your registration as you will be considered to have withdrawn
from your studies.
International students who are non-EEA nationals and in possession of entry clearance/leave to remain
as a student (student visa) are required to be in regular attendance at London School of Marketing.
Failure to do so is considered to be a breach of national immigration regulations. London School of
Marketing, like all British Universities, is statutorily obliged to inform the UK Border Agency of the Home
Office of significant unauthorised absences by any student visa holders.
