The most important outcome of education is to help students become independent of formal education

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The most important outcome of education is
to help students become independent of
formal education
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Research Methods Course Introduction

• Dr Nina Reynolds
• Dr Shona Bettany

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Lecture Objectives

• To provide an introduction to the module
• The course objectives and its relevance
• Assessment methods
• Contributions ours and yours
• To consider why research is conducted
• To outline different approaches to research
• To give an overview of the research process

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The Module Aims

• To provide students with
• a conceptual understanding which enables them to
  analyse and evaluate published research
• a conceptual understanding of appropriate
  research designs
• a systematic understanding of data collection and
  analysis methods
• the ability to begin to apply research methods to
  their own research projects

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Course Assessment ( how to pass)

• Closed-book examination (50)
• To test that you have broad knowledge of research
  methods
• Format from a pre-seen set of short answer
  questions you will be required to answer all
  questions on the examination paper
• Read, consider, answer and learn all the example
  short answer questions
• Research proposal (50)
• To show you are able to apply your knowledge to
  identify a research problem and plan an
  appropriate design to examine that problem
• Format write a research proposal examining a
  specific research question of your choice
• Identify an area of interest, read appropriately
  around that area, develop ideas for investigating
  the area of interest, discuss proposal with your
  assigned supervisor

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Who is responsible for your learning?
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Lecturer ( Tutors) Facilitation

• Contribution to learning occurs through the
  provision of materials that help explain ideas
  and test knowledge
• We will
• Ensure that you have access to lecture and
  tutorial materials, and assessment information,
  in good time
• Do our best to help you understand the material
  presented
• Be on time for lectures and tutorials
• Be available for consultation during office hours
  and when appointments have been made

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Your contribution

• The most effective way to ensure you and
  everyone else in the group learns is through
  active participation.
• To do this generally requires everyone to
• Behave appropriately in lectures and tutorials
• To do well individually requires
• Preparation, preparation, preparation
• Asking questions to clarify understanding
• Attendance at lectures and tutorials

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Lecture Objectives (again)

• To consider why research is conducted
• To outline different approaches to research
• To give an overview of the research process

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Key Issues

1. The short- and long-term relevance of research
   methods
2. Thinking about how you approach problems
3. Providing a framework for Research Methods

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Key Issue 1Relevance

• Short-term
• The module is worth 10 credits
• The module contributes to the quality of your
  dissertation (thats 60 credits)
• Long-term
• Contributing to knowledge
• Addressing real problems or issues
• Relevance to contemporary concerns
• Interest to the researcher

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Key Issue 2Research Approaches

• Deductive, inductive
• Basic, applied
• Exploratory, descriptive, analytical, predictive,
  criticising, developing
• Qualitative, quantitative

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Key Issue 3Conducting Research

• What
• Why
• How and Who
• When and Where

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Key Issue 3The Research Process

• Reason to do research
• Formulate the research problem
• Review existing research in the area
• Develop an appropriate approach
• Formulate research design
• Target population
• Design research instrument
• Data collection
• Data analysis
• Interpretation

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Fit within Research Methods

• Clear idea why research is conducted and why you
  are conducting research
• Research approaches provides an overview of the
  different research purposes and rationales, and
  when each is appropriate
• The research process provides a framework within
  which to place the different aspects of research
  methods

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Sources

• Module textbook Research Methods for Business
  Students.
• Effective Learning Service booklets
• Introduction to Research and Research Methods
• Foundations for Good Research