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.  

• The nature of management research and its significance for theory and practice
• Evaluating and developing theoretical / conceptual frameworks – including literature reviewing 
• Evaluating and developing methodological approaches to research – philosophy, strategy, design
• Data collection / analysis techniques and tools – quantitative and / or qualitative research
• Practicalities of research – access, acceptance, relationship management, information transfer
• Communicating research – writing for different audiences