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BMGT4013D

Academic Year 2023/2024

Business Research Project (BMGT4013D)

Subject:
Business Management
College:
Business
School:
Business
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
7.5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Federica Pazzaglia
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module introduces students to business research principles, and the focus is on developing and demonstrating business research skills. Students will show how they can conduct business research in a competent, effective, and ethically appropriate manner. Students are asked to:
1) Select an organisation in which they can undertake a small research project
2) Prepare a well-thought-out research proposal
3) Students will discuss some methodological issues over the class discussion board
4) Students should use interviews as part of their data collection (2 interviews required)
This research module asks students to engage with each other and discuss their research with each other over the course of the term. Research can feel isolating, we hope this module helps to encourage some social interaction as well.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:

1) Demonstrate a succinct understanding and appropriate critique of the scholarly literature relevant to their research topic
2) State and defend the importance of an appropriate business research question
3) Demonstrate an ability to conduct business research in a competent, effective, and ethically appropriate manner
4) Demonstrate an ability to plan, collect, and analyse data relevant to the research question
5) Demonstrate an ability to present the study and its findings in writing. The final project presentation must include the theoretical context for the study, the importance of the research question, the appropriateness of the methodology and data analysis, and defend the conclusion that were drawn.

Indicative Module Content:

At each session we will cover different stages of the research process:
Session 1) module overview and setting research questions
Session 2) Research Methodology
Session 3) Data Analysis
Session 4) one to one appointments with students.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

85

Autonomous Student Learning

100

Lectures

12

Total

197


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Students will attend classes for this module and have the opportunity to engage in active learning during these sessions. There will be in-class discussion and group work to analyse module concepts. Where appropriate, the module will incorporate case based learning

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment: Final Report Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No
70
No
Assignment: Proposal Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No
10
No
Continuous Assessment: Online Discussion Posts Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No
20
No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students are given individual feedback on all assessments submitted. There is also peer review as students discuss some of the methodological concepts on the module. Students are free to contact the module coordinator at any point and submit drafts for feedback in advance of the final one to one appointments.

There is a whole range of research methods books available and likely you will need to consult a number of different ones along the way. I do not prescribe any specific textbook for this module. For a great overall perspective on business research methods the two most useful books I think you will find are:
1) Saunders, M.N.K, Lewis, P. & Thornhill, A. (2019) Research Methods for Business Students, 8th edn. Essex: Pearson [You can access an ebook of the 8th and 6th edition from the UCD library]. The library also has the 7th edition in hard copy which is also perfect.
2) Bryman, A. & Bell, E. (2018) Business Research Methods, 5th edn. London: Oxford [Hardcopy available in UCD Blackrock and James Joyce library]
3) Saldana, J. (2015) The Coding Manual for Qualitative Research, 3rd edn. Los Angeles: Sage [Hardcopy available in UCD James Joyce]

Name Role
Dr Orna O'Brien Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Christina Burke Tutor
Dr Katherine Collins Tutor
Ms Louisa Meehan Tutor