Module Code: H8CPP
Long Title Capstone Project Preparation
Title Capstone Project Preparation
Module Level: LEVEL 8
EQF Level: 6
EHEA Level: First Cycle
Credits: 5
Module Coordinator: Danielle Mc cartan-Quinn
Module Author: COLIN WHITSTON
Departments: School of Business
Specifications of the qualifications and experience required of staff  
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Demonstrate an awareness of the process by which new knowledge is generated, communicated, and used through research.
LO2 Select and prepare appropriate research instruments within a chosen area of interest illustrating the merits and drawbacks of the selected methods.
LO3 Design and articulate an appropriate research question intended to guide a research project.
LO4 Conduct a preliminary review of the literature in a specified area that informs a minor piece of research.
LO5 Prepare a research proposal intended to inform a minor piece of research, including a suitable research question, relevant literature review, and the selection and justification of proposed methods
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is required before enrolment on this module. While the prior learning is expressed as named NCI module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Entry requirements

Programme entry requirements  
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Introduction to Research (Wk 1)
What does research mean? How do we understand research in modern business? Understanding what research is, and can be, allows us to gain a better idea of what research can do. Using the research imagination and being creative with research. Research as a process. Applications of research in academics and everyday life. Types of research encountered within industry.
Choosing a topic and Designing a Research Question –
looking at research clusters. Identifying relevant research interests. What is the role of the research question? Designing a research question that ‘drives’ the research study. Applying relevant aims and objectives to an area of interest, Formulating hypothesis. Understanding the research paradigm and its main theoretical underpinnings: Positivism, Post-Positivism , Interpretivism.
Research Ethics
Getting to know NCI Ethics guidelines. Using ethics as a guide for methodological choices. Understanding what research ethics are and looking at examples to understand their importance. Considering ethics within research and using the Belmont report and the three pillars. What to consider when completing the ethics form
Literature Review
What is a literature review and what should it do? Understanding the ‘critical mind’ and using argument techniques in your work. Conducting a search for relevant literature and identifying literature in the field. What do we look for in the research of others? Reading academically and drawing out relevant information for critique
Developing a Theoretical and conceptual Framework
Applying and using theoretical underpinnings. Developing an understanding toward the selection of supporting theories – developing the research lens. Using theoretical underpinnings as the blueprint to construct and influence research. Differences between theoretical and conceptual uses. Application of theoretical underpinnings to the research process.
Qualitative Methodologies
Developing an understanding of qualitative research. How do we choose the correct qualitative instrument? Creating an understanding of interviews, observations, ethnographic studies and the information they provide to a research project. Understanding sampling techniques in qualitative research. Designing an interview schedule.
Decision making and report writing
Presenting information in a proposal. Making decisions on the structure and presentation of the study in conjunction with the information gained. Discussing the study in the context of the broader field of interest. Considering implications and limitations of the study conducted.
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Coursework
Assessment Type: CA 1 % of total: 10
Assessment Date: n/a Outcome addressed: 1,3,4
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
Candidates are required to write a five hundred word abstract on selected literature culminating in a generated Research question
Assessment Type: CA 2 % of total: 20
Assessment Date: n/a Outcome addressed: 1,2,3
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
Candidates are required to present and discuss the key findings of their literature review.
Assessment Type: CA 3 % of total: 70
Assessment Date: n/a Outcome addressed: 1,2,3,4,5
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
Candidates are required to produce a Research Proposal in preparation for a minor piece of research.
No End of Module Assessment
No Workplace Assessment
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat failed items
The student must repeat any item failed
Reassessment Description
The repeat strategy for all elements of this module is to repeat the failed assessment following the feedback provided. Adequate time will be given to allow the student to make the changes necessary to the original work.

NCIRL reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Module Target Workload Hours 0 Hours
Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture Classroom and demonstrations 36 Per Semester 3.00
Directed Learning Directed e-learning 36 Per Semester 3.00
Independent Learning Independent learning 53 Per Semester 4.42
Total Weekly Contact Hours 6.00
 

Module Resources

Recommended Book Resources
  • Hart, C. (2018), Doing a Literature Review: Releasing the research imagination London, 2nd Edition. Sage Publications, California.
  • O’Leary, Z. (2017), The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project, 3rd Edition. Sage Publications, London.
  • Punch, K. (2014), Introduction to Social Research: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches, 3rd Edition. Sage Publications, London.
  • Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill. (2019), Research Methods for Business Students, 8th Edition. Pearson Education Limited, Harlow.
  • Wisker, G. (2018), The Undergraduate Research Handbook, 2nd Edition. Red Globe Press, London.
  • Creswell, J.W. Creswell, J.D. (2017), Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, Sage Publications, Los Angeles, London.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Barnet, Sylvan; Bedau, Hugo; Barnet, Sylvan. (2019), Current issues and enduring questions: a guide to critical thinking and argument, with readings, 12th Edition. Bedford/St. Martins, New York.
  • Mills, C.W. (1978), The Sociological Imagination, Oxford University Press, Oxford, New York.
This module does not have any article/paper resources
This module does not have any other resources
Discussion Note: