Module Code: H9BRM
Long Title Business Research Methods
Title Business Research Methods
Module Level: LEVEL 9
EQF Level: 7
EHEA Level: Second Cycle
Credits: 10
Module Coordinator: CORINA SHEERIN
Module Author: Faye McGinley
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 Critically evaluate the importance of business research and analytics in addressing modern business issues and challenges
LO2 Appreciate the individual requirements necessary to function as part of a multi-disciplinary team which is tasked with the planning and development of management solutions.
LO3 Critique and hence apply inquiry skills and best industry practice in order to assess the management issue and hence provide a clear articulation of the key challenge and objectives facing the group.
LO4 Demonstrate a critical understanding of the basic principles of both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and when to apply these appropriately to live business problems and issues.
LO5 Apply a range of core business and professional skills such as presentation, negotiation and conflict management such that effective management strategies can be developed and defended to both a technical and non-technical audience.
LO6 Demonstrate a mastery of professional writing and presentation skills.
LO7 Evaluate and utilise business research skills gained in this module to prepare a detailed industry practicum proposal.
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  
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Business Research in Decision Making
• Business Research • The Growth of Analytics • The Strategy Brief • Ethics in Business Research
Resource Management
• Setting Goals& Project Planning • Time Management • Teams- Selecting, Developing, Motivating and Managing • Group Leadership • Group Negotiation • Interaction and Conflict Management • Information and Communication Channels • Planning and Scheduling
Problem Assessment and Articulation
• Understanding the client brief • Developing objectives • Managing client expectations
Analytics and Quantitative Research
• Introduction to Analytics • Descriptive Statistics & Presenting Data in Tables & Charts • Use of Probability Theory and Probability Distributions in Problem Solving • Normal and Non-Normal (Nonparametric) Distribution - The impact of distribution on statistical tool selection • Sampling • Fundamentals of Hypothesis Testing: One-Sample Tests , Two Sample Tests • Simple Linear Regression • Introduction to SPSS
Qualitative Research
• The nature of qualitative research • Ethnography and participant observation • Interviewing • Focus Groups • Language in qualitative research • Secondary sources of data • Qualitative data analysis • Introduction to NVivo
Research Writing and Presentation
• Professional writing style • Professional presentation and pitching • The structure of a research project report • Making the most of your research - presentation and discussion of analysis and findings • Presentation and defence of strategies and recommendations • Ethics Requirements • Bibliography, referencing and appendices
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Coursework
Assessment Type: Assignment 1 % of total: 25
Assessment Date: n/a Outcome addressed: 2,3
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
Students will be randomly assigned into different groups at seminar sessions and provided with small scale business, management or marketing problems/briefs. They will be asked to consider the briefs, articulate the problem and present potential plans as to how to better understand/address the issues within a short timeframe. Groups will be expected to present their findings and pitch their ideas in class.
Assessment Type: Assignment 2 % of total: 15
Assessment Date: n/a Outcome addressed: 4
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
Students must complete an individual quantitative based assessment worth 15%.
Assessment Type: Assignment 3 % of total: 60
Assessment Date: n/a Outcome addressed: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
Project & Pitch Candidates are required to produce a 2,000-4000 word practicum proposal due in March. They are also required to as a group pitch their strategy/idea to a panel of academics as well as industry experts. Their client will also constitute part of the examining panel. As part of the submission process students are required to complete an Ethics Review Form. This is mandatory and failure to do so will result in the group not being allocated a supervisor until such time as it has been completed and approved. Detailed feedback is provided to learners on their proposal and this is forwarded to the group supervisor also.
No End of Module Assessment
No Workplace Assessment
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

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 No Description 30 Every Week 30.00
Independent Learning Time No Description 220 Every Week 220.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 30.00
 

Module Resources

This module does not have any book resources
This module does not have any article/paper resources
This module does not have any other resources
Discussion Note: