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

Research Methods Course Introduction

Dr Nina ReynoldsDr Shona Bettany

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

The Module AimsTo 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

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

Who is responsible for your learning?

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

Your contributionThe most effective way to ensure you and everyone else in the group learns is through active participation.

To do this generally requires everyonerequires everyone to:– Behave appropriately in lectures and tutorials

To do well individuallywell individually requires:– Preparation, preparation, preparation– Asking questions to clarify understanding– Attendance at lectures and tutorials

Lecture Objectives (again)

• To consider why research is conducted

• To outline different approaches to research

• To give an overview of the research process

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

Key Issue 1:RelevanceShort-term

– The module is worth 10 credits– The module contributes to the quality of your

dissertation (that’s 60 credits)

Long-term– Contributing to knowledge– Addressing real problems or issues– Relevance to contemporary concerns– Interest to the researcher

Key Issue 2:Research Approaches

• Deductive, inductive

• Basic, applied

• Exploratory, descriptive, analytical, predictive, criticising, developing

• Qualitative, quantitative

Key Issue 3:Conducting Research

• What

• Why

• How and Who

• When and Where

Key Issue 3:The 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

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

Sources

Module textbook: Research Methods for Business Students.

Effective Learning Service booklets• Introduction to Research and Research

Methods• Foundations for Good Research