1. Critically review and select from alternative research methods in more complex situations

 

Course Code: BBUT500001

Level: 5

Credit points: 20

Module Overview

2. Learning and Teaching Strategy

The module is taught through lectures, tutorials and seminars Lectures will provide explanation of principles and discussion of general applications. Tutorials and seminars will involve guided exercises, case studies, and practice of skills relating to the learning outcomes
 
The module will also be supported via the Moodle site and will adhere to the College minimum threshold standards. As well as being used to give students access to lecture notes and hand-outs, it is the primary means of communication between staff and students. It is also a key tool for online collaboration between students helping them to engage in effective group work and peer-to-peer support. It can also be used for secure electronic submission of coursework and for equally secure return of marked work and feedback.  MoodleTurnitin will be used for all written work submissions, marking and initial feedback.

3. Module Communications

The Module Tutor’s contact details are provided at the top of this page.  You must check your Bradford College email address and the Moodle area dedicated to this module regularly as many module communications are channelled through these media. We are unable to contact you through your personal email address – please contact us through your Bradford College account.

 

Your Module Tutor will normally aim to respond to your email messages within 2 full working days of receipt; however responses will be longer in holiday periods.

4. Module Description

 

This module has been designed to develop students’ ability to investigate and analyse information related to business contexts. It is both self-standing and a preparation for the dissertation module on level 6.

The module will enable students to develop knowledge and understanding of qualitative and quantitative data sources and issues, this will include the problems of ethics, validity and reliability.

The use of industry standard software for data analysis and presentation is central to the rationale of this module.

The content will be delivered through lectures, seminars and practical activities including the use of industrial standard software for the analysis of data.

Learning outcomes have been mapped against QAA benchmark Business & Management (2007), FHEQ and Teesside guidance documents.

The Summative assessment one component, 100%

5. Learning Outcomes and Assessments

Critically review and select from alternative research methods in more complex situations. Apply the skills of research/enquiry-based approaches. Analyse, apply and interpret data/evidence from a variety of sources. Identify key areas of problems and choose appropriate tools/methods for their resolution in a considered manner. Operate ethically in situations of varying complexity and predictability requiring the application of a wide range of techniques. Able to act with increasing autonomy, with reduced need for supervision and direction, within defined guidelines. Select and use a range of communication methods appropriate to the context. Apply numerical and statistical skills in more complex disciplinary contexts. Use a range of specialist software appropriate to the discipline.

6. Assessment

 

Formative: Formative feedback will be given during practical and tutorial sessions.  These sessions will include practical use of software packages, data collection, analysis of data and guided practical work. Summative: To be submitted by Midnight Sunday 1st December 2019 via Moodle. 3,500 words. 100% weighting Prepare a report to recommend a mobile communication solution for a new Voluntary Sector organisation providing support to adults in the community under the community care act 2014.  The new organisation plans to have 20 volunteers whose age could range between18 to 70.  You will need to consider how the “research onion” has influenced your research and demonstrate that you understand and apply research theory to the problem.  Your research should include primary/secondary and qualitative/quantitative data and you should demonstrate consideration of sample selection, ethics and access.

7. Assessment Feedback

Feedback on items of assessment can be formal (such as on a signed feedback form) or informal (such as advice from a tutor in a tutorial). Feedback is therefore not just your grade or the comments written on your feedback form, it is advice you get from your tutor and sometimes your peers about how your work is progressing, how well you have done, what further actions you might take.

We recognise the value of prompt feedback on work submitted. Other than in exceptional circumstances (such as might be caused by staff illness), you can expect your assignment and examination work to be marked and feedback provided not more than20 working daysfrom the deadline date. However, please note that that such feedback will be provisional and unconfirmed until the Assessment Board has met and may therefore be subject to change.

Please take time to read or listen to your assessment feedback. This can be very useful in determining your strengths and key areas for development, and can therefore help you improve on future grades.

8. Module Calendar

Session No.	Date or Week Commencing	Topics Covered
1	16/09/2019	InductionEnrolment
2	23/09/2019	Introduction to Module, What is Research and Proposals
3	30/09/2019	Literature Review
4	07/10/2019	Philosophy and Theory
5	14/10/2019	Research Design
6	21/10/2019	Access, Ethics and Samples
7	28/10/2019	Reading week
8	04/11/2019	Data Collection
9	11/11/2019	Data Analysis
10	18/11/2019	Writing and Presenting
11	25/11/2019	Assignment Submission
12	02/12/2019	Assignment marking begins
13	09/12/2019	Assignment marking continues
14	16/12/2019	Tutorial sessions
	23/12/2019	Christmas Break
	30/12/2019	Christmas Break
15	06/01/2019	HE Examinations Week/Assessment Week
16	13/01/2019	HE Examinations Week

9. Formative Assessment

Formative assessment is employed to support your learning on the module, allowing you to reflect on feedback on your progress from your tutors and peers. It takes a variety of forms as detailed aboveand does not contribute to the final module mark.

10. Indicative Reading

Essential Reading Bell, J. and Waters, S. (2018) Doing Your Research Project. 7th ed. London: McGraw-Hill   Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (206) Research Methods for Business Students. 7th ed. Harlow: Pearson

Recommended Reading Buglear, J. (2010) Stats means business. 2nd ed. London: Butterworth-Heinemann Cottrell, S. (2011) Critical Thinking Skills. 2nd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan. Davies, M. B. (2007) Doing a Successful Research Project. Basingstoke: Palgrave McMillan Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R. and Jackson, P. (2012) Management and Business Research. 5th ed. London: Sage Gill, J., Johnson, P. and Murray, C. (2010) Research Methods for Managers. 4th ed. London: Sage Jankowicz, A.D. (2005) Business Research Projects. 4th ed. London: Thomson. MacFarlane, B. (2009) Researching with Integrity. The Ethics of Academic Enquiry. New York: Routledge Miller, T. (2012) Ethics in Qualitative Research. 2nd ed. London: Sage Robson, C. and McCartan, K. (2016) Real World Research. 4th ed. Chichester: Wiley. Rugg, G. and Petre, M. (2007) A Gentle Guide to Research Methods. Maidenhead: Open University Press Oliver, P. (2010) The Student’s Guide to Research Ethics. 2nd ed. Maidenhead: Open University Press

Databases A range of material from the following databases subject to specialism and proposal   Discover http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=shib&custid=s7868694&profile=eds Emerald Insight http://www.emeraldinsight.com Statista https://www.statista.com/ IBIS World https://www.ibisworld.com/

11. Guidelines for the Preparation and Submission of Written Assessments

1. Written assessments should be word-processed in Arial size 12. There should be double-spacing and each page should be numbered.
2. There should be a title page identifying the programme name, module title, assessment title, your student number, your marking tutor and the date of submission. All marking of assignments is conducted anonymously – please do not put your name on your assignment.
3. You should include a word-count at the end of the assessment (excluding references, figures, tables and appendices).

         Where a word limit is specified, the following penalty systems applies:

• Up to 10% over the specified word length = no penalty
• 10 – 20% over the specified indicative word length = 5 marks subtracted (but if the assessment would normally gain a pass mark, then the final mark to be no lower than the pass mark for the assessment).
• More than 20% over the indicative word length = if the assessment would normally gain a pass mark or more, then the final mark will capped at the pass mark for the assessment.

1. All written work should be referenced using the standard Harvard referencing style (please see Moodle and your programme handbook for a full guide). 
2. Unless otherwise notified by your Module Tutor, electronic copies of assignments should be saved as word documents and uploaded into Turnitin via the Moodle class area. If you experience problems in uploading your work, then you must send an electronic copy of your assessment to your Module Tutor via email BEFORE the due date/time.
3. Please note that when you submit your work to Moodle, it will automatically be checked for matches against other electronic information. The individual percentage text matches may be used as evidence in an academic misconduct investigation (see Section 13).

1. 7.        Late work will be subject to the penalties:

• Up to 7 calendar days late = 10 marks subtracted but if the assignment would normally gain a pass mark, then the final mark to be no lower than the pass mark for the assignment.
• More than 7 calendar days late = This will be counted as non-submission and no marks will be recorded.

Where assessments are graded Pass/Fail only they will not be accepted beyond the deadline date for submission and will be recorded as a Fail. Students may request an extension to the original published deadline date as described below.

1. In the case of exceptional and unforeseen circumstances, an extension of up to 14 days after the assessment deadline may be granted. This must be agreed by your Programme Leader, following a discussion the Module Tutor. You should complete an Extension Request Form available from your Tutor and attach documentary evidence of your circumstances, prior to the published submission deadline.

Extensions over 14 calendar days should be requested using the Mitigating Circumstances procedure, with the exception of extensions for individual projects and artefacts which, at the discretion of the Programme Leader, may be longer than 14 days.

Requests for extensions which take a submission date past the end of the module must be made using the Mitigating Circumstances procedures.

Some students with registered disabilities will be eligible for revised submission deadlines. Revised submission deadlines do not require the completion extension request paperwork.

Please note that the failure of data storage systems is not considered to be a valid reason for an extension. It is therefore important that you keep multiple copies of your work on different storage devices before submitting it.

12. Procedures for Examinations

Not applicable