Research Skills for Business and Management Advanced Professional Development [Level 7] part-time

This course in research skills for business and management will enable you to develop essential skills in research methods and communication and consider how these may be applied in a professional business context.

You will be introduced to research methods relevant to your area of interest and related disciplines. An introduction to issues of real-world resource constraints, and an insight into the principles of good scholarship within the framework of relevant legal, social, ethical and professional issues, will provide you with the knowledge to undertake your project dissertation. You will be required to submit a dissertation proposal document at the end of this course.

You will consider the sources, characteristics and techniques for generating good research topics. You will review the available literature and other sources of information; learn about the processes required to search for and retrieve academic information; and consider the processes and practices relating to knowledge creation, critical review, referencing, citations and plagiarism. You will also study related matters of ethics and confidentiality and methods of research such as interviews, recording and analysing data, the use of case studies and observation.

The initial taught part of the course will consist of weekly activities using a range of material supplemented by directed reading and supported by seminar activities facilitated by a tutor. The emphasis will be on communication with your peers to receive support and feedback with your work and refine your ideas and understanding. You will be expected to reciprocate this process.

You will be taught through a variety of teaching and learning methods including lectures, seminars and presentation, practical work, e-learning, workshops, tutorials, study groups, videos, independent study and directed reading.

The assessment strategy is to provide students with a three-phase structure to assist in the development of their ideas from project specification to initial literature review.

Study on the course will also give you the opportunity to develop and enhance your personal skills such as critical thinking and evaluation, organisation, time management, IT and communication skills.