Recommended learning hours: 30

Unit aim: To be able to conduct valid research, present credible findings and useful recommendations to organisations.

Assessment type: Project

Learning outcomes

1. Understand the process for aquiring new information using research
2. Be able to undertake management research.

Every successful candidate can at the end of this unit:

1. Explain the different approaches to management research
2. Recommend and describe an appropriate research methodology
3. Select an appropriate research methodology for a given situation
4. Conduct a research project
5. Report research results and draw reasoned conclusions
6. Reference research data sources using recognised methods.

Indicative content:

• Research methods
• Terms of reference for a research project
• Developing and testing theories
• Application of data collection to business research
• Use of libraries, the internet, interviews, questionnaires and other sources of information
• Case studies of research projects
• Drawing conclusions, comparing results with the aims and presenting the results
• Presentation of inconclusive results and organization of references to the work of others
• Dealing with copyright material in all forms of media and giving credit to the work of others
• Risks to research findings including assumptions, bias and inappropriate conclusions
• Referencing methods: Harvard reference scheme.