Module Catalogue 2026/27

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The aim of this module is to enable you to develop your critical and appreciative understanding of the principles, practices, and importance of management information and its analysis to enhance your ability to conduct rigorous research and to reach sound analytical conclusions, which can form the basis for the development of effective practice in management.

The module will cover why and how we do research (evidence, study design) and specific methods of analysis (including interpretation of results).

Students will acquire skills in data acquisition and management, analysis and interpretation, and communication of findings to different audiences.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module will cover the following topics:
1. Management information – its importance, planning, formulating research questions
2. Introduction to approaches to qualitative and quantitative research
3. Introduction to different types of evidence, evidence quality, and using evidence in research
4. Searching for evidence (electronic databases, key words, inclusion and exclusion criteria)
5. Introduction to data analysis
6. Communication of research to different audiences

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On completion of the module, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate critical awareness of appropriate research designs and methods to answer management related research questions in context
2. Use appropriate approaches to obtain different types of data (e.g. obtain qualitative and quantitative data from databases; systematically search for articles for a literature review)
3. Interpret and evaluate published business and management research and other evidence
4. Recognise and critically apply appropriate analytical techniques to process data, interpret findings and evaluate research
5. Demonstrate ethical awareness in the design of research and the use of findings.

Intended Skill Outcomes

On completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate the ability to present data analysis/research findings in ways that communicate information effectively
2. Critically appraise data and arguments
3. Critically synthesise data from quantitative and qualitative analysis
4. Demonstrate the ability to undertake self-directed learning
5. Demonstrate a critical, evidence-based approach to problem-solving

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

1. Lectures will introduce the core concepts and guide student learning in developing knowledge and understanding.
2. Workshops will provide learning related to the techniques of management inquiry and to skills development.
3. Drop-in/surgery activities will provide opportunities to support development of the assessment and to review performance.
4. Students would be expected to engage in online structured guided learning to reinforce and prepare for workshop tasks that align to the assessments in this module.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The exercise assessment will enable students to build their learning and engage in applying it into practice, i.e. to a management issue, before the individual assessment. 

The exam will test students' individual skills and understanding of research methods - as transferable skills for future modules as well as their professional life.

RESIT INFORMATION: If students are eligible to a second attempt resit will be an exam and the resit calculation will be based 100% on the completed exam.

General Notes

N/A