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Module

NBS8062 : Research Methods

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Josephine Go Jefferies
  • Lecturer: Dr Jiayao Hu
  • Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

This module is designed to provide students with the necessary training to undertake advanced level research in Business and Management. The module has two aspects. First, it focuses on the nature of research in the area, and the social sciences (philosophy of science) in general, examining the study skills necessary to manage and undertake a research project; and secondly, it provides students with opportunities to be familiar with the important empirical and theoretical research in Business and Management. Such skills are intended to provide a central foundation for undertaking a dissertation at an advanced level.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module will enable you to develop an understanding of the nature and scope of advanced
research in Business and Management. It focuses on research leading to the production of your
Master's dissertation project and covers key skills areas, including, ethics, effective research
management, research proposals, research design and strategy-making, data collection and
research methods, recording and interpretation of results and writing up. It is practical and
interactive in focus, employing research case studies and weekly readings to help you develop a
good working knowledge of both the literature and research practice.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture102:0020:00PIP Lectures
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion160:0060:00Time for students to complete formative and summative coursework & assessments
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading1106:00106:00Subject-based and Methods Literature
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching22:004:00Seminars. PiP. 1 in each semester
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops42:008:004 x 2 hour PIP computer lab sessions on NVIVO & SPSS = 8
Structured Guided LearningStructured non-synchronous discussion21:002:00Assignment clinics
Total200:00
Jointly Taught With
Code Title
NBS8372Research Methods (OLSCM)
NBS8269Research Methods for Business and Management Dual Award
NBS8901Research Methods (Dual Award)
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

A combination of lectures, workshops, seminars, and PC lab sessions are designed to give students a thorough overview of research methodologies and opportunities to hone practical skills as well as knowledge.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Research proposal1M30Assignment 1: Initial Research Proposal (1500 words)
Research proposal2M70Assignment 2: Full Dissertation Proposal (2500 words)
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Research proposal1MPresentation of and feedback on ideas during seminars
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Both summative assignments will assess whether the students can apply the theories and techniques developed in lectures to their own plans and research proposals.
The written exercise in semester 1 will help the student to identify and consolidate their research ideas and directions. In semester 2 the ongoing assessment of student progression during computer Lab sessions where students are supported through a number of exercises using SPSS and NVivo. Interventions occur to support students so that equal progression occurs across the group. Learning checks as the summative assessment are linked to the suitable progression of each student in addressing set tasks.

Reading Lists

Timetable