Business research methods: an introduction

2. 303LON and 308LON Business research methods: an introduction Unit: 2

3. Welcome

4. Module Learning Outcomes On completion of this module you will be able to: • Work independently within an organisation, demonstrating initiative and commitment • Review the literature relating to a business issue • Analyse valid and reliable evidence to draw sound business conclusions • Write a coherent project report communicating a solution or response to the business issue • Reflect on your working practices in relation to your Personal Development Plan

5. Module Overview: 303LON and 308LON

6. Unit Learning Outcomes On completion of this unit you will be able to: • Share the key themes from your Skills Audit • Revisit the key stages in the production of business and management research • Appraise and use a range of methods to identify an area of interest to research for your Project Report

7. Skills Audit Presentations

8. Business Skills: Project Work Why is project work important in organisations? • Growing working practice in organisations • Specific and non-routine work • Complex and discrete nature of work • Clearly defined goals within a specified timescale • Require a range of self-management skills including control Source: Cameron (2009: 375)

9. Purpose of Business and Management Research Why do business research? …because there is an aspect of our understanding of what goes on in organisations that is to some extent unresolved (Bryman & Bell, 2007) The purpose of Business and Management Research is: • To improve organisational performance though increased effectiveness and efficiency • To increase our understanding of how organisations work, and their impact on individuals and society

10. Assessment: 303LON Workplace Project Regular Assignment 1 (40%): Produce a Reflective Diary that demonstrates evidence of learning, as a result of carrying out your project, about: • The subject of your research • Your research skills • Your professional and business skills Word Count: 1000 End of Module Assessment (60%): Produce a Project Report that investigates a current issue facing your selected organisation and presents a clear set of recommendations. Word Count: 4000

11. Assessment: 308LON Workbased Project End of Module Assessment (100%): Produce a Project Report that investigates a current issue facing your selected organisation or industry and presents a clear set of recommendations. Word Count: 4000

12. Business Skills: Project Stages Source: Cameron (2009: 378)

13. Stages of Research – Up to Unit 8

14. Selecting a Research Topic Based on: Saunders et al (2009) What makes good business and management research? • The topic is clearly defined • Meets the requirements of the marking criteria • Uses a variety of techniques to generate research questions • Has clear research questions based on relevant literature • Incorporates relevant theory Starts with a proposal that: • Presents well organised ideas • Describes clearly what will be done and why • Justifies how the research questions will be answered

15. Research Topic Standards Based on: Saunders et al (2009)

16. Generating Research Topic Ideas Source: Saunders et al (2009)

17. Identifying Your Research Topic Disagree with theories Puzzles & contradictions Topics from previous modules Based on: Bryman & Bell (2007) Gap in the literature Employers My Burning Question Gap between theory and reality Reasons for differences Linked to career goals Personal experience

18. Theories and Model in Research Source: Saunders et al (2009)

19. Research Topics – PESTEL Source: Mullins (2010: 91)

20. Research Topics – SWOT Source: Mullins (2010: 545-46)

21. Research Topics – Secondary Sources • Books • Journals • Government reports • Organisation websites or intranet • Professional Body websites • Staff surveys • Newspapers and weekly publications

22. Business Skills: Project Work Unit 2 Priority Actions: • Decide on a Research Topic • What are you investigating and why? • What are your reasons for choosing this area to investigate? • How will this research benefit the organisation? • How will this research benefit you? Be ready to present back in Unit 3

23. Knowledgecast Summary • Share the key themes from your Skills Audit • Revisit the key stages in the production of business and management research • Use a range of methods to identify an area of interest to research for your Project Report

25. Seminar: Brainstorming your Topic In your work groups: • Share your initial ideas for a Research Topic • Select one idea and brainstorm a range of perspectives • Consider whether this example research topic is: • Feasible? Worthwhile? Relevant? • Linked to your career goals • Linked to theory or models from your studies • Supported by existing knowledge • Contributes to existing knowledge

26. Business Skills: Project Work Unit 2 Priority Actions: • Decide on a Research Topic • What are you investigating and why? • What are your reasons for choosing this area to investigate? • How will this research benefit the organisation? • How will this research benefit you? Be ready to present back in Unit 3

27. What are we going to cover next? In our next Unit, we will: • Formulate research questions from our research topics • Investigate the types of information and data to be used in your project • Assess the benefits and limitations of types of data in relation to your research