BU4S04 - The Nature of Research 01 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2021 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: BU4S04
Module Title: The Nature of Research
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Leadership and Public Services
Faculty Sub Group: Leadership and Public Services
Module Leader: Gareth White
Module Team: Stuart Milligan
First Intended Intake: SEP 2020 Final Year of Intake: 2025
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100078 - business and management
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2021

Module Aims

To introduce the student to the practice of doctoral research. Starting from asking the right research question, this module equips the students with the knowledge to approach doctoral research in a mature and measured manner.

Content Summary

- What does and does not constitute a theoretical contribution
- Problematization of research questions
- Research ethics
- The literature review
- Concepts and theories
- Frameworks and models

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 10
Practical classes and workshops 30
Independent Study 120
Directed Study 40
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 To be able to develop a rationale for research
LO2 To be able to synthesize extant literature to create a conceptual framework

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1 An extended piece of writing that introduces the research area, provides a literature review and identifies appropriate methods to address the research question 0 6000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1

Reading List

Whetten, D.A., 1989. What constitutes a theoretical contribution?. Academy of management review, 14(4), pp.490-495.
Sutton, R.I. and Staw, B.M., 1995. What theory is not. Administrative science quarterly, pp.371-384.
Colquitt, J.A. and George, G., 2011. Publishing in AMJ—part 1: topic choice.
Bono, J.E. and McNamara, G., 2011. Publishing in AMJ—part 2: Research design.
Grant, A.M. and Pollock, T.G., 2011. Publishing in AMJ—Part 3: Setting the hook.
Sodhi, M.S. and Tang, C.S., 2014. Guiding the next generation of doctoral students in operations management. International Journal of Production Economics, 150, pp.28-36.