BU4S15 - Research Methods for Doctoral Students 06 Jul 2023 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: BU4S15
Module Title: Research Methods for Doctoral Students
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Professional Development
Faculty Sub Group: Professional Development
Module Leader: Simon Thomas
Module Team: , Gabor Horvath
First Intended Intake: SEP 2023 Final Year of Intake: 2026
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes:
HECOS Code Weighting:

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 06 Jul 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

  1. To develop students understanding of applicable doctoral techniques for theoretical and applied research.
  2. To establish the foundations of a Doctoral research methods chapter using appropriate philosophical underpinnings and methodological approaches.
  3. To critically review the techniques for collecting, analysing and interpreting primary data.
  4. To explore the practical issues of research including access, risk, ethics and project managing a research thesis.

Philosophically, methodologically, and theoretically the DBA exposes the student to a range of possibilities. The core philosophy of the DBA is to encourage students to explore a range of approaches that include the more traditional ‘Business School’ empirical methods (survey/interview/observation) as well as theory only applied research and textual analysis of policy (Government), corporate and multi-sectoral documentation.

Content Summary

  • The range of philosophical paradigms that underpin doctoral research.
  • Qualitative and quantitative approaches and their associated underpinning epistemological perspectives.
  • The inductive and deductive approaches relating to methodological decision making.
  • Research design including ethnography, autoethnography, action research and survey methods.
  • A range of qualitative research methods including interviews, focus groups, observation.
  • A range of quantitative research methods including surveys, questionnaires, experiments.
  • Techniques for analysing qualitative data.
  • Techniques for analysing quantitative data.
  • The practical dimension of undertaking doctoral research including access, ethics and risk.
  • The process of project planning for doctoral research.
  • Literature Review: conducting a literature review, identifying relevant theories, models and perspectives.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 10
Seminar 30
Independent Study 160
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically evaluate the most appropriate philosophical and methodological approaches for a selected research project (DBA Thesis)
LO2 Select the most appropriate primary data collection and analysis methods to address management research questions and to critically appraise the practical aspects of undertaking Doctoral research.

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 A draft research methods chapter relating specifically to a selected research project 0 6000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

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

Reading List

Alvesson, M. & Deetz, S. Doing Critical Management Research SAGE Publications

Braun, V. and Clarke, V. Using thematic analysis in psychology in Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3 (2), pp 77-101

Bryman, A. and Bell, E. Business Research Methods Oxford University Press

Burrell, G. and Morgan, G. Sociological Paradigms and Organisational Analysis Heinemann

Denzin, N. and Lincoln, Y. Handbook of Qualitative Research Thousand Oaks CA

Easterby-Smith, M. et al Management Research: An Introduction SAGE Publications

Fetterman, D. M. Ethnography SAGE Publications

Grbich, C. Qualitative Data Analysis SAGE

Guba, E. The Paradigm Dialog SAGE Publications

Saunders, M. et al Research Methods for Business Students FT Prentice Hall