Developing Business Practice –302LON

Introduction to Business and Management Research

Unit: 6 Knowledgecast: 1

In this Knowledgecast, we will:

• Discuss the value of reflection and self-evaluation as a learner• Identify the key skills and competencies involved in designing and

undertaking relevant business and management research • Evaluate own skills, competencies and attitudes required for a

successful work experience

Module Learning Outcomes

Module OverviewUnit1 Developing as a learner

2 Working independently and with others

3 Academic writing

4 Critical thinking, reading and taking notes

5 Using data in your studies

6 Business and management research7 Career development strategies

8 Effective self marketing tools

9 Successful work experience

10 Personal Development Planning

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:

1. To improve organisational performance though increased effectiveness and efficiency

2. To increase our understanding of how organisations work, and their impact on individuals and society

Purpose of Business and Management Research

Stages of Research

Based on:Bryman & Bell (2007)

Identifying Your Research Question

Topics from previous modules

Puzzles & contradictions

Reasons for

differences

Disagree with

theories

Gap between

theory and reality

Anti-common

sense Personal experience

Tutors and Supervisors

My Burning Question

Gap in the literature

1. Identify Research Area • Employee motivation at work

2. Select Aspect of Research Area • Reward as a motivator at work

3. Brainstorm Research Questions

• What types of rewards? Does it motivate? How much motivation? What is the impact of change? How should policies be implemented?

4. Select Research Question(s)

• What reward policies are used by Global Organisations to motivate line managers to manage their teams? Which are the most effective? How should they be implemented?

Defining Your Research Questions

Research questions should:

1. Be Clear – understandable to you and others2. Re researchable – relevant data is collectable3. Relate to established theory and research – base your research

question on existing knowledge and show your contribution to knowledge and understanding

4. Linked to each other – supports the development of an argument5. Have potential to contribute to existing knowledge6. Be neither too broad or too narrow

Source: Bryman & Bell (2007)

6 Steps to Refine Research Questions

Decisions to be made in your research design include:

• The purpose of the study• The unit of analysis (population to be studied)• Consideration of how much researcher interference • The time horizon• The type of investigation• The setting for the study

Source: Sekaran (2000)

Designing your Methodology

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Managing your Research Project

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MARIdentify research areaFormulate research questionsDesign research methodologyWrite research proposal 21st

Arrange access to sampleWrite literature reviewCollect dataAnalyse dataFirst draft research reportSecond draft research reportDeadline 31st

A good sample can be defined as:

• Chosen at random• Large enough to satisfy the research goals• Unbiased

In order to be able to generalise your findings from your sample to the population from which it was selected, the sample must be

representative Bryman & Bell (2010:182).

Samples

Research involving human subjects must be carried out in accordance with accepted ethical standards.

These include:• Justification• Access to participants• Informed consent• Potential harm to participants• Participants’ rights• Conflicts of interest

Please see the CULC Research Ethics Policy.

Research Ethics

‘An acknowledgement of the implications and significance of

a researcher’s choices as designer, observer and

writer.’

Being a Reflexive Practitioner

The aims of reflexivity include:

- Examine your unconscious reactions to the research methodology

- Explore the dynamic between the researcher and the researched

- Understand the role of the researcher in the construction of knowledge

• In our next Knowledgecast, we will look at:

• Evaluate current academic, self-marketing and personal skills and present a plan for developing skills

• Identify the key skills and competencies involved in designing and undertaking relevant business and management research

What are we going to cover next?

In this Knowledgecast, we have looked at:

• Discuss the value of reflection and self-evaluation as a learner– The skills and mindset to become a reflexive practitioner

• Identify the key skills and competencies involved in designing and undertaking relevant business and management research

– The research stages from problem identification to the construction of knowledge

• Evaluate own skills, competencies and attitudes required for a successful work experience

– Prepare your own skills and knowledge to carry out business and management research

Knowledgecast Summary

1. Identifying a Research Question

2. The Burning Issue Brainstorm

3. Be ready to present your response to:

• What worked well?• What would you do differently next time?• What were the factors that influenced your choice of research

questions?

Seminar: Research Questions

Based on:Bryman & Bell (2007)

Seminar: Identify Your Research Question

Topics from previous modules

Puzzles & contradictions

Reasons for

differences

Disagree with

theories

Gap between

theory and reality

Anti-common

sense Personal experience

Tutors and Supervisors

My Burning Question

Gap in the literature

1. Create a project plan to deliver your Burning Issue Research Project

2. Present your project plan to the group

3. Be ready to present your response to:

• What worked well?• What would you do differently next time?• What were the factors that influenced your decisions?

Group Activity: Research Plans

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Managing your Research Project

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MARIdentify research areaFormulate research questionsDesign research methodologyWrite research proposal 21st

Arrange access to sampleWrite literature reviewCollect dataAnalyse dataFirst draft research reportSecond draft research reportDeadline 31st