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23 views6 pages

Unit

Uploaded by

Hazel Cora
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Unit 19: Research Project (Pearson Set)

Unit code H/618/5060

Unit type Core

Unit level 5

Credit value 30

Introduction

Research skills are as vital for the workplace as they are for academic development. Research
skills enable students to identify a problem, collect informational resources that can help
address the problem, evaluate the resources for quality and relevance, and come up with an
effective solution to the problem. These are seen as essential skills by employers for most
positions in industry, to support a range of duties, for example report writing, building a
business case, business planning, launching a new product or service.

This is a Pearson-set unit. Students will choose their own project based on a theme provided by
Pearson (this will change annually). The project must be related to their specialist pathway of
study (unless they are studying the general business pathway). This will enable students to
explore and examine a relevant and current topical aspect of business in the context of the
business environment and their chosen specialist pathway.

The aim of this unit is to offer students the opportunity to engage in sustained research in a
specific field of study. The unit enables students to demonstrate the capacity and ability to
identify a research theme, to develop a research aim and objectives and to present the
outcomes of such research in both written and verbal formats. The unit also encourages
students to reflect on their engagement in the research process, during which
recommendations for future, personal development are key learning points.

By the end of this unit a student will be able to:

LO1 Examine appropriate research methodologies and methods to identify those appropriate to
the research process

LO2 Develop a research proposal, including a supporting literature review

LO3 Analyse data using appropriate techniques to communicate research findings


LO4 Reflect on the application of research methodologies and process.

LO1 Examine appropriate research methodologies and methods to identify those appropriate
to the research process

The research process:

The distinct phases of research, including research aims and objectives, methodology, literature
review, methods, analysis and presentation of findings. The use of secondary data to inform
primary data collection.

Explorative, descriptive and causal research approaches.

Research methodologies and methods:

Different research methodologies underpinning a philosophical approach: positivism


(deductive) vs interpretivism (inductive) paradigms.

Conceptual framework of ideas, philosophies, approaches and concepts to conduct research.

Qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Mixed method approaches, including limitations and advantages. Associated tools and
techniques, e.g. focus groups, in-depth surveys, questionnaires.

Ethics, reliability and validity:

Role and significance of ethics in conducting research, e.g. informed consent, confidentiality.

Reliability of research and degree to which research methods produce consistent results.

Validity of research to extend to which results measure what they are supposed to measure.

LO2 Develop a research proposal, including a supporting literature review

Developing a research proposal:

Developing a methodical and valid proposal as the foundation for a research project.

Purpose and significance of the research question/hypothesis.

Clarity on the research aim and supporting objectives, and how these may change as the
research process unfolds.
Application of research methods and ethical considerations that need to be addressed in
conducting the research.

Literature review:

The purpose of the literature review, e.g. to explore, summarise, compare and critically analyse
what other researchers have written about the research topic. Adopting a ‘funnel’ approach,
balancing focus and depth.

Positioning a research project in context of existing knowledge. Identification of relevant


schools of thought and/or seminal research works.

Potential to open up new gaps in knowledge or levels of awareness.

LO3 Analyse data using appropriate techniques to communicate research findings

Primary data collection and sampling:

The significance of gathering primary data, qualitative or quantitative, to support research


analysis.

Characteristics of primary data.

Selecting sample types and sizes relevant to the research.

Alternative random and non-random probability sampling approaches. Different digital tools for
data gathering, e.g. SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, SurveyGizmo.

Analysing data:

Quantitative data: validation, editing, coding and analysis.

Qualitative data: data preparation and analysis of content, narrative and discourse approaches.

Communicating research outcomes:

Alternative methods of communicating outcomes persuasively and logically. Recognising


methods, e.g. spoken word and medium, e.g. presentation.

The influences of research and intended audience.

Use of frequency tables, simple tables, pie charts, histograms, frequency curves and normal
curve.
Advantages and disadvantages of different methods.

Software for analysing and presentation of quantitative data, e.g. Excel, SPSS.

LO4 Reflect on the application of research methodologies and process.

Reflection for learning and practice:

Difference between reflecting on performance and evaluating a research project including the
research process, the quality of the research argument and use of evidence.

Reflection on the merits, limitations and potential pitfalls of chosen methods.

The cycle of reflection:

Critical and objective self-reflection to inform personal development along the research
journey.

Reflection in action and reflection on action.

Using self-reflection to inform and develop future behaviours, considerations and actions.

Recommended Resources

Textbooks

FLICK, U. (2020) Introducing Research Methodology: A Beginner’s Guide to Doing a Research


Project. 3rd Ed. London: SAGE.

GRAY, D. (2017) Doing Research in the Real World. 4th Ed. London: SAGE. SAUNDERS, M.,
LEWIS, P. and THORNHILL, A. (2019) Research Methods for Business Students. 6th Ed.
Harlow: Pearson.
Websites

www.learnhigher.ac.uk

www.skillsyouneed.com

Links

Learn Higher Research Skills (Teaching resources) Skills You Need Learning Skills How to
write a Dissertation or Thesis (General reference)

This unit links to the following related unit:

Unit 6: Managing a Successful Business Project (Pearson Set)

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