Unit Outline

In this unit students will explore advanced issues connected with the research process in Business Management. You will be equipped with a sound knowledge of a systematic and ethical approach to practice-led, data driven research. The unit will encourage critical understanding of qualitative and quantitative traditions and approaches in research and examine the research process from design to the reporting of findings. During the unit, you will develop your draft research proposals, consider your data collection methods and prepare to apply for ethics approval for your research projects. You will also acquire the skills and techniques required to analyse and manage data, interpret results, and report data analysis methods and findings in a business environment. Qualitative and quantitative research approaches are examined to consider their respective contributions, discretely and in combination, to knowledge development through empirical research. The quantitative component covers basic statistical thinking and data analysis techniques. A strong emphasis will be placed on the logic underlying statistical concepts such as probability and probability distributions, normal distribution, sampling distributions, parameter estimation, and hypothesis testing. The statistical computer package SPSS will be used for the statistical analysis of data. The qualitative component examines principles and techniques for organising, analysing and reporting qualitative data. The central principle of this component is the execution of rigorous qualitative data analysis through ‘good housekeeping’ –undertaking, recording and demonstrating careful, rational decision-making in qualitative data analysis (Marshall, 1999). Consequently, strategies for undertaking and reporting analysis of qualitative data are equally emphasised. Strategies for reporting analytical processes will incorporate techniques for recording and describing data analysis, including the articulation of theoretical conclusions and the use of qualitative data to illustrate and support conclusions drawn. Data analysis processes will be undertaken using NVivo 12 for Windows a computer software program for qualitative data analysis. This unit will prepare you to undertake a major research project.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Identify and integrate the key concepts, processes and considerations of research design into a business-oriented research proposal;
2.	Evaluate ethical considerations and plan to mitigate ethical risks in research design and practice;
3.	Create appropriate research questions;
4.	Evaluate qualitative and quantitative methods and apply the most appropriate and rigorous methods to support sound outcomes from a research project;
5.	Apply principles of rigorous reporting of data analysis maintaining principles of research integrity;
6.	Communicate meaningful and insightful conclusions from data analysis.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Short Research Proposal	Refer to Assessment Description	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO6
Assessment Task 2:	Small-scale analysis of qualitative data in report form	Refer to Assessment Description	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
Assessment Task 3:	Small-scale analysis of quantitative data in report form	Refer to Assessment Description	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Short Research Proposal

Task Description:

This assessment task develops and demonstrates your capacity to conceptualise a research activity and to determine the most appropriate methods to conduct the research. In the form of a brief presentation, you have the opportunity to identify and explain the research problem or topic, what ethical considerations/mitigations need to be made and what contribution the work will make. You’re encouraged to use this assessment task to think deeply about how you’ll undertake the research project to finalise the core learning for your course of study.

Refer to Unit Outline for due date.

Task Length:

10 minutes

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Effectively explain the research problem you propose to address	LO1
2	Identify and justify your research design including a plan considering issues associated with ethics	LO2
3	Illustrate the contribution your work intends to make	LO1
4	Effectively communicate your proposal to a diverse audience	LO6

Assessment Task 2: Small-scale analysis of qualitative data in report form

Task Description:

The purpose of this assessment task is to develop and demonstrate your ability to apply your knowledge about rigorous analysis of qualitative data using the NVivo software program. You will do this by undertaking and reporting computer-assisted analysis of qualitative data. This assignment is designed to assess your knowledge and skills related to analysing qualitative data and reporting your research findings.

Your task is to analyse this data to answer a research question you develop. You will analyse the qualitative data using the NVivo software and detail your analytical processes and conclusions in the research report.

Refer to Unit Outline for due date.

Task Length:

2500 words

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Develop valid and appropriate research questions, sub-questions and propositions which can be answered using the provided qualitative data sets	LO1, LO3
2	Evaluate and report ethics considerations that may arise in using qualitative data sets	LO2
3	Design a rigorous analysis of qualitative data	LO4
4	Execute rigorous analysis of qualitative data using NVivo	LO4
5	Utilise analytical methods which are appropriate for the research question and data	LO5
6	Develop and report conclusions which are appropriate for the research question and data illustrates a ‘chain of evidence’ between data and conclusions.	LO5, LO6

Assessment Task 3: Small-scale analysis of quantitative data in report form

Task Description:

This assessment task develops and demonstrates your ability to apply knowledge of quantitative methods in a practical context by undertaking and reporting computer-assisted analysis of quantitative data. This assignment is designed to assess your knowledge and skills related to analysing quantitative data and reporting your research findings.

Your task is to analyse data to answer a research question you develop. To address the research question, you must develop a set of valid research hypotheses that you will examine using descriptive and inferential data analysis techniques.

You are required to develop a series of hypotheses, requiring a statistical test of association, a statistical test of difference, regression models (logistic or multivariate) and an exploratory factor analysis which will be written up into a report.

Refer to Unit Outline for due date.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Develop valid and appropriate research questions, sub-questions and hypotheses which can be answered using the provided quantitative data sets	LO1, LO3
2	Design a rigorous analysis of quantitative data noting ethical considerations made	LO2
3	Execute rigorous analysis of quantitative data using SPSS	LO4
4	Utilise analytical methods which are appropriate for the research question and data	LO5
5	Develop and report conclusions which are appropriate for the research question and data illustrating a ‘chain of evidence’ between data and conclusions.	LO5, LO6

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.