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What will I learn on this module?
In this research-based module you will experience a comprehensive coverage of research methods and analysis that will prepare you both for work placement or study abroad opportunities alongside preparation for your final-year “capstone” research module of either Dissertation, Management Enquiry or Consultancy Project and for your future employment, enterprise or entrepreneurial activity.
You will learn how to develop a research question, and linked to this, be able to choose an appropriate method of research, dovetailing both learning experiences to the development of a critical assessment of the academic literature. You will gain a basic understanding of research philosophy, whilst the coverage and importance given to research ethics will play an important part of your learning within the module and you will appreciate as part of your learning how this underpins research of quality and integrity. The role of Ethics in research will cover study design, participant selection, data collection, data handling and storage and presentation of research findings.
You will learn how to apply quantitative and qualitative methods. In the quantitative applications, you will learn about questionnaire design, sampling, presenting and summarising data, statistical inference and hypothesis testing. You will have the opportunity to use a range of appropriate software tools, including Excel and SPSS. In the qualitative part of the module, techniques covered will include interviewing and focus groups to collect data, supported by analysis methods including content analysis and thematic analysis. You will learn how to execute a critical and effective analysis of your research data for both approaches, as well as appreciating the importance of piloting.
How will I learn on this module?
You will learn through a combination of formal tutor-led, tutor-guided and learner-led sessions, tutor-directed study and independent reading. Activities will be highly interactive and will draw upon the directed learning undertaken, your own experiences and discipline expertise of the academic team.
These research-based interactive sessions will centre on high levels of participation, both individually and within small groups. This will allow you to learn through practice for both work involving quantitative data and using statistical software such as SPSS for analysis, or for conducting interviews and considering how to analyse the qualitative data that is generated.
Several tutor-led sessions will be used to communicate vital areas for Northumbria University including the University Ethics policy and to provide Programme-specific input which may be helpful in providing guidance on possible areas for your choice of topic in the Dissertation or Management Enquiry.
Directed learning will centre upon a range of activities including pre-reading and preparation for interactive activities. Independent learning will centre upon you identifying and pursuing areas of interest within your chosen discipline to inform the writing of your research proposal. Critical reflection on knowledge, experience and practice underpins the learning and teaching philosophy on this module along with the explicit development of competence, both of which you will develop into a reflective statement as part of the module’s summative assessment.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
You will be supported by the module tutor who is an academic lead for the module, in addition to an academic teaching comprising subject experts from your programme-specific discipline. This academic team will support your learning through the formal activities. The formal sessions will be undertaken in small groups so that there is opportunity for exploring the subject matter in detail with both the academic staff and your fellow students.
A comprehensive eLP site will store the materials needed for the lectures, IT workshops and seminars, alongside a detailed week-by-week learning and teaching plan to guide you through the module. There is an electronic reading list indicating the core texts with cover research methods and data analysis, alongside reference to various recommended discipline-related journals and business and management databases, which you should access as the module progresses. You also make use of statistical analysis software for analysing quantitative data as part of the module.
You will be supplied with formative feedback through activities, discussion and reflection. Formative feedback will be provided throughout the module, particularly in relation to the practical aspects of the module through which you will have opportunities to give and receive feedback from your tutors and fellow learners. There will be opportunities for you to discuss your potential research idea with staff who have expertise in your discipline. This will provide you with formative feedback on your research proposal and will help you to develop your summative assessment.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
• To identify a research opportunity or business enquiry related to your management discipline and develop a research proposal. [MLO1]
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• To reflect on your experiences in developing a research capability to inform future work and academic study. [MLO2]
• To demonstrate your skills to undertake a research-based study in your discipline that informs project work at your next level of study. [MLO3]
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• To develop a management discipline-related working proposal and project plan to lead to a research project in your final year of study. [MLO4]
• To reflect on your own ethical values as a researcher in your discipline. [MLO5
How will I be assessed?
You will receive formative feedback from appropriately focused academics on your research proposal. This will involve face-to-face feedback and will take place during the seminars on the programme, where you will also be able to share research ideas and project plans with fellow students. The weekly webinar will also provide further opportunity for academic and peer discussion and formative feedback.
The summative assessment is a 2,500 individual assignment and reflective statement that provides a research plan to inform your Level 6 research-based study, whether Dissertation, Consultancy or Management Enquiry. Guidance on the choice of option will place during semester informing individual you on which of these options to use as the basis of this submission [MLO1-MLO5]
This research-based and research-orientated module will provide you with a significant appreciation of research methods and analysis before you undertake work placement, study abroad and progress to your “capstone” final-year research activity; one of Dissertation, Management Enquiry or Consultancy Project. You will engage in and reflect on practical research-based activities to facilitate your understanding of the process of designing and executing management research, gaining hands-on experience in the analysis of qualitative and quantitative research data. You will gain an appreciation of the central role of ethics in research. The module is research oriented primarily, but linkages to the work of discipline specific academics will expose you to research tutored approaches. The summative assessment within the module represents an explicit engagement with a research problem, thereby facilitating experience of enquiry-based learning. Your ability to handle both qualitative and quantitative data will develop competencies that are directly applicable to research-based study at Undergraduate level, equipping you with a capability increasingly valued by businesses. The comprehensive research skills developed in this module will be critical in developing your ability to execute research-based study relating to your specific discipline.
UCAS Code N1N1
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 2 years Full Time or 3 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department Newcastle Business School
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
Start September 2025 or September 2026
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.