BMGT50040 Research Design & Measurement

Academic Year 2023/2024

This course will introduce you to a range of empirical research methodologies, allowing you to develop an understanding of how to use these approaches effectively in your own research, and preparing you to evaluate research done by others. The choice and execution of a research design is arguably one of the toughest decisions researchers face, as it involves making several trade-offs and coming to terms with the fact that no research design is perfect. This is particularly true for the social sciences and business disciplines, as constructs can be operationalized in many different ways, several concurrent factors/explanations tend to be relevant, and inferences drawn can be subjective. Additionally, knowledge is constantly evolving, with new studies questioning and adding to prior knowledge.

For your development as a top researcher in your own field, a sound understanding and appreciation of the main tools of the trade is essential, even if some of these tools may not fit your natural inclinations or may take some effort to nurture. You will often be asked to review, for your peers, conferences, and journals. You will also be exposed to increasingly sophisticated research design in seminars and presentations. Taking this course should at the very minimum help you become an informed and confident evaluator of others’ designs, even if you may very legitimately choose to not apply many of them yourself.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

(Content):
1. To understand the strengths and limitations of various types of research designs;
2. To understand internal, external and construct validity;
3. To understand the basics of measurement, sampling, and control;
4. To develop a clear understanding of the benefits, limitations, uses and abuses of specific design choices. This is a skill you will refine further as you move forward to more advanced courses in statistical methods.


(Process/Professional Development)
1. To enhance reviewing skills among participants;
2. To enhance the ability to choose, design and execute an empirical study;
3. To enhance research communication skills among participants.

Indicative Module Content:

The course will provide a solid foundation in the basic concepts of design, including types of variables, relationships, sampling and measurement. Our focus will be on exploring key concepts of empirical design. You will have the opportunity to apply your insights to your own research questions so that you can gradually develop hands-on skills for crafting, using, refining, writing and reviewing high quality empirical studies.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

36
Autonomous Student Learning

170
Total

206
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This is a PhD seminar - participants will come to class having read the material and prepared to engage in and occasionally lead a discussion. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: Continuous assessment Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

100

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
Repeat (CFP) Within Three Semesters
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 31, 32, 33 Mon 14:00 - 16:50