ULMS Electronic Module Catalogue
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title RESEARCH METHODS AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PROJECT
Code ULMS554
Coordinator

 
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2019-20 Level 7 FHEQ Whole Session 60

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
 

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
 

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on a required basis:
 

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on an optional basis:
 

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 40

   10

     30

 80
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 520
TOTAL HOURS 600

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Individual Written Project There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Summer  15,000 words    100       

Aims

To develop an in-depth understanding of how to conduct individual research, using secondary data, to examine key issue in international management;

To understand the strengths and weaknesses of the major methodological approaches to such research;

To be able to search effectively for secondary data and to understand how to critically evaluate data and to be able to assess the validity and reliability of the data;

To develop a good understanding of the importance of rigorously applying appropriate theories and techniques to analysing data to answer effectively and convincingly research questions;

To understand how to design and undertake a good quality written project on international business issues.

Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Be aware of the strengths and weaknesses associated with major methodological approaches using secondary data – including quantitative, qualitative and mix methods approaches;

(LO2) Demonstrate a good understanding of how to undertake critical evaluation of the value and limitations of different types of information;

(LO3) Understand the major sources of secondary data for research in international business and be able to search effectively these sources;

(LO4) Be able to plan how to identify and collect appropriate and meaningful evidence from secondary data in order to investigate international business issues;

(LO5) Have the ability to select appropriate theories and concepts frameworks to analyse secondary data to investigate international business issues;

(LO6) Be able to determine coherent and clear research objectives and research questions to examine effectively international business issues;

(LO7) Be able to create and implement a research design to a chosen area of investigation in international business, and to ensure that the evidence presented fulfils the specified research objectives, and to be able to accurately assess the validity and reliability of the evidence presented;

(LO8) Deliver a written project on an international business issue using secondary data that will test their knowledge and skills in conducting research.

(S1) Organisational skills

(S2) Analytical skills

(S3) IT search skills

(S4) Teamwork

(S5) Communication skills

(S6) Critical evaluation skills

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: 20 one-hour lectures in semester 1 on the principles of research design, how to undertake a literature review and data sources and evaluation of data for validity and reliability.
20 one-hour lectures in semester 2 on research design – including setting clear and consistent research objectives and questions, selecting and defending methodologies appropriate to answer research questions, and selection of appropriate theoretical and analytical framework to examine rigorously data to answer research questions.
Attendance Recorded: Not yet decided

Teaching Method 2 - Tutorial
Description: 5 one-hour tutorials in semester 1 – including IT tutorials on literature and data searches.
5 one-hour tutorials in semester 2 – including discussion on setting research objectives and questions and selecting appropriate methodological approaches.
Attendance Recorded: Not yet decided

Teaching Method 3 - Group Project
Description: 30 hours in group discussions on constructing research proposal – including face to face meetings, use of web based noticeboards and other web based media to share thoughts, raise questions etc. with peer group.
Attendance Recorded: Not yet decided

Self-Directed Learning Description: Independent study

Syllabus
 

Research approaches and design;

Methodologies – including overview of approaches to analysing secondary data using quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods approaches;

Undertaking critical reviews of literature;

Data searches, data gathering and evaluation of data;

Setting research objectives and questions;

Using appropriate theoretical and analytical approaches to answer research questions;

Constructing a project plan;

Presenting the research design and approach, the findings, and policy and managerial implications;

Style and formats of presenting the dissertation;

Ethical issues when using secondary data.

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.