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 PRACTICAL METHODS FOR PROBLEM SOLVING
Code ULMS215
Coordinator Dr CG Marechal
Work, Organisation and Management
G.Marechal@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2022-23 Level 5 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
ULMS115 THE NEW PROFESSIONAL; MKIB115 PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC SKILLS FOR MARKETING 

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 16

     12

   12

 40
Timetable (if known) 120 mins X 1 totaling 16
  		    120 mins X 1 totaling 12
  		  60 mins X 1 totaling 12
  		 
Private Study 110
TOTAL HOURS 150

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
Assessment 1: Methodological Design and Group Implementation / Presentation Type: Practical Assessment Duration: 30 Minute Presentation Weighting: 40% Reassessment Opportunity: Yes Pena  30    40       
Assessment 2: Methodological Design and Implementation Type: Coursework Size: 3000 words (excluding appendix) Weighting: 60% Reassessment Opportunity: Yes Penalty for Late Submission:   0    60       

Aims

1. Further develop students’ academic skills base and improve their engagement with research-connected teaching.
2. Introduce students to problem-solving in empirical, applied research
3. Familiarise students with principles and practices of research design and methodology, and enable them to become proficient users of specific data management tools (Excel, and Nvivo).
4. Provide additional, dedicated research and methodological training, to support students undertaking a final year capstone individual project.

Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Students will be able to use relevant business software proficiently

(LO2) Students will be able to gain a sound understanding of key methodological perspectives, with insights into ways to deploy them in their academic work

(LO3) Students will be able to enhance their skills in problem-solving, empirical analysis, and written and spoken communication.

(LO4) Students will be able to demonstrate a self-awareness of their academic and methodological skills proficiency

(LO5) Students will be able to further develop their understanding of the research process and evidential decision making.

(S1) Problem Solving

(S2) Analytical

(S3) Communication

(S4) Adaptability

(S5) Teamwork

(S6) Organisation

(S7) Analytical Writing

(S8) Ethical Awareness

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method: Lecture
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 16
Attendance Recorded: No

Teaching Method: Seminars
Description: Discussion and Implementation of specific research methods Bi weekly 2 hour PC sessions.
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 12
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method: Group Study
Description: to foster student community and engagement by working with others on their ‘active learning’ activities
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 12
Attendance Recorded: No

Self Directed Learning Hours: 110
Description: This will be their own research, the learning material for Excel and both preparing for and undertaking the assessments.

Skills/Other Attributes Mapping

Skills / attributes: IT Skills
How this is developed: Through the course of the module, and assessments., and more intensively during the specific seminars promoting Excel and Nvivo use and training.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Assessment 1, and 2

Skills / attributes: Problem solving skills
How this is developed: Lectures , seminars and assessments
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Assessment 1, and 2

Skills / attributes: Analytical skills
How this is developed: Lectures , seminars and assessments
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Assessment 1, and 2

Skills / attributes: Communication skills
How this is developed: Preparation for Assessment 2
Mode of assessment (if applicable) Assessment 2

Skills / attributes: Adaptability
How this is developed: Preparation for Assessment 2
Mode of assessment (if applicable) Assessment 2

Skills / attributes: Organisational skills
How this is developed: Preparation for assessments
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Assessment 1, and 2

Skills / attributes: Teamwork
How this is developed: Preparation for assessment 2
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Assess ment 2

Skills / attributes: Ethical Awareness
How this is developed: Lectures and assessments
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Assessments 2

Syllabus
 

Content will include areas such as:
Academic Skills and Methods
• Introduction to Academic Problem-Solving and Research Design.
• Questionnaires and Surveys – what are they useful for? How to design them? How to use SPSS to analyse questionnaire and survey results?
• Individual Interviews and Focus Groups – what are they useful for? How to design and conduct them?
• Observation – what is observing? On-site and online forms of ethnography – navigating empirical – material and electronic - fields
• Thematic analysis and coding – analysing and categorising textual data using software such as Nvivo
• Abstraction and theory building in qualitative research – what is it, and how to do it?
• Writing up your results – presenting quantitative and qualitative data
• Research proposal and Ethics – setting up your research project and gaining ethical approval

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