This module aims to provide students with advanced practical research skills which will enable them to pursue a successful research career and conduct research that has both academic impact and benefits business, society, and/or the environment, and is consistent with the principles of ethics, integrity and open science.

Students will also receive guidance enabling them to write the second part of their research proposal (research design, research methods, project management, data management plan, responsible AI research practices as well as implications for their research in terms of ethics, integrity and open science).

(LO1) Students will be able to demonstrate an advanced understanding of how to design and plan an impactful research project consistent with professional practice in their discipline and the highest standards of research ethics, integrity, and open science.

(LO2) Students will be able to critically reflect on the implications of the above for their own research project and the development as a researcher.

(LO3) Students will be able to demonstrate an ability to synthesise learning across modules so far to support the achievement of the above learning outcomes.

(S1) Problem solving skills
Students will develop problem solving skills by engaging in discussions and personal research regarding the challenges of using advanced methods in different research projects. They will do this by gathering and synthesising information, analysing alternative perspectives and options and presenting a considered opinion or course of action in their course assessment.

(S2) Organisation skills
This will be evident in the students’ independent management of their assignments and coursework and by meeting coursework deadlines.

(S3) Communication skills
Students will have opportunities to develop written and oral communication skills through group discussions, in-class presentations and coursework. This will be assessed by written assignment.

(S4) Digital skills
Students will have opportunities to improve their digital skills. Students will demonstrate skills in the use of software applications including word processing, databases, spreadsheets and using the internet for information searches in the course of researching and presenting coursework.

(S5) Ethical awareness
Ethical awareness will be developed during class discussions about ethical considerations during research projects and assessed via awareness demonstrated in the written assignment.

(S6) Teamwork and leadership
Some in class work for students will require them to work in groups and manage the interaction and relationships with other group members. In doing so, they will gain experience in negotiation, persuasion, influencing and managing conflict.

(S7) International awareness
International issues will be covered in class work.

(S8) Engagement and exploitation skills
Students will receive training on how to build engagement as well as academic and commercial exploitation of research. Students will be given opportunities through in class work and completing coursework to reflect on how to engage with users of research including their own and how to maximise impact to benefit business, society and the environment as well as the possibilities and challenges of academic and commercial exploitation.

3 hour workshops x 7 weeks (21 hours)
1 hour drop-in sessions x 2 weeks (2 hours)
Self-directed learning x 177 hours

Topics covered include:

Guidance on Writing Research Proposal Part II (including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed research design and methods; project and data management; and research ethics, integrity, and open science);

Research project management;

Gaining access to data (Primary and Secondary including Databases; Digital Data);

Data Management (Collecting, Organising, Curating, Protecting, Storing);

Research Ethics, Integrity and Open Science;

Responsible use of AI;

Dissemination of Findings/Publication Process;

Building International Collaborations and Networks;

Applying for Funding;

Engagement with Organisations, Institutions, and Policy Makers;

Conducting Impactful Research that benefits Business, Society and the Environment;

Interdisciplinary research;

Exploitation and commercialisation of research;

Career Planning / Job Market;

Presentations.

Examples will be drawn from Accou nting & Finance, Economics, and areas of Management including Marketing, Operations & Supply Chain Management, Strategy, International Business and Entrepreneurship, and Work, Organisation and Management.