Module Details

Module Code: RECH_1
Module Title: Business Research Methods
Title: Business Research Methods
Module Level:: 7
Credits:: 5
Module Coordinator: Janette Davies
Module Author:: Alison Hearne
Domains:  
Module Description: To provide students with the competence, knowledge and skills to plan, design, formulate and manage a research project.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Apply the tools, skills and techniques of the Research Process to an expert professional standard, in order to be able to carry out a Business Research Project.
LO2 Demonstrate a knowledge of estimation and statistical testing.
LO3 Use the concepts of probability and sampling to carry out a Business Research Project.
LO4 Demonstrate the ability to use SPSS to input and interpret data, and to carry out statistical analysis.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
Introduction to the Research Process
• The Research process • The importance of research within the business context • Research terminology • Research Industry • Ethics • Management information systems • Technology for Business and Research.
Research Design
• Types of research design • Steps in the research design process • Potential errors • Research objectives.
Data Types, Secondary Data
• Purposes • Sources of secondary data
Qualitative Research
• Observation • Focus groups • Other qualitative methods.
Survey Data Collection Methods and the Survey Instrument
• Data Collection modes • Factors determining same • Errors • Questionnaire development process • Questionnaire development • Wording of questionnaires • Structuring; Sequencing • Layout • Error minimisation.
Measurement
• General concepts • Measurement scales • Attitude measurement • Rating and ranking scales • Reliability and validity of measurements • Error minimisation
New Developments in Market Research
• Emerging use of Social Media to implement market research
Data Collection and Descriptive Statistics
• Definition of statistics • Census or sample • Populations. • Frequency distributions • Cross-tabulations • Measures of central tendency, • Measures of dispersion. • Mean, Mode, Median
Concepts in Samples and Sampling
Concepts in Samples and Sampling
Probability
• Probability laws • Bayes Theorem • Binomial, Poisson and Normal distributions. • Probability Distributions
Statistical Inference Using Samples
• The sampling distribution • Confidence intervals and approximate confidence intervals • Statistical determination of sample size • Hypothesis testing • T-test, Chi-square tests • Statistical significance and practical significance
Introduction to SPSS
SPSS
Using the Data Editor
• Data Coding and Entry • Defining Variables • Value labels • Missing values • Modifying and recoding data values
Data Analysis using a case study dataset
• Frequencies • Descriptive Statistics • Explore and Cross tab procedures • Multiple Response Procedures • Regression and Correlation • Hypothesis testing
Using the Output Editor
• Creating and Modifying Charts • Exporting tables and charts
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment25.00%
Project75.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 25
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 2,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
In-Class Test: Statistics
Project
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 75
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,3,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Each student will complete a research process which will include the development of a questionnaire, the carrying out of a survey, and appropriate analysis on SPSS
No Practical
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Exam Board
It is at the discretion of the Examination Board as to what the qualifying criteria are.

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture, Class Participation, Note-taking, Group Exercises 12 Weeks per Stage 3.00 36
Independent Learning Non Contact Project work, Understanding Key Principles and Theories, Extra Reading 15 Weeks per Stage 5.93 89
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Independent Learning Non Contact Project, Understanding Key Principles and Theories, Extra Readings 15 Weeks per Stage 2.97 44.5
Lecture Contact Lecture, Class Participation, Note-Taking, Group Exercies 12 Weeks per Stage 1.50 18
Total Weekly Contact Hours 1.50
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Emma Bell,Alan Bryman,Bill Harley. (2019), Business Research Methods, 5th. Oxford University Press, London, [ISBN: 9780198809876].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
This module does not have any other resources
Discussion Note: