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This methods course is divided into three parts. Part I introduces students to qualitative methods of research. Part II focuses on theories and applications of statistical methods. Part III will be held at the end of the course (in December) with the MSc Programme Director. Students will be introduced to the dissertation process and the research methods issues that are specific to each programme. This will allow students to make connections between their research methods training and their choice of methods for their dissertations.

BMAN60261 Programme Req: BMAN60261 is only available as a core unit to students on MSc HRM & IR and MSc IHRM & CIR

MSc Human Resource Management & Industrial Relations and MSc International Human Resource Management & Comparative Industrial Relations 

The unit aims to:

To enhance students' capacity to engage in research in the field of work and employment relations on an independent basis and thereby to prepare students for further academic study and employment. 

 

Syllabus (indicative curriculum content):

Research process.  

Theoretical and methodological issues associated with using different approaches to research in field of work and employment relations, including knowledge assumptions and ethical issues.  

Developing research from literature reviews and searches  

Qualitative methodologies, including data collection methods; and analysis techniques  

Theories and applications of statistical methods, including basics of survey design and statistical inference.  

Statistical procedures, for example: chi-square, t-test, Pearson’s r, simple regression, and multiple linear regression analysis.  

Dissertation preparation and generation of research topics in relation to work and employment relations  

Mixture of: lectures; seminars; computer work; online materials; worksheets

Lectures will be delivered through a mix of face-to-face lectures, and a small amount of pre-recorded supplementary material. The seminars are delivered face to face. The course members will be organised into smaller groups who will attend seminars for the qualitative sessions, and computer clusters for the quantitative sessions.

The course unit will involve a variety of teaching methods. It will involve (i) pre-prepared materials to enable students to work through new ideas in their own time; (ii) face-to-face lectures that include case studies and paired working; (iii) face-to-face seminars; and (iv) computer lab work.

For quantitative sessions, students will attend a lecture and attend seminars in labs where they will work through practical exercises and ask questions.

The lecture materials will introduce qualitative and quantitative research methods of data collection and analysis. The computer lab work will involve the use of computers to carry out the statistical techniques covered in the lecture materials. The dissertation seminars will be tailored to each MSc programme.

Informal contact methods

Office hours

Online Learning Activities (blogs, discussions, self assessment questions)

Drop in surgeries (extra help sessions for students on material they may be struggling with)

• Identify and compare quantitative research e for examining different types of problems in work and employment relations
• Identify and compare qualitative research methodologies for examining different types of problems in work and employment relations
• Explain the research process and the creation of knowledge from quantitative data
• Explain the research process and the creation of knowledge from qualitative data

 

 

• Generate research ideas from work and employment relations literature and analysis of secondary data
• Formulate quantitative research questions that are amenable to solution.
• Formulate appropriate qualitative research questions
• Select and apply appropriate statistical techniques to analyse secondary data
• Justify the use of a particular qualitative research methodology
• Critically evaluate the contribution of your proposed quantitative research
• Critically evaluate the contribution of your proposed qualitative research

 

• Utilise library, electronic and online resources effectively
• Conduct relevant online literature search to support Research Plan
• Report research findings clearly and accurately

• Use computer software package to analyse data, including coding
• Independently gather, sift, synthesise and organise information from various sources (including library, electronic and online resources), and critically evaluate its significance.
• Assess issues of selection, accuracy, uncertainty and approximation of quantitative data

Report that presents the analysis of existing survey data, based on the formulation of a research question and selection of appropriate statistical techniques (50%)

Research Plan for a piece of qualitative research (50%)

Within 15 working days of submission deadline

Cassell, C., Cunliffe, A., Grandy, G. (2018) The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Business and Management Research Methods. London: Sage Publications. 
ONLINE
Field, A. (2024) Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics (6th Edition). London: Sage. ONLINE
Saunders, MNK., Lewis, P., Thornhill, A.  (2023) Research Methods for Business Students (9th Edition). Harlow: Pearson.   ONLINE, hosted by Kortext.

Informal contact methods

Office hours

Online Learning Activities (blogs, discussions, self assessment questions)

Drop in surgeries (extra help sessions for students on material they may be struggling with)