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Study Guide Handbook
Study Guide Handbook
Economics
Dissertation and Research Methods
Module
Linda Coles
Linda.coles@northampton.ac.uk
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding
a)
Engage actively and successfully with a programme of training in
approaches to research, and related research skills, involving generic and
field-specific elements
b)
Demonstrate the ability to plan, design and implement an individual piece
of conceptual, applied or work-related research, involving the synthesis of
theory and practice, the contextualisation of the chosen topic in the
literature and the selection of appropriate research methodologies and
methods of data collection and analysis
c)
Produce a substantial account of the research study that is consistent with
the chosen type of research
Subject-specific Skills
d)
Formulate an academically rigorous and practically feasible research
proposal, setting out the detailed parameters for the proposed
independent research project
e)
Carry out an independent piece of conceptual, applied or work-related
research, synthesising theory with practice in the chosen field, and making
use of a conceptual framework based on the relevant academic literature
and other appropriate sources of secondary data
f)
Construct and use a research instrument, such as a survey, to collect
primary and/or secondary data, and apply appropriate methods of data
collection and data analysis in order to make comprehensive and
g)
Key Skills
h)
Manage a prolonged course of independent research and related study in
an orderly and effective manner, demonstrating the enhancement of
academic knowledge, intellectual and work-related skills gained through
completing the module successfully
i)
Make discriminating use of learning and information technology resources,
in order to locate, collect, analyse and interpret quantitative and
qualitative information, define and solve problems in a selective and
critical manner, and challenge and critique accepted wisdom and
methodologies in the chosen research field
j)
Communicate the solutions arrived at, and the thinking underlying them,
in verbal and written form.
Content of module:
The module comprises two main elements:
(i)
(ii)
Dissertation working
Working initially from their research proposals, students will be given access to
individual and group support from specialist supervisors located within their
various fields of independent research study, with a view to facilitating the
design and implementation of their research projects and their writing up in
conceptual, applied and work-related dissertation / project report form.
Suggested module study hours
Lectures and seminars/workshops
Student workshop follow-up
Preparation of research proposal/assessment
Individual supervision -nbs
Literature Review
Data collection
Data analysis
Writing-up
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42
40
8
100
90
100
200
600
Assessment
Assessment Items
Final dissertation
Or project report
(approximately 16,00018,000 words)
Weighting
100%
Learning Outcomes
a-j inclusive
Assessment criteria
The assessment criteria will need to vary according to the modes of research
that students pursue. The general criteria below will need to be weighted
accordingly for any particular dissertation:
A clear conceptual framework is provided and clear research questions and /or
hypotheses are articulated, linked to the literature in the field
The final dissertation / project report structure follows conventions in the field
Assignment submission
Two hard copies of your final dissertation or report must be submitted to the
Student Assignment Office, Park Campus, The University of Northampton
together with an electronic copy (submitted to the STRM028 Nile site via the
Turnitin portal) on or before the submission date (To be confirmed via the
STRM028 Nile site)
Research Ethics
It is the responsibility of each inquirer to ensure that inquiry involving human
subjects meets high scholarly and ethical standards. The inquirer needs to be
honest, thoughtful and complies with professional and disciplinary standards and
methodological approaches. During the module we will examine the University of
Northamptons code of ethics: look at the documents related to ethics on the
STRM028 NILE site.
In addition you may consult:American Association for the Advancement of Science, US Office of Research
Integrity, September (2000), The Role and Activities of Social Scientist in
Promoting Research integrity, US Office of Research Integrity,
(http://www.aaas.org/spp/sfrl/projects/report.pdf) (30 September 2003)
Ess, C. and Association for Internet Research, Ethics Committee (2002),Ethical
decision-making and Internet research, Document, AoIR,
(http://www.aoir.org/reports/ethics.pdf)(30 September 2003).
You must discuss ethical issues regarding collecting data with your
supervisor and get their approval before you commence gathering
data. Please fill out the ethics form and if your supervisor sees fit,
get ethics committee approval prior to collecting data. An ethics
form, signed by your supervisor, must be appended to your
dissertation.
All students must be familiar with the STRM028 Nile site, as useful information
and links can be found here.
In particular, students will be able to access the following information:
Module Guide
Detailed student guide to dissertation and report preparation
Research methods training notes and links to useful websites
General announcements and updates
A great deal of the reading that you will be doing for your research will be on
issues that are specific to your own project. This is a highly individual matter, on
which your supervisor will advise you during your research project. As you
proceed, you will no doubt be preparing a bibliography of relevant materials on
your topic, plus references to research methods, and in particular, the research
methodology you choose to adopt.
The research methods training course will broadly follow the following text
(available as an ebook):
Saunders, M., Thornhill, A. and Lewis P (2012), Research Methods for
Business Students- Sixth Edition, Pearson Education.
ISBN 13: 9780273716860 & 10: 0273716867
And alsoCooper, D. and Schindler, P.(2010) Business Research Methods, Eleventh
Edition, MH
ISBN 978-007-128922-1
Both books are a comprehensive introduction to research methods in business for
students planning or undertaking a dissertation or extensive research project in
business and management
Additional texts
There are a number of good, additional texts on research in general and
management research in particular. These provide an overview of the area and
indicate the diverse nature of the field. It is worthwhile exploring a wide range of
texts because they may stimulate your thinking and generate ideas for your
research approach as well as preparing you for writing your research proposal.
This list offers some general introductory or background reading on research in
general and management research in particular. You will find more books in the
library.
Please ask if you are anxious to begin reading on a specific topic! Do not run out
of reading.
Bryman, A. (1994) Research
Routledge, London.
Methods
and
Organization
Studies,
10
K.
(2005)
11
Researching
Business
and
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Research Proposal
Your supervisor will ask you to produce a proposal (including 250-300 words
abstract) so that you and s/he can agree a feasible plan for implementing your
dissertation. The proposal should be approximately 1,500 words long (not
counting abstract, references and bibliography).
The proposal should have the following sections and sub-sections:
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Section/Sub-section Headings
Indicative content
Title
Abstract
Table of Contents
1. Introduction (Terms of
Reference)
Research Rationale
(Statement of Problem),
Objectives (Purpose of
Research)
Theoretical /Conceptual
frameworks (Role of theory)
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4. Discussion
Significance of proposed
research (Research
Contribution)
References
Bibliography
Research limitation
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Style Guidelines:
Dates should be written as: 29 May 2001; a decade may be written as:
1990s; pairs of dates may be hyphenated as: 1980-1990.
References:
Footnotes are to be avoided and should take the form of endnotes, avoiding
unnecessary elaboration. Use brief parenthetical citations in the manuscript text,
with all cited sources listed alphabetically in the reference section of the Paper.
Parenthetical citations in the body of the text should include the name of the
author of the cited material and the date of the reference, e.g. (Lowi, 1965);
include page number of references to a direct quote, e.g. (Downs, 1954: 54).
For multiple listings, citations should be in date order and alphabetical order
within the same year; use semi-colons between citations.
For multiple works which have the same author(s) and publication date, use a,
b after the date of the cited item, e.g. (Coffman, 1984a). Page numbers for
chapters in books are essential.
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Session
Topic
Friday
Friday
Friday
Friday
Saturday
Saturday
Exercise: proposals
Day
Session
Topic
Saturday
Saturday
Saturday
Saturday
Saturday
Saturday
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Field:
An
19
Introduction
to
Field
Research,
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Yin, R. K. (1994) Case Study Research: Design and Methods, 2nd ed. Sage,
Thousand Oaks, CA.
An excellent book for case study methodology.
Gubrium, J. and Holstein, J. (eds), (2001) Handbook of Interview Research.
Sage, London.
Atkinson, P., Coffey, A. and Delamont, S. (eds), (2001).
Ethnography. Sage, London.
Handbook of
Reason, Peter and Bradbury, Hilary (eds), (2000) Handbook of Action Research;
Participative Inquiry and Practice, Sage, London.
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This works through all the basic aspects of trying to make sense of
quantitative data, with plenty of examples. It would be useful to anyone
wrestling with survey data for the first time.
Rowntree D. (1991) Statistics without Tears: An Introduction for NonMathematicians, Penguin, Harmondsworth.
With this book you can prime yourself with the key concepts of statistics
before getting involved in the associated calculations. Using words and
diagrams instead of figures, formulae and equations, it makes statistics
accessible to those who are non-mathematicians.
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A+
A clear
Distinction
A-
Work of very good quality which displays most but not all of the criteria
for the grade above.
An
outstanding
merit
A very
strong Merit
B+
A Merit
B-
Work of highly commendable quality which clearly fulfils the criteria for
the grade below, but shows a greater degree of capability in relevant
advanced intellectual or specialised skills.
Work of commendable quality demonstrating a detailed and systematic
knowledge base and understanding in specialised areas, informed by
critical awareness of current issues, research based/theoretical insights
at the forefront of the area of study. This will be supplemented by a
good comprehensive understanding of disciplinary methodologies
relevant to own research or advanced scholarship, which will be reflected
in work which integrates skills of advanced analysis, synthesis,
evaluation and application with critical awareness. There will be some
evidence of originality in application of skills/knowledge, underpinned by
good technical expertise which permits confident, autonomous operation
in a range of complex and unpredictable professional situations. The
ability to work autonomously, as a self critical independent learner
exercising good and considered judgment, will be a consistent feature of
work.
Work of good quality which contains most, but not all of the
characteristics of the grade above.
Work which fulfils all the criteria of the grade below, but at an
exceptional standard
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An
Outstanding
Pass
C+
Work which clearly fulfils the criteria for the grade below, but shows a
greater degree of capability in relevant advanced intellectual or
specialised skills.
A Very
Good Pass
A Pass
C-
Work of satisfactory quality which contains most, but not all of the
characteristics of the grade above.
Fail
F+
F-
Nil submission
The Framework for higher education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern
Ireland (QAA, 2001)
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Date submitted:
__________________________
Student Declaration:
This is to certify that the attached work is my own. All external references and
sources are clearly acknowledged and identified within the contents. I am aware
of the University regulations concerning plagiarism and collusion.
Note: In case of group work, all group members must sign the above
declaration.
Student Signature(s) __________________________________________
Date: ________________________
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