This module is one of the options available to students during their work placement/business experience. Each of these options allows students to develop their skills and knowledge, and learn about the business environment and the world of work, linked to their main interests; in this case, the opportunity to gain experience in research work on one or more business topics.
The module consists of a period of placement in one of the Faculty's research units or departments. In this module, students will have the opportunity to use the management skills acquired in their business readiness training and to deepen the conceptual and theoretical knowledge acquired through their study of the core curriculum. During their period of placement, students will be introduced to business research and how research is conducted and used in business and in academia. In addition, they will learn about the skills and knowledge required to become a researcher.
The module seeks to ensure that students reflect on and develop their research skills with a view to using these skills in their final year (e.g., for their final year Dissertation). Developing an understanding of the added-value of evidence-based practice to inform theory-building is particularly emphasised. They will be expected to attend weekly meetings with a Principal or Co-Investigator on the research project as well as research skills workshops. Placement activities may also include designing surveys, locating and screening research participants, as well as contributing to the overall research environment, and supporting research activities such as the organisation of research events and research development initiatives.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
The module will be delivered through a series of 6 x 3-hour interactive learning workshops to support students in developing an understanding of the process of conducting research as well as the generic skills required to conduct of a successful research project. Study and critical reflection skills will also be developed as integral to the activities and tasks completed during the workshops. Learning will also be supported through the availability of additional resources and study materials on Canvas. Students will also receive guidance and feedback from principal investigator(s) and their director of research for the conduct of their research activities.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 6 x 3-hour research skills workshops | 18 |
| Supervision | 20 x 1-hour weekly meeting with PI or research director | 20 |
| Guided independent study | Approx. 24 hours per week for 24 weeks | 562 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 600 | |
Summative assessment:
Formative assessment:
The content of the workshops and additional exercices on Canvas will be designed around the learning objectives so that students can achieve their full potential as they benefit from explicit formative opportunities for practice and 'feed forward' on each and every element of the summative assessments. For example, during the first workshop on tools and methods for reviewing existing research, students will get an opportunity to identify and select relevant work related to a research question and will receive feedback on their search, which should feed forward on the first element of their research portfolio (conduct a systematic literature search).
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) carry out systematic literature searches using bibliographic databases and use reference management software to manage articles; | Formative in workshop and placement activities; Summative: Research skills portfolio |
| 2) construct a research data management plan to support the openness, integrity, and reproducibility of research; | Formative in workshop and placement activities; Summative: Research skills portfolio |
| 3) reason about ethical responsibility in research to suggest and justify a solution to ethically problematic situations; | Formative in workshop and placement activities; Summative: Research skills portfolio |
| 4) compose an answer to a research question based on a reflective analysis of data; | Formative in workshop and placement activities; Summative: Research skills portfolio |
| 5) communicate the results of a research project through a poster presentation; | Formative in workshop and placement activities; Summative: Research skills portfolio |
| 6) appraise their research work performance and development needs. | Formative in workshop and placement activities; Summative: Research skills portfolio |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Research skills portfolio | Coursework | 50% |
| Research poster | Coursework | 50% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
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