Module Directory
BE932-6-FY-SO:
Research Project : Business Administration
Department: Essex Business School
Campus: Southend Campus
Term: Full Year
Level: Undergraduate: Level 6
Start date: Thursday 06 October 2022
End date: Friday 30 June 2023
Credits: 15
Requisites for this module
Pre-requisites: BE218
Co-requisites: (none)
Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)
Prohibited modules: (none)
Key module (requisite for): (none)
Key module for
BBA N100 Business Administration,
BBA N103 Business Administration (Including Placement Year),
BBA N104 Business Administration (Including Foundation Year),
BBA N104CO Business Administration (Including Foundation Year),
BBA N110 Business Administration (Including Year Abroad)
The Research Project module builds further on the knowledge and understanding of research philosophy, design and data analysis students gained in BE218 Business Research Methods as it gives an opportunity to the final year students to carry out an independent research project to focus on a topic of their choice in relation to the degree course.
Undergraduate students at Essex Business School (Southend Campus) are expected to complete a research project in the final year of their degree. The project can take a variety of forms but unlike other assignments it involves you conducting and writing-up a piece of original research. This final research project will be supported by the knowledge and understanding of research methods gained in BE218 Business Research Methods.
The undergraduate Research Project is the equivalent of one term module in your degree course and is expected to be about 4000 to 5000 words in length. The project runs in parallel with your other third year modules. You will need to apply and be granted ethical approval by the University in order to undertake primary data collection (details and information on Ethical Approval process are available on Moodle).
The supervisor will be assigned by the School. Once the project has been accepted, the student is advised to meet with their supervisor on a regular basis. The student must undertake a considerable part of the basic research for the project during the Spring Term. In the Autumn Term (week 7), students must decide their research project topic.
The project can take a variety of forms, ranging from empirical research using methods such as surveys, questionnaires, interviews and content analysis to library based theoretical work. The students will find that this can be a most worthwhile learning experience, and a good project is a useful reference for a postgraduate study as well as outside employment.
The aim of this module is to give students an opportunity to manage a research project from beginning to the end, under the guidance of an individual supervisor.
In developing the research project students will be using the framework for research skills and the boundaries of their research identified in the BE218 Business Research Methods module. Students will be expected to draw on appropriate literature to construct a research framework and theoretical context, explain the logic of research methodology, data collection and draw relevant empirical findings.
Module learning outcomes
1. Demonstrate evidence of a thorough and comprehensive understanding of relevant literature in the field of business administration.
2. Locate and read relevant literature and produce summaries and critical analysis of the relevant literature.
3. Demonstrate critical thinking involving the consideration of alternative approaches and research methods.
4. Apply an appropriate design methodology to achieve aims and objectives of research project
5. Use Gantt charts and time management techniques to plan and manage a research project.
6. Record plans, ideas, results, and reflections in a written journal.
7. Work as an individual to specify and design research project under the guidance of a supervisor.
8. Demonstrate written communication and analytical skills through the writing of the interim report and reflective journal, and final project report.
9. Discuss ideas informally with academic supervisors.
This module is part of the Q-Step pathway. Q-Step is an award which you can gain simply by enrolling on specific modules and will signal to employers your capability in quantitative research. Learn more about the Q-Step pathway and enhance your degree now.
Support sessions or lectures, individual project work, supervisor meetings. The supervisor will: 1. Provide guidance on the scope, nature and focus of the research topic 2. Help to provide opportunities for critical discussion of the student's work 3. Monitor progress through meetings and encourage ownership by the student of the project (including form, style and content) 4. Provide formative assessment of the research project 5. Assist the student in identifying appropriate literature and sources of information 6. Make constructive criticisms as appropriate and suggest appropriate alternatives
Davies, M. and Hughes, N. (2014) Doing a Successful Research Project: Using Qualitative or Quantitative Methods. 2nd edn. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=4764051.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
Coursework / exam
Coursework weighting
Coursework Research Project : Business Administration 03/05/2023 100%
Exam format definitions
Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Supervisor: Dr Manuela Nocker, email: mnocker@essex.ac.uk.
Teaching staff: Dr Manuela Nocker
Contact details: mnocker@essex.ac.uk
Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: No
Available to Outside Option: No
Available to Audit: No
External examiner
Name: Dr Linh Duong
Teaching materials: Available via Moodle
Lecture recording: Of 19 hours, 19 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
Department website: Essex Business School
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