Keele Badge

MAN-40192 - Module Specification
Keele Business School
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 16 September 2026

MAN-40192 - Research Methods
Coordinator: Carola Weissmeyer Room: DW1.27 Tel: +44 1782 7 33603
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 7
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733094

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

The research methods module will develop your analytical and research skills to develop competencies for future research or consultancy work. The module provides the essential guidance in conducting the research and problem solving activities that you will undertake as part of your professional project. The module includes how to scope a research or problem solving project, exploring underlying assumptions, designing an appropriate methodological approach and examining the ethical concerns of any research or problem solving project. The module will enable you to examine and apply appropriate paradigms for your sector and context, develop knowledge of the various research styles available to researchers, and explore epistemological rationales and ethical implications. In so doing you will develop an understanding of the potential strengths and weaknesses of each research style so as to enable the critical selection and use of the most appropriate research style, in the light of your chosen professional project.

Aims
This module aims to explore research methods and prepare students for the project element of their PGT programme. The specific aims of the module are to:
- provide an understanding of the theory and practice of research in business, management, economics, accounting, finance, and related subjects;
- raise awareness of ethical conduct in research and practical problem solving;
- develop an understanding of the wide range of research methodologies and methods;
- evaluate different methodological approaches to research;
- develop an awareness of the theoretical and practical issues associated with research and problem solving and the presentation of findings.

Intended Learning Outcomes

relate research literature and research methods to a research topic or practical problem solving: 1
appreciate the importance of an ethical approach to research or practical problem solving and be able to identify issues of validity and reliability: 1
evaluate the different methodological approaches used in business, management, economics, accounting, finance, and related subjects: 1
differentiate between research methods (data collection methods), be able to critically assess the strengths and weakness of each method and be able to select an appropriate method or methods to be used in given context: 1

Study hours

24 hours of face-to-face or synchronous online lectures.
12 * 6 hours guided reading (72 hours in total)
54 hours summative assessment preparation


School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Assignment weighted 100%
Research Proposal/Project Scoping Report (3,000 words)
The precise assignment specification will be dependent on whether the student's project is intended to result in an academic research report, a consultancy report, or a strategic business proposal. The Research Proposal/Project Scoping Report will outline the chosen project route, identifying the scope of the project, relevant primary and secondary sources of information about the project area, consider appropriate research methodology/methods to use when researching in the project area, and reflect on ethical issues to be considered when exploring the project area. Consideration should also be given to the rationale for the project, including its relevance to the student's programme of study, potential contribution, and any expected outcomes.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 16 September 2026