Module: Research Methodology

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Research Methodology
Module Code	HR548 (ITS) / MNA1076 (Banner)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
Module Co-ordinator	Niamh Daly
Module Teachers	Finian Buckley, Lisa Van Der Werff, Yseult Freeney
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Coursework Only
Array

Description

The general objective of this module is to introduce students to the research process and present the tools and methodologies of social science required to carry out their dissertation research. Participants are given a firm foundation on the philosophy of social science and paradigm shifts. The enduring and dominant perspectives in Organisational Psychology/Behaviour are reviewed and approaches assessed. The development of valid research questions and hypotheses are covered. Participants will develop the skills to design objective interview schedules and survey questionnaires. Data gathering and data storage issues are dealt with and the ethical issues underpinning organisational research are covered in depth. Quantitative data analysis skills are developed (SPSS) and participants submit their own proposal for their research topic.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the nature and purpose of research
2. Prepare a literature review and research question
3. Identify the main stages in the research process
4. Choose and justify an appropriate research methodology
5. Design a data collection approach to address their research question
6. Recognise and appraise ethical issues that may arise while carrying out research

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Class timetabled meeting times
Independent Study	48	Preparation for class meetings
Assignment Completion	38	written assignments
Assignment Completion	13	Presentation of Model to Programme Staff (prep and presentation)
Lecture	2	Meeting with module co-ordinator regarding research idea
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Finding a Gap
Considering approaches to literature review and how to situate research within the broader field of knowledge on an organisational psychology/behaviour topic or problem

Choosing a method
Discussion of the philosophy of social science and the relative strengths and weaknesses of the methodologies that are based on these approaches

Quantitative Research Methods
Review the range of quantitative approaches to research in Organisational Psychology

Analysis Skills
Introduction to key analysis software including SPSS, Nvivo and JAMOVI

Quantitative Research Methods
Review the variety of qualitative approaches to research employed in the field of Organisaitonal Psychology

Qualitative Research Methods
Review of the key qualitative methods used in organisational psychology literature with an indepth focus on interviews and thematic analysis

Research Ethics
Review the Ethical Standards in Research prescribed by PSI (also BPS and APA). Discussion of DCU Business School Ethics requirements

Research Thesis format
Requirements of research thesis

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Report(s)	Research Project Proposal	100%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Bell, Bryman, Harley: 0, Business Research Methods,
Field: 0, Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics,

Other Resources

None