Module: Principles of Research Methodology

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Principles of Research Methodology
Module Code	MG610 (ITS) / MNA1090 (Banner)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
Module Co-ordinator	John Connolly
Module Teachers	John Loonam, Teresa Hogan
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Coursework Only

Description

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the core principles underpinning quantitative and qualitative methods, allowing them to understand how each informs a distinctive mindset in the field, and to assess their respective suitability in studying particular dimensions of human behaviour.

Learning Outcomes

1. distinguish between quantitative and qualitative research orientations
2. identify the merits and demerits of combined multi-method studies in quality research journals
3. identify the appropriate uses of parametric and non-paramteric statistical techniques and the interpretation of associated statistical tests
4. demonstrate the ability to critique the relevance and quality of methodological detail presented in a range of research journal publications
5. evaluate the respective sampling modes in both quantitative and qualitative research

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Classroom based discussions and reviews of topics
Directed learning	50	Review of academic articles in preparation for class
Independent Study	51	Exploration of relevant qualitative and quantitative techniques
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

1
• Theoretical, contextual and organisational underpinnings for choosing quantitative and qualitative methods

2
• Quantitative and qualitative perspectives on the role of the researcher

3
• Research questions, and relevant ‘data’ as understood in both approaches

4
Probability, sampling, and distribution. Sampling in qualitative research.

5
• Hypotheses testing, power of test and confidence testing

6
• Non-parametric testing procedures

7
• Evaluation modes in quantitative and qualitative research

8
• Triangulation in business and management research

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	0%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Assignment	Students will be expected to submit a 2500 - 3000 word paper on the range and nature of research methodologies currently employed in the area in which they intend to carry out their primary doctoral research.	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 -

Indicative Reading List

Alan Agresti, Barbara Finlay: 2009, Statistical methods for the social sciences, Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, N.J., 0130272957
Alan Bryman, Emma Bell: 2007, Business research methods, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 978-0-19-928498-6
editors, Norman K. Denzin, Yvonna S. Lincoln: 2005, The SAGE handbook of qualitative research, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, 9780761927570
Ronald A. McQueen, Christina Knussen: 2006, An introduction to research methods and statistics in psychology, Pearson Education, Essex, England, 0131249401
Robert L. Miller... [et al.]: 2002, SPSS for social scientists, Palgrave, New York, 0333922867
by Michael Quinn Patton: 2002, Qualitative research and evaluation methods, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, Calif., 0761919716
Barbara G. Tabachnick, Linda S. Fidell: 2007, Using multivariate statistics, Pearson/Allyn & Bacon, Boston, 0205465250
Daniel B. Wright: 0, First steps in statistics, 0761951636
W. Paul Vogt,: 0, Quantitative Research Methods for Professionals in Education and Other Fields, 0205359132

Other Resources

None