Module: Research Methods

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Research Methods
Module Code	MT5217 (ITS) / BAA1068 (Banner)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
Module Co-ordinator	-
Module Teachers	-
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None

Description

This module examines what it means to conduct research for operations, with the overarching objective to support students in critically evaluating research designs, methodologies and methods appropriate to different research questions and approaches in the the field of Operations. This includes devising a research question, conducting a literature review, individual research methods (and how they might work together) and academic writing skills.

Learning Outcomes

1. understand generally theoretical statistical concepts
2. Evaluate and describe good ethical practice in research relating to Operations
3. Understand how to define and select a sample from a population with an appreciation of associated difficulties and complexity involved
4. Understand how to categorise data, report descriptively and conduct appropriate analysis according to data type
5. Conduct appropriate analysis and understand the use of statistical tests
6. Understand the use of graphical representations of data

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Directed learning	14	Study course material and core textbooks
Independent Study	62	Source and study additional material related to course and engage with online content
Online activity	9	Use the online discussion forum for discussion and engage with additional online resources
Lecture	8	Theoretical approaches to knowledge development
Tutorial	8	Online tutorial
Assignment Completion	24	Prepare an assignment according to given criteria
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

Research Hypothesis and the Null Hypothesis

Constructing a Research Question

Philosophical approaches to scientific research

Ethical practice in research relating to Operations

Defining a population

Selecting a sample from a population, and difficulties associated with sampling a population.

Categorisation of different types of data

Descriptive statistics

Analysis according to data type

T-Test, Chi Square and Mann Whitney tests

Correlation

Regression analysis

Analysis of Variance (AnoVa)

Graphical representations of data

Citing and referencing

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Assignment	Initial Research Assignment	30%	n/a
Report(s)	Final Research Report	70%	n/a

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

Robson, C: 0, Real World Research, 4th Edition: A Resource for Users of Social Research Methods in Applied Settings, 4th, Wiley Hoboken, 9781118745236
Field, A.: 0, Discovering Statistics using IBM SPSS, 4th, Sage, 97814462491

Other Resources

None