Module: Principles of Research Methodology

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Principles of Research Methodology
Module Code	MNA1090 (ITS: MG610)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

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

Section Breakdown
CRN	30001	Part of Term	Semester 3
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale		Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category		Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	John Connolly	Module Teacher	John Loonam, Teresa Hogan

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment 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; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

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Indicative Reading List

Books:

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

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None