AHM006-Research Methods

Module Provider: Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites: AHM001 Studying Leadership Strategic Studies and International Relations
Non-modular pre-requisites: JOLP3
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Aminu Bature
Email: a.bature@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

AHEP Online Module

Summary module description:

ONLY AVAILABLE ON THE AHEP PROGRAMME 

This module is run jointly by LOB and SPEIR. 

The SPEIR Module Convenor is Dr Vladimir Rauta v.rauta@reading.ac.uk 

This module equips Officer Students with learning tools for understanding the ingredients of good research, for successfully choosing, designing and developing their own research projects, for improving performance in other elements of AHEP and subsequent professional training, and for critical thinking throughout their careers.

Aims:

• Develop an understanding of the research process and principles of good research design, building on study skills developed in the Commissioning Course at Sandhurst, in Studying Leadership, Strategic Studies, and International Relations (for BSc and MSc); and in the Junior Officer Leadership Programme (3).


• Familiarize students with a range of research methods used in the study of leadership, strategy, and international relations;


• Develop students’ understanding of how they might apply these methods in their own research projects;


• Equip students to make clear and well-informed choices in defining, designing and developing their own research projects;


• Enhance students’ critical thinking and awareness of the use and limitations of evidence;


• Improve students’ ability to understand and critically assess arguments made in the academic literature, in public policy, and in their own workplaces.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Officer Students will assimilate the key skills required to undertake research which would fulfil a number of requirements. These may be to undertake module assessments, or later to complete their Negotiated Learning Module.

A mix of assessable activities covering topics relating to work in Leadership and Organisational Behaviour, or Politics and International Relations will be undertaken. These are to test the understanding of different forms of research which are carried out with different outcomes in mind.

The summation of the learning will allow the Officer Student to articulate a proposal to carry out a piece of original research in a nominated topic. The skills required to identify this topic, understand the background and previous research underpinning the topic, ways of assimilating knowledge and/or collecting data and the analysis and interpretation of that knowledge or findings will be covered.

Additional outcomes:

Officer Students will be able to apply this learning to improve their submissions for assessment of modules during the AHEP degree process.

Outline content:

The module comprises two main parts; the first of which familiarises you with the research methods approach and processes utilised when undertaking research in Strategy/Politics and International Relations, and the second part fulfils similar objectives for research in Leadership and related topics. 

Section 0 – Joint Introduction

Section 1 – Introduction to Research Methods in International Relations and Strategic Studies 

Section 2 – Research design in International Relations and Strategic Studies 

Section 3 – Qualitative methods in International Relations and Strategic Studies 

Section 4 – Quantitative methods in International Relations and Strategic Studies 

Section 5 – Bringing it all together in International Relations and Strategic Studies 

Section 6 - Introduction to Research Methods in Leadership 

Section 7 - Research design in Leadership 

Section 8 - Qualitative Methods in Leadership 

Section 9 - Quantitative Methods in Leadership

Section 10 – Bringing it all together in Leadership

Global context:

The context of this module is the British Army. The scope of the Army is a global one and, therefore, elements of international leadership, global cultures, international relations and the home and foreign political environments are taken into account.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

All learning for this module is via on-line courses. There are also, discussion forums, an e-portfolio (The Professional Leadership Portfolio, or PLP) for reflection and as a repository of ideas, and formative assessments embedded into the module content. 

Contact Hours 

There is no face-to-face contact in this module as all content is taught online. There is an expectation of approximately 20 hours spent studying the online content and 180 hours of self-directed learning, including directed reading and preparing the Research Outline.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

3 elements: 

1. A mix of exercises and reflective tasks on the LOB/leadership material counting for 20% 


2. A mix of exercises and reflective tasks on the SPEIR/strategy & IR material counting for 20%


3. A research proposal (c.2000 words) on EITHER LOB/leadership OR SPEIR/strategy & IR tracks, counting for 60%. To include (not exhaustive):

• Identification of a research problem/area within EITHER leadership OR strategy/IR 


• Formulation of an explicit research question and identification of research objectives


• Identification of relevant literature 


• Design of the research, identifying relevant methods 


• Identification of Project Plan 

Formative assessment methods:

• Discussion forums 


• In module tests and exercises 


• Reflection and self-guided notetaking in the PLP

Penalties for late submission:

Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the arrangements as laid out in the programme guide.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

Module pass mark of 50%

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of the failed elements of the module. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 10 January 2024