Type of module:

Summary module description:

The Management Research Challenge (MRC) is a major project that offers students the opportunity to demonstrate practical business research skills in identifying a significant organisational issue, problem or gap in management knowledge, design an appropriate data collection and analysis process, and present supported recommendations for practice or contribution to knowledge.

Aims:

• Develop knowledge and understanding of key research skills for a management-based investigation;


• Prepare, implement, and evaluate an appropriate research process that investigates a relevant business issue, management question or gap in knowledge;


• Demonstrate awareness of appropriate use of methodology, theory, data, and critical use of literature;


• Undertake a piece of original research in management and present findings and recommendations in line with the type of project chosen;


• Integrate and consolidate learning from relevant MBA subject areas and apply this to a real business problem or gap in knowledge.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students will demonstrate mastery by:

• justifying research techniques and research process in undertaking the investigation, analysis and reporting of the outcomes;


• being critical, evaluative and reflective in respect of applying knowledge and understanding gained within the overall programme;


• conducting personal research around the topic, including the use of wider reading in terms of appropriate theory and appropriate practitioner/commercial literature;


• collecting and using evidence (from reading and fieldwork) to support the investigation, analysis and conclusions in a critical and evaluative manner;


• reflecting on the research process and personal learning objectives.

Additional outcomes:

MBA Stage 2  (MRC Research Skills 1)

Preparation for the management challenge begins in the second stage of the programme. Delivery in stage two is blended learning comprising of both self-study with learning material and a workshop. Students will get to know a range of evidence-based management sources that will help them formulate a problem and focused question and conduct an evidence-based investigation. The objectives in this stage are to:

• Introduce the investigation process as a foundation for the Management Research Challenge;


• Consider the value of evidence for management, learning and research;


• Demonstrate an understanding of how to gather evidence from current thinking;


• Identify, define and scope a significant problem or issue and focused question that can be addressed through structured and rigorous investigation;


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MBA Stage 3   (MRC Research Skills 2)

Stage 3 applies learning from the previous stages to develop and undertake an investigation. Delivery in this stage comprises mainly independent study, submission of a project proposal and workshops and clinics. Once a proposal is submitted, students are allocated a supervisor. The objectives in this stage are to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of relevant investigative approaches and the ability to select and justify the chosen approach.

Prepare and submit a 1,000-word proposal outlining their plan for the investigation 

Outline content:

Students will be provided with core materials, workshops, clinics and a learning guide on Canvas in stages 2 and 3.  In stage three, on submission of a proposal, they will be assigned a supervisor who will support them on a one to one basis in terms of further development of their proposal, the project and the writing up process.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Summative assessment is through the formal submission of a 15,000-word report which includes discussion of the topic, analysis, conclusion and recommendations and personal reflection. Students may choose between two types of Management Research Challenge:

1. Applied Project option:

This takes an applied, problem solving approach which considers issues within business and management in an integrated way. The resear ch question in an applied project will be driven by a real topic, issue, problem or phenomenon within an organisation or an industry. It recognises that problems and opportunities in practice have multiple drivers and factors that influence the way they both manifest and impact. Wider reading of relevant theory and practitioner literature offers an opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding from different perspectives around the problem or opportunity and support overall analysis of fiel dwork data to make informed decisions and recommendations.

Applied projects may take two forms. In most locations, students may select an individual business project (IBP) or a group project (Capstone).

Additional learning outcomes

Students will demonstrate mastery through:

• integrating the investigation through the appropriate selection subject perspectives and current thinking in industry and management/practice;


• presenting and justifying informed and effective decisions and recommendations based on the research;


• (Group option) - evidence of cohesion and collaboration in preparation and execution of the project and reflection on process.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Summative assessment comprises final project of 15,000 words for individual applied project or dissertation. Group (Capstone) applied projects comprise final group project of 15,000 words plus individual reflection of 2,000 per student.  The submission date will be determined by each individual programme schedule as there are multiple points for submission.

Formative assessment methods:

The proposal is formatively assessed and is a Approved /Resubmit format.  Formative assessment is undertaken during the development of the project in the form of responses to questions, and key check-in points with the supervisor when the student receives feedback from the supervisor on MRC chapters.

Penalties for late submission:

These are in accordance with the mode of study arrangements laid out in the Programme Specification.

Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A minimum mark of 50%

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment by 100% assignment (capped at 50%); to be submitted within 6 weeks of notification of module failure, date dependent on cohort entry and to be advised by the Programme Administrator

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 30 March 2023