ADMREM: Research Methods in Economics and Marketing (Skills and Practice)

Module code: ADMREM

Module provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Giacomo Zanello, email: g.zanello@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 20 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to introduce students to qualitative and quantitative research methods and to provide students with an appreciation of the contribution of such methods to social science research, particularly in relation to economics and marketing. Students will get exposure to the key concepts, theories, and methodologies used in economics and marketing research, as well as the practical skills to collect, analyse, and interpret data. 

The purpose of the module is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of research methods in economics and marketing, enabling them to design and conduct original research projects. Students will learn how to evaluate research designs and methodologies, choose the most appropriate research methods for their projects, and apply critical thinking skills to analyse and interpret findings. The module will also cover ethical considerations in research, as well as the strengths and limitations of various research methods. 

The module is designed to be practical and relevant, providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to conduct high-quality research in economics and marketing. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Recognize the role and value of qualitative and quantitative methods in economics and marketing research. 
2. Understand the objectives and characteristics of qualitative and quantitative research methods and the synergies between the two. 
3. Design and evaluate qualitative research. 
4. Gather a knowledge of a selection of statistical techniques and apply them to social research problems. 

Module content

Research Methods in Economics and Marketing (Skills and Practice) provides a comprehensive overview of social research methods, with a focus on developing practical skills in designing, conducting and analysing research projects. Throughout the module, students will have the opportunity to apply their learning through hands-on exercises and the completion of a research project. Emphasis is placed on developing critical thinking skills and the implications of findings. By the end of the module, students will have developed a thorough understanding of social research methods and the skills to design and conduct their own research projects. They will also be equipped with the skills to analyse and interpret data, and to write up research findings in a clear and concise manner. 

Week 1: Introduction 

• Ethics in social research 
• Research design 

Week 2-5: Qualitative research methods:  

• In-depth interview  
• Focus groups and panels 
• Projective techniques and unobtrusive measure  
• Participatory methods 
• Qualitative analysis in practice (NVivo) 
• Qualitative and quantitative research: Mixed-methods 

Week 7-11: Quantitative research methods:  

• Measurement, stats, and graphs 
• Hypothesis testing 
• Regression analysis (OLS) 
• Logit and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) 
• Cluster analysis 
• Ordered logit, multinomial logit, and weights 
• Discriminant analysis and interaction terms  
• Discrete choice conjoint analysis 

Week 12: Revision class 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Research Methods in Economics and Marketing (Skills and Practice) will use a mix of teaching and learning methods to provide students with an understanding of research methods in economics and marketing, as well as the skills to design and conduct their own research projects. The methods include: 

1. Lectures: providing an overview of key concepts and theories in research methods in economics and marketing. 
2. Practical exercises: hands-on activities to apply learning and develop practical skills in research design and data analysis. 
3. Independent study: time for students to work on individual research projects 
4. Feedback and class-discussion. 

The teaching and learning methods are designed to foster active and engaged learning, encouraging students to take ownership of their learning and develop critical thinking skills. The module will also provide opportunities for students to receive individual support and guidance, ensuring they receive the necessary support to achieve their full potential. Additionally, the use of real-world examples and case studies will be incorporated to demonstrate the practical application of research methods in economics and marketing. 

Study hours

At least 44 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

The formative assessment activities may include: 

• Class discussions: regular in-class discussions on key concepts and theories, allowing students to demonstrate their understanding and receive feedback from the course instructor and their peers 
• Quizzes: short, in-class quizzes to assess students' understanding of key concepts and theories covered in the lectures 

The formative assessment activities will provide students with opportunities to receive feedback on their progress and to make any necessary adjustments to their learning approach before the summative assessment. The formative assessment will also help the course instructor monitor student progress and provide support where necessary. 

Reassessment

Additional costs