MDD2IAR2: Introduction to Academic Research

Module code: MDD2IAR2

Module provider: International Business and Strategy; Henley Business School

Credits: 15

Level: Doctoral level

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Marc Day, email: marc.day@henley.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: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 5 August 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module introduces the skills required in order to undertake doctoral-level research. It explores and facilitates questions of identity, growth and development and through a process of self-awareness and reflection.  Requirement includes engagement in dialogue (intrapersonal and inter-personal) that informs personal and professional development during the programme of study.

The module aims to:

1. To introduce the framework of the DBA programme, including learning process, progression, assessment and support.
2. To identify key personal, consultancy and research competences required to complete the programme.
3. To establish effective group working to be the basis of collegial support and collaboration.
4. To outline the purpose and requirements for critical analysis of research and writing a scoping literature review.
5. To outline useful software applications for research.

To allow for reflection about the student’s specific intellectual project, and subsequently to deepen its practical and theoretical basis.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Identify a research problem and state it clearly using two methods (via verbal transmission and written submission), and provide evidence of identification of, and critical engagement with, sources of relevant academic literature which will demonstrate advancement of the topic. 

2. Identify the potential contribution (both to theory and practice)

3. Explain the steps taken to prepare and execute a literature review to form the content of the scoping paper, reflecting good practice for a critical review of academic literature.

4. Adopt a critical approach and identify the main concepts, perspectives, theories and models relating to the topic as well as the main questions that have been addressed to date, the major debates and issues and key shortcomings in current knowledge relating to the area.

5. Demonstrate, from summarising literature, what knowledge claims (theoretical and practical) are the most important to address with their research project.

6. Write concisely, comprehensively and clearly, to a standard comparable to the preliminary draft of a literature review chapter in a thesis including adopting good practice in referencing.

Module content

The module teaching is structured around the two Introduction to Academic Research Workshops, which both involve a combination of lectures, group and individual activities. The first workshop will include meetings with a Mentor. In addition, programme members are expected to undertake guided self-study, including set readings and tutor-monitored learning journal entries. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Introductory workshop (mandatory), followed by meetings (in person or on-line) with the allocated supervisors to prepare for the Research Outline Interview.  Second workshop (mandatory), followed by preparation and submission of Scoping Literature Review.

The contact hours are shown for one semester in the table below for illustrative purposes only. The actual timing will vary depending on your cohort start date.

Study hours

At least 48 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

Research Outline Interview:
This gateway assessment needs to satisfy the criteria specified in the assignment brief, with submission of 5-10 Powerpoint slides one week prior to presentation date. This module is marked on a pass/revise basis.

Scoping Literature Review:
The work needs to satisfy the criteria specified in the assignment brief, with submission of a 5,000-word assignment (+20% / -10%) which accounts for 100% of the total marks available for the module.. Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this assessment.

Programme members need to pass BOTH assessment elements to pass the module

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

This module is subject to the Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes policy, which can be found at:

https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties to work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar month 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; 
• where the piece of work is submitted more than one calendar month after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

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.

Reassessment

Additional costs