MMD013: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

Module code: MMD013

Module provider: Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour; Henley Business School

Credits: 10

Level: Doctoral level

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Kleio Akrivou, email: k.akrivou@henley.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

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

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: No placement specified

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: F

Last updated: 28 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to introduce students to the understanding of qualitative research (in social science and particularly in the area of business and management studies). It is designed for students mainly using quantitative methods in their PhD studies who wish to have an introductory knowledge in qualitative research.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. To have a basic understanding about the philosophy (ontology and epistemology informing) research and choices of basic qualitative methods and research design and analysis for high impact qualitative research.

2. Basic understanding of research ethics and research integrity aspects.

3. To explore and reflect on the complementarity between qualitative and quantitative methods in the study of management and organisation and a basic knowledge of their respective philosophical positions; to be introduced to the importance, concerns and the usefulness of mixed methods approaches and to introduce data triangulation and links with contribution to knowledge.

4. To gain a basic understanding about (and distinguish) key qualitative research methods and their usefulness and to gain basic knowledge of the range of methods and types of data available to qualitative researchers, such as interviewing methods, case study research, and the uses of documents and archival material in the study of organisations and other qualitative research designs.

Module content

The module addresses key qualitative research philosophies, methods and approaches through a combination of lectures and workshops covering qualitative research methods:

1) Introduction to Qualitative Methodology and Design Issues;

2) Philosophy of Science (ontology and epistemology informing) research and choices of research design;

3) Introduction to key methods and their approach to research design and analysis of data: Case Study Research;   Document and archival methods/ ethnography and document analysis; Interviewing research methods and strategies;

4) Mixed methods approaches and data triangulation for contribution to knowledge;

5) Introduction to Research Quality; Research Ethics and Integrity.

By the end of the module students will be able to reflect on and concisely present a basic analysis of key qualitative research methods and the background of philosophy of research, hot his informs students’ current and future research plans.

Additional outcomes: The module also aims to encourage the development of a community of practice of research students across areas and the sharing and development of oral communication skills about their research and the students’ research identity sharing with their peers.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

A combination of lectures and workshops covering the aims and content and peer to peer learning and exchange of research design thinking; structured activities such as presentations and class discussions are designed to develop analytical skills, to demonstrate basic understanding of methods, and abilities to construct original arguments and independent learning and research planning.

Study hours

At least 12 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

This is a pass/fail module and it is marked on a pass/fail basis. Students must pass the assessment 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.

Module’s tutorials and seminars are based on two way interaction to enable the testing of ideas and arguments related to the module content which builds knowledge and provides feedback and examples including developing breadth and depth of understanding, with a formative role to prepare students toward their summative assessment.

Reassessment

Additional costs