The aim of this module is to support the development of business analysis and strategic decision making skills, and to demonstrate the ability to research, analyse and present information coherently to support a recommended course of action for the student’s own or another organisation with which they are familiar.

This organisation will function as the 'client'. The aim of this path is to enable students to undertake a self-managed process of systematic practitioner inquiry within the domain of management. The output will be:

A management report which addresses the issue or problem identified and agreed with the client, which should be
in the format appropriate to that organisation;
An academic report detailing the stages of the research, the literature reviewed, the methodology and techniques
deployed, and the rationale for these. This will also include a reflective piece on the student's personal development.
The combined wordcoun t for the two reports is likely to be in the range of 8,000-10,000 words.

A further aim of the module is to develop critical understanding of how to conduct business research within an academic framework, in order to investigate a strategic issue, develop supportable conclusions and formulate actionable recommendations that endeavour to address the issue identified.

(LO1) Demonstrate critical awareness of current research related on business and management through independent analysis of a relevant business issue.

(LO2) Select and apply appropriate models, frameworks or tools to provide critical analysis of a business challenge.

(LO3) Research and present convincing and reasoned arguments to formulate solutions for strategic action.

(LO4) Analyse ambiguous information and make reasoned judgements and recommendations within a dynamic and changing business environment.

(LO5) Reflect on learning and identify actions for development.

(S1) Flexibility and Adaptability

(S2) Problem solving skills

(S3) Numeracy

(S4) Commercial awareness

(S5) Organisational skills

(S6) Communication skills

(S7) IT Skills

(S8) Lifelong learning skills

(S9) Ethical awareness

(S10) Leadership

Four tutorials will cover research methods topics. These will develop the underpinning knowledge to enable students to engage with research and assess research quality as well as specific lectures on research methodology, methods and writing a research proposal.

Students will be allocated a project supervisor for their individual assessment. It is expected that students will have four supervisory meetings, the first one will include formative feedback on their project proposal, two to discuss progress on the dissertation and the final one to have a final critical review of the dissertation before submission.

In previous modules, students will undertake independent tasks and reading in order to support the learning in the lectures and these skills will help with their later development of their research proposal.
Students will be working on their individual dissertation under the guidance of their supervisor.

Engaging with research and assessing research quality
Research methodology
Quantitative Methods
Qualitative and Mixed Methods
Writing a research proposal
Writing a literature review
Writing up a research project
Writing a literature review
Analysing the strategic environment, resources and strategic choices and options for organisations
Making, presenting and implementing strategic decisions for organisations.