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Unit Summary

Unit type

PG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

10

Level of learning

Advanced

School/College

School of Business and Tourism

Unit aim

Provides an advanced understanding of qualitative research methods so that students can evaluate, design and successfully undertake complex postgraduate qualitative research projects in any setting.

Unit content

Covers the following areas of business research methodology: 

  1. An Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods in Business and Management
  2. Research Paradigms
  3. Approaches and Making Choices
  4. Theory for Qualitative Research
  5. Research Design and Process
  6. An Overview of Qualitative Approaches
  7. Data Collection and Methods in Qualitative Research
  8. Ethics and Essential Techniques for Researchers
  9. Data Collection and Analysis in Qualitative Research
  10. Data Analysis and Coding in Qualitative Research
  11. Using Computers to Assist in Qualitative Analysis
  12. Writing up Qualitative Research

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 Analyse the different paradigms of social enquiry according to the different ontological and epistemological assumptions they make Intellectual rigour
2 Formulate the steps to be followed in conducting qualitative research Ethical practice
3 Critique published research in terms of its ability to collect, analyse and interpret data consistent with a particular theoretical perspective or paradigm Intellectual rigour Cultural competence
4 Engage in the ethical dimensions of business and management research Ethical practice Cultural competence
5 Apply qualitative research methods. Intellectual rigour

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Analyse the different paradigms of social enquiry according to the different ontological and epistemological assumptions they make
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
  2. Formulate the steps to be followed in conducting qualitative research
    • GA3: Ethical practice
  3. Critique published research in terms of its ability to collect, analyse and interpret data consistent with a particular theoretical perspective or paradigm
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA7: Cultural competence
  4. Engage in the ethical dimensions of business and management research
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA7: Cultural competence
  5. Apply qualitative research methods.
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour