This course provides for advanced research study in the field of Management. It aims to provide aspiring managers and business specialists with key insights in to research theory and practice within the management discipline. Specifically the objectives of this course are:
1. To provide foundation training in basic and advanced research skills sufficient to enter a Doctoral programme. The programme is also suitable for candidates who may wish to obtain a research degree, but do not wish to commit themselves to a longer period of study.
2. Develop research practice and management theory (conceptual, methodological, practical and ethical) at a professional and academic level.
3. To provide an interdisciplinary context to research, gaining support from a variety of technical, academic and disciplinary contexts.
4. Develop and apply key knowledge and understanding of Management theory and research practice to complex systems, both systematically and creatively, to improve management practice.
5. To enhance independent and high level learning skills and personal development critical awareness of the limits of various research techniques via taught modules and debates) so that researchers are able to work with self-direction and originality and to contribute to the management discipline.
Standard lectures are used to enable core knowledge and understanding content to be delivered to the whole module cohort. This is supplemented with Seminars/ Workshops to allow exploration of all aspects of module content (knowledge, understanding, skills and other attributes) in an interactive and discursive group setting. The programme features extensive On-to-One Supervision to discuss and contextualise the taught theories with student ideas on how their research projects will progress. This is supported via the Moodle VLE, which provides access to key materials, handouts and research papers.
The research thesis will encourage students to work within organisations in order to apply their research work in to a real life setting. Part time students will be expected to apply their research in their place of work so that companies will benefit from the investment made in attending the course.
A significant amount of work will be required by the students through independent learning and self-study. Such study enables students to independently develop their understanding of the module concepts and to complete formative and summative exercises.
The course Programme Director will provide strategic leadership and direction during the taught component of the course. S/he will be available to each student who has specific issues regarding course content and structure. Each student will also be allocated a Supervisor at the outset of the programme. Students are expected to liaise with their Supervisor during the taught component, and to keep him/ her abreast of progress via regular ‘milestone review meetings’.