°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼

Internal

AH3B02 - Research Methods

°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼

AH3B02-Research Methods

Module Provider: Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites: AH2B01 Studying Leadership Strategic Studies and International Relations
Non-modular pre-requisites: JOLP3
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Module Convenor: Dr Lynn Thurloway

Email: lynn.thurloway@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

AHEP Online Module


Summary module description:

ONLY AVAILABLE ON THE AHEP PROGRAMME



This module is run jointly by LOB and SPEIR.



The SPEIR Module Convenor is Dr Joseph O'Mahoney (j.p.a.omahoney@reading.ac.uk)



This module equips Officer Students with learning tools for understanding the ingredients of good research, for successfully choosing, designing and developing their own research projects, for improving performance in other elements of AHEP and subsequent professional training, and for critical thinking throughout their careers.


Aims:

· Develop understanding of the research process and principles of good research design, building on study skills developed in the Commissioning Course at Sandhurst, in Studying Leadership, Strategic Studies, and International Relations (for BSc and MSc); and in the Junior Officer Leadership Programme (3).



· Familiarize students with a range of research methods used in the study of leadership, strategy, and international relations;



· Develop students’ understanding of how they might apply these methods in their own research projects;



· Equip students to make clear and well-informed choices in defining, designing and developing their own research projects;



· Enhance students’ critical thinking and awareness of the use and limitations of evidence;



· Improve students’ ability to understand and critically assess arguments made in the academic literature, in public policy, and in their own workplaces.


Assessable learning outcomes:

Officer Students will assimilate the key skills required to undertake research which would fulfil a number of requirements. These may be to undertake module assessments, or later to complete their Negotiated Learning Module.



Ìý



A mix of assessable activities covering topics relating to work in Leadership and Organisational Behaviour, or Politics and International Relations will be undertaken. These are to test the understanding of different forms of research which are carried out with different outcomes in mind.



Ìý



The summation of the learning will allow the Student Officer to articulate a proposal to carry out a piece of original research in a nominated topic. The skills required to identify this topic, understand the background and previous research underpinning the topic, ways of assimilating knowledge and/or collecting data and the analysis and interpretation of that knowledge or findings wi ll be covered.


Additional outcomes:

ÌýStudent OfficersÌýwill be able to apply this learning to improve their submissions for assessment of modules during the AHEP degree process.


Outline content:

Outline content:



The module comprises two main parts; the first of which familiarises you with the research methods approach and processes utilised when undertaking research in Strategy/Politics and International Relations and the second part fulfils similar objectives for research in Leadership and related topics.



Ìý



Section 0 – Joint Introduction



Section 1 – Introduction to Research Methods in In ternational Relations and Strategic Studies



Section 2 – Research design in International Relations and Strategic Studies



Section 3 – Qualitative methods in International Relations and Strategic Studies



Section 4 – Quantitative methods in International Relations and Strategic Studies



Section 5 – Bringing it all together in International Relations and Strategic Studies



Sectio n 6 – Introduction to Research Methods in Leadership



Section 7 – Research design in Leadership



Section 8 – Qualitative Methods in Leadership



Section 9 – Quantitative Methods in Leadership



Section 10 – Bringing it all together in Leadership


Global context:

The context of this module is the British Army. The scope of the Army is a global one and, therefore, elements of international leadership, global cultures, international relations and the home and foreign political environments are taken into account.


Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

All learning for this module is via on-line courses. There are also, discussion forums, an e-portfolio (The Professional Leadership Portfolio, or PLP) for reflection and as a repository of ideas, and formative assessments embedded into the module content.


Contact hours:
Ìý Autumn Spring Summer
Lectures 60
Practicals classes and workshops 140
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Total hours by term 0 0
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Total hours for module 200

Summative Assessment Methods:
Method Percentage
Written assignment including essay 50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A


Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

There are 3 elements:



1. A mix of exercises and reflective tasks on the LOB/leadership material (sections 1a-5a), counting for 25%



2. A mix of exercises and reflective tasks on the SPEIR/strategy & IR material (sections 1b-5b), counting for 25%



3. A research proposal (c.2000 words) on EITHER LOB/Leadership OR SPEIR/Strategy & IR tracks, counting for 50%. To include (not exhaustive):



· Identification of a research problem/area within EITHER Leadership OR Strategy/IR



· Choice between dissertation and work-based project (tbc)



· Formulation of an explicit research question and identification of research objectives



· Identification of relevant literature



· Design of the research, identifying relevant methods


Formative assessment methods:

· Discussion forums



· In module tests and exercises



· Reflection and self-guided notetaking in the PLP


Penalties for late submission:

Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the arrangements as laid out in the programme guide.


Assessment requirements for a pass:

Module pass mark of 40%


Reassessment arrangements:

These are in accordance with the arrangements for resubmission as laid out in the programme guide.


Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

N/A


Last updated: 4 April 2020

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.

Things to do now