MNM3MRC-Management Research Challenge

Module Provider: Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:NA
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Email: ana.graca@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

TheÌýManagementÌýResearchÌýChallengeÌý(MRC)Ìýis a majorÌýprojectÌýthatÌýoffers studentsÌýtheÌýopportunity toÌýdemonstrateÌýpractical businessÌýresearch skillsÌýinÌýidentifying aÌýsignificantÌýorganisational issue, problem orÌýgap in management knowledge,Ìýdesign an appropriate data collection and analysis process,ÌýÌýandÌýpresentÌýsupported recommendationsÌýfor practiceÌýor contribution to knowledge.ÌýÌý

Aims:

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  Develop knowledge and understanding of key research skillsÌýfor aÌýmanagement basedÌýinvestigation;Ìý

  
  

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  Prepare, implement andÌýevaluateÌýan appropriateÌýresearch processÌýthatÌýinvestigatesÌýaÌýrelevantÌýbusinessÌýissue, managementÌýquestion or gap in knowledge;ÌýÌý

  
  


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  DemonstrateÌýawareness of appropriate use of methodology, theory, data,Ìýand criticalÌýuse of literature;Ìý

  
  


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  Undertake a piece of original research in management andÌýpresentÌýfindingsÌýand recommendationsÌýin line with the type of project chosen;Ìý

  
  


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  Integrate and consolidate learning fromÌýrelevantÌýMBAÌýsubjectÌýareasÌýand apply this to a real business problem or gap in knowledgeÌý
  
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Outline Content and StructureÌýfor the Management Research ChallengeÌýÌý

Stage 2ÌýMRC Research SkillsÌý1Ìý

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Preparation for the management challengeÌýbegins in the second stage of the programme.ÌýDelivery in stage two is blended learning comprising of bothÌýself-studyÌýwithÌýlearning material and a workshop.ÌýStudents will get toÌýknow a range of evidence-based management sourcesÌýthat will help themÌýformulate a problem and focused questionÌýandÌýconductÌýanÌýevidence-basedÌýinvestigation.ÌýÌý

The objectives inÌýthis stageÌýareÌýto:Ìý

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  Introduce the investigation process as a foundation for the Management Research Challenge;Ìý

  
  


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  Consider the value of evidence for management, learning and research;Ìý

  
  


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  Demonstrate an understanding of how to gather evidence from current thinking;Ìý

  
  

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  Identify, define and scope a significant problem or issueÌýand focused questionÌýthat can be addressed through structured and rigorous investigation;Ìý

  
  

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Stage 3ÌýMRCÌýResearch Skills 2Ìý

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Stage 3 appliesÌýlearning from the previous stages in order to develop and undertakeÌýanÌýinvestigation. Delivery in this stageÌýcomprisesÌýmainlyÌýindependent study,ÌýsubmissionÌýofÌýaÌýproject proposal and workshops and clinics.ÌýOnce a proposal is submitted, students are allocated a supervisorÌý

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The objectives in this stage are to:Ìý

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  Demonstrate an understanding of relevant investigative approaches and the ability to select and justify the chosen approach.Ìý

  
  


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  Prepare and submitÌýaÌý1,000-wordÌýproposal outlining their plan for the investigationÌýÌý

  
  

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Assessable learning outcomes:

Students will demonstrateÌýmasteryÌýby:Ìý

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  justifyingÌýresearch techniques and research process in undertaking the investigation, analysis and reporting of the outcomes;Ìý
  
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  beingÌýcritical, evaluative and reflective in respect of applying knowledge and understanding gained within the overall programme;Ìý

  
  

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  conductingÌýpersonal research around the topic, including the use of wider readingÌýin terms of appropriate theory and appropriate practitioner/commercial literature;Ìý

  
  

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  collectingÌýand usingÌýevidence (fromÌýreading and fieldwork) to support the investigation, analysis and conclusions in a critical and evaluative mann er;Ìý

  
  

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  reflectingÌýon the research process andÌýpersonalÌýlearningÌýobjectives.Ìý

  
  

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Brief description of teaching and learning methods:Ìý

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Summative assessment is through the formal submission of aÌý15,000ÌýwordÌýreport w hich includes discussion of the topic, analysis, conclusion and recommendations and personal reflection.ÌýStudents may choose between two types of Management Research Challenge:Ìý

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1. 
   

   Applied ProjectÌýoption:Ìý

   
   

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ThisÌýtakes an applied, problem solving approach which considers issues within busines s and management in an integrated way.ÌýThe research question in an applied project will be driven by a realÌýtopic, issue, problem or phenomenon within an organisation or an industry. ItÌýrecognises that problems and opportunities in practice have multiple drivers and factors that influence the way they both manifest and impact.ÌýWider reading of relevant theory and practitioner literature offers an opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding from different perspectives a round the problem or opportunity and support overall analysis of fieldwork data in order to make informed decisions and recommendations.Ìý

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Applied projects may take two forms. In most locations, students may selectÌýan individual business projectÌý(IBP) orÌýa group projectÌý(Capstone).Ìý

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Additional outcomes:

Additional learning outcomesÌý

Students will demonstrate masteryÌýthrough:Ìý

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  integrating the investigationÌýthroughÌýtheÌýappropriateÌýselectionÌýsubject perspectivesÌýand current thinking in industry and management/practice;ÌýÌý

  
  


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  presenting and justifyingÌýinformed and effective decisions and recommendationsÌýbased on the research;Ìý

  
  


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  (Group option)Ìý-Ìýevidence of cohesion and collaboration in preparation and execution of the project and reflection onÌýprocess.Ìý

  
  

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2. 
   

   The dissertationÌýoptionÌýÌý

   
   

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ThisÌýgivesÌýstudentsÌýthe opportunity to develop an investigation which is more academic. It is a theory driven approach which will requireÌýstudentsÌýto demonstrate that they can define the topic clearly in order to develop a deep analysis of related theory and academic literature in order to build arguments and justification for theÌýresearch questionÌýthrough the engagement with the literature. Typically,Ìýthe outcomes fromÌýanÌýanalysis of the literatureÌýareÌýused to form a foundation for their empirical researchÌýin an appropriate business or management setting.ÌýRecommendations in a dissertation are also intended to be practical and relevant toÌýmanagementÌýpractice, butÌýare made in terms of a contribution to knowledge.Ìý

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AdditionalÌýlearning outcomes (dissertation)ÌýÌý

Students will demonstrate masteryÌýthrough:Ìý

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  critical reviewingÌýtheÌýcurrent academic thinking that informs and underpins the choice of topic, the empirical investigation and the analysis.Ìý

  
  


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  presenting conclusions and recommendations that are grounded in the theory and appropriate evidence from the fieldwork.Ìý

  
  


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  Reflection of learning from engagement with the theory as well as the practice of the MRC.

  
  

Outline content:

StudentsÌýwill be provided with core materials, workshops, clinicsÌýand a learning guideÌýon CanvasÌýin stages 2 and 3.ÌýÌýIn stage three, on submission of a proposal, they will be assigned a supervisor who will support them on a one to one basis in terms of further development of their proposal, the project and the writing up process.Ìý

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Capstone Option – Group Integrated Business Project + Individual Reflection

No examination

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Summative assessment comprises final project of 15,000 wordsÌýfor individual applied project or dissertation.ÌýGroup (Capstone) applied projectsÌýcomprise finalÌýgroupÌýproject of 15,000 words plus individual reflection of 2,000 per student.ÌýÌýThe submission date will be determined by each individual programme schedule as there are multiple points for submission.Ìý

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Formative assessment methods:

The proposal is formatively assessed and is a pass /resubmit format.Ìý Formative assessment is undertaken during the development of the project in the form of responses to questions,Ìýand key check-in points with the supervisor when the student receives feedbackÌýfrom the supervisorÌýon MRC chapters.ÌýÌý

Penalties for late submission:

These are in accordance with the mode of study arrangements laid out in the Programme Specification.ÌýÌý

Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspxÌý

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Assessment requirements for a pass:
A minimum mark of 50%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of the ManagementÌýResearchÌýChallengeÌýnormally within six months ofÌýratified decision.ÌýStudentsÌýonly have the right to be reassessed once and in line with normal practice the resit mark willÌýbe capped at 50% if they are successful.Ìý

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Any members submitting as part of a group Capstone project who fail to secure a combined overall pass mark will be required to undertake an individual evaluativeÌý5000 wordÌýassignment, capped at 50%.Ìý

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 4 April 2020