Introductory description

The IRS for Business module aims to ensure that students develop the necessary competencies and skills to succeed in Business, Finance and related courses. It will provide bespoke skills training and support for students aiming to progress to an undergraduate degree in the United Kingdom. It will provide training in reflective and critical thinking, team-working, and raising the awareness of self to develop greater ability in learners to engage with academic debate and take responsibility to critically inquire and evaluate issues in Business and Finance. The module aims to ensure that students become independent learners and researchers who are equipped to think for themselves.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

1. What is research? Learning about what research is and the information literacy skills that support research including asking relevant questions, evaluating sources, document analysis, formulating search strategies, effective searching, reflection and developing coherent lines of argument.
2. Introduction to Problem Based learning – taking part in group based tasks in which students utilitise, develop and practise research skills whilst investigating interdisciplinary issues in Business and Finance.
3. Research Project – students will be taught about different research methods, including quantitative and qualitative methods used , research ethics, question design and analysis. They will propose, design, plan and carry out their own research study leading to a presentation in which they will answer questions about their research.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Identify and select relevant academic sources relating to a range of issues facing business and finance today.
• Demonstrate a range of transferable skills including project planning, data analysis, relevant digital literacy skills and presentation skills as applicable to research in related fields.
• Plan, undertake and reflect on self-directed research using methodologies appropriate to business and finance.
• Present analysis, evaluate and draw conclusions based on a self-directed research project.

Indicative reading list

Saunders et al (2019) Research Methods for Business Students
Cottrell S (2008) The Study Skills Handbook (3rd edition) Palgrave Macmillan
Cottrell S (2011) Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis and Argument (2nd edition) Palgrave Macmillan
Cottrell S (2014) Dissertations and project reports : a step by step guide Palgrave MacMillan
Dane, C (2018 ) Evaluating research : methodology for people who need to read research (2nd edition) SAGE

Harvard Business Review
Financial Times

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Research element

Research project

Interdisciplinary

Students undertake study of different problem based learning tasks from an interdisciplinary basis.

International

Students are to be assessed on contribution of research globally in the subject area.

Subject specific skills

• Information literacy skills - library skills, effective internet searching, use of databases.
• Inquiry Skills - asking questions, seeking and analysing different answers, coming to your own conclusion
• Group work skills
• Independent learning skills - planning, time management
• Research skills - e.g. how to undertake questionnaires, interviews
• Reflective thinking/ writing
• Critical thinking

Transferable skills

• Information literacy skills - library skills, effective internet searching, use of databases.
• Inquiry Skills - asking questions, seeking and analysing different answers, coming to your own conclusion
• Group work skills
• Independent learning skills - planning, time management
• Research skills - e.g. how to undertake questionnaires, interviews
• Reflective thinking/ writing
• Critical thinking