FP055-30 Inquiry and Research Skills for Business & Finance
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 aims
- To develop students (inter)independent learning skills and confidence through inquiry based learning into current issues that affect businesses
- Introduce students to, and raise their understanding of, academic research within business related fields- including the language and methods used.
- To develop students’ transferable research skills that will help them become more effective learners in their undergraduate studies
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.
- What is research? Learning about what research is and the information literacy skills that support research including asking relevant questions, evaluating sources, formulating search strategies, effective searching, reflection and developing coherent lines of argument.
- 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.
- 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
Study time
Type | Required |
---|---|
Seminars | 72 sessions of 1 hour (24%) |
Private study | 168 hours (56%) |
Assessment | 60 hours (20%) |
Total | 300 hours |
Private study description
Reading, practising of ideas taught in class. Preparation for seminars.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A5
Weighting | Study time | |
---|---|---|
IRS Project Proposal | 25% | 15 hours |
1150 word project proposal to include: proposed question with detailed rationale on the back of reading that has been conducted; methodology explanation and project plan. Students will also be asked to explain how they plan to make use of digital tools (including AI) as part of their project. Log book of progress and reflection on the research project. [14:58] Alexander-Jones, Rosemary Log book of progress and reflection on the research project. Log book of progress and reflection on the research project. |
||
Academic Poster Conference Presentation | 40% | 24 hours |
This presentation of academic poster with Research Project outcomes at an academic conference. |
||
Academic Poster | 35% | 21 hours |
Creation of academic poster of research project undertaken. |
Feedback on assessment
Written comments via tabula; tutorials for students who wish to have further guidance
Courses
This module is Core for:
-
FIOE Warwick International Foundation Programme
- Year 1 of FP14 Warwick International Foundation Programme - Business Management
- Year 1 of FP15 Warwick International Foundation Programme - Finance