Methodology and

Research Skills

Dr Simon Dupernex
Room E307
s.dupernex@derby.ac.uk

Resource Content 1

Introduction to the resource

Introduction to conducting a research project
Why do we conduct research?
What is a research project?
Different levels of research
Learning To Read and Evaluate Research
Developing ideas
Choosing topics
Searching and using the literature
Writing Aims and objectives
Writing Your Literature Review

Resource Content 2

Introduction to research philosophy and study design

The different approaches and their strengths and
weaknesses
Associated methodologies and their strengths and
weaknesses
How do you choose the right design and methods?
Introduction to analytical techniques (choosing the right
analysis)
Writing Your Proposal
ETHICS and the Ethics Approval form
GANTT charts

Resource Content 3

Data Collection Methods

Secondary data
Primary Data

Observation
Interviews
Focus groups
Questionnaires / tests

Resource Content 4

Analysing Your Data

Qualitative Analytical Techniques

Quantitative Analysis
SPSS and Excel

Resource Content 5

Writing Up

Structure
Content
Presentation

Critical Evaluation Revisited

Learning Outcomes

You should be able to:

Understand what the research project involves
Be able to select an appropriate topic
Be able to search, read and evaluate the literature
Write appropriate aim and objectives
Devise an appropriate research strategy / design and data collection
methods
Write a proposal
Create a project plan GANTT chart
Complete the ethics form
Produce reliable and valid data collection methods
Collect and analyse data using appropriate levels of analysis
Write up the dissertation using the correct structure / presentation and
with the necessary content

Recommended Reading

There are many extremely useful resources in

the library and we recommend making use of
several texts including a generic research
resource for business students as well as texts
specialised for the type of research you end up
conducting.

It will be useful to have an introductory text as

well referring to texts on data collection and
analytical techniques and on writing a literature
review.

Some useful resources:

Easterby-Smith et al (2008) Management Research. Sage

Lancaster, G. (2005) Research Methods in Management. Elsevier
Lee & Lings (2008) Doing Business Research. Sage
Salkind, N. (2006) Exploring Research. Pearson.
Saunders e al (2009) Research Methods for Business Students.
Pearson
Silverman, D. (2011) Qualitative Research. Sage

Introduction to the Research

Process

For many students this represents your worst

nightmare!
But remember we will equip you with the skills you
need to design, conduct and write up the research
You will have an experienced dissertation supervisor
to guide you all the way
It is an opportunity to explore something that
interests YOU in more detail and discover
something NEW!
Dont be afraid, you can do it!

Things You Will Need to Do

1.

2.
3.
4.
5.

6.
7.

Read through this resource carefully and

engage with a lot of further reading
Complete your topic form
Engage with your supervisor
Write your proposal
Complete the ethics form and get it signed
off
Design and conduct the research
Write up and submit the research

Things You Can Expect From

Me

Lectures on the various phases of research

Guidance on aims, objectives, design,
methodologies, analysis and writing up

Things You Can Expect From

Your Supervisor

Guidance on your proposal submission

Guidance on your research ethics submission
Guidance on your aims, objectives, design,
methodology, data collection methods,
analysis, and writing up
Feedback on each chapter (once)
A final read through the whole dissertation (If
you submit at least four weeks before the final
dissertation hand in date)

Things You Should Not

Expect
Spell checking

The supervisor to chase you to get work

completed
The supervisor to write your project or do your
work for you.
The supervisor to provide grades before
submission
Extensions because you havent done the work
in time

What we expect from you

Turn up to all classes and come prepared

(having done the work set / read the literature
etc)
Complete engagement with the process and
material
You to work independently and to meet the
deadlines you set yourself