Research Methodology
Overview
This unit aims to guide students in to developing a research plan. The unit covers how to plan a research project, including reviewing the existing knowledge in each student’s chosen topic area and identifying a knowledge-gap. In addition, students will become familiar with the various research methods for data collection and analysis and learn how to choose the most appropriate research method to fill the knowledge-gap that has been identified. The project element will be designed to collect and analyse the data needed to fill the knowledge-gap and to communicate this proposal orally and in a written report.
Requisites
50 cps at PG level from School of Business Law and Entrepreneurship owned units
01-June-2025
02-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Apply and show deep understanding of a range of research approaches applicable in the field of research and problem-solving
- Formulate research questions and select an appropriate methodology for the chosen research task
- Critically analyse the philosophical and theoretical assumptions underlying different research methods and approaches
- Develop skills to write and structure a minor thesis
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Class | 3.00 | 12 weeks | 36 |
| Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out) Independent Learning | 9.50 | 12 weeks | 114 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Literature Review | Individual | 10 - 20% | 3,4 |
| Position Paper | Individual | 30 - 40% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Research Proposal | Individual | 40 - 60% | 1,2,3,4 |
Content
- Critiquing the literature
- The different types of data
- Different research paradigms
- Research ethics
- The nature and analyses of quantitative and qualitative data techniques
- Writing the report or dissertation
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.