BE950-7-AU-CO:
Research Evaluation
2024/25
Essex Business School
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
20
28 July 2023
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
MRESN40212 Accounting,
MRESN40224 Accounting,
MRESN21012 Management Research,
MRESN21024 Management Research,
MPHDN40048 Accounting,
PHD N40048 Accounting,
MPHDN20048 Management,
PHD N20048 Management
This module seeks to explore a range of theoretical, philosophical and methodological approaches to postgraduate research with a specific focus on the literature search and review phase of a research project.
This module will look closely at the process of writing an academic literature review. Alongside this, students will develop skills in reviewing and critically analysing academic texts, developing insights on research methodology and epistemology that will be developed in later spring term modules.
The aims of this module are:
- To critically evaluate academic texts and review bodies of literature.
- To understand reflexivity and its relationship to the literature review process.
- To comprehend different epistemological positions and their relationship to theory, research design and the selection of appropriate methods of data collection and analysis.
- To appreciate the relationship between literature and research questions.
- To develop the skills and understanding needed to be able to produce an academic literature review.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Skills in critically evaluating academic texts and bodies of literature.
- The capacity to adopt a reflexive approach to research, being able to examine, and develop a critique of, different ways of engaging with and responding to literature.
- An informed understanding of the relationship between academic literature, the formulation of research questions and the selection of appropriate methods of data collection and analysis.
- An informed understanding of the relationship between alternative epistemological positions and research design.5. The capacity to produce an academic literature review in a chosen area of study.
Skills for Your Professional Life (Transferable Skills)
This module will also contribute to your development of the following employability skills:
- Written communication.
- Oral communication.
- Research skills.
- Critical thinking.
- Teamwork-collaboration.
- Digital and technical fluency.
- Innovation and curiosity.
- Personal brand.
- Commercial awareness.
Students will be guided in their study through intensive workshop sessions, but are also expected to undertake a substantial programme of self-directed study, including searching for, reading and reviewing relevant literature.
This self-directed study forms an important part of the delivery of the module, and is built in to the schedule.
The module will be delivered via:
- One 2-hour session per week.
This module will be delivered through a mix of lectures, interactive seminars where we will discuss techniques and approaches to various literature sources that may be encountered during the research process. It is extremely important that you do the preparatory reading and preparation for the group exercises prior to each session.
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Hart, C. (2018e)
Doing a literature review: releasing the research imagination. 2nd edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications. Available at:
https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/269379.
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Shon, P.C. (2015a)
How to read journal articles in the social sciences: a very practical guide for students. Second edition. London: SAGE. Available at:
https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/169952.
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Tranfield, D., Denyer, D. and Smart, P. (2003) ‘Towards a Methodology for Developing Evidence-Informed Management Knowledge by Means of Systematic Review’,
British Journal of Management, 14(3), pp. 207–222. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.00375.
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Grant, M.J. and Booth, A. (2009) ‘A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies’,
Health Information & Libraries Journal, 26(2), pp. 91–108. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-1842.2009.00848.x.
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University of Essex Library home page (no date). University of Essex. Available at:
https://library.essex.ac.uk/home.
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‘What counts as "good” qualitative accounting research? Researchers’ perspectives on assessing and proving research quality’ (no date). Available at:
https://repository.essex.ac.uk/33357/.
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A.-W. Harzing and N. J. Adler (2016) ‘Disseminating Knowledge: From Potential to Reality--New Open-Access Journals Collide With Convention’,
Academy of Management Learning & Education, 15(1), pp. 140–156. Available at:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bsu&AN=113894946&site=ehost-live.
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Coupland, C.
et al. (2008) ‘Saying it with feeling: Analysing speakable emotions’,
Human Relations, 61(3), pp. 327–353. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726708088997.
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Folkman, Susan, U California, BerkeleyLazarus, Richard S. (1985) ‘If it changes it must be a process: Study of emotion and coping during three stages of a college examination.’,
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology [Preprint]. Available at:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pdh&AN=1985-18642-001&site=ehost-live.
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Sinkovics, R.R., Zagelmeyer, S. and Kusstatscher, V. (2011) ‘Between merger and syndrome: The intermediary role of emotions in four cross-border M&As.’,
International Business Review, 20(1), pp. 27–47. Available at:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969593110000661.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
1,500 word reflective essay |
15/11/2024 |
30% |
| Coursework |
3,500 word Literature Review |
15/01/2025 |
70% |
Additional coursework information
- Assessment will be based on two written pieces of coursework completed at the end of the module.
- Additional guidance is available on the Moodle page.
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Louise Nash, email: louisen@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Louise Nash
ebshrm@essex.ac.uk
No
No
Yes
Dr Claire Paterson-Young
University of Northampton
Research Leader
Available via Moodle
Of 20 hours, 18 (90%) hours available to students:
2 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
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