Research Methods for Dissertation Business Students

In this seminar, we will define business research and discuss how to identify gaps in the literature, and this will help with choosing a research topic. I will also introduce you to Chapter 1, which will be your introduction chapter. The final part of the seminar will pose some interesting ethical case studies, and you will have the opportunity to discuss what you would do in certain scenarios.

At some point in your studies, you will have been asked to review the academic literature, whether that be for an essay, report or presentation; it is a useful skill to develop as it will add reasoned judgment to your work.

Conducting a literature review will help you organise and structure an academic argument and produce your own independent thoughts. However, reviewing the academic literature is no easy task; it is often time-consuming and difficult.

A literature review is a review of the previous experiments and investigations done within your chosen topic area. The literature review will show how your topic fits in with the current research out there. You should present what has been proved in relation to your variables and concepts

There are two main reasons for conducting a literature review. The first is to generate and formulate ideas for your research project. The second forms part of your actual project and adopts a critical stance, introducing the topic that you are exploring.

Presenting the literature as part of your project is key to demonstrating your understanding of the topic, key theories, and ideas. The value of your research will be judged by what already exists and what you add to current findings. Indeed, it is crucial that previous research informs your project.

The Thinker is a bronze sculpture by Auguste Rodin, usually placed on a stone pedestal. The work depicts a male figure of heroic size sitting on a rock. He is seen leaning over, his right elbow placed on his left thigh, holding the weight of his chin on the back of his right hand. The pose is one of deep thought and contemplation, and the statue is often used as an image to represent philosophy. You may have seen this image before on television and other media. There are multiple figures depicting the same pose around the world.

In this seminar, you will develop an understanding of the key components of the secondary research processes. You will identify the characteristics of key aspects of good practice that are associated with secondary research. You will also be able to outline a structure for a secondary research proposal. The final part will introduce samples and discuss which sampling strategy to use depending on your type of research. Let’s get started.

Quantitative research methods and statistical analysis are essential components of business research. However, due to the depth and complexity of these topics, it is not possible to cover them in full detail within the scope of this course. While we will introduce key quantitative concepts and techniques relevant to business students, a more comprehensive understanding requires dedicated time and focus.

Therefore, I will be launching a separate course specifically focused on quantitative research methods and data analysis. This upcoming course will provide step-by-step guidance on designing quantitative studies, selecting appropriate statistical tests, using software tools (such as SPSS or Excel), and interpreting data with confidence.

More details on how to access this additional course will be shared soon. This will ensure that students who wish to strengthen their quantitative skills have the opportunity to do so in a structured and supportive learning environment.