MSc International Fashion Retailing / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Research Methods

Course unit fact file
Unit code MATS61441
Credit rating 20
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The primary aim of this unit is to prepare students for the dissertation part of the degree by considering the research process and by providing students with an in-depth understanding of qualitative and quantitative methods including the limitations and pitfalls of different methods.

Aims

To provide students with an introduction to the process of research in the international fashion business area and an understanding of how research relates to their academic discipline and industry practice. Further, provide knowledge of the ways of collecting marketing research data and an application of the principles, applicability, limitations and pitfalls of the various techniques.

Learning outcomes

A greater depth of the learning outcomes will be covered in the following sections:

  • Knowledge and understanding
  • Intellectual skills
  • Practical skills
  • Transferable skills and personal qualities

Teaching and learning methods

This unit makes use of a variety of learning and teaching processes including: lectures, problem based learning, practical sessions; case studies, and discussions. Blackboard will be used to present lecture notes and supporting materials for the unit. The lectures with develop the theoretical subject knowledge, whilst the case studies and discussions will evaluate the importance and application of techniques, with practical sessions visualising these findings. Blackboard may also be utilised for assessment using Turnitin.

Knowledge and understanding

  • Evaluate in-depth and advanced resources pertaining to the theoretical and practical understanding of their research subject, discipline, or profession in an international context
  • Demonstrate professional and academic responsibility, integrity and ethical considerations of research strategy and practices in an international context

Intellectual skills

  • Demonstrate high-level cognitive skills of critical thinking, analysis and synthesis of relevant literature, primary or secondary data.

Practical skills

  • Find, evaluate, synthesise and use information from a variety of sources to meet research aims and objectives
  • Express complex research ideas and argument effectively and coherently in written formats

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  • Implement independent research strategies to support continued professional development as a self-directed learner

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written exam 50%
Written assignment (inc essay) 50%

Feedback methods

Written and verbal

Recommended reading

  • Saunders, M.N.K., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2019). Research methods for business students. Eighth edition. Harlow, United Kingdom: Pearson Education Limited.
     
  • Malhotra, N.K., Nunan, D. and Birks, D.F. (2017). Marketing research¿: an applied approach . Fifth edition. Harlow, UK: Pearson Education Limited.
     
  • Collis, J. and Hussey, R. (2014). Business research¿: a practical guide for undergraduate & postgraduate students.

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Hsin-Ju Tsai Unit coordinator

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