2014/15 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
DESN5302M Cultural Research Methods
30 creditsClass Size: 20
Module manager: Dr Paul Wilson
Email: texpw@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2014/15
This module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
This module aims to provide students with understanding and insight into a range of methods that might be applied to design research. It introduces students to the key competencies required to be a critical reader of research, utilising conceptual, practical, collaborative, reflexive and critical skills. It will introduce cultural research approaches, together with an appreciation of philosophy of science, alongside the development of key skills which will be essential for the solution of problems within the field of business /entrepreneurship. The module establishes a clear understanding of a broad range of generic research methods and moves to a more focused exploration of specific methods, techniques and issues appropriate to marketing, organisational and consumer behaviour - providing students with the skills for systematic problem analysis and the translation of marketing / management problems into appropriate researchable questions. ...Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should have provided evidence of being able to:
- clearly express the current context, issues and challenges of design research
- understand the characteristics of established methodologies and be able to evaluate their effectiveness within their own research
- develop their own approach to the formulation of research design, appraising the selection and developing appropriate conceptual and practical tools
- understand the epistemological basis of social/cultural research, identifying relevant contextual and empirical literature
- gain insight into a range of methodological approaches and distinguish between methods of data collection and analysis
- appraise research results in the context of critical reflection upon their own and others’ research
- show an appreciation of ethical issues within their research
Skills outcomes
- Gain an understanding in how to contextualise specific research in epistemological and theoretical grounding
- Formulate appropriate research questions which look to embed practical questions in a theoretically-informed framework
- Plan relevant research design
- Become familiar with the logic and practice of narrative and visual methods
- Make use of a variety of methods to collect data
- Appraise and interpret data using Problem-Based Learning skills
- Critically evaluate own research and that of others
Syllabus
During Semester 1, students on this module join and are taught alongside those on DESN5100M (Research Methodologies), where methodologies are introduced and reviewed, together with a discussion of relevant social and ethical issues. In this time, both quantitative and qualitative methods are covered - specifically in terms of techniques for data collection and application.
Following this grounding, the syllabus becomes more focused upon a use of Problem-Based Learning techniques to allow students to understand an application of research methods to business / entrepreneurship, specifically through activities which ground such an enquiry within basic concepts in philosophy of science and the logic of empirical inquiry and research design. Time is spent analysing and translating theoretical concepts and everyday experience into research questions and the use of PBL methods to analyse gathered data.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Problem Based Learning | 10 | 2.00 | 20.00 |
| Lecture | 11 | 3.00 | 33.00 |
| Seminar | 3 | 1.00 | 3.00 |
| Tutorial | 8 | 1.00 | 8.00 |
| Independent online learning hours | 30.00 | ||
| Private study hours | 206.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 64.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 300.00 | ||
Private study
Independent online learning:Range of online exercises (e.g. search strategies and online Q&A): 30 hours;
Private study:
Research for project evaluation and Literature review: 50 hours
Reading and preparation for tutorial sessions: 50 hours;
Independent research: 66 hours;
Assignment preparation: 40 hours.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Student progress is primarily monitored through ongoing engagement within seminar and tutorial sessions. The formative assessment of two assignments in Semester 1 provides feedback upon progress and in-class activities within group tutorials in Semester 2 will allow students to display work-in-progress and receive feedback to aid their guidance.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Report | (2000-2500 words) | 35.00 |
| Literature Review | (2000-2500 words) | 35.00 |
| Written Work | Critical evaluation of rationale and methods (1800-2000 words) | 15.00 |
| Written Work | Evaluation of research report (1800 to 2000 words) | 15.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 25/10/2012
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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