Year-long module 

Unit(s) of Assessment 

Weighting Towards Module Mark (%)

Portfolio of evidence of learning – including: 
·              group project report 
·              reflective report relating to project work and professional development 
·              peer and tutor review from contribution to online discussions 

60% 

Examination covering quantitative business techniques and primary and secondary research issues 

40% 

Qualifying Condition(s) 
The assessment strategy is designed to ensure that the students have acquired the necessary skills to retrieve, collect and carry out simple analysis of business data with confident use of quantitative business techniques within a group project context.  Formative assessment will be provided in the tutorial workshops through the development of research-related tasks and in the on-line discussion areas.  Both peer and tutor review input will feed forward into the summative assessments. 
The reflective element of the portfolio will allow students to articulate their personal learning and development in relation to project working, quantitative business techniques and professional development. 

This second year module builds on the skills development thread started in level 1 with Methods & Skills 1. It supports the students in developing group & project working skills through the completion of a business-focussed assignment that incorporate the use of quantitative techniques. It is part of a continuing professional development process (pdp).  

The aim of this module is to help the student maintain a focus on the development of their personal and professional skills, with specific reference to business research techniques, project management and group work. 
The specific skill set focussed on in this module includes: identifying the sources of secondary data relevant to a particular business research question; collecting such data to satisfy a business requirement; analysing the data collected or retrieved using appropriate quantitative business techniques; testing the reliability of the findings and presenting the outcome in a coherent manner. In addition the students will also be introduced to basic project management and group working skills. 

On successful completion of this module the students will be able to: 
·              Demonstrate personal learning & development in relation to project management, group work, business reports and research skills 
·              Retrieve business data both from the library and online sources, including statistical data 
·              Evaluate the data source
·              Identify appropriate sampling techniques for data collection to solve a business research requirement 
·              Use a range of numerical (statistical) techniques 
·              Present data using graphical techniques
·              Summarise data using descriptive statistics 
·              Analyse the data using simple statistics with an appropriate computer package 
·              Interpret and test the findings taking account of the limitations of the research method
·              Present the findings in an appropriate format, fully referenced 
Assessment Criteria 
In order to achieve the threshold standard for the award of credits for this module, the student must meet the following criteria related to the learning outcomes described above: 
·              Provide evidence of the ways in which they have developed their personal & professional skills during this module, highlighting areas for further development. 
·              Demonstrate their ability to undertake a simple group research project using data from appropriate sources, presenting the results of their analysis in a well-organised manner using appropriate format. 
To pass this module the student will demonstrate a familiarity with the Professional Development Process, Project Management, Group Working and Business Research Techniques, but his/her attempt to organize, present and examine the material in a critical and constructive manner are only partially successful.  The student displays some understanding of the relevant issues and some familiarity with the relevant literature and techniques. 

·              The pdp process as appropriate to HE level 2 
·              Reflecting on personal development & experience 
·              Group & Project working 
·              Research design, clarifying goals, setting parameters 
·              Formulating and organising a business research question
·              Sourcing data both primary and secondary 
·              Manipulating and presenting data using numerical techniques (with appropriate software) 
·              Manipulating and presenting data using graphs 
·              Analysing data using measures of location and dispersion 
·              Sampling techniques and sampling error 
·              Confidence limits
·              Interpretation of results, including limitations using statistical tests
·              Organising and presenting results 

The teaching and learning strategy is designed to encourage student self-development and confidence in using quantitative business techniques and to facilitate development of skills and knowledge through application of these techniques to a specific business research problem. The research work is carried out in groups and the student is introduced to fundamental concepts of group and project working to allow them to apply the techniques and then reflect on their group experiences.
The teaching and learning methods include lectures, workshops, and group work support by on-line VLE support and resources. 
Assessment Strategy: 

Essential Reading 
Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill.  (2007) Research Methods for Business Students.  4^th edn.  Pearson Education. 
Taylor , S. (2007) Business Statistics for Non-Mathematicians.  2^nd edn.  Palgrave Macmillan. 
Recommended Reading 
Bancroft and O'Sullivan.  (2000) Foundations in Quantitative Business Techniques.  McGraw-Hill. 
Morris, C. (2003) Quantitative Approaches in Business Studies.  6^th edn.  Pearson. 
Background Reading 
Caan, W. et al. (1997) "Start as You Mean to Go On: Project Management for Beginners", Journal of Mental Health, 6(5), pp.467-472. 
Rowntree, D. (2000) Statistics Without Tears: a primer for non-mathematicians.  Penguin.
Mantel Jr. et al. (2001) Core Concepts of Project Management.  John Wiley & Sons Publishing. 
Resources also provided as part of the VLE and associated learning software.