Doctor of Business Administration

The module seeks to develop DBA candidates’ systematic and critical knowledge of research methods in business and management studies at a doctoral level and build upon their experience of undertaking research at a Masters level. At the end of the module, you will be able to:

• Be able to develop and convincingly practise broad-ranging and advanced research skills;
• Be able to critically understand the philosophical framework that inform research methods and methodologies facilitating the critical analysis of the assumptions and methods of research; and,
• Be able to critically apply advanced understanding of advanced research methodologies in Business and Management studies more generally.

The module aims to prepare DBA candidates to undertake an advanced search and critically analyse literature on a specific topic in the discipline of Business and Management and assess its contribution to knowledge. Candidates will learn how to organise and synthesise literature in order to write a critical and detailed review of what is known about a specific topic. The module will further enable DBA candidates to identify gaps in extant knowledge about specific academic and practitioner issues and explain how their proposed doctoral research will contribute to both theory and organisational/management practice. At the end of the module, you will be able to:

• Be able to undertake a systematic and advanced search and review of current literature, knowledge and debates at the forefront of the Business and Management discipline;
• Be able to systematically analyse and critically evaluate the literature on a specific topic in business and management studies.

The module aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods, so as to equip DBA candidates with the knowledge and skills necessary to undertake doctoral level study involving qualitative, quantitative and/or mixed methods research. At the end of the module, you will be able to:

• Be able to demonstrate an in-depth practical understanding of how established research techniques are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline;
• Be able to demonstrate high level skills in gathering, analysing and managing qualitative and quantitative data, from computer-driven to discourse analysis;
• Be able to design a doctoral level research project using appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methods to generate, analyse and interpret new empirical data;
• Be able to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques, and where appropriate create new hypotheses;
• Be able to critically analyse qualitative and quantitative data using a variety of different analytical techniques and be able to locate those techniques within an epistemological perspective; and,
• Be able to deal with complex research issues systematically and creatively, and communicate the conclusions to specialist and practitioner audiences.

The module examines how a DBA student might contribute to developments in Business and Management studies and have a positive impact on management and organisational practices. At the end of the module, you will be able to:

• Be able to create and interpret new knowledge through original research and advanced scholarship with the objective of extending both academic and practitioner knowledge in Business and Management studies;
• Be able to make informed judgements on complex issues and clearly communicate ideas, findings and conclusions to specialist and practitioner audiences.

The module requires the DBA candidate to present and defend an advanced research proposal incorporating an introduction and justification for their proposed study, a demonstration of critical engagement with current research at the forefront of Business and Management studies, a demonstration of a clear and advanced research methodology, and a clear articulation as to how the proposed research will create new knowledge, advance Business and Management theory and management and organisational practices. At the end of the module, you will be able to:

• Be able to create and interpret new knowledge through original research and advanced scholarship with the objective of extending the academic forefront of Business and Management studies;
• Be able to demonstrate the systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of Business and Management studies and organisational and managerial practice.

The aim of the College’s thesis research module is to produce managers and leaders who, through demonstrable advanced scholarship, are able to conceptualise, design and implement a research project for the generation of new knowledge at the forefront of Business and Management studies. Candidates will be expected to combine their academic and business expertise in order to be able to make important contributions to both Business and Management theory and also organisational and management practices. At the end of the module, you will be able to:

• Be able to create and interpret new knowledge through original research and advanced scholarship, to extend the forefront of Business and Management studies;
• Be able to address major challenges currently facing business and the wider global society. These may include, but are not limited to, issues such as globalisation, corporate social responsibility and sustainable development.