Theory and Practice of Management (IDPM)

This module provides a solid introduction to the various research paradigms utilised in management research and supports students in locating their own beliefs about reality and knowledge within a structured framework. This, in turn, will enable them to develop a more robust, coherent research proposal, which will be delivered as the IMPM506 Major Paper. The module thus forms an important bridging point between IMPM students undertaking the Master's qualification and those wishing to progress to the full PhD.

This module aims to provide training in Action Research as the most likely methodology to be adopted by students on the IDPM pathway, given that their research projects usually relate to their own working environment and are aimed at producing practical outcomes for the organization as well as academic outputs for the student. The module will provide theoretical input and practical experience of the core techniques/methods relating to Action Research as a research methodology.

This will include the main approaches to data collection and analysis, plus ethical and practical issues associated with action research as follows:

• The action research cycle
• Quality and rigour in action research
• Managing ethics and organizational politics in action research
• Benefits and pitfalls of researching your won organization
• Understanding versus "re-understanding": the challenges of role duality
• Designing and implementing an action research project
• Theoretical frameworks for studying organizations in action (e.g. systems thinking)
• Generating evidence to test knowledge claims in action research
• Writing up action research

The aim of this module is to support you in building impact into your current and future research, rather than seeing it as an add-on. Topics covered will include:

• Understanding the significance of impact
• Routes to impact - considering the different ways in which impact can be achieved
• Building impact into the research design
• Engagement with project stakeholders as a route to impact
• Aligning with the agendas of policy-makers and funding bodies as routes to impact
• Being an impactful researcher

This module will support you in developing your ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders to your research. Topics covered will include:

• Understanding the different agendas of different research stakeholders - including funders, end-users, policymakers and research participants, and hence the form, content and frequency of communication they might desire
• Considering the similarities and differences between academic and practitioner audiences in this regard, and the implications for modes of communication
• Developing the ability to utilise a range of communication channels, including digital and social media, effectively, including having an awareness of some of the pitfalls
• Understanding the ethical issues relating to the dissemination of research outcomes
• Developing a personal presence and profile in support of your research agenda.