• Deakin University

MPL701 Leadership Research Methods

Welcome to MPL701. Ever wondered how leaders make decisions? Learn and apply theory to ‘real’ leadership situations.

825 enrolled on this course

rock climber celebrating to the sky on reaching the summit
  • Duration

    10 weeks
  • Weekly study

    10 hours

This unit explores the importance of evidence based decision making and research when facing leadership challenges. By applying theories to ‘real’ life scenarios learners will prepare a research case study and learn about the research process and why it is important to leadership and organisations. Learners will explore and apply research methods including quantitative and qualitative approaches, investigate and consider ethical implications while also producing a written research case study.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Introduction to leadership research

    • Businesswomen using the mobile phone

      Let’s get started

      Meet your teaching team and each other as we begin exploring leadership challenges and research.

    • Thinking differently concept

      Why does research matter?

      Let’s look at why research matters and how it can help solve problems. We’ll also start looking at what we mean by evidence.

    • Concept of a male facing leadership challenges in an abstract background

      What leadership challenges are you facing?

      Let’s take a look at how your learning in this unit will be assessed, and how you might start thinking about the research process.

    • Clear vision concept looking at the financial district of the city of London

      Weekly wrap

      Let’s wrap up week 1 and see what’s in store for next week.

  • Week 2

    Research to address leadership challenges

    • teamwork concept, business team working together, double exposure of meeting

      Evidence-based practice

      Welcome back. Let’s get started with evidence-based decision making. Why is it important and how can we do it well?

    • Leading group discussion with colleagues at workstations

      Reviewing existing research

      Let’s examine the what, why and how of reviewing the research of others.

    • maping out a plan on a whiteboard

      Critically evaluating and reporting existing research

      Let’s look at how we move from a literature search to a written literature review.

    • Collage of business people working

      Weekly wrap

      Let’s wrap up week 2 and see what’s in store for next week.

  • Week 3

    Planning a research study

    • Two blocks spelling out GO!

      Let's get started

      Let’s look at what we’ll be covering this week, and also look ahead to Assessment 3.

    • A person holding two microphones and a notebook taking notes

      Introducing the two key research traditions

      It’s time to get an overview of the qualitative and quantitative approaches to research.

    • An aerial shot of 4 roads meeting at a roundabout in a forrest area.

      Refining your research question

      Your choice of question and the scope of your problem will often determine the best way to proceed with your research. Let’s take a look at each of those aspects and how you might approach your second task for Assessment 1.

    • A female holding her hand on a side of neatly arranged wooden blocks

      Weekly wrap

      Let’s wrap up week 3 and see what’s in store for next week.

  • Week 4

    Designing a qualitative research study

    • Welcome back

      Discover what we will be covering over the next two weeks, as we look more closely at qualitative research.

    • Question marks representing different approaches to research

      Introducing common approaches to qualitative research

      There's more than one approach to qualitative research and each has specific protocols you need to identify, both for your own research plan and when reviewing other research. Here, we explore five of the common approaches.

    • Male thinking about different ways to collect data

      Qualitative data collection

      Qualitative research uses collection methods such as interview, observation and focus groups to gather rich, detailed data. Let's find out more.

    • Male looking out the window

      Weekly wrap

      Let's review what you've done this week and what you can expect for next week.

  • Week 5

    Analysing and reporting qualitative data

    • Digital composite of a man in suit at starting block of a race track holding a laptop.

      Planning your qualitative research project

      Let’s start this week by looking at some of the practical decisions related to data collection that you would need to consider for a research plan.

    • Cropped image of a hand holding a picture frame against the sea

      Qualitative data analysis

      It’s valuable to think ahead to the analysis stage when planning your research. Like any journey, it’s good to know where you are planning to end up!

    • Close up of a magnifying glass on a an open book on a table

      Reporting and evaluating qualitative data

      The way in which research findings are reported should not only demonstrate what has been learned, but also how those conclusions were reached.

    • Two hands in white gloves holding a movie clapperboard

      Weekly wrap

      It's time to wrap-up our discussion of qualitative research, and look ahead to next week.

  • Week 6

    Designing a quantitative research study

    • Close up of a woman using her laptop to look at graphs and tables

      Welcome back

      Discover what we will be covering over the next two weeks, as we turn our attention to quantitative research.

    • A close up of a calculator with black and white buttons

      Planning your quantitative research project

      Let’s look at the different elements you should consider in the design of your quantitative research.

    • A row of dominos toppling over

      Quantitative data collection

      Let’s move to considering how we can collect measurable data.

    • A hand holding a magnifying glass looking at city lights

      Let's recap

      Let’s review what we’ve covered this week, and what you can expect for next week. We also look at the final task for Assessment 2.

  • Week 7

    Analysing and reporting quantitative data

    • Female considering the angel and devil figures of conscience

      Introduction to statistics

      Take a look at what’s coming up this week, and then let’s get started on statistics.

    • 3D illustration Rendering wave of binary code pattern Abstract background.Futuristic Particles for business,Science and technology background

      Quantitative data analysis

      Let’s look at some different forms of statistical analysis.

    • Jail cells

      Reporting and evaluation quantitative data

      What does it all mean?

    • Sunset view of the ocean.

      Weekly wrap

      Well done on all you’ve covered over the past two weeks. Let’s take a brief look at how quantitative and qualitative might work in conjunction, and then reflect on your learning about quantitative research.

  • Week 8

    Ethical principles in research

    • Business people crossing a scramble intersection.

      Let’s get started

      Find out more about what we’re covering this week as we look at the importance of ethical decision-making in leadership research.

    • Handwritten word 'value' on a glass screen.

      Our inherent differences necessitate agreed protocols

      Let’s investigate the difference between morals and ethics and explore how a code of ethics provides a blueprint for decision making in the global research community.

    • Creative interpretation of technology interacting with humans

      Does the end justify the means?

      Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane as we look at a couple of the more infamous research studies in history, and consider what you might do when faced with an ethical dilemma.

    • Weekly wrap

      Weekly wrap

      Let’s wrap up week 8 and see what’s in store for next week.

  • Week 9

    Conducting your pilot study

    • Close-up of pencil writing a question mark.

      Let’s get started

      Orient yourself as we move into the final weeks of the unit.

    • The words who, what, how, when, where and why surrounding a question mark.

      What is a pilot study?

      Let’s look broadly at why pilot studies are undertaken by researchers, before focusing on what you might include in your own pilot test questionnaire.

    • A puzzle representing different elements of your pilot study

      The elements of your pilot study

      It’s time to focus on the technical development of the survey for your pilot study. We also consider how we can help each other trial our questions.

    • A wrapped box representing weekly wrap

      Weekly wrap

      Let’s wrap-up this week and look ahead to next week.

  • Week 10

    Finalising your research plan

    • Final. Wooden letters on the office desk

      Let’s get started

      It’s time to bring it all together. Let’s start with revisiting the structure and formatting requirements for your research plan.

    • Plan B Ahead Road Sign

      Writing the plan for your full proposed project

      Let’s look at the sections of Assessment 3 that lay the foundation for a future research project.

    • Woman Stacking Wooden Blocks with Question Marks On Table

      Reporting on your pilot study

      Last week we looked closely at conducting your pilot study. Now let’s focus on examining and writing about what you found.

    • Hand waving a checkered flag.

      That’s a final wrap

      Reflect on the unit – and submit your final assessment.

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

Who is the course for?

This course is for Deakin University postgraduate students.

Who will you learn with?

Paul Turner

I am a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Management at Deakin University

Melissa Parris

Dr Melissa Parris is a Senior Lecturer in Management, with her research and teaching primarily in the field of Organisational Behaviour, with a particular focus on individuals’ workplace experiences.

Cheryl Crosthwaite

Dr Cheryl Crosthwaite holds a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) in Leadership She is the Facilitator for the unit Leadership Challenges.

Who developed the course?

Deakin University

Deakin University

Deakin University is one of Australia’s largest universities with more than 61,000 students and over 15,000 online.

  • Established

    1974
  • Location

    Melbourne, Australia
  • World ranking

    Top 280Source: QS World University Rankings 2021

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