Duration
10 weeksWeekly study
10 hours
MPL701 Leadership Research Methods
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
Let’s get started
Meet your teaching team and each other as we begin exploring leadership challenges and research.
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.
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.
Weekly wrap
Let’s wrap up week 1 and see what’s in store for next week.
Week 2
Research to address leadership challenges
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?
Reviewing existing research
Let’s examine the what, why and how of reviewing the research of others.
Critically evaluating and reporting existing research
Let’s look at how we move from a literature search to a written literature review.
Weekly wrap
Let’s wrap up week 2 and see what’s in store for next week.
Week 3
Planning a research study
Let's get started
Let’s look at what we’ll be covering this week, and also look ahead to Assessment 3.
Introducing the two key research traditions
It’s time to get an overview of the qualitative and quantitative approaches to research.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
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
Welcome back
Discover what we will be covering over the next two weeks, as we turn our attention to quantitative research.
Planning your quantitative research project
Let’s look at the different elements you should consider in the design of your quantitative research.
Quantitative data collection
Let’s move to considering how we can collect measurable data.
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
Introduction to statistics
Take a look at what’s coming up this week, and then let’s get started on statistics.
Quantitative data analysis
Let’s look at some different forms of statistical analysis.
Reporting and evaluation quantitative data
What does it all mean?
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
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.
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.
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
Let’s wrap up week 8 and see what’s in store for next week.
Week 9
Conducting your pilot study
Let’s get started
Orient yourself as we move into the final weeks of the unit.
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.
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.
Weekly wrap
Let’s wrap-up this week and look ahead to next week.
Week 10
Finalising your research plan
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.
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.
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.
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?
I am a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Management at Deakin University
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.
Dr Cheryl Crosthwaite holds a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) in Leadership She is the Facilitator for the unit Leadership Challenges.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn