“ Research … isn ’ t that something academics do? ” Grahame Steven School of Accounting, Economics and Statistics Napier University

Key objectives Make students appreciate that research is relevant to the business world It isn ’ t an arcane academic activity! Provide a springboard to the honours year, in particular, the dissertation module Note: Management Accounting Applications is a level 9 module taken by mainly accounting students

The usual suspects I ’ ve never done this before! What will I research? What is secondary and primary research? Must you do both? How do you do primary research? Which sector will I research? Who should I contact?

How students are helped Students work in groups Business sector selected by lecturers Topics selected by lecturers - groups choose topic Groups allocated companies from the business sector ’ s trade association: Groups use questionnaires to obtain primary data Tutorials provide practical help and support Each group set up a pbwiki:

Assessment Management report (25%): 4,500 +/- 10% words Management report: executive summary, introduction, literature review, research methods, conclusions and recommendations, references Presentation (15%), with Q&A, of report Case study exam (60%), with pre-seen material, based on selected business sector Exam includes a reflective question on research

Tips Organise groups as soon as possible Optimum number: 5 Don ’ t accept latecomers without good reason – groups don ’ t like it Pick a business sector students can relate to Have a flexible marking scheme for the report Award marks for group participation in the presentation – make students aware of this

Does it work? The simple answer is yes! Students engaged with the module Generally good to excellent reports / presentations Most students did a considerable amount of work in relation to the pre-seen exam material Positive student comments, however, more research required Key “ problem ” : working in groups

Finally Will students have a different view of research at the end of the module? “ Research … everyone does that ” Let ’ s hope so! Perhaps “ The Apprentice ” also makes students aware of the importance of research for business? Thanks for listening Do you have any questions?