• Specify the nature of insight, its role in the analysis of complex research issues, and how qualitative and quantitative methods serve a complementary role in obtaining the insights needed for successful social science research endeavours.
• Describe the relation between qualitative and quantitative research method in the interdisciplinary research methods cycle.
• Understand and be able to explain and discuss the functional useage of descriptive versus inferential research approaches.
• Describe an appropriate range of possible methods approaches to a given research issue, specify the most appropriate approach for the given circumstances, and be able to justify this recommendation.

The First Year Interdisciplinary Research Methods First Year Project Workshop is designed to introduce BLC students to research methods, the nature of their participation in social science research and reflection, and to support their First Year Project work. Overall, the intensive course lasts for one week. It is organised around lectures, independent group work, individual study, and Workshop discussions based on group presentations and collegial feedback. The course focuses on interdisciplinary problem-oriented knowledge production in project work and on methodologies relevant for the 1^st year project.

The Third year course advances the First Year Interdisciplinary Research Methods by careful summary review and subsequent focus upon developing an informed sensibility regarding organizational social science research skills and their use in the Third Year Project. The practical, reflective, and reflexive tasks of the contemporary Business School researcher as an individual aware of her or his own cognitional processes will be reviewed and extended. Building upon this self-appropriation, the Methods lectures will introduce and/or refine interview methods and skills and explore how different qualitative and quantitative methods approaches can be used to enhance research validity and reliability. Key aspects of the philosophy of science will be covered insofar as these result in more proficient, reflective, reflexively aware organizational researchers. Compendium readings and a required text will improve the course participant’s knowledge and critical insight into contemporary organizational research issues. The Course culminates in a Project Workshop that features student presentation of Third Year Project proposals for feedback from other student groups and the student group’s workshop facilitator

Saunder, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (Latest edition). Research Methods for Business Students). New York: Prentice Hall.

Yin, Robert K. (2003). Case Study Research: Design and Methods. New York: Sage.

One text will be referred to but need NOT be purchased (very expensive and/or very large):

Lonergan, Bernard J.F. (1958). Insight: A Study of Human Understanding. New York: Harper & Row.