This is a duplication of PT8014 RESEARCH METHODS FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 2 so that the module can be transferred from the School of Engineering to the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems. In the previous module, Research Methods for Professional Practice 1, three main paradigms of research were identified, namely prediction, understanding, and change. The interventionist/change paradigm was identified as particularly relevant for a professional doctorate such as the D.Eng. Related research approaches, such as action research which has both an action outcome and a research outcome, were covered. In this module, Research Methods for Professional Practice 2, we review the central topics of Research Methods for Professional Practice 1, and explore applied research methods in more detail. Variants of action research are covered, such as grounded action research (Baskerville and Pries-Heje 1999). Also, given that many significant organisational problems require the building of some technology or tool, approaches such as design science (Hevner et al 2004) are covered. The intersection of design science and action research is also a topic which has been proposed as a useful interventionist strategy (Sein et al 2011). Approaches such as applied phronesis seek to clarify power and ethics issues to investigate value issues such as the following: Where are we going with this specific management problematic? Who gains and who loses, and by which mechanisms of power? Is this development desirable? What, if anything, should we do about it? (Flyvbjerg et al 2012). Another approach to research is based on that of engaged scholarship (Van de Ven 2007). Engaged scholarship promotes a research collaboration which is highly experiential, often inter-disciplinary, and based on a reciprocal partnership between research and indutry collaborators. These approaches are very much compatible with a professional doctorate.

The following is a suggested list of topics to be covered in this course: - Review of Research Methods for Professional Practice 1 - Engaged Scholarship - Applied Phronesis - Action Research - Design Science - Action Design Science - Grounded Action Research - Action Case studies - Writing for Publication

On successful completion of this module students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the context in which their research takes place, 2. Explain the broad range of research approaches that are available, 3. Demonstrate how best to choose and refine their research approach to suit the organisation context.

On successful completion of this module students will be able to display a commitment to the research approach that is best suited to the organisational problem being addressed in their research.

N/A

The mechanism for delivering this module involves key papers and books on the philosophy of research. These will be delivered over a series of workshops. Delivery will be through a blended learning approach. This will include face-to-face classroom workshops, webinars and moderated discussion boards. Material will be introduced through expert workshops and learning will be developed through prescribed readings and other activities such as case studies, simulations, online activities, computational problems and other media. A series of tutor facilitated skills based workshops held for each module at which practical exercises and applications reinforce the learning material studied by participants in the on-line environment. This mode guides participants through material but requires them to deploy the learning in their own organisation through the delivery of an in-company project. Assessment of students will be based on a combination of regular assignments submitted throughout the course in conjunction with research progression.