To better understand, examine and progress systemic transformation for more sustainable futures, leaders and decision makers need to be able to effectively gather, organise, judge, aggregate, and analyse data with a critical lens. This necessitates developing rigorous, robust, responsible and regenerative research strategies tailored to the complex problem of practice. The module places emphasis on engaged scholarship (Van de Ven, 2007; Boyer, 1996), methodologies particularly suited to practice research (including but not limited to case studies, action research and mixed methods research), transformative research principles and approaches (systemic, reconstructive, plural, collaborative, reflexive and iterative) and the principles of responsible management research (https://www.rrbm.network/), including applied phronesis (Flyvbjerg et al 2012). These approaches are all very much compatible with a professional doctorate. The focus of the module is on design, analytical perspectives, and documentation and dissemination strategies within each research approach.

Traditional research paradigms; engaged scholarship; practice research; responsible research in business and management principles; transformative research; applied phronesis; rigour/relevance/responsible/regenerative research; action research (and its various modalities including co-operative inquiry, action inquiry, appreciative inquiry, learning history, participatory action research); ethnography, case studies, mixed methods; analytical methods; documentation and dissemination strategies; the essential nature of research ethics and integrity; procedures for gaining research ethics approval.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: Critically appraise different types of practice-based research design, methods and analytical perspectives. Evaluate documentation and dissemination strategies as they inform practice research and the choice of research strategy. Execute research strategies with an ethical awareness and academic integrity. Document and disseminate actionable insights from empirical data.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: Value the contribution of evaluation methods and analysis to existing and new practices within their profession.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: N/A

This module seeks to build advanced levels of research competence. It will be delivered using active enquiry methods including self-reflection, peer to peer discussion, critical debate, case studies and collaborative enquiry. It will also include the use of teamwork activities and presentations, all designed to realise a highly interactive and engaging learning experience. With regard to graduate attributes, the engagement with multiple methods of empirical inquiry and how they support specific research problems will instill curiousity within our graduates. Agility is also supported via exposure to a repertoire of research designs, meaning graduates will have the ability to tailor their empirical inquiries to the problem at hand. Empirical inquiry is also value laden and is best viewed from an ethical perspective, thus supporting the development of responsibility in our graduates.