PhD in Business Management

Module Introduction

This module provides a comprehensive doctoral-level foundation in research philosophy, epistemology, and research design for business and management studies. It examines the philosophical assumptions that underpin knowledge claims, including ontology, epistemology, and axiology, and shows how these positions shape the formulation of research problems, questions, and theoretical frameworks. Candidates engage critically with competing paradigms and traditions in management research, including positivist, interpretivist, critical, and pragmatist approaches, and evaluate their implications for theory development and empirical inquiry. The module emphasises coherence between research questions, theory, and method, and develops the capacity to justify design choices in a transparent and defensible manner. Through sustained engagement with classic and contemporary debates, candidates learn to articulate their own philosophical stance, to recognise limitations and trade-offs, and to design studies that meet the standards of rigour, validity, and ethical integrity expected at doctoral level. The module directly supports the development of each candidate’s PhD project by requiring explicit positioning and justification of the proposed design.

Module Aims

• Develop advanced understanding of research philosophy and its implications for management research.
• Critically evaluate alternative research paradigms and design traditions.
• Enable candidates to construct coherent and defensible doctoral research designs.
• Strengthen theoretical positioning and conceptual framing of doctoral projects.
• Develop doctoral-level critical judgement, reflexivity, and methodological coherence.

Learning Outcomes

• Critically evaluate major research paradigms and their assumptions.
• Justify ontological, epistemological, and methodological choices for a doctoral project.
• Design a coherent and rigorous research framework aligned to the research problem.
• Critically assess strengths, limitations, and ethical implications of alternative designs.
• Produce doctoral-level scholarly work articulating and defending research design decisions.

Indicative Content

• Philosophy of science in social and management research
• Ontology, epistemology, axiology, and methodology
• Research paradigms and theoretical traditions
• Theory building and theory testing
• Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods designs
• Validity, reliability, and trustworthiness
• Reflexivity, positionality, and ethics
• Linking research questions, theory, and methods
• Design coherence and methodological justification

Learning and Teaching Strategy

Learning and teaching are delivered through doctoral seminars, advanced methods workshops, guided reading, and supervised independent study. Candidates critically interrogate core and contemporary literature, develop and defend research designs, and apply methods to their own projects. The emphasis is on scholarly critique, methodological rigour, reflexivity, and the development of independent research capability consistent with UK doctoral standards.

Assessment Strategy

Assessment 1: Critical literature and concept paper linked to the proposed PhD project (40%). Assessment 2: Research design or methodological portfolio with justification and pilot/analytical components (60%).

Recommended Reading

• Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2019). Research Methods for Business Students. Pearson. Crotty, M. (1998). The Foundations of Social Research. Sage. Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2015). Business Research Methods. Oxford University Press. Guba, E.G. and Lincoln, Y.S. (1994). Competing Paradigms in Qualitative Research. Sage. Creswell, J.W. and Poth, C.N. (2018). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design. Sage. Maxwell, J.A. (2012). Qualitative Research Design. Sage. Popper, K. (2002). The Logic of Scientific Discovery. Routledge. Kuhn, T.S. (2012). The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. University of Chicago Press. Sayer, A. (2010). Method in Social Science. Routledge. Tsang, E.W.K. (2014). Generalizing from Research Findings. Journal of Management Studies.

Module Introduction

This module develops advanced methodological competence for doctoral research in business and management, spanning qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods traditions. It focuses on the rigorous design, execution, and evaluation of empirical studies, with particular attention to sampling, measurement, data collection, and analytical strategies appropriate to complex organisational contexts. Candidates examine the assumptions, strengths, and limitations of alternative methods and learn to select and combine techniques in ways that are theoretically grounded and methodologically defensible. The module also addresses contemporary issues in research practice, including reproducibility, transparency, data governance, and ethical research conduct. Through applied tasks linked to their own projects, candidates develop the ability to implement advanced analyses, to interpret results critically, and to communicate methodological decisions to doctoral standards. The emphasis is on methodological rigour, reflexivity, and the production of credible and impactful research.

Module Aims

• Develop advanced competence in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research.
• Critically evaluate methodological choices and analytical strategies.
• Enable rigorous design and execution of doctoral research projects.
• Strengthen analytical, interpretive, and validation capabilities.
• Develop doctoral-level methodological judgement and reflexivity.

Learning Outcomes

• Critically evaluate advanced qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Design robust data collection and analysis strategies aligned to research questions.
• Apply appropriate analytical techniques to complex research problems.
• Critically assess methodological rigour, limitations, and ethical implications.
• Produce doctoral-level methodological work linked to the PhD project.

Indicative Content

• Advanced qualitative designs and analyses
• Advanced quantitative designs and statistics
• Mixed-methods integration strategies
• Sampling, measurement, and instrument development
• Causal inference and theory testing
• Qualitative coding, interpretation, and trustworthiness
• Reproducibility, transparency, and open science
• Data management, governance, and ethics
• Methodological innovation in management research

Learning and Teaching Strategy

Learning and teaching are delivered through doctoral seminars, advanced methods workshops, guided reading, and supervised independent study. Candidates critically interrogate core and contemporary literature, develop and defend research designs, and apply methods to their own projects. The emphasis is on scholarly critique, methodological rigour, reflexivity, and the development of independent research capability consistent with UK doctoral standards.

Assessment Strategy

Assessment 1: Critical literature and concept paper linked to the proposed PhD project (40%). Assessment 2: Research design or methodological portfolio with justification and pilot/analytical components (60%).

Recommended Reading

• Creswell, J.W. (2018). Research Design. Sage. Bryman, A. (2016). Social Research Methods. Oxford University Press. Hair, J.F. et al. (2019). Multivariate Data Analysis. Cengage. Shmueli, G. et al. (2020). Data Mining for Business Analytics. Wiley. Maxwell, J.A., Chmiel, M. and Rogers, K. (2015). Designing Qualitative Research. Sage. Angrist, J.D. and Pischke, J.-S. (2009). Mostly Harmless Econometrics. Princeton University Press. Gelman, A. et al. (2013). Bayesian Data Analysis. CRC Press. Miles, M.B., Huberman, A.M. and Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative Data Analysis. Sage. Tashakkori, A. and Teddlie, C. (2010). Mixed Methods in Social & Behavioral Research. Sage. Open Science Collaboration (2015). Estimating the Reproducibility of Psychological Science. Science.

Module Introduction

This module provides a structured doctoral seminar environment in which candidates engage with contemporary debates in business and management research and develop their scholarly identity. It is designed to cultivate advanced academic communication, peer review, and critical dialogue, enabling candidates to refine their theoretical positioning, methodological choices, and analytical arguments through sustained scholarly exchange. The seminar emphasises the norms and practices of academic communities, including conference presentation, peer review, and journal publication. Candidates present work-in-progress, critique the work of peers, and receive structured feedback from faculty, thereby strengthening argumentation, clarity, and contribution. The module also addresses academic writing strategies, research dissemination, and the ethics of authorship and publication, supporting the programme’s requirement for submission to a Scopus-indexed journal prior to the viva. The overarching aim is to socialise candidates into the practices of the research community while enhancing the quality and impact of their doctoral work.

Module Aims

• Develop advanced scholarly communication and critique skills.
• Engage critically with contemporary debates in management research.
• Support development of the doctoral project through peer review.
• Develop academic writing, presentation, and publication strategies.
• Prepare candidates for scholarly dissemination and impact.

Learning Outcomes

• Critically discuss and evaluate contemporary management research.
• Present and defend research ideas to academic audiences.
• Provide and respond to scholarly peer feedback.
• Demonstrate advanced academic writing and argumentation.
• Develop and justify a plan for research dissemination and publication.

Indicative Content

• Contemporary debates in business and management research
• Academic writing for journals and conferences
• Peer review processes and scholarly critique
• Conference presentation and academic communication
• Research ethics, authorship, and integrity
• Developing scholarly identity and contribution
• Impact, engagement, and knowledge exchange
• Preparing manuscripts for submission
• Responding to reviewers and revising work

Learning and Teaching Strategy

Learning and teaching are delivered through doctoral seminars, advanced methods workshops, guided reading, and supervised independent study. Candidates critically interrogate core and contemporary literature, develop and defend research designs, and apply methods to their own projects. The emphasis is on scholarly critique, methodological rigour, reflexivity, and the development of independent research capability consistent with UK doctoral standards.

Assessment Strategy

Assessment 1: Critical literature and concept paper linked to the proposed PhD project (40%). Assessment 2: Research design or methodological portfolio with justification and pilot/analytical components (60%).

Recommended Reading

• Belcher, W.L. (2019). Writing Your Journal Article in Twelve Weeks. University of Chicago Press. Day, R.A. and Gastel, B. (2012). How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper. Cambridge University Press. Grant, A.M. and Pollock, T.G. (2011). Publishing in AMJ. Academy of Management Journal. Huff, A.S. (2009). Designing Research for Publication. Sage. Sword, H. (2012). Stylish Academic Writing. Harvard University Press. Creswell, J.W. (2013). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design. Sage. Van de Ven, A.H. (2007). Engaged Scholarship. Oxford University Press. Johnson, G. and Langley, A. (2010). Strategic Organization. Sage. Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R. and Jackson, P. (2015). Management and Business Research. Sage. Academy of Management Journal (Author Guidelines).

Module Introduction

This module supports the development, submission, and defence of a full doctoral research proposal and the formal confirmation of candidature. It integrates philosophical positioning, theoretical framing, and methodological design into a coherent proposal that demonstrates feasibility, rigour, and ethical compliance. Candidates undertake a systematic and critical review of the literature, articulate a clear research problem and contribution, and design an appropriate research strategy with justified methods. The module culminates in a formal proposal defence before an academic panel, mirroring UK doctoral confirmation practices. Successful completion confirms that the project is of appropriate scope, originality, and quality to proceed to full doctoral research. The process also ensures that risks are identified, timelines are realistic, and governance requirements are satisfied.

Module Aims

• Support development of a rigorous and feasible doctoral research proposal.
• Ensure methodological, theoretical, and ethical robustness of the project.
• Prepare candidates for formal confirmation of candidature.
• Develop advanced academic writing and oral defence skills.
• Confirm readiness to proceed to full doctoral research.

Learning Outcomes

• Formulate a clear and significant doctoral research problem and questions.
• Develop a critical and systematic literature review and theoretical framework.
• Design and justify an appropriate and rigorous methodology.
• Demonstrate ethical awareness and compliance in research design.
• Defend the research proposal before an academic panel to doctoral standards.

Indicative Content

• Problem formulation and contribution to knowledge
• Systematic literature review and theory development
• Research questions, objectives, and hypotheses/propositions
• Research design and methodological justification
• Methods of data collection and analysis
• Research ethics, governance, and approvals
• Project planning, resources, and risk management
• Proposal writing and defence preparation
• Confirmation of candidature procedures and criteria

Learning and Teaching Strategy

Learning and teaching are delivered through doctoral seminars, advanced methods workshops, guided reading, and supervised independent study. Candidates critically interrogate core and contemporary literature, develop and defend research designs, and apply methods to their own projects. The emphasis is on scholarly critique, methodological rigour, reflexivity, and the development of independent research capability consistent with UK doctoral standards.

Assessment Strategy

Assessment 1: Critical literature and concept paper linked to the proposed PhD project (40%). Assessment 2: Research design or methodological portfolio with justification and pilot/analytical components (60%).

Recommended Reading

• Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2019). Research Methods for Business Students. Pearson. Creswell, J.W. (2018). Research Design. Sage. Maxwell, J.A., Chmiel, M. and Rogers, K. (2015). Designing Qualitative Research. Sage. Boote, D.N. and Beile, P. (2005). Scholars Before Researchers. Educational Researcher. Hart, C. (2018). Doing a Literature Review. Sage. Yin, R.K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications. Sage. Silverman, D. (2016). Qualitative Research. Sage. Bryman, A. (2016). Social Research Methods. Oxford University Press. Flick, U. (2018). An Introduction to Qualitative Research. Sage. Cohen, L., Manion, L. and Morrison, K. (2018). Research Methods in Education. Routledge.

Module Introduction

The PhD Research Phase constitutes the core and culminating stage of the Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management. During this phase, candidates undertake an original, sustained, and independent programme of research that leads to the production of a doctoral thesis and its defence in a viva voce examination. The Research Phase is designed to enable candidates to demonstrate the full range of doctoral-level competences, including the ability to conceptualise complex research problems, engage critically with advanced literature, design and implement a rigorous methodology, and generate an original contribution to knowledge that is of significance to the field of business and management. The module builds on the successful confirmation of candidature and integrates research execution, analysis, writing, and dissemination. Candidates are expected to manage their research project with increasing independence, supported by structured supervision and formal progress reviews. In line with programme regulations, candidates must also demonstrate scholarly dissemination by submitting at least one research article derived from the thesis to a Scopus-indexed peer-reviewed journal prior to entry to the viva voce examination. The Research Phase therefore combines intellectual rigour, professional research practice, and scholarly communication within a coherent doctoral framework aligned to UK standards.

Module Aims

• To enable candidates to conduct an original and significant programme of doctoral research in business and management.
• To support the rigorous implementation of an approved research design and methodology.
• To develop advanced capabilities in data collection, analysis, and interpretation at doctoral level.
• To support the production of a coherent, high-quality doctoral thesis that meets UK doctoral standards.
• To prepare candidates for scholarly dissemination, thesis submission, and the viva voce examination.

Learning Outcomes

• Design, manage, and execute an original doctoral research project that makes a significant contribution to knowledge.
• Apply appropriate and rigorous methodological and analytical approaches to complex research problems.
• Critically synthesise theory, literature, and evidence to develop coherent and defensible arguments.
• Produce a doctoral thesis of appropriate scope, quality, and scholarly standard.
• Disseminate research findings through preparation and submission of at least one article to a Scopus-indexed journal.
• Defend the research, methodology, and contribution to knowledge in a viva voce examination.

Indicative Content

• Implementation of the approved research design and methodology
• Advanced data collection strategies and fieldwork management
• Advanced qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods analysis
• Ongoing critical engagement with the literature and theory development
• Thesis structuring, drafting, and revision processes
• Research ethics, governance, and data management
• Scholarly dissemination and journal article preparation
• Conference presentation and academic communication (where appropriate)
• Pre-submission review and readiness-to-submit processes
• Preparation for the viva voce examination and defence of the thesis

Learning and Teaching Strategy

Learning and teaching during the Research Phase are centred on supervised independent research, supported by regular formal supervision meetings, doctoral workshops, and progress review panels. Candidates are expected to engage in sustained independent study, data collection and analysis, and scholarly writing. Supervisory guidance focuses on the development of argumentation, methodological rigour, and scholarly presentation, while encouraging increasing independence and critical judgement. The learning strategy is aligned with UK doctoral expectations for autonomous research.

Assessment Strategy

Assessment Component 1: Doctoral Thesis (100%). Assessment Component 2: Viva Voce Examination (compulsory pass/fail component). In addition, candidates must provide evidence of submission or acceptance of at least one research article to a Scopus-indexed journal as a condition of readiness-to-submit and entry to the viva voce examination, in accordance with programme regulations.

Recommended Reading

• Phillips, E. and Pugh, D. (2015). How to Get a PhD. Open University Press. Creswell, J.W. (2018). Research Design. Sage. Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2019). Research Methods for Business Students. Pearson. Bryman, A. (2016). Social Research Methods. Oxford University Press. Yin, R.K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications. Sage. Miles, M.B., Huberman, A.M. and Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative Data Analysis. Sage. Hair, J.F. et al. (2019). Multivariate Data Analysis. Cengage. Belcher, W.L. (2019). Writing Your Journal Article in Twelve Weeks. University of Chicago Press. Day, R.A. and Gastel, B. (2012). How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper. Cambridge University Press. Booth, W.C., Colomb, G.G. and Williams, J.M. (2016). The Craft of Research. University of Chicago Press.