• Year one
• FHEQ level 8
• 30 credits
• Core module
• Module lead: Nick Waggett

Module aims
The aims of the module are to:

• provide a sophisticated introduction to a range of research methodologies and research paradigms relevant to the conduct of applied professional research programmes
• introduce key debates about different ways of understanding the world in the social sciences, with particular attention to psycho-social, systemic, and organisational applications of these
• through regular facilitated multi-disciplinary group sessions with other Professional Doctorate students, enable you to reflect on your identity, research aspirations, and methodological interests and thereby begin to reflexively position yourself as an applied researcher
• consider how applied research can be utilised to develop professional practice and contribute to extending the forefront of knowledge and/or professional practice within your own area

Module assessment
You are required to submit a 5000 word critical and analytical literature review on a selected research topic, which may or may not be what the student eventually opts to research for their dissertation.

• Year one
• FHEQ level 8
• 30 credits
• Core module
• Module lead: Louisa Diana Brunner

Module aims
The aims of the module are to:

• develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of psychoanalytic and systems theory and appreciation of its application to organisations and organisational behaviour
• introduce a range of highly specialist areas of consultancy practice to broaden your awareness of the range of methodologies, to develop consultancy skills and extend your experience
• develop and apply innovative practice to be able to plan, undertake and evaluate at least three professional consultancy work interventions during the year
• critically appraise contemporary writing in the field and consider its credibility, authority, practical relevance and application
• develop your written and oral communication skills to a high level, to convey complex information clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences

Module assessment
You are required to carry out a minimum of six consultancy assignments throughout the two years of the taught programme, in which they will either work alone or, where appropriate, as part of a team.

Two of these assignments must be written up as detailed consultancy reports in year one, and these form the assessment for Advanced Practice Module 1.

• Year two
• FHEQ level 8
• 30 credits
• Core module
• Module lead: Stephanie Davies

Module aims
The aims of the module are to:

• consolidate your learning from Research Methods 1 with your prior knowledge and experience in applied professional practice
• help you think critically and reflexively about problems in order to create new solutions and new knowledge
• enable you to choose an appropriate research design and research methodology for your research questions

Module assessment
You are required to submit a written assignment of 5,000 words, describing the research that will form the basis of your thesis and including a systematic literature review.

• Year two
• FHEQ level 8
• 30 credits
• Core module
• Module lead: Louisa Diana Brunner

Module aims
The aims of the module are to:

• introduce you to a range of highly specialist areas of consultancy practice to broaden your awareness of the range of applicable methodologies, to develop consultancy skills and to further extend their experience
• develop and apply originality and innovative practice to be able to plan, undertake and evaluate at least three professional consultancy work interventions during the year, in contexts unfamiliar
• critically appraise contemporary writing in the field and consider its credibility, authority, practical relevance and application
• develop your written and oral communication skills to a high level, to convey complex information clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences. To support you in preparing written assignments for peer review and publication

Module assessment
You are required to carry out a minimum of six consultancy assignments throughout the two years of the taught programme, in which you will either work alone or, where appropriate, as part of a team.

To assess the Advanced Practice Module 2, one of these assignments is to be written up as detailed, 3,000 word case study in year two, accompanied by a 3,000 word professional developmental report and work log.

• Years three plus
• FHEQ level 8
• 240 credits
• Core module
• Module lead: Simon Tucker

Module aims
The aims of the module are to:

• apply research skills in a real-world environment to complete a research project which is of some value to your field of professional practice in consultation
• implement original, relevant and purposeful research, with a sound basis achieved through integrating a review of existing literature, ontological and epistemological considerations, strategy, design and methodology appropriate to the research question
• articulate and defend the positions that you have adopted with regard to your research and successfully negotiate a viva examination based on determining the originality, reliability and validity of the research and the value to the profession

Module assessment
Assessment is through the submission and viva examination of a thesis up to 40,000 words detailing your original research.