Yearbooks

Programme: MPhil with specialisation in Evidence-based Management

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Code Faculty Department
07254021 Gordon Institute of Business Science Department: Gordon Institute of Business Science
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 1 year Total credits: 180 NQF level:  09

Programme information

The degree comprises the writing of a mini-dissertation and coursework.

Full particulars of the degree programme are contained in a brochure which is available from the departmental website.

Admission requirements

  1. Relevant honours (or equivalent) degree
    or
  2. Relevant postgraduate diploma

Other programme-specific information

Refer to General Academic Regulations G30-G41.

Refer to the GIBS student guidelines and regulations.

The Dean may authorise matters not provided for in the General Academic Regulations or in the GIBS regulations

Examinations and pass requirements

  1. The minimum pass mark for each prescribed module is 50%, provided that a subminimum of 45% has been obtained in the examination or an examined component.
  2. A candidate who has failed more than two core modules may not continue with their studies for the degree, except with the approval of the Dean.

Refer to the GIBS student guidelines and regulations.

Minimum credits: 180

Core modules

  • Module content:

    This module reviews some of the basic elements of evidence-based management, i.e. a systematic engagement with evidence and prior knowledge. This module helps students to understand the value of an evidence-based approach to business in an era of rapid social and technological changes, globalisation and “big data”.

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  • Module content:

    This module helps students to conceptualise a research design. It covers how the choice of a research design relates to the chosen analytic method (Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research or Mixed Methods). Students are expected to relate the business challenge to the research design and to justify the selection of a given design for a given problem. The objectives of the module are to help students: make informed decisions about their research design; and understand the implications of selecting a given research design in particular around the questions that can be answered.

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  • Module content:

    This module aims to expose students to a number of key topics related to quantitative research methodology with the purpose of equipping students with the ability and skills to successfully execute a quantitative research project. More specifically the module intends to provide students with an understanding of the philosophies underlying quantitative research, a selection of research methods used to collect primary data for a quantitative research study and to ensure that they are able to draw a sample to collect quantitative data from respondents. The module also attempts to equip students with the ability to develop a conceptual model in order to illustrate the proposed relationships between variables and equip students with skills to analyse quantitative data.

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  • Module content:

    This module aims to expose students to a number of key topics related to qualitative research methodology with the purpose of equipping students with the ability and skills to successfully execute a qualitative research project. More specifically the module intends to provide students with an understanding of the philosophies underlying qualitative research and introduces research designs which are consistent with them. Students will learn how to construct a sample in qualitative research and to develop appropriate instruments, as well as developing the skills to use a selection of research methods, for collecting primary data. Finally, students will learn about qualitative data analysis.

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  • Module content:

    This module aims to help students apply the principles of evidence-based management in an integrative way to the business challenge they have identified. This requires demonstrating how business challenges are better understood with the use of theory or models, measurement concepts and methods, qualitative and/or quantitative modes of observation, identifying causes, the logic of control variables, and the design of experiments and quasi-experiments. Students will also be required to communicate these complex ideas in a language that is deemed credible by scholars, but nonetheless accessible to business audiences.

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  • Module content:

    This module aims to guide students to read existing research and especially theories in an appreciative manner. They need to identify the main theories explaining a real-world challenge of their choice, and to explain how the theories have been used.

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  • Module content:

    This module aims to guide students to read existing literature and especially theories in a critical manner. They need to highlight the ‘blind spots’ of the main theories that have been used to explain their chosen challenge, and to explain how alternative perspectives may help better explain it.This module aims to guide students to read existing literature and especially theories in a critical manner. They need to highlight the ‘blind spots’ of the main theories that have been used to explain their chosen challenge, and to explain how alternative perspectives may help better explain it.

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  • Module content:

    This module aims to guide students to develop their own conceptual models. They need to integrate existing literature with their own critical understanding, and to propose an alternative framework for making sense of a phenomenon they have observed.

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  • Module content:

    This module aims to guide students to analyse a chosen business challenge through the lens of an appropriate theoretical lens, and to explain the chosen evidence base that will provide them enough information to make robust recommendations for practice.

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The regulations and rules for the degrees published here are subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information.

The General Academic Regulations (G Regulations) and General Student Rules apply to all faculties and registered students of the University, as well as all prospective students who have accepted an offer of a place at the University of Pretoria. On registering for a programme, the student bears the responsibility of ensuring that they familiarise themselves with the General Academic Regulations applicable to their registration, as well as the relevant faculty-specific and programme-specific regulations and information as stipulated in the relevant yearbook. Ignorance concerning these regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression, or basis for an exception to any of the aforementioned regulations.

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