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Teaching research methods: Introducing a psychogeographical approach

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 March 2019

Clare Hindley*
Affiliation:
IUBH International University of Applied Sciences, Mülheimer Straße 38, 53604 Bad Honnef, Germany
Deborah Knowles
Affiliation:
Westminster Business School, University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5LS, UK
Damian Ruth
Affiliation:
Massey University, Massey University Manawatu, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
*
*Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]

Abstract

This paper explores teaching business students research methods using a psychogeographical approach, specifically the technique of dérive. It responds to calls for new ways of teaching in higher education and addresses the dearth of literature on teaching undergraduate business students qualitative research methods. Psychogeography challenges the dominance of questionnaires and interviews, introduces students to data variety, problematizes notions of success and illuminates the importance of observation and location. Using two studies with undergraduate students, the authors emphasize place and setting, the perception of purpose, the choice of data, criteria of success and the value of guided reflection and self-reflection in students’ learning. Additionally the data reflect on the way students perceive research about management and the nature of management itself. The paper concludes that the deployment of psychogeography to teach business research methods although complex and fraught with difficulty is nevertheless viable, educationally productive and worthy of further research.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management 2019

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