Course Objectives
This course presents the process of research
from the inception of a purpose statement or research thesis through to the
writing up of a report or essay. Through exposure to different research
methods, students will learn which method is appropriate for the research
questions and/or hypotheses they generate.
The class will be primarily hands-on with
students formulating their own topics and ideas for the course. During the
course they will design a research plan, and begin the work on their own essay
or thesis. This course may serve as the first step in formulating the topic,
purpose and research method for their thesis. At the end of this course,
students should have a fully developed research plan, and will be assigned a
thesis advisor to oversee their thesis project. The course brings students to
examine the why and what for of research by reading up on different theories
and methods. This will include qualitative and quantitative methods, mixed
methods, as well as inductive vs. deductive inquiry. In addition, students will
learn to recognize research integrity and validity, formulate research
questions and hypotheses, and develop the design for a thesis or report, as
well as how to conduct a literature review and prepare an annotated
bibliography.
Expected Outcome / Learning
This research methods course provides
learning in terms of critical thinking and evaluation of other people's
research, and it places an accent on the importance to learn clear
communication to distinguish a fact from a finding, from knowledge gathering,
or from arguments based on unexpressed assumptions. Students will have learned
to use both qualitative and quantitative research methods, and to analyze
research - their own and others' on the basis of the validity and
appropriateness of the research tools and methods used for the given subject
and research objective.
Upon the successful completion of this course, the
student will be able to:
- Develop a purpose statement that may be in the form of a research question or a hypothesis.
- Understand the principal tendencies in the theory of research
- Design a research plan and understand the detail of the various necessary steps.
- Conduct a thorough literature review and prepare an annotated bibliography.
- Understand why quantitative and qualitative methodologies are used in gathering data and which methods benefit what kind of outcome.
- Analyze the data collected.
- Write up and present the findings.
At the end of this course, students should
have a fully developed research plan, and will be assigned a thesis advisor to
oversee their thesis project.
Prerequisites
Entry
into graduate studies is the only prerequisite. This course is a must for all
graduate students who study and work in the social sciences, business
management, humanities, economics and finance.
Required Textbook
Donald
R. Cooper, Pamela S. Schindler, Business Research Methods, 11/e, McGrawHill,
2011 (ISBN-13 9780073373706)
Suggested Readings
Creswell,
John W., Research Design: Qualitative Quantitative and Mixed Methods
Approaches, Los Angeles, London, Sage Publications, 2009 (3r edition) (ISBN:
978-1-4129-6557-6 paperback)
Publisher's website: www.sagepublications.com
Publisher's website: www.sagepublications.com
Glossary Research Methodology, click here
COURSE
SCHEDULE
Module 1 |
|
Description
|
Research
in Business. Thinking like a Researcher.
|
Read
|
1. Textbook,
ch. 1, 3
2. Textbook,
Appendix 1a: How the Research Industry Works
|
Discussion
|
a. “You observe the following condition: “Our female representative have lower
customer defections than do our male sales representative.” Propose the
concepts and constructs you might use to study this phenomenon.”
b. Look through Sample
Project Report. Think about you report topic. Send out your topic to your
fellows and to the instructor.
c.Part I: Write
Background and Description of Problem
|
Module 2 |
|
Description
|
The
Research Process. Clarifying the Research Questions.
|
Read
|
Textbook,
ch. 4-5
|
Discussion
|
a. “Discuss the problem of trading off exploration and plot testing
under tight budgetary constraints. What are the immediate and long-term
effects?.”
b. Part II:
write Main Research Objective of your project
|
Module 3 |
|
Description
|
The
Design of Research
|
Read
|
Textbook,
ch.6 – obligatory, ch. 7-10 – up to your Project needs.
|
Discussion
|
a. “Why not use more control variables rather than depend on
randomization as the means of controlling extraneous variables?”
b. Part III.
Define Methodology of your research. Explain your choice.
|
Module 4 |
|
Description
|
The
Sources and Collection of Data
|
Read
|
Textbook, ch.
11, 13, 14
|
Discussion
|
a. “Why is the survey technique so popular? When is it not
appropriate?”
b. Part IV:
Collect Data for your Project.
|
Module 5 |
|
Description
|
Analysis
of Data
|
Read
|
Textbook, ch.
15
|
Discussion
|
a. “How should the researcher handle “don’t know” responses?”
b. Part V: Findings.
|
Module 6 |
|
Description
|
Exploring,
Displaying, and Examining Data
|
Read
|
Textbook, ch.
16
|
Discussion
|
a. “Describe your project and explain how you analyzed Data.”
b. Part V: Findings.
Organize Appendixes.
|
Module 7 |
|
Description
|
Presenting
Insights and Findings.
|
Read
|
Textbook, ch.
20
|
Discussion
|
a.“The president of the company has asked for a study of the company’s pension
plan and its comparison to the plans of other firms in the industry. What
type of report would you suggest?”
b. Complete
your Research Project. Send it to your professor.
|
Module 8 |
|
Description
|
Final
Project
|
Prepare
|
1. Make corrections of you report according to professor’s recommendations.
2. Send
out your final report to your fellows.
3. Be
ready to discuss: “Discuss Research Reports of your fellows. Be sure that you
answer all the questions about your project and make comments on your
fellows’ projects.”
|
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