Identification Subject ECON 305 Qualitative and Quantitative
(Code, title, credits) Research Methods –
4KU/8ECTS
Department Economics and Management
Program Undergraduate
Semester Fall 2024
Instructor Elshan Ahmadov
Email
[email protected] Classroom/Hours Bashir Safaroglu 122, Room25
Time 13:40-16:10
Prerequisite ECON 205 Macroeconomics
Language English
Compulsory/Elective Compulsory
Course Materials Main textbook:
Saunders, M., Lewis, P. & Thornhill, A. (2020). Research methods for business
students (8th ed.). Harlow: Pearson.
Supplementary materials:
Hovard Lune, Bruce L. Berq (2017), Qualitative Research Methods for the Social
Sciences, © Pearson Education Limited 2017.
Additional reading sources:
Wadsworth (2005) Political Science Research Methods. 5th edition.
Course outline A foundations course on research methodology and design principles. The course
studies research methodologies with applications to specific problems. All students
submit research proposals based on their topics of interest.
Upon completing this course, each student will be able to:
1. demonstrate knowledge of research processes (reading, evaluating, and
developing);
2. perform literature reviews using print and online databases;
3. employ American Psychological Association (APA) formats for citations of print
and electronic materials;
4. identify, explain, compare, and prepare the key elements of a research
proposal/report;
5. define and develop a possible HIED research interest area using specific research
designs;
6. compare and contrast quantitative and qualitative research paradigms, and explain
the use of each in HIED research;
7. describe, compare, and contrast descriptive and inferential statistics, and provide
examples of their use in HIED research;
8. describe sampling methods, measurement scales and instruments, and appropriate
uses of each;
9. explain the rationale for research ethics, and the importance of and local processes
for Institutional Review Board (IRB) review; and
10. demonstrate how educational research contributes to the objectives of your
doctoral program and to your specific career aspirations in HIED.
Course objectives The course aims at
1. developing student’s ability to plan, conduct and report scientific research.
2. evaluating and using scientific research.
3. demonstrate knowledge of research processes (reading, evaluating, and
developing); identify, explain, compare, and prepare the key elements of a research
proposal/report;
4. compare and contrast quantitative and qualitative research paradigms, and explain
the use of each in HIED research;
5. describe, compare, and contrast descriptive and inferential statistics, and provide
examples of their use in HIED research;
6. describe sampling methods, measurement scales and instruments, and appropriate
uses of each;
7. demonstrate how educational research contributes to the objectives of your master
program and to your specific career aspirations in HIED.
Learning Outcomes At the end of the course, the students will be able to:
1. Students will be able to identify and describe the steps involved in the research
process.
2. Students will be able to differentiate between various types of research designs
and select an appropriate design for a given research question.
3. Students will be able to develop a research proposal and conduct a literature
review.
4. Students will be able to select and apply appropriate data collection methods and
sampling techniques.
5. Students will be able to analyze and interpret quantitative and qualitative data
using appropriate statistical and analytical techniques.
6. Students will be able to identify and address ethical considerations in research,
including obtaining informed consent and maintaining confidentiality.
7. Students will be able to communicate research findings effectively through
written reports and oral presentations.
8. Students will be able to apply research methods in various fields, such as
psychology, education, healthcare, and business.
9. Students will be able to evaluate existing research studies and identify potential
areas for future research.
10. Students will develop critical thinking skills and an appreciation for the
importance of research in advancing knowledge in their chosen field.
Teaching Methods Lecture X
Group Discussion X
Practical Assignments X
Others X
Evaluation Methods Date/Deadline Percentage (%)
Midterm Exam TBA 30
Research work and tasks During the semester 10
Attendance 5
Activity 5
Research proposal presentation Week 15 15
Final Exam TBA 35
Total 100
Policy Research work and tasks. Students will be required to select and work on an
appropriate topic guided by the academic research methods presented. The total
volume of the research work should be around 10-12 pages (2500-3000 words). At
this time, students will be required to follow all research principles and methodologies
presented in the lecture. A sample of research and presentation will be provided by
the teacher. The research paper should be submitted no later than December 10.
Attendance: Because of the once-a-week course format, students are expected to
attend all sessions. If the student has an absence, he/she takes responsibility for
making up assignments and for obtaining missed lecture information.
Activity is important for doing well in the course. You’ll be graded for your active
engagement with the material and your peers. The good research work, activity and
participation will account for 5 % of the total course grade.
Class preparation. Students are responsible for:
1) reading the assigned materials;
2) taking the initiative to ask questions that promote understanding of the academic
subject;
3) communicating regularly with the instructor, especially in matters related to class
assignments.
Research proposal presentation.
Proposal presentation and discussion will be conducted by each student. The proposal
presentation includes the following: title, introduction, literature review,
methodology, and proposed data analysis. Proposal presentation will constitute 10 %
of the total course grade.
Students must present the research paper they have prepared during the session at the
end of the session (last two weeks). The presentation is presented in the "Power Point"
program, consisting of at least 20 slides. The student presents a brief summary of the
topic and results of the research.
Cheating/plagiarism. Academic integrity is fundamental to the activities and
principles of a university. Breaches of the academic integrity will lead to assignment
cancellation. When in doubt about plagiarism or any other form of cheating, consult
the course instructor.
Tentative Schedule
Week Date/Day Topics
(tentative) Textbook/Assignments
1. Course overview &orientation Saunders et al., Chapter
The nature of research 1
The research process
2. Formulating and clarifying research topic Saunders et al., Chapter
Attributes of a good research topic 2
Generating research ideas/turning them into projects
Writing your research proposal
3. Reviewing the literature Saunders et al., Chapter
Literature sources 3
Planning/conducting your literature search
Obtaining, evaluating and recording literature
4. Reviewing the literature (contd.) Saunders et al., Chapter
Plagiarism 3&4
Research philosophies and approaches
Understanding your research philosophy
5. The research design Saunders et al., Chapter
The purpose of your research 5
Multiple methods choices
The credibility of your research findings
The ethics of your research
6. Access and research ethics Saunders et al., Chapter
Issues associated with gaining access and strategies to 6
gain access
Research ethics
Ethical issues at different stages of research
7. Sampling Saunders et al., Chapter
Probability and non-probability sampling. 7
8. Midterm Exam. Secondary data Saunders et al., Chapter
Types of data/locating data/evaluating secondary data 8
Advantages and disadvantages of secondary data
9. Collecting primary data Saunders et al., Chapter
Participant observation 9&10
Structured observation
Interviews
10. Collecting primary data (contd.) Saunders et al., Chapter
Interviews (contd.) 10&11
Questionnaires
11. Analyzing quantitative data Saunders et al., Chapter
Preparing, inputting, checking, exploring and presenting 12
data
Describing data using statistics
12. Analyzing quantitative data(contd.) Saunders et al., Chapter
Examining relationships, differences and trends using 12
statistics
13. Analyzing qualitative data Saunders et al., Chapter
Quantitative vs. qualitative data 13
analysis
Approaches to qualitative analysis
Types of qualitative analysis processes
Analytical aids.
14. Writing your research report Saunders et al., Chapter
Structuring/organizaing your report 14
Developing an appropriate writing style.
Meeting the assessment criteria
15. Oral presentation of the report. Research proposal
presentations
16. Final Exam
