Research Methods for Business Students
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This document provides an overview of a research methods module. It defines research as the investigation of an idea, subject, or topic for a purpose to extend knowledge or explore theory. The module objectives are to define the research process, understand qualitative and quantitative methods, deploy these methods in business contexts, and report findings. Students will complete a research project in groups and write reflections on their research practice. There will also be an examination with multiple choice and short answer questions. Key dates are provided for assignments and presentations.
Research Methods for Business Students
- 1. Slide 1.1
- 2. Slide 1.2 What is research? What does research mean to you? Write down some ideas, notes or definition. Share these with the people around you ...
- 3. Slide 1.3 What is research? Tongue in cheek definition: “Research is … about: proving your pet theory … is done by academics … is about establishing the facts … is objective … is about justifying what your funder wants to do … can prove anything you want … is time consuming … is scientific…is removed from reality … can not change anything”. Blaxter, Highes & Tight (2001 p.4)
- 4. Slide 1.4 What is research? “Research is the investigation of an idea, subject or topic for a purpose. It enables the researcher to extend knowledge or explore theory. It offers the opportunity to investigate an area of interest from a particular perspective.” “investigation and discovery. An opportunity to investigate a theory that requires further interpretation and greater understanding.” “A rigorous enquiry about an area which is of interest for various reasons, e.g. it may be an area about which little is known, or an area which is causing concern.” “Discovery, finding out, study, looking in depth, investigation, reaching new ideas / conclusions.” “The term research is for me a way of describing a systematic investigation of a phenomenon or are of activity. It can sometimes be accurately measured scientifically or data collected can be analysed and compared to identify trends, similarities or differences”.
- 5. Slide 1.5 What is research? “Research is the investigation of an idea, subject or topic for a purpose. It enables the researcher to extend knowledge or explore theory. It offers the opportunity to investigate an area of interest from a particular perspective.” “investigation and discovery. An opportunity to investigate a theory that requires further interpretation and greater understanding.” “A rigorous enquiry about an area which is of interest for various reasons, e.g. it may be an area about which little is known, or an area which is causing concern.” “Discovery, finding out, study, looking in depth, investigation, reaching new ideas / conclusions.” “The term research is for me a way of describing a systematic investigation of a phenomenon or are of activity. It can sometimes be accurately measured scientifically or data collected can be analysed and compared to identify trends, similarities or differences”. Clough & Nutbrown 2007 p. 6
- 6. Slide 1.6 Module Objectives On successful completion of the module you should be able to engage in a considered process of research within an academic and business context. With reference to the above aim you should be able to: Define a research process (from construction of research question through to reporting of findings) Understand the differences between qualitative and quantitative research methods Appreciate what these methods can (and can not) offer to a deliberate process of inquiry Deploy these methods in a business context Report on your findings in a coherent and consistent fashion
- 7. Slide 1.7 In addition, you should be able to demonstrate your personal ability to engage with academic sources to support your research investigation(s). With reference to the above aim you should be able to: Identify key (academic) sources for your subject discipline / area of research Undertake a systematic literature review on a given topic in your subject area Appreciate the key arguments in the literature and be aware of its strengths (and limitations) in an academic context Summarise academic papers in order to convey meaning and develop an argument Apply academic insight to a ‘real world’ problem
- 8. Slide 1.8 Why is this module important? Chat with your neighbour about why you think this module may be important to you ... For example, Who does research? What do they research? Why? (What are they seeking to find out?)
- 9. Slide 1.9 Teaching Approach Core Lectures over 16 weeks Presentation of ideas / Sharing of thoughts / Discussion of practice Key Readings Quick Quizzes – to test your understanding (but no marks) Engagement in a Research Project (40%) Supported by your ‘Research Scrapbook’ Thinking about YOUR Research Practice (30%) Writing about this in your Wiki Examination (30%)
- 10. Slide 1.10 Research Project (40%) Working in groups of 8 students (allocated by myself) you will engage in a piece of research that draws on the ‘quantitative’ and ‘qualitative’ dimensions. For Example: “Examine the luxury car market within Beijing to identify the market segment of the key players and determine the satisfaction of their owners (or principal users)” Complete a ‘research scrapbook’ during the course (i.e. NOT at the end !) Present a 15 min. Presentation on the key findings Group Mark is 40% of the module
- 11. Slide 1.11 Think about this now How would you go about conducting this research project? What are the important considerations that you would need to think about? Discuss this in groups 3-4 people and be prepared to share your ideas
- 12. Slide 1.12 Thinking about research (30%) At FIVE key stages in the research process I want you to deliberately consider A) what you are doing, B) why this is important and C) how you could develop your practice. 5 key stages: Note taking &/or idea generation Reviewing the Literature Data gathering approaches Data analysis techniques Presenting your findings Each entry can be up to 1,000 words long (plus diagrams, tables etc.) I will look at TWO of these and award a mark. Each counts as 15% of the module mark.
- 13. Slide 1.13 Thinking About Research: What does good look like? EXCELLENT: You have linked in your thoughts on the ‘theories’ with YOUR practice for YOUR research project. You supplement the entry with EVIDENCE of practice VERY GOOD: Further thoughts on how to deploy this are drawn from your guided (and independent) READING. GOOD: You have explained WHY this is important. ADEQUATE: You have TOLD ME about the importance of this stage FAIL: Not completed the entry on time, copying a colleagues work, not addressing the topic of the entry, failing to convey the importance and meaning of the topic
- 14. Slide 1.14 Examination (30%) 50 Multiple Choice Questions (total 50 marks) You will have seen at least 25 of these questions in the Quick Quizzes 10 Short Answer Questions (total 50 marks) You will have seen at least 5 of these questions in the Quick Quizzes
- 15. Slide 1.15 Example of a Multiple Choice Question ... What can pilot studies be used for? A As a way of getting to know Pilots B Any problems can be adjusted C B,D and E D To check standardised procedures E To test your design
- 16. Slide 1.16 Example of a Short Answer Question What type of interview would you use in each of the following situations: A) market research project? B) a research report seeking to understand whether university student attitudes have changed? C) following the analysis of a questionnaire?
- 17. Slide 1.17 Example of a Short Answer Question What type of interview would you use in each of the following situations: A) market research project? Standardised and structured interview to develop response patterns. B) a research report seeking to understand whether university student attitudes have changed? An exploratory approach to research therefore in- depth approach would be most appropriate. C) following the analysis of a questionnaire? An exploratory approach to data collection therefore semi-structured interview would be most appropriate.
- 18. Slide 1.18 A Guide to the next 15 weeks Individual Research Skills: Note Taking Individual Research Skills: Reviewing the Literature Individual Research Skills: Writing it up Research process and process of researching Clarifying the research topic Critically reviewing literature Qualitative methods Quantitative methods Analyzing qualitative date Analyzing quantitative data Writing up research project
- 19. Slide 1.19 Some important dates ! Week 3 (20th / 21st Sept) Wiki Entry on “Note taking &/or idea generation” Week 5 (11th /12th Oct) Wiki Entry on “Reviewing the Literature” Week 10 (15th /16th Nov) Wiki Entry on “Data gathering approaches” Week 12 (29th /30th Nov) Wiki Entry on “Data analysis techniques” Week 14 (13th /14th Dec.) Wiki Entry on “Peer Presentations” Week 11 (22nd /23rd Nov) Practice presentations on your research (focus on the topic background, objectives, design, methods etc.) Week 14 Group presentations (& submission of the group project)
- 20. Slide 1.20 “there is no one best way for undertaking all research” Saunders et al. (2009)