BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS

Course code FUN118

Course title Business Research Methods
Type of course Main
rd
Year of study 2
Semester Spring
No. of credits 4 credits , 24 hours of theory, 24 hours of practice, 112
hours of self-study
ECTS 6
Name of lecturer Assoc. Prof. Linas Turauskas
linas.turauskas@ism.lt
Prerequisites Statistical Data Analysis
Language of instruction English

Course description
This introductory course of research methods for the social sciences covers the fundamental stages of research,
and data collection methods. During the course of this class, formulation of a research problem is taught, and
fundamental methods for data collection are presented. Sources for primary and secondary data are defined. The
split between quantitative and qualitative research methods is defined, and the possibilities and means to
coordinate each of these methods are discussed. The major quantitative and qualitative research methods are
broadly discussed in class. Presented and discussed are the qualitative data collection methods, which are less
frequently applied in social research. The questionnaire, one of the main instruments for collecting primary data,
is explained, along with fundamental principles and specifics, involved in developing a questionnaire. Issues on
populations and sample selection, as well as the basic means for selecting samples are discussed. The coding of
qualitative data is explained, as well as the specifics for analysing such. Additionally, the main requirements for
preparing and presenting research reports are presented.

Course objective
The module aims to teach the application of the main research methods in social sciences by selecting and
formulating a problem for research, selecting the sampling units for research, utilizing different methods for
collecting, analysing, and interpreting research data, and compiling a research report.

Learning outcomes:
The students will have learned the main research methods in social sciences, will be able to formulate a selected
problem, will be mastered to select a sample and utilise different methods for collecting, analysing, and
interpreting research data.

Teaching methods: Lectures, practices, homework, and individual work by students.

Course contents:
Contact Hours
Week Topic
Lecture Seminar
Introductory lecture: presentation of the goals, assignments, and
requirements for this course.

1 Social sciences: scientific principles, fundamental theoretical 2 2

paradigms (structural, functionalism, social conflict and the
paradigm of symbolic interactions in brief). Main aspects of ethics
in social research.
Primary and secondary sources for data. Questionnaires: basic
types in brief. Experiments: “field” vs. laboratory conditions;
2
advantages and disadvantages. Types of observations. 2 2
Secondary sources, and their potential for use in the course of
research.
Basic quantitative data collection methods in the social sciences:
questionnaires. In-person and telephone interviews, their use, and
3 2 2
advantages and disadvantages. Mail and internet questionnaires.
Individual and group interviews.
 Writing the questionnaire. Structure of a questionnaire. Main
stages in writing questions. Order for the distribution of questions.
4 Defining concepts used in questions. Primary requirements for
2 2
questions. Open-end and closed-end questions. Formats of
closed-end questions: scales, and the specifics for their selection
and use.
Sources of errors during interviews. Respondents, researchers,
5 interviewer, questionnaire. Reasons for respondent refusals to
2 2
participate in the research. Reasons for inaccurate answers.
Conditions necessary for a successful interview.
Samples. Their types. Probability and non-probability types of
6 sampling. Criteria for sampling selection. Sample size and
2 2
premises for assuring representation. Conditions necessary for
generalization of data collected.
Quantitative data analysis. Correlation coefficients in analysis of
7 categorical data. Chi-square and crosstabulation. Limitations of
2 2
using chi-square. Practical applications of running the analysis and
interpreting the results with SPSS.
Quantitative data analysis. Nonparametric tests. Wilcoxon criterion
for two dependent samples. Mann-Whitney criterion for two
8 independent samples. Friedman criterion for k dependent
2 2
samples. Kruskall-Wallis criterion for k independent samples.
Limitations of nonparametric tests. Practical applications of
®
running the analysis and interpreting the results with SPSS .
Methods for qualitative and quantitative data collection. Most
9 widely used qualitative research methods in the social sciences: 2 2
interview and focus group discussions.
Qualitative interview. Major types: semi-structured and
10 unstructured interviews. Role-playing outlook on qualitative 2 2
interviews.
Organising and running focus group discussions. The role of the
11 2 2
moderator.
Qualitative data analysis. Coding, categorization, abstracting and
12 2 2
preparation for report writing.
Mixed method research in social sciences. Main strategies of
13 2 2
combining quantitative and qualitative data and / or research.
Preparation of research report and results. Structure of report:
introduction, literature review, description of research
14 2 2
methodology, interpreting results, visualisation of results,
conclusions’ writing.

Assessment:
TOTAL HRS.
INFLUENCE TO
TYPE OF ASSIGNMENT FOR
FINAL GRADE, %
PREPAR.
1. Test on Ch. 1-5 15 15
®
2. Defence of homework assignment on SPSS Ch. 5-7 10 10
3. Final exam on theory, Ch. 8-14 25 25
4. Group research project assignment
4.1. Preparation of questionnaire 6
4.2. Pilot survey 3
4.3. Conducting of observations 4
4.4. Determining of sampling size and choosing of sampling 2
4.5. Collection of data 5
4.6. Data input 5
4.7. Data analysis 10
4.8. Preparation of research report and presentation 15
Total for group research project assignment: 50 50
Total: 100 100
Recommended reading:
th
1. Babbie, E. (2004). The Practice of Social Research (10 ed). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson
Learning.
th
2. Saunders, M., Lewis, P., Thornhill, A. (2007). Research Methods for Business Students (4 ed).
Harlow, England: Pearson Education.

Additional reading
1. Arksey, H., Knight, P. (1999). Interviewing for Social Scientists. London: Sage.
th
2. Berg, B. L. (2007). Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences (6 ed.). Boston: Allyn and
Bacon.
3. Bernard, H. R. (2000). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
4. Čekanavičius, V. Murauskas, G. (2000). Statistika ir jos taikymai (I d.). Vilnius: TEV.
5. Čekanavičius, V. Murauskas, G. (2002). Statistika ir jos taikymai (II d.). Vilnius: TEV.
6. Kumar, R. (1999). Research Methodology: A Step-by-step Guide for Beginners. London: Sage.
7. Leonavičien÷, T. (2006). SPSS programų paketo taikymas statistiniuose tyrimuose. Vilnius: VPU
leidykla.
8. Punch, K.F. (2000). Introduction to Social Research: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches.
London: Sage.
9. Handouts prepared by the instructor.