Institute of Management Sciences

Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan

Course Plan for Business Research Methods

Instructor: Ms Anam Iqbal, Class: MBA (Evening) 3rd Semester, Session: 2011-14

Course Objective
Quality of business decisions depends on the availability of accurate and timely information. Today, without appropriate information, managers are just like searching in the dark. Information provides a strong basis for decision-making and confidence that managers use while arguing for their decisions. The course of Business Research Methods aims to develop research skills in students through acquiring a comprehensive knowledge of research process and its considerations. At the end of the semester students is supposed to have learned: y y y y y y y Logical sequence of Management Dilemma and Research Questions Hierarchy. How to prepare good Research Proposals How to decide for Research Design based on particular management dilemma, nature of information/respondents and any limitations. Important considerations for Measurement. What Sampling Methodology to adopt in various situations having different information requirements, nature of respondents and purpose of research. Various data collection methodologies their advantages and limitations Effective ways to analyse and interpret the data.

In addition to class lectures, students are required to make presentations on the topics/problems given. A Term Report is required at the end of semester from each student that is taken as a measurement of students comprehension of the research process and methodologies. The quality of business decisions depends to a great extent on the information available to the decision maker. It is the function of business research to provide information for this decision-making. The main purpose of this course is the prospective business decision makers with an understanding of research methods

Course Contents
Session

Topic
I-Introduction to Business Research Emergence/Importance of Research in Business

Source
Business Research Methods by Donald R. Cooper & Pamela S. Schindler , 8th edition (2003) Do Do Do Do Do

1 Business Research and Management Dilemmas Characteristics of Good Research Value of Acquiring Research Skills Relationship between Manager and Researcher 2. Scientific Thinking and Management Problems Styles of Thinking The Thought Process: Reasoning Induction and Deduction Understanding Research Terms:

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y Concepts & Constructs y Definitions y Variables y Propositions and Hypothesis y Theory and Models 3. The Research Process Sequence and phases of a good Research Process The Management Research Question Hierarchy 4. The Research Proposal a. Purposes of Research Proposal b. Sponsor uses and Researcher benefits (Research Proposal Continued) a. Types of Research Proposals b. Structuring the Research Proposal

Do Do Do

Do Remenyi D (2005) Tell me a Story A way to Knowledge The Electronic Journal of Business Research Methodology Volume 3 Issue 2, pp 133140, available online at www.ejbrm.com Business Research Methods by Donald R. Cooper & Pamela S. Schindler , 8th edition (2003) Do

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Article Discussion: Tell me a story A way to Knowledge

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5. Research Design Strategies a. Factors affecting research design b. Exploratory Studies (Research Design Continued) c. Descriptive Studies d. Causal Studies Focusing on Qualitative Business Research In-depth Interviews Focus Groups Projective Techniques 6. Sampling Design a. The nature of sampling b. Sampling Techniques Probability Sampling Complex Probability Sampling (Sampling Techniques continued) Non-Probability Sampling

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Do Friesner T and Hart M (2005) Learning Logs: Assessment or Research Method The Electronic Journal of Business Research Methodology Volume 3 Issue 2, pp 117122, available online at www.ejbrm.com Do Business Research Methods by Donald R. Cooper & Pamela S. Schindler , 8th edition (2003) Do

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Article Discussion: Learning Log: Assessment or Research Method

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Do 7. Measurement a. The Nature of Measurement b. Data Types (Nominal, Ordinal, Interval & Ratio) (Measurement continued)

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c. Sources of Measurement Differences d. Characteristics of sound measurement An introduction to Measurement Scales 8. Exploring Secondary Data a. The Exploratory Phase Search Strategy i. Levels of Information ii. Types of Information Sources iii. Evaluating Information Sources iv. Searching a Bibliographic Database v. Searching the World Wide Web for Information b. Mining Internal Sources i. Evolution of Data Mining ii. Data Mining Techniques iii. Data Mining Process 9. Survey Methods: Communication with Participants a. Characteristics of the Communication Approach b. Personal Interviewing (Survey Methods: continued) c. Telephone Interviewing d. Self-Administered Surveys c. Selecting an Optimal Method

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Do Day J and Bobeva M (2005) A Generic Toolkit for the Successful Management of Delphi Studies The Electronic Journal of Business Research Methodology Volume 3 Issue 2, pp 103-116, available online at www.ejbrm.com Do Business Research Methods by Donald R. Cooper & Pamela S. Schindler , 8th edition (2003) Do Business Research Methods by Donald R. Cooper & Pamela S. Schindler , 8th edition (2003) Do Business Research Methods by Donald R. Cooper & Pamela S. Schindler , 8th edition (2003) Do Risom Jespersen K (2005) Applying a Behavioural Simulation for the Collection of Data The Electronic Journal of

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Article Discussion: A Generic Toolkit for the Successful Management of Delphi Studies

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Do 10. Instruments for Participant Communication a. Instrument Design Strategy b. Review of Management Research Question Hierarchy (Instruments for Participant Communication: continued) c. Constructing and Refining the Measurement Questions d. Drafting and Refining the Instrument

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Case Study: Inquiring Minds Want to Know Now! Do 11. Observational Studies Do Article Discussion: Applying a Behavioural Simulation for the Collection of Data

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Do 12. Data Analysis and Interpretation 13. Analysing and Interpreting Data Using SPSS Do Do 16. Presenting Results: Written and Oral Reports a. Written Research Report i. Short Reports ii. Long Reports (Research Report: continued) b. Research Report Components c. Writing the Report d. Presentation of Statistics d. Oral Presentations

Business Research Methodology Volume 3 Issue 2, pp 141-148, available online at www.ejbrm.com Do Business Research Methods by Donald R. Cooper & Pamela S. Schindler , 8th edition (2003) SPSS

Business Research Methods by Donald R. Cooper & Pamela S. Schindler , 8th edition (2003)

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Case Study: Mastering Teacher Leadership Do Students Presentation of Research Reports Do

Business Research Methods by Donald R. Cooper & Pamela S. Schindler, 8th edition (2003) Do -----

Textbooks/Reading Material
y Business Research Methods By: William Emory & Donald R. Cooper 5th edition, 1999 Business Research Methods By: Donald R. Cooper, Pamela S. Schindler 8th edition, 2003 Business Research Methods By William Emory, Revised Edition, National Book Foundation Business Research Methods By Zigmund