Study Guide

Objective

The student
- understands the usefulness of the research approach in the expert practice
- is able to clearly define the general conditions of a research activity
- is able to formulate research problems
- is able to practice basic qualitative and quantitative research and development process, and scientific communication (including report structuring, planning and dissemination)
- acknowledges and is able to take into consideration the special conditions of research in the business environment
- is able to make use of the existing research results critically and produce new knowledge

Content

- research process
- scientific method and scientific approaches
- conducting a literature review
- research methodologies
- quantitative and qualitative data collection methods
- analyzing qualitative and quantitative data
- article writing and publishing

Materials

Saunders M. et al. 2016. Research Methods for Business Students. Seventh Edition. Prentice Hall.
All the study materials will be available in Optima

Teaching methods

Lecture, self-studies, workshops, seminars, and commentaries

International connections

Learning by doing, flip learning and case study approach, learning by doing.

Completion alternatives

There will be Optima test at the beginning of the course.
- Research Proposal: 50%
- Assignments: 30%
- Individual Performance: 20%
- Attendance to seminars
- Final Evaluation is either PASS/Fail

Student workload

Lectures and Seminar: 20 hours
Research Proposal: 20 hours
Individual Assignments and self-studies: 90 hours
Thesis Assessment: 10 hours

Content scheduling

Research process
Method and approaches to primary data collection
Conducting literature review
Understanding various methodologies
Quantitative and qualitative data collection methods
Analyzing qualitative and quantitative data
Writing and publishing

Further information

Will be published in Optima

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

Passive or no participation throughout the course. The student shows very limited knowledge and understanding of the main areas of the course as well as an inability to grasp fundamental business research philosophy. Zero or insignificant contribution during the workshop and small team seminars. Student shows very little ability to gather and interpret relevant secondary data to formulate research objectives and come to informed judgments that include reflection about what is asked for the assignments. The student has difficulties in communicating his/her ideas to others. Majority of assignments are unclear.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Limited participation throughout the course duration and contribution towards the completion of the final proposal. The student demonstrates limited knowledge and understanding of the main areas of the course. The student shows difficulties in applying his/her knowledge and understanding of the content. Basic understanding of business research processes and limited ability to apply knowledge into practice. The student has difficulties in communicating his/her ideas to others. Some parts of the text are unclear

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Good participation throughout the course duration, and encourages (support) other study team members in identifying, narrowing down research objectives and questions. Good understanding of overall research philosophy and processes. Delivers good research proposal where s/he can apply theoretical knowledge into practice (incorporate clear research methodology, theories into the final proposal. The student demonstrates good ability to gather and interpret relevant data to inform judgments that include reflection about what is asked for the assignments. The student is able to communicate his/her ideas to others. Important parts of the text are clear and well written.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent participant throughout the course duration, and encourages (support/guide) other study team members in contributing towards the final assignments. Excellent understanding of key research philosophy and processes. Student demonstrates an excellent ability to apply theoretical knowledge via triangulation in producing valuable findings. The student ability to gather and interpret relevant data to is consistent thought the course duration. The student is able to communicate clearly his/her ideas to others in a professional way. Most of the text is clear and well written.