本科+商科研究方法[1]..

Research Methods I (商科研究方法I)
053795
Course outline and reading
Spring Term – Mondey and Thursday
Class 8, 9
Dr Zhaohong LIN
Dr Jue WANG
This module provides students with the necessary knowledge and understanding to critically appraise published work in the area of International Business and management, and the necessary skills to design their own research proposal and project. Different types of research strategies, with an emphasis on case studies and surveys, are explained. Different data collection techniques and analytical tools – ranging from pattern matching in qualitative designs to regression technique for analyzing large data sets, are covered.
Aims
The module aims to provide students with:
∙the theoretical foundations of social science research, including different research philosophies and research designs;
∙understanding of the difference between quantitative and qualitative research; and
∙familiarity of a number of research methods which can be used to undertake data collection and analysis.
Objectives
On completion of this module students should have acquired:
∙an understanding of the problems involved in formulating a research question;
∙the ability to formulate a research proposal, critically review the literature and undertake data collection and analysis; and
∙the skills to present, analyze and interpret complex data and complete the research project.
Course reading
●Pallant, J. (2010), SPSS Survival Manual: a Step by Step Guide to Data Analysis using SPSS, Open University Press, Fourth Edition.
●Collis, J. and Hussey, R., (2009) Business Research: A Practical Guide for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students, 3rd eds, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke. ●Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2009) Research methods for business students, 5th edition, Prentice Hall.
●Ghauri, P. and Gronhaug, K.(2005).Research Methods in Business Studies: A Practical Guide, 3rd eds, Prentice Hall, Essex.
Assessment
The assessment is consisted of two parts. First part is concerning a group work (essay) with 2000-3000 words in length (70%) and the submission deadline is June 2011; the second part is concerning a regular performance such as attendance (30%).
Course outline
Lecture 1 Introduction of Research methods
Dr Jue WANG
Lecture
This session provides a general introduction of the research methods, including the structure of the course. Some books are suggested and the assessment is introduced. Discussion
15 minutes will be given to the open discussion on the improvement of the method of teaching and knowledge delivery for this course.
Key reading
∙Collis, J. and Hussey, R., (2009) Business Research: A Practical Guide for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students, 3rd eds, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke.
∙Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2009) Research methods for business students, 5th edition, Prentice Hall.
Lecture 2The research process
Dr Jue WANG
Lecture
The key aim of this session is to define the meaning of research and highlight the importance of conducting a research in the field of international business. Induction and deduction is introduced. Following on from this, the session provides a detailed overview of research process (i.e. Research process, Measurements, Data sources, Data collection, Sampling, Qualitative and quantitative data and writing report). Discussion
Working in small groups of 3 to 5 students, discuss the topics you would like to write your research project on. Jointly work towards appropriate research questions and propose a writing structure of a project.
Key reading
∙Collis, J. and Hussey, R., (2009) Business Research: A Practical Guide for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students, 3rd eds, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke.
∙Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2009) Research methods for business students, 5th edition, Prentice Hall.
Lecture 3 Measurements
Dr Zhaohong LIN
Lecture
This session describes different levels (scales) of measurements, including nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio level, where basic empirical operations and typical use are introduced. The concepts of validity and reliability are also explained.
Workshop
Working in small groups, discuss and identify which data should be used ad how to use in some given examples.
Key reading
●Ghauri, P. and Gronhaug, K.(2005).Research Methods in Business Studies: A Practical
Guide, 3rd eds, Prentice Hall, Essex.
Lecture 4 Data source
Lecture
This session describes the types of data, including secondary data and primary data. The process of searching published secondary sources and sources of primary data are introduced. Both of advantages and disadvantages of secondary data and primary data are explored.
Discussion
Working in groups of 3 to 5, based on the given questions, you are asked to discuss which type of data should be collected and how. The same discussion is also extended to the topic of group assignment/projects.
Key reading
●Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2009) Research methods for business students, 5th
edition, Prentice Hall.
●Ghauri, P. and Gronhaug, K.(2005).Research Methods in Business Studies: A Practical
Guide, 3rd eds, Prentice Hall, Essex.
Lecture 5 Data collection
Dr Zhaohong LIN
Lecture
This session covers the types of quantitative data and qualitative data. The methods of data collection are introduced. Survey, case study, historical review, focus group and experiment are introduced in depth one by one. Unstructured and structured interviews, as well as the design of questionnaires are introduced.
Discussion
Working in groups of 3 to 5, you are asked to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different methods of data collection and work on an outline of a research proposal.
Key reading
▪Collis, J. and Hussey, R. (2003) Business Research. A Practical Guide for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students, Palgrave.
▪Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2009) Research methods for business students, 5th edition, Prentice Hall.
Lecture 6 Writing an academic report
Dr Zhaohong LIN
Lecture
This session discusses the purpose and importance of a written presentation. The contents, types, lengths, and technical specifications of research reports are covered.
Discussion
All groups (make up of 5-8 students) are asked to present their research proposal to the class. Presentations should take approximately 5 minutes and should cover the research question(s), the key literature and the methodology proposed to answer the research question(s).
Key Reading
▪Collis, J. and Hussey, R. (2009) Business Research. A Practical Guide for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students, Palgrave.
Lecture 7 SPSS practices on computer
Dr Jue WANG
Lecture
This session is run in computer room. All students are accessed to SPSS and students are taught how to use the SPSS function (including data input, variable naming, data transforming and some other descriptive analysis).
Discussion
All students are required to run a majority of the function of SPSS. Sampled data is given to practice.
Key Reading
Pallant, J. (2010), SPSS Survival Manual: a Step by Step Guide to Data Analysis using SPSS, Open University Press, Fourth Edition.
Lecture 8 Revision class
Dr Zhaohong LIN
Lecture
This session goes over all contents talked by this course.
Discussion
Students are suggested to ask questions concerning this course and problems they experience when conducting their projects. Answers or suggestions are given.
Key Reading
●Pallant, J. (2010), SPSS Survival Manual: a Step by Step Guide to Data Analysis using SPSS,
Open University Press, Fourth Edition.
●Collis, J. and Hussey, R., (2009) Business Research: A Practical Guide for Undergraduate and
Postgraduate Students, 3rd eds, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke.
●Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2009) Research methods for business students, 5th
edition, Prentice Hall.
●Ghauri, P. and Gronhaug, K.(2005).Research Methods in Business Studies: A Practical
Guide, 3rd eds, Prentice Hall, Essex.。