MK563 Research Methods

MK563 Research Methods

MK563Research Methods

Objective / The aim of the course is to explore the issues related to the design, methodological and implementation issues in business research. In this course, you will be introduced to the process of conducting research from the initial stages of thinking about research questions to designing a project, choosing particular methodologies and methods and analysing the data that you collect. You will be asked to consider and reflect on the key issues that researchers face, including how it is possible to ensure good ethical practice.
The best way to learn about doing research is through action and engagement in designing and conducting research. This course will guide you through the process of designing a research project and allow you to experience the excitement as well as the complexity of this process. You will also be encouraged to draw on any previous experience you have of learning about research methods or taking part in research projects.
Lecturer / Name / Office / Ext / E-mail
Dr. Ann M. Torres / Room 303 Cairnes Building / 2710
(091) 492710 /
Times / Day / Time / Venue
Lectures: / Tuesdays / 9 to 11 a.m. / CA005
Overall Learning Outcomes / Upon completion of this course you should:

• Be aware of the role and function of business research.
• Possess a solid understanding of the business research process.
• Carry out and evaluate the design of business research.
• Gain an in-depth knowledge of the tools and techniques of business research.
• Appreciate which research approaches are appropriate in a given set of circumstances.

• Apply the tools and concepts learned to the undertaking of their MBS dissertation

Format / Classes combine lectures with interactive discussion and written work. Students are expected to read and prepare the required material before class to facilitate this discussion.
Programmes / MSc. in Marketing
Course Material / A course web site is available at
N.B. This course outline is available on blackboard in pdf format. Should you have a visual disability and require the document in another format, please contact me and I will oblige.
Core Texts / Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2009) Research Methods for Business Students,5th Edition, Harlow, England, UK: Financial Times/Prentice Hall. ISBN13: 978-0-273-71686-0 (€46.40).
Pears, R. and Shields, G. (2008) Cite Them Right: The Essential Referencing Guide, 7th Edition, Durham, England, UK: Pear Tree Books. ISBN-13: 978-0-955-12161-6 (€9.30).
The required textbooksare available in the University Bookshop and from the library’s reserve desk.
Supplementary Texts / Research Methods
Babbie, E. (2010) The Practice of Social Research, 12th Edition, Belmont, CA, USA, Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.
Thody, A. (2006) Writing and Presenting Research, London, England, UK: SAGE Publications Ltd.
These supplemental textbooks are available in the University Bookshop and from the library’s reserve desk.
Writing and Analysis
Cottrell, S. (2005) Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis and Argument. Houndsmill Basinstoke, Hampshire, UK, Palgrave Macmillan.
Hicks, W. (2004) Quite Literally: Problem Words And How To Use Them. London, UK, Routledge.
Peck, J. & Coyle, M. (2005) Write it Right. Houndsmill Basinstoke, Hampshire, UK, Palgrave Macmillan.
Strunk Jr., W. & White, E.B. (1999) The Elements Of Style, 4th edition. New Jersey, USA, Allyn & Bacon.
Venolia, J. (2001) Write Right! Berkeley, CA, USA, Ten Speed Press.
Assessment / The overall mark given for this course is based on weekly quizzes, weekly written assignments, a research report and presentation as well as a final exam. The allocation of marks is as follows:
Weekly Quizzes (8) 10%
Weekly Written Assignments (8) 10%
Participation 5%
Research Report 20%
Research Presentation 5%
Final Examination 50%
100%
QuizzesA short quiz is given at the beginning of every class on the chapters assigned for that day. Typically, the quiz consists of 1 to 4 short answer questions or a set of multiple-choice questions. There are no make-up quizzes and each quiz contributes to the final mark.
Written Assignments
The written assignments require a written response to a designated question and are to be submitted each Friday by 5 p.m., that is, the Friday prior to the Monday on which assigned readings will be discussed. These written responses are to be completed on an individual basis, and unless otherwise directed, should be 500 words or less in length, typed, and presented in a professional manner. In addition to submitting a hard copy, please submit an electronic-soft copy through Blackboard. Please note that written assignments will be run through Turnitin. Please ensure electronic copies of assignments are identical to those assignments submitted in hard copy. The Harvard style of referencing is to be used in all written assignments and essays. If there are any queries as to what this entails, please refer to the monograph Cite Them Right, written by Pears and Shields (2008), as listed above.N.B. If an individual assignment cannot be read and assessed in 5 minutes or less, it will not receive a passing mark.
Research Report and Presentation
The research report and presentation are conducted in groups of 4 to 5 members. You will be asked to conduct a market validation exercise for a start-up organisation and to present your findings to a panel of industry experts. Additional guidelines will be given throughout the term.Late submissions will incur a penalty of 25% per day.
N.B. A minimum of 35% is required in the final written examination before marks for continuous assessment can be included in the determination of the overall mark for the subject.
Workload hours / Please note, this subject will require time outside of lecture hours to complete the assignments and engage in independent study. A suggested outline of this time commitment is as follows:
Credit weighting: 5 ECT
Lecture hours: 24 hours (i.e. average of 2 hours/week)
Group assignment work: 36 hours (i.e. average of 3 hours/week)
Independent study: 48 hours (i.e. average of 4 hours/week)
Revision for examination: 15 hours
Examination: 2 hours
Total Student Effort: 125 hours over 12 weeks

Date

/

Readings

Week 1: January12th
/ Course Introduction
10.30 a.m. Project Assignments: Mr. John McGuire,
Technology Transfer Office (TTO)
Due on: Friday, 15th of January at 5 p.m.
Group brand (i.e., name, logo and tagline) and charter submitted to the class Wiki number 1
Written Assignment 1: Outline the idea for your MSc. research project.
Week 2: January 19th
/ Quiz1
Chapter 1: The Nature of Business and Management research
10.30 a.m. Signing of CDAs – Dr. Emer Mulligan, Head of School and
Mr. John Mc Guire TTO
Due on: Friday, 22nd of January at 5 p.m.
Written Assignment 2: Develop your research topic further by identifying those concepts and/or authors you believe may be pertinent.
Due on: Monday, 25th of January at 5 p.m.
Concept map & Exam Q submitted to the class Wiki number 2
Groups 1-3 (Atom) Ch. 2; Groups 4-6 (SeDiCi) Ch. 3
Week 3: January 26th / Quiz2
Chapter 2: Formulating and Clarifying the Research Topic
Chapter 3: Critically Reviewing the Literature
10.30 a.m. Mr. Krystian Samp, Atom’s inventor
Due on: Friday, 29th of January at 5 p.m.
Written Assignment 3: Outline and explain your research question within in the context of the topic area.
Due on: Monday, 1st of February at 5 p.m.
Concept Map & Exam Q for Ch. 4 submitted to the Wiki:
All groups
Week 4: February 2nd / Quiz 3
Chapter 4: Understanding Research Philosophies and Approaches
10.30 a.m. Mr. Slawek Grzonkowski, SeDiCi’s inventor
Due on: Friday, 5th of February at 5 p.m.
Written Assignment 4: Demarcate the parameters of the literature review for your proposed MSc. research project.
Due on: Monday, 8th of February at 5 p.m.
Concept Map & Exam Q for Chs. 5 & 6:
Groups 1-3 (Atom) Ch. 5; Groups 4-6 (SeDiCi) Ch. 6
Week 5: February 9th / Quiz4
Chapter 5: Formulating the Research Design
Chapter 6: Negotiating Access and Research Ethics
10.30 a.m. Dr. James Cunningham, Director of Centre for Innovation and Structural Change (CISC)
Library Training: Literature Review
Date: Wednesday, 10th February 2010
Time: 1430-1600
Venue: Nursing Library PC Suite
Topics:
(1) Starting your research project for MK563 Research Methods
(2) Library resources for MK575 Global marketing
Due on: Friday, 12th of February at 5 p.m.
Written Assignment 5: Outline your research proposal, including your topic area, research question and the parameters of your literature review.
Due on: Monday, 15th of February at 5 p.m.
Concept Map & Exam Q for Chs. 7 & 8:
Groups 1-3 (Atom) Ch. 7; Groups 4-6 (SeDiCi) Ch.8
Week 6: February 16th / Quiz5
Chapter 7: Selecting Samples
Chapter 8: Using Secondary Data
Research Supervisors Assigned
Due on: Friday, 19th of February at 5 p.m
Written Assignment 6: Refine your research proposal.
Due on: Monday, 22nd of February at 5 p.m.
Concept Map & Exam Q for Chs. 9 & 10:
Groups 1-3 (Atom) Ch. 9; Groups 4-6 (SeDiCi) Ch. 10
Week 7: February 23rd / Quiz6
Chapter 9: Collecting Primary Data through Observation
Chapter 10: Collecting Primary Data using Semi-Structured, In-depth and Group Interviews
Due on: Friday, 26th of February at 5 p.m
Written Assignment 7: Outline the kinds of information you require to answer the research question as well as the methods you intend to use to collect your data.
Due on: Monday, 1st of March at 5 p.m.
Concept Map & Exam Q for Chs. 11 & 12:
Groups 1-3 (Atom) Ch. 11; Groups 4-6 (SeDiCi) Ch. 12
Week 8: March 2nd / Quiz7
Chapter 11: Collecting Primary Data using Questionnaires
Chapter 12: Analysing Quantitative Data
Due on: Friday, 4th of March at 5 p.m
Written Assignment 8: Refine your plan for data collection and analysis in the context of your topic area.
Due on: Monday, 8th of March at 5 p.m.
Concept Map & Exam Q for Chs. 13 & 14:
Groups 1-3 (Atom) Ch. 13; Groups 4-6 (SeDiCi) Ch. 14
Week 9: March 9th / Quiz8
Chapter 13: Analysing Qualitative Data
Chapter 14: Writing and Presenting Your Project Report
Submit Self Evaluations – Participation
Week 10: March 16th / Review of SPSS
Week 11: March 23rd / Research Project Due by 5 p.m.
Please submit 5 hard copies and an soft copy via Blackboard
No Class (i.e., 2 sessions with Dr. Wallace)
Week 12: March 30th / Research Presentation
QA113 - ALEXANDER ANDERSON BOARDROOM
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (i.e. No class with Dr. Wallace)
Submit Peer Evaluations – Team Work
Course Evaluation

Dr. Ann M. Torres | Research Methods | MK56321 January 2010 Page 1 of 5