Advanced Research Methods: Course Outline (MS MGT and MS A& F)

Course Description

Aims:

The Research Methods Course provides the knowledge and understanding of research design and methods appropriate for small-scale research. It is concerned with the formulation of research questions or hypotheses and the design of the research process and the ensuing process of investigation. The course is a necessary pre-requisite for the Masters dissertation.

General Description:

The course addresses a wide range of business research methods including various methods of data collection and analysis. Topics will include research planning, sampling, exploratory research, interviews, secondary data analysis, survey methodology, and quantitative analytical methods. The main aim of the course is for students to develop an understanding of the business research process, and to address this aim, the course is divided into two sections. Part 1 will address research planning and data collection; Part 2 will address analysis of collected quantitative data.

General Learning Objectives:

The principal aim of this course is to assist students in the process of identifying ‘research’ topics and problems, and to provide them with a logical framework in which to consider such problems, the associated methodologies and the results.

Research in areas of business has grown, and continues to grow very rapidly. The ability not only to structure one’s own investigations, but also to evaluate and critique the work of others, is of great importance. The course will therefore also provide a forum in which students can actively develop their critical skills.

By the end of the course all students are expected to have identified a research topic in consultation with the instructor or other appropriate staff, and to have developed a research proposal for assessment.

Amongst the general objectives of this course are:-

1. To understand the different approaches to research and the management research process
2. To understand the various research designs, techniques of variable measurements, data collection and computer based data analysis
3. To develop skills in preparing research proposals, designing questionnaires, analyzing data, interpreting results and preparing reports