Allgemeines
Course Summary
This course provides an overview and the motivation for the use of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including observation, interviewing, questionnaires and surveys, and the use of case studies. This course will provide students with the necessary background in research methods to carry out different kinds of research during their graduate studies, but also to be able to recognize in the future what makes good research, whether this is in journalism, social and economic reporting, industry, politics, and academia.
This course is designed to provide students with a piece of theoretical knowledge and practical experience to carry out independent research that knows when it is academically and scientifically sound.
Course Objectives
This course presents the process of research from the inception of a purpose statement or research thesis through to the writing up of a report or essay. Through exposure to different research methods, students will learn which method is appropriate for the research questions and/or hypotheses they generate.
The class will be primarily hands-on with students formulating their own topics and ideas for the course. During the course, they will design a research plan, and begin the work on their own essay or thesis. This course may serve as the first step in formulating the topic, purpose, and research method for their thesis. At the end of this course, students should have a fully developed research plan and will be assigned a thesis advisor to oversee their thesis project. The course brings students to examine the why and what for of research by reading up on different theories and methods. This will include qualitative and quantitative methods, mixed methods, as well as inductive vs. deductive inquiry. In addition, students will learn to recognize research integrity and validity, formulate research questions and hypotheses, and develop the design for a thesis or report, as well as how to conduct a literature review and prepare an annotated bibliography.
Expected Outcome / Learning
This research methods course provides learning in terms of critical thinking and evaluation of other people's research and it places an accent on the importance to learn clear communication to distinguish a fact from a finding, from knowledge-gathering, or from arguments based on unexpressed assumptions. Students will have learned to use both qualitative and quantitative research methods, and to analyze research - their own and others' on the basis of the validity and appropriateness of the research tools and methods used for the given subject and research objective.
Upon the successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Develop a purpose statement that may be in the form of a research question or a hypothesis.
- Understand the principal tendencies in the theory of research
- Design a research plan and understand the detail of the various necessary steps.
- Conduct a thorough literature reviews and prepare an annotated bibliography.
- Understand why quantitative and qualitative methodologies are used in gathering data and which methods benefit what kind of outcome.
- Analyze the data collected.
- Write up and present the findings.
At the end of this course, students should have a fully developed research plan, and will be assigned a thesis advisor to oversee their thesis project.
Prerequisites
Entry into graduate studies is the only prerequisite. This course is a must for all graduate students who study and work in the social sciences, business management, humanities, economics, and finance.
Pre-MBA English Certification
ESL students are required to have completed the Pre-MBA English Course to qualify for this Module.
Required Textbook
Donald R. Cooper, Pamela S. Schindler, Business Research Methods, 11/e, McGraw-Hill, 2011 (ISBN-13 9780073373706)
Suggested Readings
Creswell, John W., Research Design: Qualitative Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches, Los Angeles, London, Sage Publications, 2009 (3r edition) (ISBN: 978-1-4129-6557-6 paperback) Publisher's website: www.sagepublications.com
The English-for-MBA methodology provides students guidelines on how to learn the essential terms in English for the modules to be studied.
Reading assignments provide Q to A 'questions to answer' which guide students to focus on the essence of the module being taught.
The online bilingual English-Vietnamese Glossary is an extract of essential terms in both languages based on the study material recommended for modules 'Research Methodology and Writing Skills Study Guide' (ENG.HEG.MGT.001).
Listening comprehension with our selection of video material enhances your knowledge in English and Business combined.
Translation exercises and essay writing assignments train students to answer questions related to topics that are essential to the understanding of the discipline while improving their writing skills.
Better learning outcomes result in the combined effort of mastering the vocabulary and the issues at hand, expressed with your own words in both English and your own native language.
This glossary contains terms extracted from the course material for the module HEG.MGT.001. The ENG-4-MBA method facilitates the learning process for Vietnamese learners who are introduced to the equivalent terms in Vietnamese as they get acquainted with the concept in English being explained clearly and simply under this glossary. Learning about the concept in both English and one's own mother tongue is a very effective pedagogical approach.
Tips for Successful Learning Strategy
ESL students can start with ENG.HEG.MGT.001 to familiarize yourself with the trade terms in English, by referring to the equivalent terms in Vietnamese displayed in the Glossary.
All students can follow the instructions for doing the exercise with their personal coach or online instructor according to the study plan as attached.
Your course instructor will guide you for each step required through the course for 8 weeks.
For any inquiries outside the course, please email contact@sbi-training.com or post a comment on the Forum discussion.
Thank you.
Dr Anh Tho Andres, DBA, MBA
SBI Training Solutions