本科+商科研究方法[1]...doc

Research Methods I (商科研究方法I) 053795Course outline and reading Spring Term Mondey and ThursdayClass 8, 9Dr Zhaohong LINDr Jue WANGThis 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.AimsThe 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.ObjectivesOn 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 readingl Pallant, J. (2010), SPSS Survival Manual: a Step by Step Guide to Data Analysis using SPSS, Open University Press, Fourth Edition.l Collis, J. and Hussey, R., (2009) Business Research: A Practical Guide for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students, 3rd eds, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke. l Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2009) Research methods for business students, 5th edition, Prentice Hall.l Ghauri, P. and Gronhaug, K.(2005).Research Methods in Business Studies: A Practical Guide, 3rd eds, Prentice Hall, Essex.AssessmentThe 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 outlineWeekDateLectureTutor11.Introduction 1.1 Purpose 1.2 On the use of the bookDr Jue Wang32. The Research Process 2.1 Research in business studies 2.2 Whole research progress Dr Jue Wang53. Measurements 3.1 Defining measurement 3.2 Levels (scales) of measurement 3.3 Validity and reliability in measurements 3.4 Improving measurements 3.5 Measurements in qualitative research Dr Zhaohong LIN74. Data sources 4.1 Secondary data 4.2 Primary data 4.3 Types of dataDr Zhaohong LIN95. Data collection5.1 Qualitative versus quantitative methods5.2 When to use qualitative methods 5.3 Surveys 5.4 Case study 5.5 Historical review 5.6 Focus groupDr Jue Wang 116. Writing an academic report6.1 Purpose and importance of a written presentation 6.2 Guidelines 6.3 Structure of the report 6.4 Oral presentation 6.5 Writing for publication Dr Zhaohong LIN137.SPSS practices on computerDr Jue WANG158.SPSS practices on computerDr Zhaohong LIN8Lecture 1Introduction of Research methods Dr Jue WANGLectureThis session provides a general introduction of the research methods, including the structure of the course. Some books are suggested and the assessment is introduced. Discussion15 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 processDr Jue WANGLectureThe 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).DiscussionWorking 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 3MeasurementsDr Zhaohong LINLectureThis 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.WorkshopWorking in small groups, discuss and identify which data should be used ad how to use in some given examples. Key readingl Ghauri, P. and Gronhaug, K.(2005).Research Methods in Business Studies: A Practical Guide, 3rd eds, Prentice Hall, Essex.Lecture 4Data sourceLectureThis 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. DiscussionWorking 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 readingl Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2009) Research methods for business students, 5th edition, Prentice Hall.l Ghauri, P. and Gronhaug, K.(2005).Research Methods in Business Studies: A Practical Guide, 3rd eds, Prentice Hall, Essex.Lecture 5Data collectionDr Zhaohong LINLectureThis 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. DiscussionWorking 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 LINLectureThis session discusses the purpose and importance of a written presentation. The contents, types, lengths, and technical specifications of research reports are covered. DiscussionAll 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 WANGLectureThis 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). DiscussionAll students are required to run a majority of the function of SPSS. Sampled data is given to practice.Key ReadingPallant, J. (2010), SPSS Survival Manual: a Step by Step Guide