MGF3421

Introductory management research methods

Professor Phyllis Tharenou

6 points · One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week · Caulfield · Second semester · Prerequisite: 16 undergraduate subjects

Objectives Emphasis is placed on understanding the design and research process through an analysis of the literature, and not on students pursuing independent research projects. (This subject is intended as preparation for students to do an honours thesis or for students who intend to do research projects in industry). On completion of this subject students should have an understanding of the research process and a capacity to identify management-related research questions, primarily through understanding and analysing the published work of others. Students will have learned the manner in which others have designed and conducted qualitative and quantitative research to answer management-related questions, the sources of major existing literature in management related studies, the processes involved in creating primary data, the use of the latest technologies in the collection, analysis and presentation of data, and have developed the necessary level of academic structuring and writing skills to generate a research report.

Synopsis Basic introduction to research design in management; types of research designs; qualitative and quantitative data collection and measurement techniques; coding data; reliability and validity; qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis; interpreting and discussing results; structuring and writing the research report; integrating individual research into overall management literature.

Assessment Individual assignment: 40% · Group assignment: 10% · Final examination (3 hours): 50%

Prescribed texts

To be advised

Back to the 1999 Business and Economics Handbook