MGS5901 - Research report: An introduction - 2017

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Business and Economics

Organisational Unit

Department of Management

Coordinator(s)

Professor HB Klopper

Unit guides

Offered

South Africa

  • Term 1 2017 (On-campus block of classes)
  • Term 3 2017 (On-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

Students conduct an original research project on a significant issue in management. The project can be purely theoretical; e.g.: a literature review leading to development of a new model and/or propositions for future research; an empirical examination such as a test of hypotheses based on primary survey data and/or interviews; a test of hypotheses based on secondary data sources, exploratory or explanatory case study work, experimental or simulation work, or the development of a methodology contributing to the solution of a significant organisational problem.

Outcomes

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

  1. critically analyse and interpret basic research designs in the management discipline
  2. construct research questions grounded in a theoretical and conceptual framework
  3. assess the appropriateness, types, and use of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis techniques as a means of investigating and answering research questions in the management discipline
  4. identify, search for, and locate secondary data and knowledge relevant to management research, as well as understanding the process of generating or collecting primary data
  5. develop academic writing skills appropriate to the discipline for reporting on business management research projects.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Workload requirements

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Chief examiner(s)

Prerequisites

Students need to be granted permission before undertaking this unit and to have completed MGS5000 with a minimum grade of 70%, and 24 credit points of course work with an average grade of 70%.

Prohibitions