Business Research Methods

THEINTERNATIONALUNIVERSITY

VNUHCM

SCHOOLOFBUSINESS

BUSINESSRESEARCH
METHOD

COURSEGUIDELINE
Sep2012

Business Research Methods

Business Research Methods

CONTENT
1. COURSE STAFF..................................................................................................................3
1.2.
Communication with Staff................................................................................................3
2. INFORMATION ABOUT THE COURSE...........................................................................3
2.2.
Teaching times and Locations..........................................................................................3
2.3.
UnitsofCredit..................................................................................................................3
2.4.
Perquisite and Parallel courses.........................................................................................3
2.5.
Relationship of this course to other course offerings.......................................................3
2.6.
Approach to learning and teaching...................................................................................4
3. COURSE OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES.........................................................................4
3.2.
Course objectives..............................................................................................................4
3.3.
Student learning and outcomes.........................................................................................4
3.4.
Teaching Strategies...........................................................................................................4
4. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND CONDUCT..........................................................5
4.1.
Workload...........................................................................................................................5
4.2.
Attendance........................................................................................................................5
4.3.
General Conduct and Behavior.........................................................................................5
4.4.
Keeping informed.............................................................................................................5
5. LEARNING ASSESSMENT...............................................................................................5
5.1.
Assessment details............................................................................................................5
5.2.
Assignment Submission Procedure..................................................................................8
5.3.
Late submission................................................................................................................8
5.4.
Assignment Format...........................................................................................................8
6.

ACADEMIC HONESTY AND PLAGIARISM .................................................................9

7. STUDENT RESOURCES....................................................................................................9
7.1.
Course Resources.............................................................................................................9
8.

COURSE SCHEDULE.......................................................................................................10

Business Research Methods

1. COURSE STAFF
TeachingStaff:
Room:
Phone:
Email:
Consultanttimes:

nmtuan@hcmiu.edu.vn
Mondaymorning+Thursdaymorning

Tutor:
Room:
Phone:
Email:
Consultanttimes:
1.2. Communication with Staff
Student are advised to contact staff during consultant times, or by arranging an appointment

2. INFORMATION ABOUT THE COURSE

2.2. Teaching times and Locations
Week
17

Activity
Lecture

Day
Mon

Time
14pm

Room

8
913

Midterm
Lecture

Mon

14pm

14
15

Reserve
FinalExam

Note

2.3. UnitsofCredit
UOCvalueforthecourse:3
2.4. Perquisite and Parallel courses
Prerequisite:StatisticsforBusiness
Thiscourseisofferedforseniorstudentsonly(finalyear)whoarereadyfordoingthesis
2.5. Relationship of this course to other course offerings
This course combines the knowledge of all courses (especially the courses of your
specialization) and research methodology theories (that will be provided in this course) to
solve a real project/ problem

Business Research Methods

2.6. Approach to learning and teaching

The teaching and learning adopted in this course is learner-center, and consequently, requires
active student participation and contribution. Through a range of interactive activities and
teaching strategies, it seeks to engage students in the learning. It also seeks to facilitate
independent learning through individual tasks and research, and fosters collaborative learning
through a range of group activities. It considers prior learning through a range of group
activities.

3.

COURSE OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES

3.2. Course objectives

This course seeks to:
- provide student with a good understanding of business research, and
- equip student with the practical tools and skills to conduct business research
3.3. Student learning and outcomes
By the end of the course, students are expected to have attained proficiency in the following
areas:
- distinguish between good research and research that falls short of professional quality
- appreciate the value of learning research process skills
- identify and formulate research questions and hypotheses
- write and critically evaluate research proposals
- identify ethical issues and research and understand the need to adhere to ethical
guidelines when conducting research
- understand and apply the major types of research designs
- understand relationships that exist between variables in research design and steps for
evaluating those relationships
- plan and collect sample data for a research project
- understand and evaluate content, criterion-related and construct validity and reliability
- understand the various scale formats for measurement and how to construct each
- develop survey instruments and conduct survey research
- design and conduct qualitative studies
- collect, code and analyze various types of data
- explore, display and examine data
- present research results via both written and oral reports
3.4. Teaching Strategies
The teaching and learning approach in this course is highly inter-active, requiring student
participation and contribution. To this end, and prior to each class, students must:
- Download the weekly lecture and tutorial outline from the course website through class
email. Pls. note that the Lecture Notes will be posted before each class.
- Prepare your weekly readings (from the textbook and other distributed course
materials)
- Prepare your responses to set discussion questions and cases
- Be prepared to participate in the class discussions, group work
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Business Research Methods

The general format of classes in this course will be as follows (with some variations)
- Lecturing
- Student presentation & discussion
- Group Project

4. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND CONDUCT

4.1. Workload
It is expected that you will spend at least 6 hours per week studying this course. This time
should be made up of reading, working on individual assignment, group assignment and
attending class lectures. In periods where you need to complete assignment or prepare for
examinations, the workload may be greater.
4.2. Attendance
Your regular and punctual attendance at lectures and related seminar (if any) is expected in this
course. University regulations indicate that if students attend less than 80% of scheduled
classes they may be refused final assessment. Regular attendance is essential for successful
performance and learning in this course, particular in view of the interactive teaching and
learning approach adopted. Please inform your lecture if you are unable to attend the class, and
arrange for a classmate to collect any handouts.
4.3. General Conduct and Behavior
You are expected to conduct yourself with considerable and respect for the needs of your
fellow students and teaching staff. Conduct that unduly disrupts or interferes with a class, such
as ringing, or talking on mobile phones, or chatting on internet, is nor acceptable and students
may be asked to leave the class.
4.4. Keeping informed
You should take note of all announcements made in lectures, tutorials or on the course website.
From time to time, the University will send important announcements to your through website,
course website and/ or Announcement Board (of School of Business and/ or Academic Affair)
without providing you with a paper copy. You will be deemed to have received this
information.

5. LEARNING ASSESSMENT
5.1. Assessment details
To pass this course, student must:
- attempt ALL FOUR assessment tasks
- submit/ complete all assessment tasks on time
- attain an overall pass mark of 50% in the course

Business Research Methods

Assessment Tasks:
-

Assignment: 25%
Midterm: 20%
Final evaluation: 55%

Tasks

Marks

1.

Participation in Group/ Class

discussion
2.
Individual Assignment
- Individual Assignment 1
- Individual Assignment 2
3.
Group Assignment
- Midterm: Project Proposal
- Final: Project Results
4.
Final Test

Due dates

5%
20%
10% Week 3
10% Week 9
20%
20%
35%

Week 7 (Group presentation)

Week 13 (Group presentation)
Week 15

Note:
-

Students have to fulfill all individual assignments, if you lack of any of them,
you are not allowed to attend the final exam

DETAIL INSTRUCTIONS FOR ASSIGNMENTS:

1. INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENTS
ASSIGNMENT 1: RESEARCH IDEAS (1 2 pages A4)
You are supposed to write your own research topic. In your paper, you should have:
(a) Research title (b) Backgrounds and rationale: What you want to do? Why do you
want to do your study? Why it is necessary?
Due date: Students are required to submit this assignment on week 3 (Mon, Sep 30).
ASSIGNMENT 2: RESEARCH PROPOSAL (5 8 pages A4)
Basing on your research topic, you are required to design the research approach and
Data collection Method to conduct the research.
The structure of a research proposal is:
a. Research project title
b. Introduction/ Backgrounds of the research
c. Rationales and Problems statement (What is problem? Why do you want to
choose that problem/ issue?)
d. Aims and purposes (What you will do to address your research questions?)
e. Significance and Implications (What is benefit of your study)
f. Research approach and Data collection methods (Which study design you will
use? How do you choose the target sample and how large is that sample? How
you will go and collect the data)
g. Literature Review: Theoretical background & Related studies
You should present theories, concepts and results of previous studies that will be
used as a foundation for your research. You are encouraged to discuss and
criticize why or why not those theories/ models may apply for your research.
The sources of information should be included. Pls. follow the principles of
7

Business Research Methods

citation of APA. You can use Internet or Library to come up with a preliminary
list of references that you could use for your research. Ideally, you should have
a few references in each of the following: (a) publications related to the topic
(b) publications related to the theory or model you will adopt for your research
Due date: Students are required to submit this assignment on week 7.
2. GROUP ASSIGNMENT
For Mid-term
The project is designed for a group of up to five students. Your syndicate group is asked
to propose and conduct a full research. The proposal will be presented within 10
minutes plus 10 minutes for questions and should describe what, when, where and how
you will conduct your research. In addition, your proposal should have some general
modules:
Research project title
Research Background
Problem statement and rationales
Aims and Purposes (Research Objectives)
Significances and Implications
Literature review
Methodology
- Research process
- Study design
- Target sample
- Sample size
- Data collecting
Due date: you are required to make the first presentation in week 7 and week 8 and
submit report one week later. You could modify your proposal based on your colleges
opinions and suggestions during your presentation. This result will be considered as
midterm test.
For Final
Based on the research proposal conducted before, your group is expected to develop a
complete research. You are asked to make a class presentation of your complete
research with no more than 20 minutes and 10 minutes for questions. Your complete
research should be outlined into sections below:

INTRODUCTION
- Research title
- Backgrounds and Rationales
- Problem Statement
- Aims and Purposes (Research Objectives)
- Research scopes and Limitations
- Significances and Implications of the study

Business Research Methods

LITERATURE REVIEW
METHODOLOGY
- Research Process
- Research Design
- Research Approach
- Sampling selection
- Data collection method
(This part is from your first report)
DATA ANALYSIS & FINDINGS
RECOMMENDATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS
REFERENCES
APPENDIX
Due date: your group is expected to make a presentation of your complete research in
the week 12 and 13 this semester and submit the report on that day. The presentation of
final results will be considered as a part of final evaluation (20%)
3. FINAL TEST
The final test will be 90 minutes in length during Final Exam Period and account for 35% of
total grade. It will be in the form of essay (problems/ criticized). This is OPEN book test

Grading
The letter grade will be followed by the University suggested rule:
90-100: A+, 80-90: A, 70 80: B+, 65 70: B, 55 65: C+, 50 55: C, 30 - <50: D+,
10 - <30: D
Assignment Submission Procedure
It is essential that you submit all your assignment tasks on time via the appropriate procedures.
You should submit your written assignment to the tutor or lecturer in the beginning of class
that your group will present.
Procedure
i) Attach a copy of the Assignment Cover Sheet to be found at the end of this document
ii) Make the copy of the assignment for safe keeping
iii) Hand in your assignment to the tutor or lecturer
iv) You may not submit assignment via email or by fax
Late submission
Request for late submission of assignments or absent in the session that your group will present
must be made in writing to the course lecturer. Extensions will be granted on medical grounds
only, or on compassionate grounds under special circumstances. Medical certificates or other
supporting documents may be required. Late submissions may incur a penalty of 5% of the
assignment mark per day.
Assignment Format
See page 10

Business Research Methods

5. ACADEMIC HONESTY AND PLAGIARISM *

The University regards plagiarism as a form of academic misconduct, and has very strict rules
regarding plagiarism.
Plagiarism is the presentation of the thoughts or work of another as ones own. Examples
include:
- direct duplication of the thoughts or work of another, including by copying work, or
knowingly permitting it to be copied. This includes copying material. Ideas or concepts
from a book, article, report or other written document (whether published or
unpublished), composition, artwork, design, drawing, circuitry, computer program or
software, web site, Internet, other electronic resource, or another persons assignment
without appropriate acknowledgement;
- paraphrasing another persons work with very minor changes keeping the meaning,
form and/ or progression of ideas of the original;
- piecing together sections of the work of others into a new whole;
- presenting an assessment item as independent work when it has been produced in
whole or part in collusion with other people, for example, another student or a tutor;
The inclusion of the thoughts or work of another with attribution appropriate to the academic
discipline does not amount to plagiarism.
Students are also reminded that careful time management is an important part of study and one
of the identified causes of plagiarism is poor time management. Students should allow
sufficient time for research, drafting and the proper referencing of sources in preparing all
assessment items.

6. STUDENT RESOURCES
Course Resources
The following text and references are essential for the course.
Textbook:
1. Cooper, R.D. & Schindler, S.P. (2006). Business Research Methods. 9th Ed. McGrawHill Irwin. NY.
2. Mack, Woodsong, Mac Qeen, Guest, Namely (2005); Qualitative Research Method
3. Hyndman, Quantitative Business Research Method
References:
4. Trochim, William (2006) Research Methods Knowledge Base (online). Available at
http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/contents.htm
Lecture Notes:
Will be distributed by ..via email

Used with kind permission from the University of New South Wales

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Business Research Methods

7. COURSE SCHEDULE
Wk
1

Topic
Course Introduction
Introduction to Business
Research Method
Research Question
Formulation

Date
21/01

Class Activities
- Lecturing
- Case discussion
- Form groups

Readings:
Cooper, R.D. &
Schindler, S.P. (2006).
Chapter 1 & Chapter 3

Thinking like a researcher

- Lecturing
- Case discussion

Research Process &

Proposal

- Lecturing
- Case discussion

Cooper, R.D. &

Schindler, S.P. (2006).
Chapter 2
Reading materials for
Week 2
Cooper, R.D. &
Schindler, S.P. (2006).
Chapter 3 & Chapter 4
Reading materials for
Week 3
Cooper, R.D. &
Schindler, S.P. (2006).
Chapter 6, 7
Reading materials for
Week 4

Due date of Individual

Assignment 1
- Lecturing
- Group discussion

Research Design

5
6
7

Working on Group Project

Working on Group Project
Qualitative Method

8
9

MID-TERM
Quantitative approach:
Non-experimental

10

Sampling methods for

quantitative studies
Measurement Issues
Questionnaire Design

- Lecturing
- Case discussion
- Use google.doc for
questionnaires design
(bring notebook)

11

Data Screening and

- Lecturing
- Case discussion

- Group Presentation

Group Presentation
Lecturing
Group discussion
Due date for
Individual
Assignment 2

Cooper, R.D. &

Schindler, S.P. (2006).
Chapter 8
Qualitative Research
Method
Reading materials for
Week 7
Cooper, R.D. &
Schindler, S.P. (2006).
Chapter 9
Quantitative Research
Method
Reading materials for
Week 9
Cooper, R.D. &
Schindler, S.P. (2006).
Chapter 15 & 12 & 14
Quantitative Research
Method
Reading materials for
Week 10
Cooper, R.D. &
Schindler, S.P. (2006).
11

Business Research Methods

12
13

14
15

Preparation
Descriptive statistics
Hypothesis testing
Measures of association
Multivariable analysis
SPSS Practice
Ethical consideration in
business research
Writing a report

Chapter 17, 18, 19, 20

- Computer lab
- Lecturing
- Case discussion

Cooper, R.D. &

Schindler, S.P. (2006).
Chapter 5& 21

Final test

12

Business Research Methods

THEINTERNATIONALUNIVERSITY
VNUHCM

SCHOOLOFBUSINESS
BUSINESS RESEARCH METHOD

INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET

Student Number: _______________

Name:______________________

Course: ______________________

Tutor: _____________________

Day: ________________________

Time: ______________________

Date Due:___________________

Date Submitted:______________

Assignment Item/ Title/ Question: _____________________________________

I declare that this assessment item is my own work, except where

acknowledgement, and has not been submitted for academic credit elsewhere.

Signed: Date:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RECEIPT
NAME:__________________________

STUDENT NUMBER___________

DATE SUBMITTED: _______________________________________________

ASSIGNMENT RECEIVED BY:______________________________________

13

Business Research Methods

THEINTERNATIONALUNIVERSITY
VNUHCM

SCHOOLOFBUSINESS
BUSINESS RESEARCH METHOD

GROUP REPORT
Group members:
Student Number

Surname

Given Name

Student Name

Responsibility in Assignment

Participation % *

1.
2.
3.

1.
2.
3.
* Please ensure that you discuss this % as a group and that the mark is fairly allocated. If
your group has any problem, please discuss with the course lecturer

Signatures:
a. ____________________________________
b. ____________________________________
c. ____________________________________
Date Submitted: _________________________

14