Course Plan-Introduction to Research Methods

COURSE OUTLINE
COURSE: INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS
CREDIT HOURS: 2 CREDITS (30) NET CONTACT HOURS

Instructor: Lecturer Roshee Lamichhane Bhusal

E-mail: roshee@kusom.edu.np
Phone: 98511-99621(only for exigencies).

COURSE OVERVIEW:
The key objectives of this course are:

The objective of this course is to introduce participant’s basic concepts, processes, and techniques
of business research so that after completion of this course, they will be able to develop business
research proposal and conduct business research using scientific inquiry method.
Enabling Objectives:
Upon the successful completion of the course the students will be able to:
 Describe the fundamentals of business research, the basic difference between basic
research and applied research and ethical concerns in business research
 Formulate business research problem with the process of proper identification of the
problem, formulate research question(s), research objectives, utilize literature review to
construct theoretical framework when necessary, formulate hypotheses if the nature of the
problem demands for it;
 Explain the types of research design and its application based on the identified business
research problem
 Explain the different sampling methods and process and sampling method for the business
research
 Describe the concepts of measurement and scale and select appropriate measurements
tools in business research
 Describe different data collection methods and select an appropriate data collection
methods in the business research
 Explain appropriate data analysis strategies for the business research studies and able to
perform descriptive data analysis in both quantitative and qualitative method.
 Develop business research proposal and based on that conduct a mini-business research
and present it in an appropriate professional business research report.
Course Plan-Introduction to Research Methods

Norms for Class Participation

Learners are expected to search for individual or group activities assigned to them either
individually or as members of their group by dividing the work among themselves and get
prepared for presentation at the time that may be assigned to them.

Learners must always come to class ready with their pre-class assignment. Cases and caselets
(mini-case) can be discussed either in class or can be given as individual or group home
assignment. Learners are expected to come adequately prepared to class with concepts to utilize
the class time effectively more on discussions and less on lecturing. Learners may note that these
cases will be the basis for discussion in tutorial classes as well.

Learners are expected to abide by the norms of class participation.Disregarding norms or code
of conduct will lead to immediate action with attendant consequences.

Learners are expected to contribute to classroom learning by providing constructive feedback.

There is no provision of re-exam for learners absenting and not taking internal examination/s or
final semester examination/s. Note: Relaxation on medical grounds may be given only upon the
production of valid and verifiable documentary evidence by the learners.

Class Learning Area Points to

Note
Learning 1. Business Research: An overview Pre-
Unit One Business Research Reading-
Net contact - Purpose of Business Research Chapter 1
hours – 2hrs - Characteristics of Business Research (Zikmund)
- Managerial Value of Business Research
Class 1 Categories of Research
- Basic and Applied Research
The role of Business Research in Making Decisions
Ethical Issues in Business Research

In-class discussion:
Case 1: Isabelle’s research dilemma ( Saunders, Pg17)

Learning 2. Business Research Problems, Literature review,

Unit Two theoretical framework and Hypothesis Development
Net contact Business Research Problem
hours – - Identification of Business Research Problems Quiz 1
10hrs - Selection of Business Research Problem ( Unit 1)
- Definition of the Business Research Problem
Class 2, 3, 4, - Formulation of the Business Research Problem
Course Plan-Introduction to Research Methods

5 Literature Review and theoretical Framework

- Literature review and Its purpose
- Process of the review and its sources
- Conceptualization of theoretical framework through
literature review
Hypothesis Formulation
- Hypothesis through a conceptual framework
- Types of Hypothesis
- Importance of Hypothesis in Decision Making
Introduction to Business Research Proposal
- Business Research Proposal and its purpose
- Elements of Research Proposal

Case Presentation:
Consultancy Research for a non-for-profit organization (
Saunders, Pg 132)

Learning 3. Business Research Design Pre-

Unit Three Elements of a Research Design reading
Net contact - Study Setting
hours –2 hrs - Unit of Analysis Chapter 5 (
Class 6 - Time horizon Saunders)
Types of Business Research Designs
- Exploratory Research Design
- Descriptive Research Design
Errors in selecting research design
Quiz 2 (
Case Presentation: Unit 2 )
Managing the acquisition from the middle ( Saunders, Pg 164,
5e)
Learning 4. Sampling Design
Unit Four Sampling
Net contact - Sampling Versus Census Quiz 3
hours -2hrs - Fundamental Elements of Sampling (Unit 3)
- Sampling in the Business Environment
Class 7 The sampling process
Types of Sampling Methods
- Probability Sampling Methods
- Non Probability Sampling Methods
Errors in selecting appropriate sampling methods

Case Presentation:
Implementing Strategic Change Initiatives ( Saunders, Pg 248,)
Learning 5. Measurement and Scaling Concept
Unit Five Measurement
Net contact - Nature of Measurement
Course Plan-Introduction to Research Methods

hours - 4hrs - What is Measured

Basic Measurement Scales
Class 8, & 9 - Nominal Scales
- Ordinal Scales
- Interval Scales
- Ratio Scales
Attitudinal Measurement Scales
- Rating Scales
- Ranking Scales

Learning 6. Data Collection Methods

Unit Six Sources of Data
Net contact - Primary and Secondary, Quiz 4
hours - 4hrs Data Collection Methods
– Interviews - Types,
Class 10,11 Questioning Technique;
Questionnaire - Types
Observational Surveys – Types;
Errors in selecting appropriate data collection methods

Case Presentation:
Online images of tourist destinations ( Saunders, Pg 313)
In-class discussion: Focus on Management Research:
Questionnaire Administration-(Pg. 399, Saunders)

Case Presentation:
Downsizing in the Middle East ( Saunders, 5e, Pg 407)
Learning 7. Data Analysis & Interpretation Quiz 5
Unit Seven Data Editing
Net contact - Field Editing
hours - 4hrs - Central Editing
Data Coding
Class 12, 13 Presenting data in Figures, Tables,
Statistical Analysis of Quantitative Data – Descriptive Statistics
Introduction to Qualitative Data
Analyzing Qualitative Data in basic level

Case Presentation: Small Business Owners Managers’ Skills

Sets ( Pg 407, Saunders, 5e)
Learning 8. Business Research Proposal and Research Report:
Unit Eight Business Research Proposal
Net contact - Elements of Business Research Proposal
hours - 4hrs Research Report Writing Quiz 6
Class 14,15 - Types of Research Report
Elements of Research Report
Case Presentation:
Course Plan-Introduction to Research Methods

James’ Consultancy Report on Managers Financial Info Needs

Text Books: Zikmund, W.G., Babin. B.J., Carr, J.C., Adhikari, A., & Griffin, M. (2016).
Business Research Methods, 8th edition. Cengage Learning
Saunders, M., Lewis, P. &Thornhill, A. (2009) Research Methods for Business Students, 5th
Edition, Pearson Education Ltd.
Sekaran, U. (2015). Research Methods for Business: A Skill Building Approach, 6th Edition,
John Wiley & Sons, Inc..

Feedback
 Feedback is an integral component of the course and needs to be given at two or even
three levels when required: (1) the individual, (2) group projects, if any, and (3) the
class as a whole. The quality of class discussions depends on the performance of all
students combined—including both those who participate and those who do not.
 Constructive criticism is expected from participants. Such feedback if offered in a
supportive manner will motivate your peers and stimulate even better performance in
the future.
 Feedback is a two-way street. General comments about each participant’s progress in
the course will be provided half way through the course. As an instructor, I seek
feedback from you to make your learning more enriching and make necessary
adjustments if required as we progress through the course.
Evaluation Scheme

In-semester evaluation- 70 percent

 Cases presentation :15%
 Class participation and attendance: 10%
 Class tests and quizzes:15%
 Mid-term: 20%
 Research Proposal: 10%

End semester exam: 30 percent