Course Plan

KG2 BRM3

Business Research Methods

Dr. Bijith George Abraham / Ms. Joby Joy

TERM II

March 2019 – May 2019

SCMS COCHIN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM)

Faculty : HOD :

Dean :

Director :

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No. CONTENTS Page

1 COURSE PROFILE……………………………………………………. 3

2 COURSE OBJECTIVES……………………………………………….. 3

3 COURSE OUTLINE…………………………………………………… 3

4 COURSEWARE………………………………………………………… 4

5 MAGAZINES/NEWS PAPERS/JOURNALS/DATA WEBSITES…… 5

6 LEARNING OUTCOMES……………………………………………... 5

7 THE INTERNAL ASSESSMENT (SUMMARY FOR THE COURSE)... 6

7.1 MILESTONES / IMPORTANT DATES………………………………. 6

7.2 RUBRICS FOR 7

ASSESSMENT……………………………………………….
8 SPECIAL INFORMATION ON COURSEWORK…………………….. 9

8.1 REPORT GUIDELINES………………………………………… 9

8.2 PRESENTATION 9
GUIDELINES………………………………………
9 TERM EXAM COVERAGE AND QP PATTERN……………………. 9

9.1 MID-TERM EXAM…………………………………………………… 9

9.2 END-TERM EXAM……………………………………………………. 9

10 COURSE IMPLEMENTATION: MODULE AND SESSION PLAN.... 10

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1. Course Profile:

Course Title Business Research Methods

Course Code KG2 BRM3
Programme Post Graduate Diploma in Management
(PGDM) Batch 27
Total Credits 3
Total Number of Sessions 24
Session Duration 1 Hr 15 mins
Faculty/course facilitator Dr. Bijith George Abraham, Ms. Joby Joy

2. Course Objective:

To enable the students to;

 To enhance broad knowledge about business research methods and the theoretical
perspectives to carry out research for Business.
 Understand the framework of research process, design, methodologies, and technique.
 Gain Knowledge in Data Management, Data Analysis & Interpretation and presenting the
data Using SPSS/MS Excel.
 Prepare research report to communicate the information compiled as a result of analysis
and interpretation of data

3. Course Outline:

Module Weightage Sessions Topics

1 10% 1-3 Introduction to Business Research
Need for business research, its scope and role in managerial decision
making
Research process
Research Design- Exploratory, Descriptive, Causal and
Experimental
Review of Literature and referencing formats
2 10% 4-5 Measurement of variables
Scales – Metric and Non metric
Attitude measurement scales
Reliability and Validity
3 15% 6-8 Methods of collecting data
Primary and Secondary data
Questionnaire – design guidelines
Other methods of data collection
4 15% 9-11 Sample Design
Types of Sampling- Probability and Non- probability sampling
Determining the sample size
Errors in Sampling

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5 30% 12-20 Data Analysis and Interpretations

Data processing: Entry, Editing and Coding
Reliability Analysis – Cronbach’s Alpha
Interpretation and Testing of Hypothesis
Descriptive Statistics, Cross Tabulation, Chi-square
Univariate, Bivariate & Multivariate Analysis
- Parametric Tests - One sample T test, Paired-Sample T Test,
Independent sample T Test, ANOVA, Correlation, Regression,
Factor Analysis
- Non Parametric Tests – Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Mann–Whitney
U test, Kruskal–Wallis test
Presentation of data - Tables, Graphs & Charts (Tools: SPSS/MS
Excel)
6 20% 21-24 Report writing
Characteristics, Structure of a research report
Special emphasis on analysis of SPSS outputs for generating
inferences and conclusions
Ethical considerations in research, Synopsis Preparation,
Abstracting/summary,
Presentation of the research reports prepared by various groups
100%

4. Courseware:
Book/ Journal/Article/Case Year/
Author Publisher
Studies edition/volume
Basic references
Marketing Research – 2013, Sixth Pearson
An Applied Orientation Naresh K. Malhotra
Edition Education
Zikmund, W. G.,
Cengage
Business Research methods Babin, B. J., Carr, J. 2012, 9th Edition
Learning
C., & Griffin, M
Donald R. Cooper 2007 New York NY
Business Research Methods
Pamela S. Schindler McGraw Hill
Research Methodology Concepts and Dr. Deepak Chawla 2011, First
Vikas Publishers
Cases & Dr. Neena Sondhi edition
Statistical methods for practice and
Gaur, Ajai S., and
research: A guide to data analysis using 2006. Sage
Sanjaya S. Gaur
SPSS.
Additional reading
Mark Saunders,
Research Methods for Business 2004, Second Pearson
Philip Lewis and
Students Edition Education
Adrian Thornhill

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6. Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to

 Apply different research methods and approaches to Business research

 Use relevant research methodologies including sampling designs, tool preparation, and
data collection strategies.
 Gain knowledge and skills in data management, using appropriate statistical tools for
research.
 Make use of statistical softwares for data analysis, and interpret with appropriate methods
of analysis.
 Communicate the research effectively with a written report and interpret the results and
conclusions.

7. The Internal Assessment (summary for the course):

The internal assessment shall be based on the following Evaluation Criteria

Maximum Marks
Criteria Pre-Mid term Post -mid Term Total
Group Project 15 10 25
Lab test 0 15 15
MCQ 10 0 10
Mid Term Exam 20
Total 70

7.1 Milestones / Important Sessions:

Tentative
Sl. Assignment / Class Test / Project/ Presentation Date /
Marks
No. etc. Session
st
1 Group formation 0 1 Session
2 Group Project Phase – I (Identification of the research
05 4th Session
problem, Framing of title and objectives)
3 Group Project Phase – II (Review of Literature) 05 7th Session
4 MCQ – I 10 9th Session
5 Group Project Phase – III (Preparation of instrument for
05 11th Session
data collection)
6 Midterm exam
7 Lab Test I 15 20th Session
8 Group Project Phase – IV (Analysis & Interpretation of the
23rd and 24th
collected data and Report Submission (5 marks, 10
Sessions
Presentation – 5 marks)
9 End term exam

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 Research Project Rubrics

Percentage score Far below

Needs improvement Average Good to Very Good Excellent Teacher
expectation
Assessment
below 40% >40% but <60% >60% but < 70% >70% but < 85% 85% - 100
Performance level
1 2 3 4 5 5.25 5.5 5.75 6 6.25 6.5 6.75 7 7.50 7.75 8 8.25 8.5 9 9.5 10
Problem Identification
and Framing of
objectives

Review of Literature and

Theoretical Framework

Methodology and
questionnaire preparation

Data Collection

Analysis and
Interpretation

Research Reporting and

Presentation

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8. Special Information on Coursework:
8.1 Group Project

 The class will be divided into teams comprising of 6-7 students each.
 The team constitution will remain unchanged for the full term of the course delivery.
 The teams would conduct a study on a topic related to Business research approved by the
concerned faculty member.
 The study involves problem identification, field visits for data collection and analysis of
the collected data using SPSS/ MS Excel
 Each group should submit a report thereafter.
 The output should be submitted as softcopy (proof read with required corrections
undertaken before submission) before printing.

8.2 Presentation Guidelines

a) Presentations will be based on the Research work done.

b) Everyone in the group should participate in the presentation
c) For Q&A, the person to answer the queries will be selected by the panel from the
group. He/she has the option to pass on the question to his team members. But that
will attract negative mark.

9. Examination Coverage and QP pattern:

9.1 Mid Term Examination Coverage and QP pattern

Mid Term examination will be of 90 minutes and the coverage and pattern are given below:

Section A Conceptual /Short Questions 5 * 2 = 10 Marks

Descriptive
Section B + compulsory question on contemporary issues 2 * 5 = 10 Marks
related to the course
Descriptive - Applied Knowledge/ analytical 10 Marks
Section C
skills etc.

9.2 End Term Examination Coverage and QP pattern

The end term examination shall be for 3 hours and shall cover all the topics that are envisaged in
this plan and the pattern will be as follows:

Coverage: Modules 1 – 6; Total: 60 Marks

Section A Conceptual /Short Questions 4*4 = 16 Marks

Descriptive
Section B + compulsory question on contemporary issues 5*6= 30 Marks
related to the course
Descriptive - Applied Knowledge/ analytical 14 Marks
Section C
skills etc.

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10. Course Implementation: Module and Session Plan
Module Topics Pedagogy Courseware (Cases/ Evaluation
/ Activity Readings/ Book &
No. Weightage Sessions Chapter references)
A brief outline of the course
1 10% 1 Introduction to Business Research Lecture and
Need for business research – its scope and role discussions
in managerial decision making
Research process
Research Designs: Exploratory, Descriptive and Ref 1 – Chap 1-7 Formation of teams
2
Causal Research, Approaches to research -
Deductive and Inductive
Research Designs: Exploratory, Descriptive and
3 causal Research (Contd.). Review of literature
and referencing formats
Measurement of variables
4 Group Project Phase – I
2 10% Scales – Metric and Non metric Lecture and
Ref 1 – Chap. 8-9 Identification of the research problem
Attitude measurement scales, discussions
5 Framing of title and objectives
Reliability and Validity
6 Methods of collecting data
3 15% 7 Secondary and Primary source Lecture and Ref 3- Chap. 9,10 Group Project Phase – II
Questionnaire – design guidelines, Other discussions Review of Literature
8
methods of data collection
MCQ on portions from Module 1 to 3
4 15% Sample Design MCQ on portions from Module 1 to 3.
9
Types of Sampling- Probability and Non- Lecture and
probability sampling discussions Ref 1 – Chap. 11-12 Group Project Phase – III
10 Probability and Non- probability sampling Preparation of instrument for data
(contd.), Determination of the sample size, collection
11
Errors in Sampling
12 Data Analysis and Interpretations Lecture and Lab Test (Portions – post midterm
5 30% Data Processing: Entry, Editing, Coding Discussion, Ref 1 – Part III portions till Factor Analysis)
13 Interpretation and Testing of Hypothesis
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Reliability Analysis – Cronbach’s Alpha Lab
14 Descriptive Statistics, Cross Tabulation, Chi- Sessions Group Project Phase – IV
square Analysis & Interpretation of the
Parametric Tests - One sample T test, Paired- collected data and Report Submission
15
Sample T Test
16 Independent sample T Test , ANOVA
17 Correlation, Regression
18 Factor Analysis
Lab Test (Portions – post midterm portions till
Factor Analysis)
19
Non Parametric Tests – Wilcoxon signed-rank
test, Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test
Presentation of Data
20 Tables, Graphs & Charts (Tools: SPSS/MS
Excel)
Report writing
6 20% 21 Structure of a Research Report
Special emphasis on analysis of SPSS outputs Ref 1 – Part III, Chap. 23
22 for generating inferences and conclusions
Ethical considerations in research
23,24 Presentation of reports

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