Course Code and Title: 0413-404 Research Methods in Business and Management

Credit: 3 Credit Hours

CIE Marks: 60
SEE Marks: 40

The rationale of the course

This course is designed to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to determine the
information necessary to address an identified research problem (basic or applied) and, using this
understanding, develop and use an actionable research proposal. In this process, the students will gain an
understanding of relevant approaches and elements of undertaking a research inquiry specifically to provide
insights into solving a relevant problem. They will develop critical core competencies and skills required to
carry out such an inquiry. These competencies and skills include: defining research questions; setting
appropriate research objectives; study design that incorporates research objectives and budgetary constraints;
secondary and primary data collection and instruments; sampling and analysis methods; and effective
reporting of results; as well as the importance of ethical conduct in conducting research in both a domestic
and in international business contexts.
CONTENT OF THE COURSE

S.N. COURSE CONTENT Hrs. CLO

(as Summary) s
1 Introduction to business research: Different types of research, Research scope, 6 1
Business Research, Characteristics of good research, quantitative and qualitative
research.
2 The research problem and design: Define the researchable problem, Identify 9 1
problem sources, Characteristics of the researchable problem, Problem identifying
process, literature review, research gap, research philosophy, and research design.
3 Variables and sampling: Define a variable, and types of variables. Sampling: Why 9 2
Sample? Define population, census, survey, Stages of sampling, The sampling Frame,
Probability and non-probability sampling, Determination of sample Size, Sampling
technique- Sampling error
4 Measurement and scaling techniques: Different types of level of measurement scale, 9 3
convert qualitative data to quantitative data., Discuss different types of attitude
measurement, Give an example of some common usage measurement scale, Rules of
measurement- Types of measurement scale- Three criteria of good types of primary
and measurement – i) Reliability ii) Validity iii) Sensibility Rating the scale-Types of
the rating scale, Attitude scale, Technique for measuring attitude- Different type of
attitude scale.
5 Questionnaire design: Definition and relevancy of a questionnaire, Questionnaire 3 3
accuracy, Wording questions, Types of questions, Guidelines for constructing
questions, Best question sequence, Questionnaire pretesting, and layout. The Art of
Asking Question.
6 Method of data collection, processing, and presentation: Data source. Primary and 6 4
secondary data, Methods of collecting primary data, Sources of secondary data,
Evaluation of secondary data. Observation method, Interview schedule, Brief
description of Survey, and observation method. Stages of data analysis, Editing,
Coding, Basics of classification of Data, Presentation of data, Tabulation, the
Computer program for analysis, Analysis of data: Basic Data Analysis i) Descriptive
analysis ii) Inferential Analysis- Hypothesis tests.
7 Hypothesis Development and Testing: Hypothesis, Characteristics of Hypothesis, 4
Types of Hypothesis, Null Hypothesis and Alternative Hypothesis, The Level of
Significance, Test of Hypothesis or Decision Rule, Power of hypothesis test, Type I
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 And Type II Errors Development of hypothesis Z-test and T-test, one sample, two
samples, and proportion.
8 Interpretation and writing research report: What is a report? Characteristics of a 3 5
good research report, Report format, Precautions to prepare the report, and Effective
use of graphic aids. Referencing: In case of a Book- in Case of an Article-common
Abbreviation used in Foot Notes and Bibliography. Bibliography versus Footnote.
9 Practical Application of SPSS and Smart PLS: Basic knowledge of the SPSS and 12 4 &5
PLS, Data entry, descriptive statistics- Mean, median, Maximum, Minimum, Standard
deviation, frequency distribution, Inferential statistics- Correlation, Regression
Analysis, Hypothesis testing, T-test, Z-test, F-test, chi-square test, Graphical
presentation, explain table and graph with text.

Course Learning Outcome: By the end of the course, students will:

Be able to understand various kinds of research, research process, and research designs and
generate ideas and identify core research problem(s) based on the scope and objectives of the
study, and/or relate the problem(s) with major theories, concepts and variables.
CLO 1

Be able to understand the Concept of Sampling Terminology, and population, and determine
sample size based on sampling techniques.
CLO 2

Be able to have adequate knowledge for preparing questionnaires based on measurement and
scaling techniques.
CLO 3

Be able to understand data collection methods, process, presentation, hypothesis development,

and data analysis, including descriptive & inferential measures.
CLO 4

Be able to write up & develop independent thinking for critically analyzed research reports.

CLO 5

Mapping of Course Learning Outcomes to Program Learning Outcomes [attainment level used for CLO’s
from 1(weak)-3(strong) correlation]

PLO’s PLO1 PLO2 PLO3 PLO4 PLO5 PLO6 PLO7

CLO’s

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 CLO1 3 2

CLO2 2

CLO3

CLO4 2 3

CLO5 3

Mapping Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) with the Teaching-Learning and Assessment Strategy
CLOs Teaching-Learning Strategy Assessment Strategy
CLO1 Lecture, Discussion, Problem-based Exercise Question & Answer
CLO2 Lecture, Discussion, Problem-based Exercise Quiz, Question & Answer
CLO3 Lecture, Discussion, Problem-based Exercise Presentation, Assignment
CLO4 Discussion, Practical Exercise in Lab Group work and assignment
CLO5 Discussion, Practical Exercise Assignment

ASSESSMENT PATTERN
CIE – Breakup [60 marks]

Bloom’s Attendance Class Test Assignment Presentation Mid Exam

Criteria (7) (15) (5) (8) (25)

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Remember 7

Understand 5 2 2 5

Apply 5 3 5

Analyze 3 5

Evaluate 2 5

Create 3 3 5

SEE – Semester End Examination [40 marks]

Bloom Criteria The score for the Test

Remember 05

Page 4 of 5
 Understand 05

Apply 05

Analyze 05

Evaluate 10

Create 10

LEARNING MATERIALS
Recommended Reading:
Research Methodology -A Step by Step by By Ranjit Kumar (4th Edition)

Supplementary Readings:
1. Research methodology: methods and techniques by C R Kothari; Gaurav Garg (3rd Edition)
2. Research Methods for Business Students by Mark Saunders. Philip Lewis. Adrian (Seventh edition)

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