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BUS825Management Sciences Unitsintermediate

Research Methodology

This course introduces students to research design and methodology within the business context. It covers the research process, proposal writing, research designs, data collection, and analysis. Ethical considerations in business research are emphasized, along with challenges specific to developing countries. The course aims to equip students with practical skills for conducting research and making informed business decisions in a global environment.

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208h

Study Time

13

Weeks

16h

Per Week

intermediate

Math Level

Course Keywords

Research DesignMethodologyBusiness ResearchData AnalysisEthics

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level

Builds on foundational knowledge

65%

intermediate

📊

Math Level

Moderate Math

🔬

Learning Type

Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Research Process

2

Research Proposal

3

Research Design

4

Data Collection

5

Data Analysis

6

Research Ethics

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Business Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Market Researcher

Apply your skills in this growing field

Management Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Data Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Research Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

MarketingFinanceManagementEconomicsSocial Sciences

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week

1

Module 1: Introduction to the Research Process

4h

Unit 1: Introduction to the Research Process

4 study hours

•Define research, understand conceptual and operational definitions.
•Differentiate between variables and constants.
•Explain the research process.

Week

2

Module 1: Introduction to the Research Process

4h

Unit 2: Essential Parts of a Research Project

4 study hours

•Identify sources of research topics.
•Apply guidelines for selecting a research topic.
•Understand the components of a research proposal.

Week

3

Module 1: Introduction to the Research Process

4h

Unit 3: The Research Proposal

4 study hours

•State the purpose of a research proposal.
•Describe the content and types of research proposals.
•Evaluate the quality of a research proposal.

Week

4

Module 1: Introduction to the Research Process

4h

Unit 4: Structuring and Evaluating a Research Proposal

4 study hours

•Describe how an acceptable research proposal can be structured.
•Discuss the necessary parts of a research proposal.
•Learn how to impress a research sponsor and win a research grant.

Week

5

Module 1: Introduction to the Research Process

4h

Unit 5: Research Design

4 study hours

•Describe research designs.
•Discuss why a research design is necessary in research activities.
•Recognise when a research design is valid and acceptable.
•Select the appropriate design for your research activities.

Week

6

Module 2: Overview of Data Collection, Variables, and Sample Selection

4h

Unit 1: Components of a Research Design

4 study hours

•Describe the basic components of a research design.
•Explain relevant research designs.
•Describe research principles more than before looking at this unit.

Week

7

Module 2: Overview of Data Collection, Variables, and Sample Selection

4h

Unit 2: Overview of Data Collection, Variables, and Sample Selection

4 study hours

•Choose a data collection method.
•Identify and classify the variables you want to collect data for.
•Select a suitable sample.

Week

8

Module 2: Overview of Data Collection, Variables, and Sample Selection

4h

Unit 3: Sampling Design and Determination of the Sample Size

4 study hours

•List the different types of sampling designs.
•Discover how you can determine your sample size.
•Explain how to select your survey samples statistically.

Week

9

Module 2: Overview of Data Collection, Variables, and Sample Selection

4h

Unit 4: Research Questions and Questionnaire Design

4 study hours

•Explain more about derivation of research questions.
•Describe how you can construct and write questionnaires.
•State the different types of questionnaires.
•Outline the general rules for designing questionnaire questions.
•Design questionnaire for your specific study.

Week

10

Module 2: Overview of Data Collection, Variables, and Sample Selection

4h

Unit 5: Hypotheses and Hypotheses Testing I

4 study hours

•State what hypotheses are all about.
•Discuss the statement of research hypotheses.
•List the different classifications of hypotheses.
•Explain the classical methods or strategies for testing hypotheses.
•State and test hypotheses relevant to your research activities.

Week

11

Module 3: Hypotheses and Hypotheses Testing II

4h

Unit 1: Hypotheses and Hypothesis Testing II

4 study hours

•Distinguish tools in testing a hypothesis.
•Differentiate between parametric and non-parametric hypotheses.
•Discuss hypotheses testing.

Week

12

Module 3: Hypotheses and Hypotheses Testing II

8h

Unit 2: Data Presentation and Analysis

4 study hours

•List the first things to do before presenting and analysing a research data.
•Describe the acceptable tools for presentation and analysis of data.
•Present and analyse your data for a given research.

Unit 3: Presentation of the Research Report for Student Thesis

4 study hours

•Plan the research report.
•Design a time table.
•Prepare content of individual sections of the report.

Week

13

Module 3: Hypotheses and Hypotheses Testing II

8h

Unit 4: Ethics in Business Research

4 study hours

•Describe what ethics in research is all about.
•Demonstrate how to treat respondents and subjects in an ethical manner.
•Specify your ethical responsibility to your team members in your research activities.
•State professional ethical standards.

Unit 5: Problems of Research in Developing Countries

4 study hours

•Identify the problems facing researchers in developing countries in general and, specifically, in Nigeria.
•Draw up an acceptable research proposal on the research environment of developing countries.
•Write propositions on the way forward on carrying out research in developing countries in general and specifically, in Nigeria.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create concept maps linking research designs to appropriate data analysis techniques (Units 5-7).

2

Practice formulating null and alternative hypotheses for different research questions (Units 8-9).

3

Review ethical guidelines for data collection and analysis (Unit 12).

4

Focus on understanding the assumptions and limitations of different statistical tests (Units 10-11).

5

Solve practice problems involving sample size determination and statistical inference (Units 6-9).

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