De La Salle University-Manila

Decision Science and Innovation Department

MGT/IBS Program

COURSE SYLLABUS

COLLEGE: RVR College of Business DEPARTMENT: DSI

COURSE CODE: THSMGT1/THSMAN1/THSIBS1/THSINT1

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course (for Business Management/Interdisciplinary Business Studies Students) is
concerned with the design, collection, and analysis of business-related information using various
applied research methods, with emphasis on the basic and applied research designs. These are
survey research, action research, and case study. The course will delve into measurement
concepts, such as scaling concepts, attitude measurement, and questionnaire design. It will also
focus on the appropriate mixed methods of data collection, alternative measurement approaches,
and commonly utilized parametric and non-parametric statistical tools. At the end of the course,
the students should be able to translate the knowledge into a thesis proposal that will be defended
in front of a panel.

LEARNING OUTCOMES (LO):

On completion of the course, the student is expected to be able to do the following:
ELGAs Learning Outcomes

Effective communicators  Explain the role of business research and the

research process.
 Explain the typical business research methods (e.g.
survey research, action research, and case study) and
discuss the appropriate methods of data collection
for each.
 Explain measurement concepts such as scaling
concepts, attitude measurement, and questionnaire
design.
 Write a paper that clear, concise, and generally free
of grammatical and typographical errors
 Demonstrate an acceptable level of oral
communication and persuasion skills when
presenting highlights of their proposal to a panel
Critical and creative thinkers  Extract data from primary and secondary sources
and convert them into processed information useful
for decision making
 Synthesize information taken from scholarly sources
and come up with a conceptual framework
appropriate for their study
 Identify the methods of data collection and analysis
appropriate to their research objectives
Technically proficient and competent  Identify alternative analytical approaches, both
professionals and leaders quantitative and qualitative.
 Utilize parametric and non-parametric statistical
tools, if required by their study
 Develop a research proposal using prescribed
standards of the American Psychological
Association (APA) with regards to citations,
references, tables and figures, and using adapted
guidelines for the format of headings and body text.
Service-driven, ethical, and socially  Identify research problems of national significance
responsible citizens aimed at finding solutions to address the problem of
poverty or at generating sustainable value for
business and society at large.
 Understand ethical research practices (e.g. citing
sources properly, informed consent, right to privacy,
confidentiality, right to quality research, sponsor’s
ethics)
 Collaborate towards the adequate completion of
course requirements and contribute substantially to
the work of the group
 Understand the importance of undertaking the
research process with great care so as to ensure the
validity and reliability of results

FINAL COURSE OUTPUT:

As evidence of attaining the above learning outcomes, the student is required to do and submit
the following during the indicated dates of the term.
LEARNING OUTCOME REQUIRED OUTPUT Working
Period/DUE DATE
LO 1:
 Identify research problems related to Concept paper with review Week 1
the department’s research agenda of literature summary
matrix
To be submitted to thesis
adviser

LO 2: Week 2 to 3
 Extract data from primary and Review of literature
secondary sources and convert them

2
 into processed information useful for
decision making Theoretical/Operational
Framework Week 3 to 4
 Synthesize information taken from
scholarly sources and come up with a
conceptual framework, research
design and methodology appropriate Research Design/ Week 5 to Week 6
for their study Methodology

LO 3: Thesis proposal Preliminary draft

 Write a paper that clear, concise, and submitted to thesis
generally free of grammatical and adviser for signing the
typographical errors endorsement form
 Demonstrate an acceptable level of
oral communication and persuasion
skills when presenting highlights of
their proposal to a panel

OTHER REQUIREMENTS AND ASSESSMENTS:

The final product is a thesis proposal that will be defended in front of a panel (composed of two
faculty members and the thesis adviser). The grade for the thesis proposal will be the average
grade of the panel, computed as follows: Grade of Panel Chair + Grade of Panel Member +
Grade of Adviser)/3 . Only accepted thesis proposal (minimum grade of 70%) will merit a
passing grade for the course. Thesis proposal with a grade below the minimum of 70% will not
be approved. In this case, the students have to reenroll in THSMGT1 the succeeding term or in
any term they so choose before they can continue and enroll in THSMGT2. The thesis grade will
be a group grade. Individual grade of each member of the thesis group will be the product of the
thesis proposal grade of the group and the average peer evaluation grade of the group members.
A student with a grade below 70% will be dropped from the group and will have to repeat
THSMGT1 and will not be allowed to enroll in THSMGT2 unless he has passed THSMGT1.

This course takes a developmental approach in assessing the work of the students. Each major
section of the thesis proposal shall be evaluated by the teacher, who returns the section to the
team for improvement until the outcome is satisfactory. The group then moves to the next major
section of the proposal. The process continues until the group is able to produce a thesis proposal
fit for defense. If by the end of the term the thesis proposal is not considered acceptable for
defense, the group shall defend the proposal on the succeeding term/s. Only students who are
officially enroll in THSMGT1 will be allowed to defend the proposal.

Each thesis group (composed of 2-4 members) will be given an adviser based on the topic the
group would like to pursue. Thesis adviser will be given after the groups have submitted a list of
thesis topics the group is interested to develop. The DSI Dept. will assign thesis adviser based on
the following criteria: group’s thesis topic, faculty area of expertise, and faculty availability.

3
GRADING SYSTEM:
Thesis Proposal (Paper and Oral Presentation – Please see rubric) 70%
Peer Evaluation 10%
Self Evaluation 10%
Advisers (Attendance, Attitude, Learning and Contribution) 10%
Final Grade 100%

LEARNING PLAN:
LEARNING TOPIC WEEK NO. LEARNING
OUTCOME ACTIVITIES
Orientation 1  Introduction to course
 General Assembly
 Meeting with adviser

LO1 The research proposal 2  Submission of initial

concept papers with
review of literature matrix
 Review of basic research
concepts and techniques
on:
 Purpose of the research
proposal
 Researcher benefits
 Types of research
proposals
 Structuring the research
proposal
 Evaluating the research
proposal
 Writing the proposal
 Situation appraisal
 Problem identification
LO2 Review of Related Literature 3-4  Critique of journal articles
 Application of proper
citation of sources
 Evaluation of APA
guidelines in review of
literature
 Submission of chapter on
review of literature
LO2 Research Design 5  Identification of theoretical
and operational framework
 Classifying the research as
quantitative or qualitative
 Submission and oral
presentation of planned
research design
LO2 Methodology 6-7  Identification of
methodologies to be used

4
 in the research to gather
data, analyze data and
presentation of results
 Submission of thesis
proposal up to
methodology chapter
LO3 Thesis Proposal 8-9  Writing the thesis proposal
10  Oral presentation of thesis
proposal
11-12  Revision and submission
of approved revised
proposal

Calendar of Activities

DATE ACTIVITY VENUE

Sept 20, 2019 General Assembly 2 Time/Venue TBA
Nov 18, 2019 Deadline: 3 ringbind thesis DSI until 4PM only
Nov 22 or 23, 2019 Thesis Defense proper Faculty Center
Nov 29, 2019 One week revision of thesis DSI
Dec 9, 2019 Final Thesis (ringbind) DSI until 4PM only

Thesis Guidelines 2019

Enrollment
-Enroll on your designated thesis course as listed in your flowchart. For instance all MGT should
enroll either THS-MG1 or THSMAN1, while all IBS should enroll either THS-IN1 or THSINT1.
–For Thesis 2, proceed to same thesis course code but ensure you enrolled to the right adviser.
Failure to do so will receive a 0.0 from the wrong adviser, inform thesis coordinator if wrong
enroll so that we could find ways to help you.

Deadlines:
Submit your papers on the allotted time. Failure to do so means a 0.0 for the entire course.
Penalty deductions of minus 2 from adviser’s 10 will be given for those who submitted late one
hour after deadline.

I. Groupings
1. Minimum requirement for each group is at least 2 members.
2. Maximum limit for each group is 4 members only.
3. Each group compose of strictly either all MGT or all IBS
4. Each member should have at least finished BUSIRES, IBS-RES or the like.
5. Enrollment for thesis 1 shall be open prior to the start of the term and a section transfer
would occur one week after General Assembly.

5
 7. Enrollment for thesis 2 shall follow the respective adviser assigned from thesis 1,
unless a letter of change for the adviser was issued by the students or the adviser defer duties due
to other reasons.
8. In case a group member wants to change grouping, this can only be done on the next
term with a letter of request for the transfer to another group. The accepting group shall sign on
the letter as acceptance.

II. Thesis (follow APA format, Times New Roman 12, Double Space)
A. Format (Thesis 1)
1. Background of the study
a. Statement of the problem
b. Objectives of the study
c. Significance of the study
d. Scope and limitations
2. Review of Related Literature
a. Synthesis (optional)
3. Framework of the study
a. Theoretical Framework
b. Conceptual/Operational Framework
c. Hypothesis/Proposition
d. Assumptions of the study
e. Operational definition of terms
4. Methodology
a. Research Locale
b. Research Design
c. Sampling Design
d. Research Instrument
e. Statistical Treatment of Data
5. References

B. Format (Thesis 2)
1. Continue chapter 1 to 4 from thesis 1
2. Chapter 5 – Results and Analysis
3. Chapter 6 – Conclusion and Recommendation

C. Topics
Groups may choose to do a basic research or an applied research, preferably on a topic or
problem encountered while doing their coursework in MGT major subjects starting with
Busires/IBS res or other Business Research course. Topics must be approved by the thesis
adviser before any work can be done.
A study or project done for a host company may be approved as a research topic,
provided that the research design and methodology meet the standards of a thesis project, and
provided that additional data gathering will be undertaken. The proponents must also secure the
written consent of the host company to undertake the research project.
Groups may choose to follow research agenda of the DSI department.

6
Business plans, Strategy Papers, Feasibility Analysis, and Information System Plans are not
allowed as thesis topics. Companies used for these papers, however, can still be the respondents
for the thesis.
 IT/IS Development for MSMEs
 Entrepreneurial/Management
 Corporate Entrepreneurship
 Business Development/ Market Research
 Entrepreneurial Mindset
 Family Business
 Supply Chain Management
 Sustainable Business
 Social Entrepreneurship
 Information Technology/Information System
 System Analysis and Design
 Technology & Innovation Management of SMEs
 Events Management
 Entrepreneurship Education
 Internationalization Patterns of SMEs
 Integration of Sustainability in Business Education
 Business & Poverty Alleviation
 Innovation Capabilities
 Information Technology/Information System

III. Adviser and Panelists

After the GA, the thesis coordinator should prepare the list of students with their tentative
thesis titles or topics. This shall be forwarded to the DSI faculty pool for selection of thesis
adviser via the rankings provided by the department. Each faculty could select a maximum of 4
per program (with a maximum total of only 8 groups assigned to the faculty). As per requirement
by the registrar, section transfer should be done during 2nd week of the term.
The adviser has the right to endorse or not to endorse a group for thesis defense, if
failure to comply with the requirements made by the adviser.
Panelists are randomly selected from the DSI faculty pool and be based on the
availability of the faculty on said time slot. For thesis 2, retention of same panel if possible.

IV. Defense Proper

1. Defending groups must be ready with their presentation equipment before their time
schedule. They are likewise required to come in business attire.

2. Defending groups are discouraged from buying food for the panelists. The DSI
Department will take care of providing the food, using the budget taken from the
thesis fee paid by the students.

7
3. In case any of the panelists is absent during the scheduled defense, the adviser and the
other panelist should report this to the thesis coordinator. The thesis coordinator, after
contacting and confirming with the panelist of his/her unavailability, will meet with
the thesis adviser and the panelist present, to decide to continue or to re-schedule the
defense. If defense will continue as decided, then the thesis coordinator will sit as
replacement panelist. If the coordinator is not available, the assistant thesis
coordinator will sit as panelist. In case the assistant coordinator is not available, then
any DSI faculty available at the time of the defense will be requested to sit as
panelist.

4. A pre-defense conference will be called by the chair of the panel with the panel and
the adviser. This will allow the panel to set the direction of the question and answer
portion to optimize the time allotted. This can also be used by the panel to clarify
some issues with the thesis adviser.

5. Each group will be given 15-20 minutes to present the highlights of the thesis before
a panel of two (2) faculty members, one of which is designated as the chairman. The
next 30 minutes are allotted for questions from the panelists. The last 10 minutes are
allotted for the deliberation of the grade, during which the group members are
requested to leave the room.

6. The adviser is allowed to stay in the room during the defense, but is not allowed to
answer for the group.

7. The group must make sure that the comments of the members of the panel are
documented and revisions are submitted a week after the defense. It is the
responsibility of the group to look for the panelists and let them sign on the panelist
approval sheet after all revisions are met.

8. Once the defense is completed, the group will be given at least one week to submit
the required revisions to their panelists. Once the revisions are met, the group should
accomplish the panelist’s approval to be duly signed by BOTH of their panelists and
the adviser. Panelist have the right to accept or not accept your revision and
compliance to his or her revision request should be complied prior to any signature
approval. No revision or failure to submit revision within the revision period is
deemed failed or forfeiture of the defense grade.

8
 9. The group should submit the following on the prescribed deadline given by the thesis
coordinator. Failure to do so means forfeiture of the said grade.

10. If a student is absent during the thesis defense, he or she will incur a 0 grade for the
oral presentation part.

11. The defense grade represents 70% of overall grade. The average grades of the
panelists and adviser (Chair + Panel + Adviser/3).

12. The panelists are requested to turn over to the panel chair the evaluation sheets, duly
accomplished and signed. The panel chair shall then turn over the three evaluation
sheets and the Summary Evaluation Sheet to the thesis coordinator.

13. If the group failed the thesis defense then it is automatic 0.0. If no revision is
made within the time period (one week maximum from defense date) then there
is a forfeiture of thesis defense grade and incurs a 0.0 as well.

FOR THSMGT1/THSIBS1 GROUPS

a. One (1) RINGBOUND copy –green back cover final thesis proposal, duly approved
by the panel as evidenced by the Approval Sheet, which should serve as the cover
page of the thesis

b. No extension of the deadline will be made. The group that submits beyond the
deadline will automatically get a “0.0” for their defense grade. The group must
comply to the requirements prescribed by the panelists.

V. Grading
1. Each panelist will be provided with Thesis Proposal Paper Rubric (student will insert
the grading sheet rubric in their thesis paper), which will be the basis for the grades.

2. Grade composition

a. Thesis Defense Grade 70% (Chair + Panel + Adviser’s Grade/3)

b. Adviser’s Rating 10%
The adviser could give the remaining 10% provided the students were able to pass
the defense proper. Adviser could use the following breakdown:
i. 3% Attendance – the student actively meet up with the adviser for
consultation that also include general assembly.

9
 ii. 3% Learning Assessment – the student show initiative and willingness to
learn from the adviser. Shows improvement from 1st week to the last week.
iii. 3% Contribution– the student provide good results in terms of assigned
thesis work and show good rapport with other group members.
iv. 1% Attitude – the student encourages other members to do their best and
show great deal of respect to other members as well as the adviser.

c. Self-Evaluation 10%
d. Peer Evaluation 10%

Note: If failed on thesis defense then it is automatic 0.0. There is no need to submit
for peer and self-evaluation.

VI. Documents
Three ring bind thesis should be submitted on the deadline set by the thesis adviser.
Defense proper is set 2 to 3 weeks prior to the department exams.

1. Thesis 2 – One book-binded thesis with green cover and proper DLSU
labeling plus 1 CDs (with softcopy of thesis and pertinent data)
2. Thesis 1 - One ring-binded thesis
3. All documents need the signature of the two panelists and adviser prior to the
submission to the department

VII. Best Thesis

1. Groups that get a grade of at least 97% are automatically nominated for best thesis
2. Groups that qualified will submit extended abstract for external panelists/judges to
rate based on a new rubric.
3. Groups ratings will be ranked and the highest score will be awarded gold, 2nd silver,
third bronze
4. If only one group qualified as nominee for best thesis, the group will be automatically
awarded Gold Medal
5. In case of tie, then both groups shall be declared co-winners or co-medalists.

Grades Equivalent
4.0 97-100
3.5 93-96
3.0 89-92
2.5 85-88

10
2.0 80-84
1.5 75-79
1.0 70-74
0.0 Below 70

REFERENCES:
American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological
Association, 6th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Cooper, D. and P. Schindler. (2008). Business research methods, 10th ed. Singapore: McGraw-Hill.
Dagelman, D. & Harris, M.L. (2006). APA Style Essentials. Retrieved May 31, 2007, from
http://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/detail.aspx?doc_id=796,
De Vaus, D. (2001). Research design in social research. Sage Publications, Inc.
Fisher, C. (2004). Researching and writing a dissertation for business students. London: Prentice Hall
Financial Times.
Gregorio, S. (2000). Using NVIVO for your literature review. Retrieved May 22, 2010, from
http://www.sdgassociates.com/downloads/literature_review.pdf
Herr, K. and Anderson, L. (2005). The action research dissertation: A guide for students and faculty.
California: Sage Publications.
Levin, J. and Fox, J. (2004). Elementary statistics in social research, 9 th edition. Pearson Education South
Asia Pte Ltd.
McNiff, J. (2000). Action research in organizations. London: Routledge.
NYU (undated). What is research design? Retrieved May 22, 2010, from
www.uk.sagepub.com/.../oleary/olearychapter03.ppt
Remenyi, D. Williams, B., Money, A., and Swartz, E. (1998). Doing research in business and
management: an introduction to process and method. Sage Publications, Inc.
Sekaran, U. (2003). Research methods for business: a skill building approach, 4 th edition. John Wiley and
Sons, Inc.
Sekaran, U. (2016). Research methods for business: a skill building approach, 7th edition. John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
Yin, R. (2018). Case study research: design and methods, 6th edition. Sage Publications.
Shamoo, A. (2009). Responsible conduct of research. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Stewart, D. and P. Shamdasani. (1990). Focus groups: Theory and practice. Sage Publications.
Williams, T.A., Sweeney, D.J., & Anderson, D.R. (2006). Contemporary business statistics with
Microsoft Excel. OH: Thomson Higher Education.
Yin, R. (2003). Applications of case study research, 2nd edition. Sage Publications.
Yin, R. (2003). Case study research: design and methods, 3rd edition. Sage Publications.
Zikmund, W. (2003). Business research methods, 7th ed. USA: The Dryden Press.

ONLINE RESOURCES :
APA citation style. (2007). Retrieved February 17, 2008, from http://www.library.cornell.edu/
newhelp/res_strategy/citing/apa.html

REPLY SLIP

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

CLASS POLICIES:

11
Regular weekly meeting with thesis adviser is required, unless stated by adviser. Schedule and
venue will be as agreed upon by the thesis group and the adviser. Please provide the courtesy
and respect to your respective adviser as well as your groupmates in attending meeting,
submitting documents on time and become responsible student.

ATTESTMENT

I hereby attest that I have read and understood all the pertinent conditions stated from this syllabus and
guidelines that are needed to pass this course and do due diligence to remain truthful, honorable and
responsible as a student of DLSU, RVR College of Business, Decision Sciences and Innovation
Department.

______________________________
Signature and printed name of student

Date: ___________________

Noted by:

_____________________________________
Signature and printed name of parent/guardian

Date: ___________________

12