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Pokhara University
Faculty of Management Studies

Course Code.: RCH 110 Full marks: 100

Course title: Business Research Methods Pass marks: 45
Nature of the course: Theory Time per period: 1 hour
Year, Semester: Total periods: 45
Level: Bachelor Program: BBA

1. Course Description
This course introduces students to a number of research methods useful for academic and
professional investigations of information practices, texts and technologies. By examining the
applications, strengths and major criticisms of methodologies drawn from both the qualitative
and quantitative traditions, this course permits an understanding of the various decisions and
steps involved in conducting research, as well as a critically informed assessment of published
research. The emphasis of the course is therefore on problem definition, hypothesis formulation,
research design, measurement, sampling, secondary data gathering, observation and interviews,
and data analysis. Emphasis will also be placed on conducting and using research in an ethical
manner.

2. Course Objectives
The objective of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to learn the process of
collecting, analyzing, and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data to aid managerial
decision making. Students develop and practice the knowledge and skills necessary to review,
apply and conduct organizational research.
3. General Objectives
At the conclusion of the course, students should be able to:
 To familiarize the students with business research concept and emerging paradigms of
research, including ontology, epistemology, axiology, and methodology.
 To expose the students to understand its importance in solving organizational problems
and making informed decisions.
 To develop a skill of comprehensive understanding of the literature review process and
the various types of literature reviews.
 To enable the students to identify the research problems and generate relevant research
questions based on identified problems.
 To enhance the knowledge to differentiate between types of measurement scales
(nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio) and understand their features and applications.
 To make the students able to construct effective questionnaires and conduct interviews to
collect primary data, and manage focus group discussions effectively.
 To make the students competent in developing the good research proposal
 To develop a theoretical framework by identifying key concepts, defining the framework,
and establishing relationships between research variables.
 To acquaint the students with understand different types of research designs and their
significance in choosing the appropriate design for a research study.
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To enhance the skill of students to use descriptive statistics for data analysis, including
measures of central tendency and dispersion, and understand their graphical
representations.

4. Contents in Detail

Specific Objectives Contents

1. Explain the emerging paradigms of Chapter 1: Introduction to Business Research (8 LH)
research, including ontology,
epistemology, axiology, and 1.1 Overview of Business Research
methodology. 1.1. 1 Definition and Importance of Research
2. Differentiate between different 1.1.2 Emerging Paradigm of Research: Ontology,
types of business research, such as Epistemology, Axiology and Methodology
quantitative vs. qualitative, 1.1.3 Philosophical Worldviews of Research
fundamental vs. applied, and 1.2. Types of Business Research: Quantitative and
inductive vs. deductive. Qualitative, Fundamental and Applied, Inductive and
3. Examine the role of research in Deductive
business decision-making and its 1.3. Role of Research in Business Decision Making
impact on organizational success. 1.2 Research Process and Ethics
4. To understand the steps involved in 1.2.1 Characteristics of Scientific Research
the scientific research process and 1.2.2 Steps in the Scientific Research Process:
identify key ethical considerations Identification of the Research Problem, Literature
and codes of conduct for Review, Formulation of Hypotheses, Research Design,
researchers. Data Collection, Data Analysis, Testing Hypotheses and
Drawing Conclusions, Discussion, Report Writing and
Presentation
1.2.3 Ethical Issues in Research
1.2.4 Code of Conduct for Researchers
1. Define literature and understand the Chapter 2: Literature Review and Theoretical
different types of literature relevant Framework (8 LH)
to research. 2.1 Literature Review
2. Understand the process of 2.1.1 Definition of literature and its types
conducting a literature review and 2.1.2 Literature Review Process
identify various types of literature 2.1.3 Types of Literature Review
reviews. 2.1.4 Quality of good literature
3. Evaluate the qualities that 2.1 Theoretical Framework
constitute good literature in 2.2.1 Key Concept and Definition of Theoretical
research. Framework
4. Develop a conceptual framework, 2.2.2 Rationale of Theoretical Framework in
including the identification of Research
research variables and establishing 2.2.3 Developing Conceptual Framework in
relationships among them Research
2.2.4 Identification of research variables and
establishing relationship
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1. Understand the concept of research Chapter 3: Problems Identification, Hypothesis

design, problems identification and Formulation and Research Design (8 LH)
hypothesis 3.1Problems Identification
2. Able to generating research 3.1.1 Concept of Problems Identification
questions based on identified 3.1.2 Steps of Problems Identification
problems. 3.1.3 Generating of Research Questions
3. Capable of formulation of good 3.2 Hypothesis Formulation
hypothesis as per the requirement of 3.2.1 Concept of Hypothesis
research 3.2.2 Types and importance of Hypothesis
4. Able to select appropriate research 3.2.3 Criteria of Good Hypothesis
design in practical life 3.3 Research Design
3.3.1 Introduction to Research Design
3.3.2 Types of Research Design
3.3.3 Significance of Selection of Right Research
Design

1 Understand the concept and Chapter 4: Scale of Measurement and Sampling (8

importance of different scales of LH)
measurement and sampling 4.1 Scale of Measurement
2 Competent to apply the different 4.1.1 Understanding of Scale of Measurement
types of measurement scales in 4.1.2 Types of Measurement Scale and their
research Feature : Nominal, Ordinal, Interval and
3 Capable to construct scales to Ratio
measure psychometric data 4.1.3 Construction of Scale to Measure
effectively. Psychometric Data
4 Able to evaluate the reliability and 4.1.4 Test of Reliability and Validity of Scale
validity of measurement scales. 4.2 Sampling
5 Skilled at calculating the e 4.2.1 Definition of Population, Sampling Frame
appropriate sample from population and Sampling
6 Understanding the differen types of 4.2.2 Probability Sampling Methods (Simple
sampling techniques and qualify to Random, Systematic, Stratified, Cluster)
apply the appropriate sampling 4.2.3 Non-Probability Sampling Methods
method. (Convenience, Purposive, Judgmental, Quota, and
Snowball)
4.2.3 Sampling and non-sampling errors and ways
of reducing sampling errors
1. Understand the concept, types, Chapter 5: Data Collection and Data Analysis Tools (8
and and features of data LH)
2. Develop skills in conducting 5.1 Types and Feature of Data
questionnaire survey, interviews 5.2 Primary Data Collection Tools
focus group discussions and 5.2.1 Characteristics of Primary Data, Its Sources
observation to gather primary data. and Types
3. Capable to understand the 5.2.2 Constructing a Good Questionnaire
characteristics, sources, and 5.2.3 Conducting Effective Interview
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limitations of data and assess its 5.3.4 Managing a Focus Group Discussion
validity and reliability. Effectively
4. Able to collect qualitative data 5.3.5 Getting Data through Observations
and analyse it with appropriate 5.3.6 Challenging of Qualitative Data Collection
methods using or not using the 5.3 Secondary Data Sources
software. 5.3.1 Characteristics of Secondary Data, Its Sources
5. Apply data analysis tools and and Types
software as per the nature of data. 5.3.2 Challenges and Limitation of Secondary Data
5.3.3 Validity and Reliability of Secondary Data
5.4 Data Analysis Tools
5.4.1 Data Editing, Coding, Entry, and Cleaning
5.4.1 Use of Descriptive Statistics for Data
Analysis: a) Measures of Central Tendency
(Mean, Median, Mode), b) Measures of
Dispersion (Range, Variance, Standard
Deviation), c) Graphical Representation of
Data
5.4.2 Use of Inferential Statistics for Data
Analysis: a) Non-parametric tests, b)
Parametric test, c) Hypothesis Testing, d)
Univariate, Bi-variate and Multivariate
Analysis
5.5 Qualitative Data Analysis
5.5.1 Method of Qualitative Data Analysis: a) Content
Analysis, b) Thematic Analysis, c) Narrative
Analysis, d) Discourse analysis, e) Grounded theory
analysis,
5.5.2 Process of Qualitative Data Analysis:
5.6 Use of Software in Data Analysis: Introduction to
Quantitative Data Analysis Software viz. SPSS, SAS,
EViews and Qualitative tools viz. NVivo, ATLAD. ti,
MAXQDA etc.

1. Understand the objectives, types, Chapter 6: Proposal and Report Writing (8 LH)
and structure of a research proposal 6.1 Writing the Research Proposal
and report. 6.1.1Objectives, Types and Structure of Research
2. Able to present research results Proposal
using visual tools such as pictures, 6.1.2Qualities of Good Research Proposal
graphs, tables, and figures. 6.2 Writing the Research Report
3. Competent to prepare quality 6.2.1Objectives, Types and Structure of Research
research proposal and research Report
report. 6.2.2Qualities of Good Research and Report
6.2.3 Presenting Results through Picture and Graphs,
Tables and Figures
6.2.4Preparing a research report, Presentation and
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Dissemination

Note: The figures in the parentheses indicate the approximate periods for the respective units.

5. Methods of Instruction
I. Lectures: Core content delivery and discussions
II. Case Studies: Real world applications and analysis
III. Guest Lectures: Professional research experts sharing insights
IV. Group Projects: Collaborative learning and presentations
V. Training : Using research tools and software
VI. Assessments: Quizzes, class participation, assignments, developing questionnaire and
proposals, written exams
6. Evaluation system and Students’ Responsibilities
Evaluation System
In addition to the formal exam(s) conducted by the Office of the Controller of Examination of
Pokhara University, the internal evaluation of a student may consist of class attendance, class
participation, quizzes, assignments, presentations, written exams, etc. The tabular presentation of the
evaluation system is as follows.
External Evaluation Marks Internal Evaluation Marks

Semester-End 50 Class attendance and participation 5

Examination Group work and field report 5+5
Quizzes/assignments and presentations 10
Internal Term Exam 25
Total External 50 Total Internal 50
Full Marks 50+5 100

Students’ Responsibilities:
Each student must secure at least 45% marks in the internal evaluation with 80% attendance in
the class to appear in the Semester End Examination. Failing to obtain such score will be given
NOT QUALIFIED (NQ) and the student will not be eligible to appear in the End-Term
examinations. Students are advised to attend all the classes and complete all the assignments
within the specified time period. If a student does not attend the class(es), it is his/her sole
responsibility to cover the topic(s) taught during the period. If a student fails to attend a formal
exam, quiz, test, etc. there won’t be any provision for a re-exam.

7. Prescribed Books and References

Text Book

Cooper, D. R., & Schindler, P. S. (2014). Business Research Methods. McGraw-Hill

Education.
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Sekaran, U., & Bougie, R. (2016). Research Methods for Business: A Skill-Building
Approach. Wiley.
Zikmund, W. G., Babin, B. J., Carr, J. C., & Griffin, M. (2012). Business Research Methods.
Cengage Learning.

Reference Books
Merriam, S.B. &Tisdell, E. J. (2023)Qualitative Research: A Guide to Design and
Implementation. Jossey-Bass
Burns, R.B. & Burns, R. A. (2008). Business Research Methods abd Statistics Using SPSS.
Sage

Prepared and submitted by

Rabindra Ghimire, PhD

Associate Professor
SOB PU