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Business Research Methods Course Outline MSCSM643

The document outlines the course structure for 'Business Research Methods' (MSCSM643) at Chinhoyi University of Technology, focusing on the research process, data collection, and analysis techniques essential for strategic management. It includes details on the course objectives, learning outcomes, assessment methods, and instructional strategies, emphasizing the importance of research in problem-solving and decision-making. The course is designed for Year 1, Semester 2 students and includes a combination of lectures, tutorials, and self-directed learning.

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24 views5 pages

Business Research Methods Course Outline MSCSM643

The document outlines the course structure for 'Business Research Methods' (MSCSM643) at Chinhoyi University of Technology, focusing on the research process, data collection, and analysis techniques essential for strategic management. It includes details on the course objectives, learning outcomes, assessment methods, and instructional strategies, emphasizing the importance of research in problem-solving and decision-making. The course is designed for Year 1, Semester 2 students and includes a combination of lectures, tutorials, and self-directed learning.

Uploaded by

Clayton
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CHINHOYI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

COURSE OUTLINE

School: Entrepreneurship & Business Sciences


Department: Graduate Business School
Programme: MSc. Strategic Management
Course title [Course code]: Business Research Methods [MSCSM643]
Course level: Year 1, Semester 2
Date course outline last updated: 2 April 2024
Name of lecturer: Dr Rangarirai Mbizi [PhD Finance]
Alternate Lecturer Dr Jengeta [PhD Entrepreneurship]
Office hours: Any time as long as it is worthy
Office No: Block 12 Office Number 9
E-mail address: [email protected], [email protected]
Mobile number: +263719984672 / +263773984672
Modulecredits [hours]: 15 credits [150 notional learning hours]
Lectures: 18 hours
Tutorials: 9 hours
Library/Direct learning: 9 hours
Continuous/formative assessment: 15 hours
Examination/summative assessment: 3 hours
Self-directed learning hours: 96 hours
Preamble
There has been increased global competition for the past few decades. As such, firms find it
challenging to survive under such conditions. In order to survive and grow their businesses,
firms resort to problem identification and ability to use available resources to solve such
problems. Winning strategies are hinged on a sound understanding of research and problem
solving skills. Likewise, the need to understand the business research process is a key
strategy to problem solving in the 21st century and beyond.
Module description
This module deals with the management of numbers and quantitative variables. It focuses
mainly on the collection, collation, organisation, presentation and analysis of data for
improved decision making. The module will cover topics such as data collection and
presentation methods; statistical data descriptions; measures of central tendency; spread
and correlation analysis; bivariate data; mathematical models; simultaneous equations;
probability; decision tree analysis linear programming; application of hypothesis tests for the
mean; intervention effectiveness, association and one way analysis of variance, case
studies. Other topics include Definition of Research; Overview of Research and its
philosophies: epistemology, axiology, entomology, pragmatism, Research Methodologies;
Research Problem; Research Hypothesis; The Research process; Qualitative and
Quantitative Tools; Research designs: descriptive, explanatory, exploratory; Research
strategies: experiments, surveys, case studies, ethnography, archival research; Guidelines
on Writing a Research Dissertation; Ethical Issues in Research; research and intellectual
property laws and practices; patenting, copyrights; global guidelines on plagiarism and
security of intellectual property; Decision Analysis, Sampling Methods, Univariate and
Multivariate Techniques using SPSS, NVIVO, STATA, E-Views, Minitab, Statistical, Epi-Info,

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Data Mining for Business Intelligence, Data Visualisation, Dimension Reduction, Evaluating
Classification and Predictive Performance and Neutral Nets.
Prerequisites
Module objectives
 To develop understanding of the basic framework of research process.
 To develop an understanding of various research designs and techniques.
 To identify various sources of information for literature review and data collection.
 To demonstrate knowledge of research process by conducting a literature review in their
research area interest.
 5. Define and develop a possible research interest area to be taken forward in their
business research projects later in the second year of study.
 To enable students to apply consumer behaviour concepts/theories into real life
marketing for the success of the organisation.
Student learning outcomes
The learning outcomes are:

Methods of instruction
 Lectures
 Dramatization
 Videos
 Group discussions
 Individual and group presentations
 Case study analysis
Language of instruction
The medium of instruction is English. However, the use of vernacular during classroom
participation may be used subject to approval by the lecturer.
Schedule of lectures, tutorials and library/direct learning
Day Topic Content Duration
1 Research - Introduction to business research. 4 hrs
foundations &
Fundamentals - Defining Business Research Methods
- Types of Research
- The scientific Approach
- Research Process

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 Problem identification and
Formulating a research topic
 Background of the study
 Statement of the problem
(Research problem)
 Development of Research
Objectives & Questions
 Research hypotheses/propositions
 Significance/justification of the
study
 Scope of the study (Delimitations of
the study) Assumptions of the
study

2 Literature - What it literature review (LR), & how it is done? 2 hours


review - Citation and referencing (APA style)

3 3 Research - What is a research design 3 hours


Design: An - Classification of research designs?
Overview

4 Research Schindler, Chapter 5 2 hours


instruments - What is a research instrument
and
formulation - Structured questionnaire
- Interview guides

5 Sampling - Sampling techniques 2.5 hours


Design 11-12 - probability sampling techniques 1.5 hours
Schindler -Non- probability sampling techniques
-which of the two is the best?
6 Data - Qualitative Research 4 hours
Collection - Observation Studies
Design - Survey Research
- Experiments
7 Measurement - Scales of measurement, Validity, &Reliability 4 hours
Foundations - Measurement Questions
- Measurement Instruments
8 Collect, - Data cleaning, data preparation 4 hours
Prepare, and - Transforming variables
Examine
data,
Hypothesis
Testing
9 9 Measures of -Correlations (Pearson and spearman rank)

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Association -Chisquare
20 Schindler
10 Research - Supported Insights and Recommendations 4 hours
Reports: - The research Proposal
- Ethics in Research
11 Data analysis - Univariate, Bivariate, Multivariate 4 hours
- Regression as multivariate technique
- Structural equation Modelling as multivariate
technique

Assessment Method
Continuous Assessment [40%]
o In class tests
o Assignments
o Presentations (individual and group)
Issues pertaining to continuous assessment include:
o Assignments should be typed and submitted electronically, unless instructed otherwise.
o Presentation of assignments is based on the following: 1 inch margin on all sides; Arial
11 pt.; 1½ spacing; justified; an assignment cover showing the name of student and
registration number, emails, title of assignment, course and its code, due date, name of
institution and its logo, school/faculty, lecturer, department and programme; and at least
5 scholarly references.
o The APA referencing system is preferred.
o It is the responsibility of the student to verify and ensure that assignments have been
submitted and received.
o The assessment of presentations will be based on: content, clarity, comprehensiveness,
creativity, evidence of research, appropriateness of referencing and general
presentation.
Final Examination [60%]
The exam is a 3-hour paper marked out of 100. The exam EITHER comprises 6 questions
each carrying 25 marks i.e. only 4 questions out of 6 must be chosen and answered; OR it
consists of Section A: a compulsory case study marked out of 40, and Section B: 4
questions each carrying 20 marks i.e. only 3 questions out of 4 must be chosen and
answered.
Grading system

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Sources

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