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2013/2014  BA-HAI_ENRM  EngAGE Critical Thinking & Research Methods

English Title
EngAGE Critical Thinking & Research Methods

Course information
Language English
Exam ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Bachelor
Duration One Quarter
Course period First Quarter, Autumn
Time Table Please see course schedule at e-Campus
Study board
Study Board for BSc in International Business
Course coordinator
  • Martin Jes Iversen - MPP
  • Ron Sanchez - Department of Innovation and Organizational Economics (INO)
Main academic disciplines
  • Methodology
Last updated on 11-07-2013
Learning objectives
After having completed the course the students should be able to:
  • To describe the content and use of important research categories such as quantitative and qualitative research methods plus the concepts from philosophy of science such as inductive and deductive relations to theory.
  • To be able to use fundamental research tools related to quantitative and qualitative methods. Including Excell for professionals and qualitative methods such as interviews and archives.
  • To formulate and analyze a research problem including the relationship between problem formulation, research design and theory.
  • To synthezise important concepts within the philosophy of science in relation to business research methodology, research design and concrete problem formulations.
Course prerequisites
EngAGE students only. ENPC EngAGE Presentational Communication course.
Examination
EngAGE Crititcal Thinking and Research Methods:
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual
Size of written product Max. 10 pages
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration 48 hours to prepare
Grading scale 7-step scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period October and Autumn Term, The regular exam takes place in October. The make-up and re-examination takes place in January.
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
The make-up and re-examination takes place according to the same rules as the regular exam.
Description of the exam procedure

48 hour individual home assignment of max. 10 standard pages. All exam aids are permitted.

Declaration of Authorship (available on E-campus) must be included in the individual home assignment.
Course content and structure
This course intends to develop a fundamental understanding of business research methodology and its foundation in the philosophy of science. We first consider the nature of science as a process for establishing "warranted belief" in the field of international business studies. We then pay special attention to certain theoretical concerns, empirical challenges, and methodology issues that arise in researching international business topics and achieving feasible research designs.
 
 Practical Application of Theory: 
The course bridges research based problem formulation within international business with the use of specific theories. The philosophy of science is a key topic in this course and consequently theory is critical to the course. Theory includes the various use of theories, discussion of specific international business theories and finally the use of theories in relation to specific research projects.
 
Relation to a International Business and Institutional Setting: 
The course is basically a study of philosophy of science in relation to international business research. That includes the understanding of the role international business theories play in concrete research settings and the use of respectively quantitative and qualitative business research methods within International Business.   

Research Based Teaching: 
The course includes insights from existing research projects including Martin Jes Iversen qualitative research and databases and Ron Sanchez´ studies of organizations as systems.
Teaching methods
The course is based on a combination of lectures, case-based discussions in smaller
groups, written assignments and student presentations. The course will actively employ e-
learning aspects through a virtual debate forum, guest lecture mini-conference and student expert groups.
Student workload
Classes 42 hours
Workshop/exercises 20 hours
Preparation for class 90 hours
Home assignment 25 hours
Examination 48 hours
Expected literature
Indicative literature:
Books:
Ron Sanchez: A model of the Scientific Method (diagram)
Ron Sanchez: Organizations as Systems….
Derek Bickerton: Language as Representation
Carl Hempel: Theories and Theoretical Explanation
Karl Weick: "Theory Construction as Disciplined Imagination"
Murray Davis: "That's Interesting!"
Last updated on 11-07-2013