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2016/2017  BA-BINBO1331U  Business Research Methodology

English Title
Business Research Methodology

Course information

Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Bachelor
Duration One Quarter
Start time of the course Second Quarter
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for BSc in International Business
Course coordinator
  • Lars Håkanson - Department of International Economics and Management (INT)
Main academic disciplines
  • Philosophy and ethics
  • Methodology and philosophy of science
Last updated on 18-08-2016
Learning objectives
To achieve the grade 12, students should meet the following learning objectives with no or only minor mistakes or errors: On completion of the course, students should be able to:
  • demonstrate a critical understanding of basic epistemological assumptions underlying contemporary social science research, especially as these applies to research in international business
  • describe the nature and historical evolution of international business as an inter-disciplinary field of research
  • evaluate the choice and implementation of research methodologies in international business research
  • independently apply basic methodologies in such research, including both selection and critical evaluation of secondary sources and techniques for the collection of primary data
  • competently apply basic tools and conventions in social scientific research, including the structuring and writing of research reports, referencing, use of tables and diagrams, bibliographic search techniques, etc.
Examination
The exam in the subject consists of three parts:
(1) Business Research Methodology:
Sub exam weight10%
Examination formHome assignment - written product
Individual or group examGroup exam
Number of people in the groupmax. 5
Size of written productMax. 2 pages
Assignment typeWritten assignment
DurationWritten product to be submitted on specified date and time.
Grading scale7-step scale
Examiner(s)One internal examiner
Exam periodAutumn and Winter, The hand-in dates for the two small assignments are during the course.
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
The re-take exam is a group or individual two-page assignment. The task and topic are the same as for the ordinary exam.
(2) Business Research Methodology:
Sub exam weight10%
Examination formHome assignment - written product
Individual or group examGroup exam
Number of people in the groupmax. 5
Size of written productMax. 2 pages
Assignment typeWritten assignment
DurationWritten product to be submitted on specified date and time.
Grading scale7-step scale
Examiner(s)One internal examiner
Exam periodAutumn and Winter, The hand-in dates for the two small assignments are during the course.
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
The re-take exam is a group or individual two-page assignment. The task and topic are the same as for the ordinary exam.
(3) Business Research Methodology:
Sub exam weight80%
Examination formHome assignment - written product
Individual or group examIndividual exam
Size of written productMax. 10 pages
Assignment typeReport
DurationWritten product to be submitted on specified date and time.
Grading scale7-step scale
Examiner(s)One internal examiner
Exam periodAutumn and Winter, The regular exam takes place in December. 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 take place according to the same rules as the regular exam.
Description of the exam procedure

Individual home assignment of max.10 standard pages.

Declaration of Authorship must be included in the individual home assignment.

Course content and structure

The first part of the course provides an introduction to basic epistemological issues in the theory of science,
as applied to social science research generally and to research in international business specifically. This understanding will be used to critically discuss and evaluate common approaches and methodologies in international business research. Models, theories and empirical research on foreign direct investment and firm internationalization provide focal examples for this discussion, but other central topics in international business will be included too.

The second part of the course focuses on the selection, design and critical evaluation of basic methodologies and techniques in international business research and on the tools and conventions of reporting such research
 

Teaching methods
The course will be based around lectures, group and plenary discussions, and in-class exercises. It has been designed on the premise that active involvement is the most effective way to acquire the skills outlined in the learning objectives, on the expectation that all students have prepared the readings for each class, and are prepared to actively participate in the class-room discussion. A vital learning element is the preparation of the individual assignment, which takes the form of a research proposal for a potential bachelor thesis..
Student workload
Lectures 27 hours
Class-room exercises 9 hours
Reading 60 hours
Preparation of group assignments 10 hours
Preparation of individual assignment 100 hours
Expected literature

Blumberg, B. F., Cooper, D. R. & Schindler, P. S. (2014) Business Research Methods. (Fourth edition) Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill.

 

Chalmers, A. F. (2013) What Is This Thing Called Science? (Fourth edition) Maidenhead: Open University Press.

 

Recommended:
Rugg, G. & Petre, M. (2007) A Gentle Guide to Research Methods. Maidenhead: Open University Press. (Available as e-book through tne CBS library.)

Last updated on 18-08-2016