Learning objectives |
To achieve the grade 12, students should meet the
following learning objectives with no or only minor mistakes or
errors: At the end of the course the students should be able to:
- Distinguish between different types of data and present them in
a graphical and summary form
- Estimate and make basic statistical inferences (tests) about
population characteristics from samples as well as interpret the
results
- Calculate and interpret measures of correlation, partial
correlation, and regression coefficients from different regression
models
- Identify a research topic, critically review the appropriate
existing literature and develop hypotheses that reflect the
theoretical setting
- Apply the use of appropriate qualitative tools including
interviews, qualitative and quantitative surveys
- Critically reflect on the notions of validity and
reliability
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Examination |
Business
Research Methods:
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Exam
ECTS |
7,5 |
Examination form |
Home assignment - written product |
Individual or group exam |
Individual exam |
Size of written product |
Max. 5 pages |
Assignment type |
Written assignment |
Duration |
72 hours to prepare |
Grading scale |
7-step scale |
Examiner(s) |
Internal examiner and second internal
examiner |
Exam period |
Autumn |
Make-up exam/re-exam |
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
|
Description of the exam
procedure
The exam must be handed in through Digital
Exam.
|
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Course content and structure |
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the
required research skills that will make them educated users of
quantitative and qualitative techniques needed in addressing a
variety of problems in economic and business research. The study of
the material will allow the students to understand how
methodological tools blend together in order to result in competent
design and analysis of research projects.
The course introduces students to basic statistical skills in
business analysis. These skills include graphing techniques, the
use of spreadsheets and statistical software, discussion of the
type of data used in business research, methods of data collection,
summary measures of location and spread, statistical distributions
most frequently used in business research, estimation and inference
from population samples, hypothesis testing, correlation, single
and multivariate regression analysis, and residual analysis.
Further, the course introduces students to two main theoretical
approaches in modern interdisciplinary business research, namely
interpretivism and positivism, which will help them in building
their methodological and reflexive skills. These skills include
formulating a research question, making a research design,
collecting and analyzing relevant data, and analyzing and writing
up the research material.
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Teaching methods |
Teaching consists of lecturing and tutorial
sessions. Lectures focus on presenting theory, concepts and
insights, while tutorials focus on applying these to concrete
exercises. During tutorials students will be asked to either work
individually or in small groups to facilitate learning. Students
are required to be prepared for each class by reading the
recommended material. One of the major components in this course is
class participation and that cannot be achieved if students do not
come prepared on the recommended reading list. This will enhance
our interaction in the class and lead to creative
discussions |
Feedback during the teaching period |
In this course the students will receive feedback
in a continuous basis through exercise classes, office hours, and
in-class discussion. We encourage our students to make use of all
these opportunities in order to enhance their learning and
understanding of the notions and concepts discussed in the class.
Also, feedback will be offered through regular participation in
discussions and two-way communications in lectures as well as
during lecture breaks. |
Student workload |
Class activities including preparation |
126 hours |
Exam activities including preparation |
80 hours |
|
Expected literature |
- Saunders, Mark, Lewis, Philip & Thornhill, Adrian. (2007).
Fourth Edition. Research Methods for Business students.
(selected chapters)
- Lind, Douglas, Marchal, William and Wathen, Samuel Adam. Latest
Edition. Statistical Techniques in Business and Economics.
(selected chapters)
Please note: these reading materials are only tentative and
changes may occur. Final literature lists will be uploaded on LEARN
before the course begins.
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