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2017/2018  DIP-D1FMO1601U  Business Research Methods

English Title
Business Research Methods

Course information

Language English
Course ECTS 5 ECTS
Type Mandatory offered as elective
Level Graduate Diploma
Duration Summer
Start time of the course Summer
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for Graduate Diploma in Business Administration
Course coordinator
  • Susanne Boch Waldorff - Department of Organization (IOA)
Main academic disciplines
  • Methodology and philosophy of science
Last updated on 06-06-2017

Relevant links

Learning objectives
To achieve the grade 12, students should meet the following learning objectives with no or only minor mistakes or errors:
  • Identify a research topic based on one or more specific business economics problems.
  • Based on the identified research topic to formulate and argue for a number of research questions which clarify the knowledge-production process.
  • Discuss and select relevant theory within the field of business economics that can help answer the research questions.
  • Define and operationalize relevant concepts involved in the research topic and questions as well as in the selected theory.
  • Be able to describe and explain the research field's characteristics and the choice of quantitative and/or qualitative data and methods.
  • Be able to choose and argue for a relevant research design, including being able to justify the choice of techniques for data collection, data analysis and data interpretation.
  • Be able to assess the overall quality of the knowledge production, including data reliability and validity.
Course prerequisites
It is recommended that students possess a high level of english proficiency (written, read and spoken)
Examination
Business Research Methods:
Exam ECTS 5
Examination form Written sit-in exam on CBS' computers
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration 4 hours
Grading scale 7-step scale
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and second internal examiner
Exam period Summer and Autumn
Aids Limited aids, see the list below:
The student is allowed to bring
  • USB key for uploading of notes, books and compendiums in a non-executable format (no applications, application fragments, IT tools etc.)
  • Books (including translation dictionaries), compendiums and notes in paper format
At all written sit-in exams the student has access to the basic IT application package (Microsoft Office (minus Excel), digital pen and paper, 7-zip file manager, Adobe Acrobat, Texlive, VLC player, Windows Media Player). PLEASE NOTE: Students are not allowed to communicate with others during the exam : Read more about exam aids and IT application packages here
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
If the number of registered candidates for the make-up examination/re-take examination warrants that it may most appropriately be held as an oral examination, the programme office will inform the students that the make-up examination/re-take examination will be held as an oral examination instead.
Description of the exam procedure

Please note that even though the exam case will be in English, you are allowed to hand in your exam answer in Danish.

Course content and structure

Business Research Methods aims to develop students' awareness of research methods in defining, solving and discussing business economics problems. Learning how to develop a systematic and thought through methodological approach will be of important value in the student's work situation, and it will be a prerequisite in order to carry out further studies.

 

The student is trained to formulate a business economics research topic, design a study, and justify the choice of techniques for data collection, analysis and interpretation. Also, students learn how to ensure research quality and communicate research results. Furthermore, students are trained in how to operationalize concepts and clarify research questions, which includes training in the ability to seek inspiration in relevant theories and models and relate these to research topics and questions.

 

The general aim of the course is to create an understanding of the intersection of theories, models and techniques with carefully considered research methodology. Also, the course seeks to give students an understanding of the most common methods used to collect data. Thus, skills and competences to independently develop and evaluate a research design are central to the course.

 

The central themes of Business Research Methods are:

• Choice of approach (paradigm) and implications for knowledge production and generation.

• How to get from a practical problem into specific research questions.

• Use of theory with regard to problem identification and problem solving in relation to problems in practice.

• Quantitative analysis methods and techniques - survey.

• Qualitative methods - interviews, focus groups.

• Selection of research design, including choice of data collection and processing.

• Assessment of the validity and reliability of the proposed research design.

• Presentation and argumentation for the methodology and the research design.

Teaching methods
Classes alternate between large groups and group lessons with dialogue.
Feedback during the teaching period
Students will recieve feedback in relation to:

- Hand-in assignments in class
- quiz
- peer-to-peer activities
- reading exemplary assignments in class
Student workload
Classes 36 hours
Preparation, exam ect. 102 hours
Expected literature

Selected chapters from the text book:

Bryman, A. and E. Bell (2015). Business research methods. Cambridge, Oxford University Press. Fourth edition. 

Last updated on 06-06-2017