• 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.

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.

Selected chapters from the text book:

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