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2022/2023  KAN-CBUSO1105U  Perspectives on Digital Business Research

English Title
Perspectives on Digital Business Research

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn, Spring
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
BUS Study Board for BSc/MSc in Business Administration and Information Systems, MSc
Course coordinator
  • Michel Avital - Department of Digitalisation
  • Xiao Xiao - Department of Digitalisation
Main academic disciplines
  • Information technology
  • Management
  • Methodology and philosophy of science
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 17-05-2022

Relevant links
Learning objectives
To achieve the grade 12, students should meet the following learning objectives with no or only minor mistakes or errors:
  • Frame and scope research questions that are appropriate for a master thesis project
  • Articulate a valid research study design
  • Conduct an integrative literature review
  • Identify and develop methods or instruments for data collection
  • Identify, assess, and collect primary data
  • Demonstrate an understanding of data analysis methodologies
  • Demonstrate an understanding of applicable research quality assessment (e.g., reliability and validity )
  • Formulate and write a research project report in the context of digital business
Prerequisites for registering for the exam (activities during the teaching period)
Number of compulsory activities which must be approved (see section 13 of the Programme Regulations): 1
Compulsory home assignments
The students have to get 1 out of 2 mandatory activities approved.
The first mandatory activity is a group assignment of max 3 pages.
The second mandatory activity is a group assignment of max 5 pages.

Oral presentations etc.
The second assignment also has to be presented in class by the exam group (min 2 people, unless it is an individually authored project).

Retake of both assignments:
If a student cannot participate due to documented illness, or if a student does not get the activity approved in spite of making a real attempt, then the student will be given an extra attempt before the re-exam. The extra attempt is a max. 10 page home assignment and can be written individually or in groups of 2-3 students. (There will not be any extra attempts provided to the students before the ordinary exam.)
Examination
Perspectives on Digital Business Research:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Oral exam based on written product

In order to participate in the oral exam, the written product must be handed in before the oral exam; by the set deadline. The grade is based on an overall assessment of the written product and the individual oral performance, see also the rules about examination forms in the programme regulations.
Individual or group exam Oral group exam based on written group product
Number of people in the group 2-3
Size of written product Max. 25 pages
1 student: 15 pages (It is also possible for students to write the project alone)
2 students: 20 pages
3 students: 25 pages
Assignment type Report
Duration
Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
15 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Grading scale Pass / Fail
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and second internal examiner
Exam period Winter and Summer
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Students can submit the same project or they can choose to submit a revised project.
Description of the exam procedure

The oral part of the exam will be processed online.

The oral Exam is 30 minutes in total for 2 students, 45 minutes for 3 students.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

The course focuses on developing the basic foundation for designing and executing research projects at the master thesis level with an emphasis on the needs of students in the CBS E-Business (cand.it) program. The course aims to help students in developing the skills that enable them to design, conduct, report, and critically review research in the context of information systems and digital business. Basic foundations that will be discussed include information systems as a research domain, research framing and design, measurement theory, fieldwork and data collection, data analysis, and research report writing. We will also cover the foundations of both quantitative and qualitative measurement of social science phenomena with emphasis on systematic data collection, rigorous analysis, and research quality assessment. The course is structured as a sequence of thematic lectures that are followed by in-class exercises. In all, we will strive to balance between theory and practice of social research.

 

The course is designed with a Learner-Centered Pedagogy approach that underscores students’ engagements and active participation through project-centric course design and experiential learning. The course is a fundamental stepping stone to writing the Master's Thesis.
Description of the teaching methods
The course comprises seven blended classes and six blended exercise workshops. Every class covers a key topic and includes video lecture, quiz, self-directed exercise, group work, and plenary discussion. The exercise workshops focus on the application of the class material through research project development. Teaching will be based on project-centric thematic lectures (both in-class and online), in-class exercises, and student presentations.
Feedback during the teaching period
Feedback is integrated into every part of the course. Two mandatory written assignments (pass/fail) allow students to get feedback on their ability to meet the learning objectives of the course and how to remedy deficiencies prior to the final exam. Workshop classes provide feedback on the ability of students to apply the theory to the course project. The workshops are interactive and provide an environment where students can freely discuss any challenges that they encounter with the course material. The lectures include a discussion time to provide students with recurring opportunities to critically assess the class material and to get immediate feedback in response. The instructors are available to provide further feedback as needed via email and during office hours.

Student workload
Class lectures 28 hours
Class exercises 24 hours
Class preparation 38 hours
Exam and exam preparation 116 hours
Total 206 hours
Further Information

Self-organized project workgroups will be formed in the first class.
Expected literature

Textbook: Saunders, Thornhill and Lewis (2019), Research Methods for Business Students, 8th Edition, Pearson*. (Earlier editions should be fine too)

Additional mandatory articles and resources as described in the course syllabus.

 

 * Students are advised to check the current syllabus on Canvas before they buy any books
Last updated on 17-05-2022