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2024/2025  KAN-CDIBO1301U  Research Methods for Digital Business

English Title
Research Methods for Digital Business

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 15 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Full Degree Master
Duration Two Semesters
Start time of the course Autumn, Spring
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Master of Science (MSc) in Business Administration and Digital Business
Course coordinator
  • Michel Avital - Department of Digitalisation (DIGI)
Main academic disciplines
  • Information technology
  • Management
  • Methodology and philosophy of science
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 07-11-2024

Relevant links
Learning objectives
By the end of the course, the 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): 3
Compulsory home assignments
The students have to get 3 out of 4 mandatory activities approved.

The first mandatory activity is a group assignment of max 2 pages.
The second mandatory activity is a group assignment of max 4 pages.
The third mandatory activity is a group assignment of max 4 pages.
The fourth mandatory activity is a group assignment of max 7 pages.

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

Retake of all assignments:
If a student cannot participate due to documented illness, or if a student does not get the activities 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. The extra attempt will cover three mandatory assignments. (There will not be any extra attempts provided to the students before the ordinary exam.)
Examination
Research Methods for Digital Business:
Exam ECTS 15
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
2 students: max. 20 pages
3 students: max. 25 pages
Assignment type Report
Release of assignment Subject chosen by students themselves, see guidelines if any
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 use of AI tools for the written product is permitted provided it adheres to the guidelines outlined on the course page in Canvas and CBS rules.

 

The oral part of the exam will be processed online.

The oral Exam is 30 minutes in total for 2 students, and 45 minutes for 3 students.

If a student has an exemption to do the exam alone, the oral exam will be 20 minutes, and the number of pages is max. 20 pages.
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 MSc Digital Business programme. The course aims to help students develop 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’ engagement 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 eight blended classes and eight 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 32 hours
Class exercises 32 hours
Class preparation 80 hours
Mandatory assignments and final exam preparation 88 hours
Group project preparation and writing (per individual in a group of 3) 180 hours
Total 412 hours
Further Information

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

Students are advised to check the current syllabus on Canvas before they buy any material.

 

Textbook: Saunders, Thornhill and Lewis (2023), Research Methods for Business Students, 9th Edition, Pearson. 

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

 
Last updated on 07-11-2024