Titular Professors
The objectives of this course are to:
- Identify the different roles research can play in an organization.
- Provide an introduction to research philosophy and its importance when adopting a research approach and designing a methodology,
- Undertake a systematic, rigorous literature review as the basis for a research study.
- Enable students to effectively establish appropriate objectives for a research project.
- Practically implement and critically analyse the use of questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and focus groups.
- Accurately analyse and present quantitative and qualitative data.
- To manage a research project from start to end.
- To gain experience working with real organizations and to understand the nature of client-supplier relations.
- To provide support for the design and implementation of students' Final Projects
Topics:
1. Course Introduction. Understand the course, the TFG process and what makes a successful TFG.
2. What is research? Philosophy and guiding principles.
3. Choosing a project topic
4. Writing the literature review / Management Case background and New Venture market overview.
5. Methodology / data collection strategy.
6. Data Analysis
7. Conclusions, communicating data, discussing your findings, drawing conclusions.
The class sessions will involve a dynamic combination of theory and practice. Students will be required to read before coming to class and be prepared to discuss relevant issues in the group, as well as being able to apply their knowledge to practical examples. Throughout the course students will work in groups on an ongoing research project that they will design, execute and evaluate. Every theoretical step taken will be tested in practical terms through these projects. Students will be expected to develop these projects outside of class.
The practical research project management dimension of the course is designed and executed by the students as managers of the project under the supervision of the professor. The 'classes' are redefined as 'meetings' and the students must learn to plan and organize these meetings effectively in order to achieve the objectives they establish. Students are guided by the professor in terms of theoretical contents, which is expected to be done in preparation for meetings and should influence the actions and its deliverables. The ultimate aim is to simulate as realistically as possible how a research team would work on a consultancy project.
Project proposal (1.000 to 1.500 words) (25%)
Literature review / MC problem background / NV Market analysis background first draft (2.500 to 3.000 words) (40%)
Final Exam (20%)
Participation (15%)
Saunders, M et al. (2006) Research Methods for Business Students, 4th edition, FT Prentice Hall.