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.
Learning Outcomes
- 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.
- Practically manage a real research project using the theoretical knowledge developed in research methods.
- Plan, organize, successfully implement and evaluate an integrated research process in order to meet established objectives.
- Adopt roles of leadership and teamwork.
- Work under pressure and to meet deadlines.
- Assume responsibility for individual and group actions.
- Develop communication skills (interpersonal and formally in the final presentation to the client).
Week Objectives and Topics by Week
Theory: Introduction and the role of research in the organization
1 The objectives, methodology, content and organization of the course are presented in detail. Different roles for research in the organization are analyzed.
Reading to undertake after class: Stengel, J, Andrea Dixon and Chris Allen (2003) Listening Begins at Home, Harvard Business Review, November 2003 p106-116.
Saunders, M et al. (2006) Research Methods for Business Students, 4th edition, FT Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0273701487. Chapter 1.
2 Theory: Literature review. How to undertake a systematic literature review.
Required readings: Read Network_Utilization_Tech_Start_Ups. paper
Saunders, M et al. (2006) Research Methods for Business Students, 4th edition, FT Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0273701487. Chapter 3
3 Theory: Research design and ideas
Analysis of an ideal-type research framework. Discussion of how to generate ideas for research and how to operationalize these ideas.
Required readings: Freakonomics chapter
Remenyi, D (2002) Research Strategies - Beyond the Differences, Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods, 1 (1) p38-41.
Saunders, M et al. (2006) Research Methods for Business Students, 4th edition, FT Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0273701487. Chapter 4.
Required readings: Saunders, M et al. (2006) Research Methods for Business Students, 4th edition, FT Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0273701487. Chapters 2 and 5.
Practice: Research objectives
4 Theory: Questionnaire design and execution.
How to design different types of questionnaires. How to execute different types of questionnaires. Discussion of the article by Morrel-Samuels.
Required readings: Saunders, M et al. (2006) Research Methods for Business Students, 4th edition, FT Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0273701487. Chapter 11.
Practice: Operational plan
5 Theory: Questionnaire design and execution (continued)
Practice: Method design
6 Objective: Analysing and presenting quantitative data
Analyse and interpret data gathered. Graphically represent data. Identify key findings and `messages´.
Required readings: Saunders, M et al. (2006) Research Methods for Business Students, 4th edition, FT Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0273701487. Chapter 12.
Practice: Method design
7 Theory: Analysing and presenting quantitative data
Analyse and interpret data gathered. Graphically represent data. Identify key findings and `messages´.
Practice: Pilot test
8 Midterm week
9 Theory Designing and executing semi-structured interviews
How to design and execute semi-structured interviews
Required readings: Saunders, M et al. (2006) Research Methods for Business Students, 4th edition, FT Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0273701487. Chapter 10.
Theory: How to run a successful focus group
How to design a focus group.
Required readings: Morgan, D (1997) Focus Groups as Qualitative Research, A Sage University Paper. 0-7619-0343-7.
Required readings: Saunders, M et al. (2006) Research Methods for Business Students, 4th edition, FT Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0273701487. Chapter 10.
Practice: Fieldwork
10
Theory Designing and executing semi-structured interviews and focus groups (continued)
Practice: Fieldwork
11 Theory: Analyzing qualitative data. Advice on how to represent data and how to interpret it.
Required readings: Saunders, M et al. (2006) Research Methods for Business Students, 4th edition, FT Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0273701487. Chapter 13
Practice: Data entry and analysis
12
Objective: Conclusions and recommendations and writing the project report
Provide synthesis and focus in the conclusions. Make relevant and realistic recommendations for future action. Writing the project report.
Provide synthesis and focus in the conclusions. Make relevant and realistic recommendations for future action. Writing the project report.
Required readings: Saunders, M et al. (2006) Research Methods for Business Students, 4th edition, FT Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0273701487. Chapter 14
Practice: Data entry and analysis
13
Objective: Using secondary data
Required readings: Saunders, M et al. (2006) Research Methods for Business Students, 4th edition, FT Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0273701487. Chapter 8
Practice: Communication of results
14 Objective: Observations
Required readings: Saunders, M et al. (2006) Research Methods for Business Students, 4th edition, FT Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0273701487. Chapter 9
Practice: Project closure
15 Objective: Wrap up
Methodology
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.
Theory part (Total 40%)
- 30% Literature review
Assessment criteria: scope and appropriateness of literature reviewed; logical structure and argument; accurate referencing; adoption of an appropriate academic style.
- 10% Attendance
Your active participation in the learning process through consistent attendance.
Practical part (Total 60%)
Based on these deliverables:
- Final group report (65%)
- Presentation to client (20%)
- Individual evaluation report (15%
RETAKE POLICY
Since this course is driven by a practical group project, there is no retake for this course. Failed students will have to take the course again.
Readings
Determined by the central theme of the project.