PolytechnicUniversity
MG 6333: Research Methods
Instructor: Sara Grant
Phone: 917-297-6378
E-mail:
Course Overview
This basic course is an introduction to the theories and techniques of research methods. Primary objectives are to provide understanding and appreciation of why and how organizational research is carried out. This course focuses on the analysis of business problems and the use of scientific research as a problem-solving tool. This encompasses the understanding and application of appropriate research designs, report writing, and presentation. The final project is the completion of a research proposal. Research Methods will be conducted as a blended course, with meetings on line as well as in the classroom.
Course Objectives
The primary course objectives are to provide students with the understanding and appreciation of why and how organizational research is carried out and to build basic research design skills. More specifically, students will:
- Acquire skills to locate problem areas in organizational settings
- Acquire skills to plan, organize, design, and conduct research to help solve problems
- Learn to write and present research reports
- Develop skills and knowledge to discriminate good from bad research reported in academic, business, and trade journals
Text
The text for the class is Research Methods for Business, 4th Edition by Uma Sekaran. It is published by John Wiley and Sons, Inc. (2003). ISBN: 0-471-20366-1.
Assignments and Grading
There are a number of assignments for this class. Graded assignments are listed below.
Problem Area 5 points
Framework15 points
Literature Review15 points
Take-Home Examination15 points
Presentation20 points
Research Design20 points
Meeting Expectations10 points
Format of Course
This class will be offered in a blended format, with meetings in class and on line. When we meet in class we meet on Wednesday evenings at 8:20 to 10:35 p.m. in JAB 674.
General Course Expectations
The following are the expectations for completing the work of this course.
1. Each week students should complete all readings and assignments, both
graded and ungraded. You should plan to log in early in the week to the course website to see if there are any changes to the assignments listed on the syllabus or any updates. An announcement to the Course HomePage will be made each week by Tuesday noon as well. This will be a general announcement to remind students of assignments and to answer any questions.
2. Students are expected to participate in three threaded discussions that will
be held on the course content. This type of discussion allows you to post comments to a discussion topic and react to other students’ comments. Discussions will take place asynchronously. You can log into the course when you can and post to the discussion at your convenience. Everyone will not be participating at the same time.
3. Students are expected to accord the same professional respect to
classmates' written and verbal comments as they would to the instructor's.
- Because students have the assignments for the course far in advance of
the due datethey should be submitted on time; if not, 1/2 point will be deducted for every daythat the assignment is late.
Tips for Success
This syllabus contains a lot of information about the course, including the information required for graded assignments. Read it carefully and e-mail the instructor if you have any questions.
Plan to spend approximately five to seven hours a week completing the work for the course. This course requires independent research which is time-consuming. This course also requires that you pace yourself to complete all assignments. Assignments cannot be done at the last minute. Also, assignments build on each other.
Be open-minded about sharing your thoughts with the other students and responding to their ideas. There are many ways to conduct research and it is not a matter of right or wrong but what is the most scientific way to conduct it given the research problem.
Complete all assignments in Microsoft Word. Use a 12 point font and be sure to number the pages and double space paragraphs. Be sure your name is on the assignment.
Instructor-led Online Discussions
There will be three threaded discussions where you will log in to make comments, react to the comments of others, and ask questions to your fellow students. During the weeks of the threaded discussion, your instructor will place one or two questions in the Folder entitled “Discussion.” This will be done by Tuesday at 12:00 noon. Your participation is part of the course expectations and thus you will be awarded points for your contribution. You should answer the questions listed there, ask other relevant questions to expand the discussion and react to the postings of your fellow students that have already been submitted. Please log in at least four times. You should participate in the discussion between Tuesday at 12:00 noon andThursday at 9:00 p.m.
Course Content and Schedule of Assignments
Session 1Overview of the ResearchThis week we meet in class on September 9. We will discuss the research process in general and the difference between applied and basic research. Possible topics for study will be reviewed.
Session 2The Broad Problem Area, Preliminary Data Gathering, and Problem Definition
This week we meet in class on September 16. Begin to think about your research topic.
Assignment:
Read Chapters 1 and 2.
Session 3Problem Statement and Theoretical Framework
This week we meet on-line. Your research problem should be selected and defined by October 7.
Assignment:
Read Chapters 4 and 5.
Session 4Theoretical Framework
This week we meet in class on September 30. We will focus on the theoretical framework. Your first graded assignment is due by our next class on October 7. Bring a copy to class.
Session 5Hypotheses Development
This week we meet in class on October 7. We will begin to discuss hypotheses development.
Assignment:
Submit: Problem Statement
Note: You should begin your literature review and draft theoretical framework. This assignment is due on October 28. A copy should be given to the instructor at the start of class and should also be placed in the dropbox.
Session 6Hypotheses Development
This week we meet on line for the first threaded discussion. We will discuss hypotheses development and practice writing them.
Assignments:
Read Opening Lecture.
Participate in threaded discussion.
Continue to work on your literature review and theoretical framework.
Session 7One on Ones
This week we meet in class on October 21. Class time will be devoted to one on one meetings where you will explain your Theoretical Framework.
Session 8Research Design
This week we meet in class on October 28. We will begin to discuss Chapter 6, the elements of the research design and measurement of variables.
Assignments:
Read Opening Lecture.
Read Chapters6 and 7.
Submit: Literature review/framework in class and place in dropbox
Session 9Measurement of Variables
This week we meet on line for the second threaded discussion. We will discuss measurement of variables.
Assignments:
Read Opening Lecture.
Participate in threaded discussion.
Read Chapter 8
Note: Your Take-Home Exam will be posted and is due on November 18.
Session 10Measurement of Variables
This week we meet in class on November 11. We will continue to discuss measurement of variables.
Assignments:
Read Opening Lecture.
Participate in threaded discussion.
Read Chapter9.
Begin to develop your research design.
Session 11Data Collection/Data Analysis
This week we meet in class on November 18 to discuss data collection and analysis, including SPSS.
Assignments:
Read Chapter 10 and the Module on Statistics.
Submit: Take-home Exam
Session 12Sampling Strategies
This week we meet on line for the third threaded discussion. We will discuss sampling strategies.
Assignments:
Read Opening Lecture.
Participate in threaded discussion. Discussion will start on Monday and end on Wednesday due to Thanksgiving Holiday.
Read Chapter 11.
Session 13Sampling Strategies
This week we meet on line.
Assignment:
Prepare for your presentation.
Session 14Presentations (Week of December 6)
This week we meet in class on December 9. Half the class will present their research proposals. Your presentation should follow the outline for your written proposal.
Session 15Presentations (Week of December 13)
We will meet in class on December 16. Half the class will present their research proposals. You should submit your research design and we will discuss next steps with your research. Written comments on your design will be provided to you via e-mail by January 15, 2010.
Information on Assignments
Problem Statement
Formulate a clear problem statement. As your text defines it, a problem statement is a clear, precise, and succinct statement of the question or issue that is to be investigated with the goal of finding an answer or solution. Your problem statement should contain an independent and a dependent variable. You should also discuss why you think your problem is worth studying. In other words, what contribution will your study make to the literature or to an organization, if it is an applied study? This assignment is worth 5 points and should be written in about 2 pages and is due on October 7.
Literature Review and Theoretical Framework
Write a preliminary literature review. This is asummary of the published and in some cases unpublished work about your problem statement. Your preliminary literature review should be 10 pages in length.
Use the literature surveys on pages 67 and 68 to guide you. You should also develop a theoretical framework based on your literature review. It should incorporate the five basic features of theoretical frameworks stated on page 98 of the text. See Example 5.13 on page 99. This assignment should contain the diagram of the framework and a two to threepage explanation of the framework. The explanation should include: a discussion of the variables that you think are important along with a definition of each; clear labeling of all variables—independent, dependent, moderator, and intervening; and a discussion of the relationship that exists among the variables and why you think the relationship exists.
You should also compile a bibliography of your topic of interest of at least 25 references that include books and academic journals. Use as many references as needed to help build a case for the importance of your research topic. Use the APA Format for your bibliography. See pages 80-82 in the text. This assignment is worth 30 points and is due on October 28.
Take-Home Exam
This will be a take-home examination where you will have an opportunity to practice experimental design. This assignment is worth 15 points and is due on
November 18.
Research Design
In about 6 to 7 pages discuss the following:
- Type of investigation you are conducting -- correlational or causal
- Your study setting
- Your unit of analysis
- The hypotheses you plan to prove
- Your time horizon
- The definition of your independent and dependent variables
- The definition of each of your control variables
- How you will find sample members and how many
- What you consider your experiment
- The type of data you plan to collect
- How and when you will collect your data
- Internal validity issues you may have to manageThis assignment is worth 20 points and is due on December 16.
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