Course/ module title: / Research Design
Programmes in which to be offered / Joint doctoral programme "Business Management"
Credit value: / 5 CP (7,5 ECTS) ECTS=KP x 1.5
Academic hours: / 200 / Contact hours / 50
Independent studies / 150
Language:
Faculty member: / Prof., Dr.habil.oec. Vulfs Kozlinskis, Prof., Dr.oec. Jānis Vucāns
Pre-requisites: / Macroeconomics, General and Mathematical Statistics
Aim of the course/module: / The purpose of the course is to enhance doctoral students’ knowledge about the role of research in the modern society, to introduce with general scientific and social science research methods.
Requirements for obtaining credits (assessment structure): / Fulfilled individual tasks, presented their results:
  • Presentation of a PhD thesis' plan
  • Analysis of scientific paper
  • Analytical critical review of literature
Assessment: activity during classes (10%), independent work during the semester (40%), presentation of PhD thesis' plan and presentation of an analytical critical review of literature (50%).
Assessment using a 10-points scale.
Syllabus outline (themes, teaching and learning methods: seminars, practical assignments and other): / Contact hours
1. Description of study course and independent studies. The essence and classification of science, incl. Economics un Management.Sources and dynamics of the development of science. / 4
2. Planning and stages of research. Classification of research methods. Quantitative and qualitative research. Combinations and limitations. / 8
3. Research methods in business. Research object, subject, questions/problems, aims, theoretical standpoints and respective choice of methods; triangulation. / 4
4. Qualitative research methods. Application in economics and social sciences. Qualitative interviews and surveys, focus groups, observations, etc. Qualitative data analysis, coding; NVivo software. / 12
5. Development of analytical critical literature review. Sources of information for studies in economics and business. / 8
6. System Theory. Models, modelling as a method. Simulation. / 4
7. Use of statistical data in the analysis and forecasting of economic and business processes. / 4
8. The schemes of aggregate indicators construction, consistent with the research objectives. / 4
9. Socio-economic systems. / 4
10. Development of a doctoral thesis and experience of defence. / 4
11. Seminars "Reviewing scientific papers". / 12
12. Seminars "Presentation of the doctoral thesis plan". / 12
Total contact hours: / 80
Independent studies organization and tasks: / Academic hours
1. Plan of the PhD thesis / 50
2. Review of a scientific paper / 10
3. Presentation of the literature review / 60
Independent studies: / 120
1KP=40 (contact hours + independent studies) academic hours
On successful completion of the course/module, student will be able to (knowledge, skills and competences):
Learning outcomes: / Learning outcomes:
1. Understand and use the research methodology and modern research methods in management. / Understand modern research methods in management / Understand modern research methods in management, be able to argument advantages and disadvantages of different methods / Understand modern research methods in management, argument advantages and disadvantages of different methods, be able to argument choice of research methods for specific research
2. Independently evaluate and choose appropriate methods for scientific research. / Independently evaluate and choose appropriate methods for scientific research, argument choice / Independently evaluate and choose appropriate methods for scientific research, argument choice and combination of methods according to the aim of research / Independently evaluate and choose appropriate methods for scientific research, argument choice and combination of different methods according to aim of research, compare with other possible combinations of methods
3. Independently plan research / Independently develop a thesis plan / Develop a thesis plan based on studies of scientific literature, to argument choice of methods / Develop a thesis plan based on studies of scientific literature, argument choice of methods, compare choice of methods with other possibilities
4. Critically analyse scientific papers / Critically analyse scientific papers / Critically analyse scientific papers, evaluate, argument / Critically analyse scientific papers, evaluate, argument; propose improvements
5. Develop analytically critical literature review. / Develop analytically critical literature review / Develop analytically critical literature review, use elements of scientific discussion / Develop analytically critical literature review, use elements of scientific discussion, collect information in tables, graphs, etc.
Ne vairāk kā 5-6 studiju rezultāti, kuri izriet no mērķa un ir saskaņā ar programmas rezultātiem
Evidence of obtained learning outcomes: / Learning outcomes
Assessment methods
Presentation of review (one scientific paper) / X
Presentation of thesis plan / x / x
Presentation of analytical critical literature review / x / x / x / x
Cita forma
Main recommended literature:
  1. Creswell John W. RESEARCH DESIGN: qualitative and Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches, 2013
  2. Bhattacherjee Anol. Social Science Research: Principles, Methods, and Practices, 2012
  3. Bryman, A., Bell, E. Business Research Methods. 3rd Edition – Oxford University Press, 2003.
  4. Salkind N. Exploring Research. 7th Edition – Pearson Education, 2008, p.336.
  5. Saukdeb M., Lewiss F., Thornhill A. Research methods for business students – Pearson Education, 2007, p.631.
  6. Sekaran U. Research methods for business - John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2009, p.468.
  7. Zinātniskās darbības likums // Latvijas republikas Saeima (spēkā no 2005.gada 19.maija).
  8. Flick, U. Introduction to Qualitative Research. 2nd Edition – SAGE Publications, 2002.

Additional literature:
  1. Aczel A.D., Sounderpandian J. Complete Business Statistics. – Boston University of Wisconsin–Parkside, 6th edition, 2006. – 1056 p. (ISBN: 0070620164).
  2. Collis J., Hussey R. Business Research. A Practical Guide for Undergraduate & Postgraduate Students, ISBN-13:978-1-4039-9247-5, London, 2009, p.376.
  3. Fisher C. Researching and writing dissertation. Second edition. – Pearson Education, 2007., p.369.
  4. Ghauri, P., Gronhaug, K. Research methods in business studies, 4th edition. Prentice Hall 2010, p.288.
  5. Kozlinskis V. (sastād.) Pētījumu metodes ekonomikā un biznesā. - Jelgava, 2005., 97 lpp.