FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

University of Lahore, Sargodha Campus

Research Methodology
Course Handbook

Spring-2013

THE UNIVERSITY OF LAHORE, SARGODHA CAMPUS

Table of Content

COURSE STAFF AND CONTACT DETAILS .............................................................................................. 3

COURSE DETAILS AND SCHEDULE ........................................................................................................ 3

2.1 TEACHING TIMES .............................................................................................................................. 3 2.2 UNITS OF CREDIT .............................................................................................................................. 3 2.3 Course summary.3 2.3 COURSE SCHEDULE ............................................................................................................................ 4 2.4 Assessment and Evaluation..5

COURSE AIMS AND OUTCOMES .......................................................................................................... 5 3.1 LEARNING OUTCOMES ....................................................................................................................... 5

COURSE RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................ 5 4.1 4.2 COMPULSORY READING MATERIAL ....................................................................................................... 5 REFFERENCE BOOKS ........................................................................................................................... 6

Course Staff and Contact Details

Course Instructor: Sidra Muneer Email:sidra.muneer@sgd.uol.edu.pk Contact outside of consultation and class times: If you have general question about the course, please send an email. Specific questions are best deal with during the lecture or consultation time. The course instructor will endeavor to respond to enquiries promptly. However, keep in mind that the course instructor may be teaching other classes or working on research paper when you make an enquiry, and therefore there may be a delay in getting back to you. In particular, email correspondence will be dealt with periodically.

2
2.1

Course Details and Schedule

Teaching Times Monday and Wednesday (10:40am to12:10pm) M.COM

2.2

Units of Credit

This course is worth 4 credit hours, (Contact Hours; 3 & Research Project Hours; 1) 2.3 Course Summary The primary focus of the course is to provide students with an understanding of the research process and of research method, particularly in relation to Business.

2.4 Course Schedule: Weeks 1 Contents/Topics Introduction: Types of business research-Applied Research, Basic and Fundamental Research Internal and External consultants Scientific Investigations Hallmarks of scientific research, Hypothetico-deductive method Building blocks of science, Seven step process The Research Process The research process for applied and basic research Broad problem area, Preliminary data collection Literature survey The Research Process The broad problem area Preliminary data gathering Problem definition Theoretical Framework and Hypothesis Development Ethics in Business Research Design of Research Design strategies The Research Proposal Purpose of the research proposal, Types of proposals Structuring the research proposal Measurement The characteristics of sound measurement Reliability and Validity Measurement scales The nature of measurement scales Response methods Sources and Collection of Data Sources of data, Primary & Secondary data Questionnaires, Interviews, Focus groups, Surveys Observation Quiz Activity

Formation Group

of

Quiz

Case Study

Assignment:

Assignment

Quiz

10

Assignment

11

12

Sampling Design What is a good sample? Types of sample design Analysis and Presentation of Data Data preparation and description Exploring, displaying and examining data Hypothesis Testing Technology and Business Research Information needs of business Some software used in business research Presentation Final Terms

Assignment

Quiz

13

14 15

Assessment & Evaluation: Final Term Mid Term Quizzes Introduction Literature Final Submission of Research Proposal Other Assignments Total:

50% 15% 10% 5% 5% 5% 10% 100 %

3
3.1

Course Aims and Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course students will be able to understand: Appreciate the philosophy of science and develop an analytical framework for evaluating Business research Understand and critically appraise relevant academic and research literature in the fields of Business and its sub-disciplines, Develop data acquisition and management skills Develop written communication and presentation skills Develop, structure and present a research proposal Learn and research independently

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4.1

Course Resources
Compulsory Reading Material Research Methods for Business Students (5th Edition) By Uma Sakran

4.2

Reference Books:

Research Methods for Business Students by Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill Business Research Method by Donald R. Cooper & Permela S. Schindler Business Research Method by William G. Zikmund