Y3-S2 Strategic Finance Business Research Project Field Name Title of module Academic Year Year of Study Period

d Start week of teaching activities Study load Learning Outcomes / Competencies Description Business Research Methods (PAPER) 2013-2014 3 S2
Week 1

3 ECTS (82 hours)

At the end of this course students are able to ... 1. Formulate a well-focused research topic with a relation to a business problem. 2. Formulate key research questions and clearly specified research objectives. 3. Design a search strategy, critically evaluate and review the relevant literature, and present it in a written report. 4. Design and describe a well-reasoned research approach that fits a business setting. 5. Make and defend methodological choices based on the research objectives and the business reality(include for instance the selection of an appropriate data sampling technique.) 6. Write a concise and well-structured research proposal based on the business problem. In other words: At the end of this course students are able to ... show their pre-mastering of the Dublin Descriptor learning goals (1-5) whilst applying these to two or more of the IFM professional domain competencies(level 2+3). Link the learning outcomes to the IBMS competencies and the appropriate level (see Framework IBMS Competencies): e.g. P1.3, P3.2, G7.2 etc. This course is a regular module for IFM students. This course teaches methods and techniques to diagnose a business problem, to devise a personal theory for solving the problem and to devise a plan for testing this theory; which students have to apply when solving the business problem of the graduation internship. This course is a precondition for the graduation internship.

Link with Framework IFM Competencies

Target Group / Position within curriculum

Prerequisites Level Course contents

2 and 3
Introduction to Research Scientific investigation characteristics The 5 steps of the Research Proposal Process: rationale, situational analysis, theoretical background, conceptual model including hypothesis development

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International Financial Management Year 3

and (elements of) research design Falsification principles Measurement of variables: operationalization Sampling Data collection methods Quantitative and Qualitative research methods

Didactical Form Assessment

Lectures

Assessment method(s)
1. Research Proposal (individu al or in pairs)

OSIRIS code
Course code (see list)

Number of EC
3 ECTs

Minimum grade
5,5

Name of lecturer(s) / coaches Literature and other learning sources Electronic media Capacity Language of instruction Details/peculiarities Set up & learning environment

Alinda Kokkinou Research Methods for Business Students (Saunders, Lewis, & Thornhill) 6th Edition
See Blackboard 20

English
This course is a complement to SD Business Research Methods courses.

Indicate per week how many hours will be allocated per teaching activity, indicate per activity which type of classroom will be required (see below table). Example:

Period .. Training Self Study Q2Wk4 2hrs 5hrs

Q1Wk1 Q1Wk3 1hrs 2hrs 5hrs Q2Wk5 2hrs 5hrs Q2Wk6 2hrs 5hrs

Q1Wk4 2hrs 5hrs Q2Wk7

Q1Wk5 2hrs 5hrs Q2Wk8

Q1Wk6 2hrs 5hrs

Q1Wk7 2hrs 5hrs

Q2Wk1 2hrs 5hrs

Q2Wk2 2hrs 7hrs

Q2Wk3 2hrs 7hrs

A=auditorium, T=theory room, C=computer room, P=project room, S=smartboard room, O=office

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International Financial Management Year 3

Weekly Schedule (subject to change)

Indicate per week the scheduled activities, topics to be discussed and required preparation/assignments. Indicate per week what the expected workload for the student is, final total should add up to no. ECTS * 28.

Week number Q1 Wk1 Workload: 2 hrs Q1 Wk 2

Q1 Wk 3

Q1 Wk 4 Workload: 7 hrs

Q1 Wk 5 Workload: 7 hrs

Topics/activities Presentation of project Introduction to Xplora databases Short presentations on topics selected. Justifying the importance of the topic and formalizing the objective. Peer feedback. Information search. Critically evaluating the information. Concepts of falsification, critical thinking Building a conceptual model. Presentation of conceptual model. Peer feedback. Building an argument. Building a conceptual model. Peer feedback. Discussion of the grading criteria.

Preparation BEFORE CLASS Bring a laptop? Form pairs Prepare 1 PPT slide with topic and arguments for importance

Bring 8 articles related to project to class

Prepare 1 PPT of your conceptual model and prepare to defend it. Using (some) of the literature sources from Week 3 (and more if necessary), prepare 1 paragraph. Similarly, use the literature and findings from last week to prepare a conceptual model. Prepare 1-2 PPT slides: using your (revised) conceptual model, propose a solution to the business problem. Prepare 1 PPT slide describing how you plan to test your proposed solution.

Q1 Wk 6 Workload: 7 hrs

Q1 Wk 7 Workload: 7 hrs Q2 Wk 7 Workload: - hrs

Proposing and justifying a solution to the business problem using a conceptual model. Presenting how you will test the proposed solution. Peer feedback Feedback Paper

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International Financial Management Year 3