Faculty of Management

Department of Business Management

Learning Guide 2018

Research Methodology: RMD41-1

Dr. Colin Reddy
Jan 2018

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents............................................................................................................................ 2
Section A: Administrative details ..................................................................................................... 3
Welcome ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Contact information ......................................................................................................................... 4
General information ........................................................................................................................ 4
Section B: Programme and Module information .............................................................................. 5
Programme information................................................................................................................... 5
Module information ......................................................................................................................... 5
Module name .................................................................................................................................. 5
Pre-requisites for module ................................................................................................................ 5
Duration of module.......................................................................................................................... 5
Purpose of the module .................................................................................................................... 5
Module outcomes............................................................................................................................ 5
Module assessment criteria (evidence) ........................................................................................... 5
Scheduled classes .......................................................................................................................... 6
Assessment guidelines ................................................................................................................... 7
Section C: Facilitation of learning and assessment ........................................................................ 7
Learning units ................................................................................................................................. 9
Learning Unit 1: An overview of management ................................................................................. 9
Learning Unit 2: Planning for a dynamic environment ................................................................... 10
Learning Unit 3: Organising .......................................................................................................... 11
Learning Unit 4: Leading ............................................................................................................... 11
Learning Unit 5: Operating and Controlling ................................................................................... 12

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Section A: Administrative details

Welcome

Welcome to the Faculty of Management, Department of Business Management and in particular to

RMD41-1.

This Learner Guide is intended to assist you in understanding the scope of the module and your
commitments required to pass the module.

As you know by now, you will be regarded as adult students and treated as such. As senior
students, you are expected to prepare for each lecture by reading the material indicated under
“Learning units”, so that we can use lecture time to have a rigorous discussion about how
theoretical concepts manifest in practice. If you do not prepare the theory beforehand you will be
seriously disadvantaged regarding achieving the learning outcomes – an in particular for
assignments or projects. Your lecturer will perform the role as your facilitator, to enable you to
achieve the learning outcomes of this module. You will be assessed on both theory and
application, in tests and examinations with a stronger emphasis on theory, as the approach is
academic oriented.

You are strongly advised to get a class friend/learning partner whom you can consult should you
be unable to attend a session. Handouts and test scripts will only be handed out in class and
not on an individual basis.

Due to possible shortfalls on the academic calendar it might be required for students to attend
additional periods. It can also be expected of students to conduct their assessments on Saturdays
as scheduled by the Department.

Ensure that Administration have your correct contact details as the university will not take
responsibility if you cannot be contacted to inform you of any changes that might affects you.
Please ensure that your name appears on the official class list and that you are correctly
registered.

All the best!

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Contact information

Departmental secretary: Ms. Mmamokintlana Molaba, 0115591208, mmamokintlanam@uj.ac.za

Lecturer(s): Ms Amanda Mphahlele, DFC, 011559 2022, amandamp@uj.ac.za
Consultation hours: 3pm to 6pm every Tuesday
Dr Chuma Diniso, APB 011 559 cdiniso@uj.ac.za
Tutor(s): NA
Refer to uLink for additional contact details.

General information

Refer to Faculty Yearbook (http://www.uj.ac.za/EN/Faculties/Pages/default.aspx ).

Some aspects, with the relevant section number in brackets, are indicated below.

1. Rights and responsibilities of students (see

http://www.uj.ac.za/EN/Faculties/Documents/University-of-Johannesburg-Academic-
Regulations.pdf )

2. Class attendance (see 1.6.12, 1.7.7.1, 1.7.7.3 of Faculty Yearbook)

3. Plagiarism (see http://uj.ac.za.libguides.com/Management )

4. Sick tests (see 1.7.7.1 and 1.10.5 of Faculty Yearbook)

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Section B: Programme and Module information
Programme information
This module provides a basic introduction to research proposal writing and research
methodologies. Students in the module learn about the applied research in management and the
iterative process of research writing. The course teaches students how to write a proposal and
engage in independent studies. The curriculum is sequential, helping students to identify a study
topic, formulate inquiry questions, organize a literature review, and select appropriate research
designs and methodologies.

Module information

Research Methodology
Module name
Please refer to the Faculty Rules and Regulations
Pre-requisites for module
Module NQF level 7
NQF Credits 12
(Calculated according to notional hours)

One semester
Duration of module

Purpose of the module

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the content and logic of a research proposal
looking to address practical management problems; and to enable them to develop a proposal for
their research projects.

Module outcomes Module assessment criteria (evidence)

At the end of this module you should be You will be assessed as competent if you can:
able to do the following:
 Understand the scientific approach to Write a short paper (less than 2 pages)
addressing management problems describing a real world management problem

 Differentiate between a practical and the decision facing management. Convert

management problem and a research this to a practical management question and a

problem specific research question.

 Conduct preliminary research

(including preliminary literature
review)
 Describe a research problem and
convert it to a research question
 Conduct a critical literature review A multiple choice test of basic research
concepts

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 Module outcomes
 Describe a research design including
qualitative or quantitative strategies
as well as measurement and
sampling techniques
Module assessment criteria (evidence)
Write a paper critiquing the literature related to
your practical management problem with the
aim of refining your research question and
delineating this into a few investigative
questions that you can use as a basis of
gathering evidence/data
Develop a consistency matrix in part
Research design section within research
proposal

 Write a research proposal and Write a research proposal with complete

demonstrate the logical basis of your consistency matrix, research plan and research
proposal through a consistency matrix data collection instrument
 Develop a data collection instrument
 Develop a research plan

Media/resources/support for this module

Prescribed book: Sekaran, U., & Bougie, R. (2010), Research methods for business: A skill
building approach. Wiley.

Free/open-source research books (use Google to find these): Bhattacherjee, A. (2012). Social
Science Research: principles, methods, and practices;
http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/

BlackBoard on Ulink

There is additional material on BlackBoard e.g. Youtube videos.

http://uj.ac.za.libguides.com/Management

UJ online database of academic articles

Internet news articles, company reports, etc.

Learning guide: The purpose of the learning guide is to support your learning process. It serves as
a map of material available in the different resources.

Scheduled classes

APB – Tuesday periods 16 and 17

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 19:40 – 21:15
Venue- B Block Red 20

DFC - Wednesday periods 15, 16 and 17

18:50 – 21:15
Venue - LWA21 Lecture Room 106

Assessment guidelines
Structural guidelines: see respective assessment on BlackBoard
Criteria for formal writing/Practical assignments: see respective assessment on BlackBoard
Assignment submissions: BlackBoard
Feedback/marking grid/rubrics: see respective rubrics for each assignment on BlackBoard
Assessment schedule/opportunities
No late assignments will be accepted without a valid medical certificate and/or explanatory letter
along with the necessary documents.
Assessment Topic Date Mark/score/ Assessment method
weighting
opportunity
Assessment 1 Management and 7 March 20 Individual assignment
research questions (Black- (see rubric within
Board) instruction sheet on
BlackBoard)
Assessment 2 Research concepts 4 April 20 Test
(Black-
Board)
Assessment 3 Literature review and 9 May 10 Individual assignment
investigative (Black-
questions (peer Board)
reviewed)
Exam Research proposal 30 May 50 Individual assignment
(Black-
Board)

Section C: Facilitation of learning and assessment

Key concepts/terminology/acronyms used in this module
See “Key Terms and Concepts” at the end of prescribed textbook
Action words lecturers often use
The action verbs below are often used in required activities, assignments and/or
tests/exams; here you can find out exactly what is expected of you.

Apply Put to practical use or make use of a relevant equation or law.

Calculate Determine the value, using formulae or specific calculation methods.
Group concepts or subjects together based on certain characteristics or
Classify
commonalities.
Point out the similarities and differences between objects or points of view. The word
Compare
contrast can also be used.
Convert Transform a quantity expressed in one unit to a quantity expressed in another unit.

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 Define Give a short and clear description of a term or concept.
Demonstrate Show clearly/prove/make clear by reasoning or evidence/illustrate and explain,
especially with many examples.
Derive Deduce or infer something from the given information.
Tell in detail how a process works or how a subject appears. You need not
Describe
comment on the process or the subject or give your own point of view.
Differentiate Find differences between objects or statements.
Explain terms or concepts in your own words. Give comments or give your
Discuss
own point of view.
Distinguish Write down the differences between subjects or concepts.
Draw Create a drawing, diagram or representation of a subject or concept.
Write about the subject in your own words. Clarify or give reasons – use examples or
Explain
illustrations. You must prove that you understand the content.
Formulate Express in a concise, systematic way.
Identify Establish the identity or recognise a process.
Illustrate Explain by means of detailed descriptions and drawings.
Interpret Explain or clarify the meaning of a concept/value.
List/Name Briefly write down the facts or main points.
Motivate Give reason(s) for your answer.
Name Nominate or specify a site or process.
Organise Arrange data according to certain criteria.
Predict Use the facts available to derive an outcome.
Relate Show the relation/connection of entities, how the concepts can be linked.
Solve Find an answer by using critical thinking and/or calculations.
Summarise Briefly state/list/write down only the most important detail/facts.

Lecture/work schedule
Date/week Learning Theme/Topic Teaching
unit Method
5-9 Feb. Assessment Overview Lectures
12-16 Feb. Scientific Research (from management question to
19-23 Feb. Learning method to solution)
unit 1 Basic Concepts
Generating Good Research Questions
Reviewing the Research Literature
26 Feb-2 Phenomena and Theories Lecture
Mar. Learning Using Theories
5-9 Mar. unit 2 Understanding Measurement
Reliability and Validity of Measurement

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 Practical Strategies for Measurement
12-16 Mar. Experimental Basics Lectures
19-23 Mar. Experimental Design
26-30 Mar Conducting Experiments
9-13 April Overview of Non-experimental Research
16-20 April Correlational Research
Quasi-experimental Research
Learning Qualitative Research (include overview of codes
unit 3 and categories)
Overview of Survey Research
Constructing Survey Questionnaires
Conducting Surveys
Overview of Single Subject Research
Single-subject Research Designs
The Single-subject Versus Group Debate
23-27 April Describing Single Variables Lectures
30 April-4 Describing Statistical Relationships
7-11 May Expressing Your Results
14-18 May Learning Conducting Your Analyses
unit 4 Understanding Null Hypothesis Testing
Some Basic Null Hypothesis Tests
16 May - Review, ideas for a consistency matrix and
development of project plan

Learning units

Learning Unit 1: The scientific approach to management problems

Introduction/overview to the unit
In this unit we will discuss possible management problems and the use of the scientific method to
address such problems including conducting a literature review
Unit learning outcomes
At the end of this unit you should be able to:
Understand the scientific approach to addressing management problems
Differentiate between a practical management problem and a research problem
Conduct preliminary research (including preliminary literature review)
Describe a research problem and convert it to a research question
Locate relevant past research
Unit assessment criteria
You will be assessed as competent if you can
Identify and describe a management problem and the major decision facing management
Conduct a preliminary investigation including a basic literature review

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Arrive at a research question and respective investigative questions that will lead to answering the
management question.
Conduct a literature search
Media/resources/ support for this unit
Chapters 1 to 4 of prescribed textbook
BlackBoard material (videos, examples, guides)

Learning activities
Chapter discussion and assignments

Learning Unit 2: Theorising and Measuring

Introduction/overview to the unit

In this unit we will discuss how we can use the literature to identify variables linked to the situation
you wish to investigate and link these to concepts in your management textbooks such as
marketing, human resources, finance and others.

Unit learning outcomes

At the end of this unit you should be able to
Identify concepts and variables related to your problem
Develop questions using these concepts and variables to investigate and help address the
management and research problem
Describe a measurement model that can best provide data/information to answer the investigative
questions

Unit assessment criteria

You will be assessed as competent if you can:

Relate existing academic research literature to your practical management problem; and cite and
reference these correctly.
Identify the concepts and variables directly related to the management problem
Use the academic research literature to translate your practical management question into a
research question and a set of related sub questions (investigative questions)
Select a measurement model that will help locate answers to your investigative questions

Media/resources/ support for this unit

Chapters 4 to 7 and 11&12, of prescribed textbook

BlackBoard material (videos, examples, guides)

Learning activities
Chapter discussion and assignments

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Learning Unit 3: Choose, design and conduct experimental or non-experimental
research

Introduction/overview to the unit

In this unit we will review research designs, data collection and sampling techniques

Unit learning outcomes

At the end of this unit you should be able to:
Select a design
Select a data collection method
Select measures for your variables or concepts
Select a sampling approach
Understand the basics of qualitative analysis

Unit assessment criteria

You will be assessed as competent if you can:
Demonstrate the logic of your design from data collection, measurement and sampling techniques
and argue how it will address the research question

Media/resources/ support for this unit

Chapters 6 to 10, and 13 and 16 of prescribed textbook

BlackBoard material (videos, examples, guides)

Learning activities
Chapter discussion and assignments

Learning Unit 4: Into the analysis of data, presentation of results and planning

Introduction/overview to the unit

In this unit we will discuss the basics of qquantitative and qualitative data and respective analyses

Unit learning outcomes

At the end of this unit you should be able to:
Understand the basics of quantitative analysis and presentation
Develop a research plan
Develop a consistency matrix

Unit assessment criteria

You will be assessed as competent if you can

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Argue for the suitability of your analysis and the basics of how it will be performed

Develop a research project plan with appropriate activities and realistic dates

Develop a consistency matrix

Media/resources/ support for this unit

Chapters 14 and 15 of prescribed textbook
BlackBoard material (videos, examples, guides)

Learning activities
Chapter discussion and assignments

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