BSN502 Methodology for Business Research


To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.


Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:BSN502
Credit points:12
Coordinator:Yancong Xie | yc.xie@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

BSN502 is designed to assist postgraduate research students to understand and deploy the fundamentals of methodology for business research. It is designed as a companion unit to Research Seminar, Quantitative Research Methods and Qualitative Research and Analytical Techniques. Through lecture content, workshop activities and additional readings you will establish the fundamental building blocks for planning and designing your own research and for evaluating the research of others.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Identify the principles and assumptions of good research design from both a qualitative and quantitative perspective;
  2. Based upon the principles and assumptions of good research design, critique research designs in both quantitative and qualitative published empirical papers; and
  3. Re-design a research project in ways that are consistent with the principles and assumptions of high quality and credible research.

Content

Research paradigms
Principles of sampling
Principles of measurement
Experimental methods
Survey methods
Interviews and focus group methods
Case study research
Documentary, archival and visual methods
Research ethics, research impact and reflexivity


QUT Business Capabilities (Research)

The content and assessment in this unit are aligned to a selection of the following set of QUT Business Capabilities, also known as Assurance of Learning Goals (AoLs). Developing these capabilities will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT and equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career.

Knowledge & Technical Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced discipline and professional practice knowledge, including advanced knowledge of research, research principles and methods and how knowledge is created and evolves within the field.
1.2 Use technological and technical skills to apply theoretical knowledge, work critically with complex information, problems and theories, and to design and apply research and research methods.

Higher Order Thinking Skills (HO)
2.1 Identify, investigate and evaluate intellectual issues and problems in research and practice and synthesise complex thinking to identify research gaps and conceptualise an approach to a research study.
2.2 Exercise creativity and intellectual independence to systematically plan, design and execute research and formulate conclusions and recommendations that challenge and contribute to current knowledge in a discipline.

Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Demonstrate written communication skills to structure and present complex thinking, including research results to a variety of audiences in relation to discipline knowledge and research.
3.2 Demonstrate oral communication skills to structure and present complex thinking, including research results to a variety of audiences in relation to discipline knowledge and research.

Teamwork & Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and recognition of research limitations for effective research practice.

Social, Ethical & Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Apply knowledge of the ethical dimensions of research to identify and address the potential risks of undertaking a research project.

Learning Approaches

Research methodology is a large and complex discipline knowledge area that can only be mastered through years of training and practice. In this unit we accommodate the learning needs of research postgraduate students with diverse backgrounds and levels of expertise. The unit has been designed to build an understanding of the principles and techniques of qualitative and quantitative methods and to support the ability of students to critique published empirical research in terms of its design and methods. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the assigned readings prior to class each week. This will enable a vibrant class discussion that will maximize learning opportunities.

The unit is supported by the QUT Canvas system. In addition to basic information such as the unit outline, lecture slides, assessment information and staff contact details, the Canvas site contains additional learning materials and links to published readings which will enable students to develop knowledge and skills that can be utilised for the unit assessment and their own dissertations.

To access the BSN502 Canvas site, simply bookmark the following URL: http://Canvas.qut.edu.au

Note: The BSN502 Canvas site can only be accessed with the use of your QUT access username and password.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

Informal: verbal feedback through class discussions and individual consultation
Formal: feedback in writing through Turnitin on assessment
Direct: feedback to individual students
Indirect: feedback to entire class

Assessment

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Quantitative research critique

You will be provided with a quantitative research article to critique. The critique will involve the identification of the key methodological elements of the article; the strengths and limitations in the design and methods used for the study; and suggestions for re-designing the study based upon the principles and assumptions of robust quantitative research. Opportunities to practice article critique and designing quantitative research will be provided in class. Conceptual material to support research design decisions is provided on Canvas and in QUT Readings. Note that this assessment does not involve data collection.

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1, 2.2)

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 50
Length: 3,000 words excluding references
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 7
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Assessment: Qualitative research critique

You will be provided with a qualitative research article to critique. The critique will involve the identification of the key methodological elements of the article; the strengths and limitations in the design and methods used for the study; and suggestions for re-designing the study based upon the principles and assumptions of robust qualitative research. Opportunities to practice article critique and designing qualitative research will be provided in class. Conceptual material to support design decisions is provided on Canvas and in QUT Readings. Note that this assessment does not involve data collection.

Formative or Summative Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO(2.1, 2.2)

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 50
Length: 3,000 words excluding references
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Central Exam Period
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

There is no prescribed text for this unit. Check QUT Readings for relevant support sources.

Check unit's Canvas site for guided readings.

Check unit's Canvas site for videos.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

QUT Business Capabilities (Research)

HO (2.1): Complex Thinking Skills

Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Quantitative research critique, Qualitative research critique

HO (2.2): Creativity and Intellectual Independence

Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Quantitative research critique, Qualitative research critique

KS (1.1): Discipline, Professional Practice and Research Knowledge

Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Quantitative research critique, Qualitative research critique

SE (5.1): Ethical Research Understanding

Relates to: ULO3, Quantitative research critique, Qualitative research critique

QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)

HO (2.1): Critical Analysis

Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Quantitative research critique, Qualitative research critique

HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making

Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Quantitative research critique, Qualitative research critique

KS (1.1): Discipline Knowledge

Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Quantitative research critique, Qualitative research critique

SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding

Relates to: ULO3

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

BS63 Bachelor of Business (Honours)

  1. Apply integrated and advanced discipline and professional practice knowledge, including knowledge of research principles, methods, and ethical considerations; and how knowledge is created and evolves within the field
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Quantitative research critique, Qualitative research critique
  2. Identify, investigate and evaluate ethical issues and problems in research and practice, and synthesise complex thinking to identify research gaps and conceptualise an approach to a research study
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Quantitative research critique, Qualitative research critique
  3. Exercise intellectual independence and critical thinking to systematically plan, design and execute research and formulate conclusions and recommendations that challenge and contribute to current knowledge in a discipline
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Quantitative research critique, Qualitative research critique