INFS4887 Business Research Methods S12013

Australian School of BusinessInformation Systems, Technology andManagementINFS4887BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODSCourse OutlineSemester 1, 2013Part A: Course-Specific InformationPlease consult Part B for key information on ASB policies (includingthose on plagiarism and special consideration), studentresponsibilities and student support services.INFS4887 – Business Research Methods2

Table of ContentsPART A: COURSE-SPECIFIC INFORMATION31STAFF CONTACT DETAILS32COURSE DETAILS32.12.22.32.42.53Teaching Times and LocationsUnits of CreditSummary of CourseCourse Aims and Relationship to Other CoursesStudent Learning OutcomesLEARNING AND TEACHING ACTIVITIES3333463.1 Approach to Learning and Teaching in the Course3.2 Learning Activities and Teaching Strategies67474.14.24.34.4ASSESSMENTFormal RequirementsAssessment DetailsAssessment FormatLate Submission777895COURSE RESOURCES96COURSE EVALUATION AND DEVELOPMENT97COURSE SCHEDULEINFS4887 – Business Research Methods102

PART A: COURSE-SPECIFIC INFORMATION1 STAFF CONTACT Dr Lesley Landl.land@unsw.edu.auQUAD2099A93854738The best way to contact your lecturer is via email or during their consultation times.Please note that only your UNSW email account will be used for formal notices andcorrespondence regarding the course.Lesley LandLocationConsultation Day/TimeQUAD2099AWed 2-4pmIf you need to 5320oremail2 COURSE DETAILS2.1Teaching Times and LocationsLectures start in Week 1(to Week 12): The Time and Location are: Wednesday 4-7 pm,in Electrical Eng 218 (K-G17-218).2.2Units of CreditThe course is worth 6 units of credit. There is no parallel teaching in this course.2.3Summary of CourseBuilding on Principles of Research Design this course aims to extend and deepen theunderstanding of different research approaches and methodologies in order to preparestudents for their own research projects in their business discipline. This course willassist students in identifying, discussing and formulating a research problem, inselecting and applying appropriate research approaches and methods of inquiry (bothquantitative or qualitative), and in presenting their results. Successful completion of thiscourse should be sufficient for students to undertake a research project.2.4Course Aims and Relationship to Other CoursesWhile Principles of Research Design introduces students to IS research literature,research approaches and methodologies, its major aim is help develop a researchproposal, driven and justified from the literature. In doing so, the philosophical andepistemological assumptions underpinning the research approaches andmethodologies should be clearly presented.This course follows from the Principles of Research Design to provide deeperknowledge and experience in applying commonly used qualitative and qualitativeINFS4887 – Business Research Methods3

research methods to the research process. In particular, this current courseconcentrates on the different methods and techniques used in the field of IS. Studentsengage in the research process, from identifying, discussing and formulating aresearch problem, to selecting and applying appropriate research approaches andmethods of inquiry (both quantitative or qualitative), and in presenting their results. Thecourse aims to provide an in-depth study of the IS field and the different methods andtechniques essential to the execution of high quality research in business and/or in IS.The objectives are to: Advance knowledge in IS research methods and techniques of data collectionand analysis;Prepare students for conducting an independent study including formulatingresearch questions and selecting a research approach, applying researchmethodology – designing a study and selecting specific methods andtechniques appropriate for answering the questions;Develop practical skills in developing instruments for both qualitative andquantitative methods;Develop practical skills in analysing both quantitative and qualitative data.The course is essential for students' ability to conduct research and therefore INFS4887 is a mandatory course for all honours students in the IS discipline offered by theSchool of Information Systems, Technology and Management. Principles of ResearchDesign and Business Research Methods courses are designed to prepare students forindependent research studies for their honours or masters thesis.2.5Student Learning OutcomesThe learning outcomes for this course include:1. Discuss and apply different research approaches and methodologies2. Develop data collection instrument according to the underlying theoreticalframework.3. Explain how to conduct data collection (quantitative and qualitative)4. Analyse quantitative data (e.g., using PLS) and qualitative data (e.g., usingNVivo)5. Refine research questions to meet high level research objectives/questions.6. Construct and document an appropriate research design, includingargumentation for data collection and analysis methods/techniques7. Discuss limitations and potential contribution to theory and practice of researchThe Course Learning Outcomes are what you should be able to DO by the end of thiscourse if you participate fully in learning activities and successfully complete theassessment items.The Learning Outcomes in this course also help you to achieve some of the overallProgram Learning Goals and Outcomes for all undergraduate coursework students inthe ASB. Program Learning Goals are what we want you to BE or HAVE by the timeyou successfully complete your degree (e.g. ‘be an effective team player’). Youdemonstrate this by achieving specific Program Learning Outcomes – what you areable to DO by the end of your degree (e.g. participate collaboratively and responsiblyin teams’).INFS4887 – Business Research Methods4

ASB Undergraduate Program Learning Goals and Outcomes1. Knowledge: Our graduates will have in-depth disciplinary knowledge applicable in local andglobal contexts.You should be able to select and apply disciplinary knowledge to business situations in a local and globalenvironment.2. Critical thinking and problem solving: Our graduates will be critical thinkers and effectiveproblem solvers.You should be able to identify and research issues in business situations, analyse the issues, and proposeappropriate and well-justified solutions.3. Communication: Our graduates will be effective professional communicators.You should be able to:a. Prepare written documents that are clear and concise, using appropriate style and presentationfor the intended audience, purpose and context, andb. Prepare and deliver oral presentations that are clear, focused, well-structured, and delivered in aprofessional manner.4. Teamwork: Our graduates will be effective team participants.You should be able to participate collaboratively and responsibly in teams, and reflect on your ownteamwork, and on the team’s processes and ability to achieve outcomes.5. Ethical, social and environmental responsibility: Our graduates will have a sound awareness ofthe ethical, social, cultural and environmental implications of business practice.You should be able to:a. Identify and assess ethical, environmental and/or sustainability considerations in businessdecision-making and practice, andb. Identify social and cultural implications of business situations.The following table shows how your Course Learning Outcomes relate to the overallProgram Learning Goals and Outcomes, and indicates where these are assessed.Program LearningGoals and OutcomesCourse Learning OutcomesThis course helps you On successful completion of the course, youto achieve the following should be able to:learning goals for allASB undergraduatecoursework students:Course AssessmentItemThis learning outcomewill be assessed in thefollowing items:1Knowledge Explain how to conduct data collection (quantitative and qualitative). Explain how to conduct data collection(quantitative and qualitative). Construct and document an appropriateresearch design, including echniquesClass participationData analysis2Critical thinkingand problemsolving Develop data collection instrument according to the underlying theoretical framework. Analyse quantitative data (e.g., usingPLS) and qualitative data (e.g., usingNVivo) Refine research questions to meet highlevel research objectives/questions.Class participationData analysisInstrumentdevelopment(quantitative andqualitativeINFS4887 – Business Research Methods5

Discusslimitationsandpotentialcontribution to theory and practice ofresearch3aWrittencommunicationWrite up instrument design and data analysisapproach and findings. 3bOralcommunicationCommunicate ideas in a succinct and clearmanner.5a.EthicalresponsibilityIdentify ethical considerations in the research context. Research designreportInstrumentdevelopmentreportData analysisreport.Instrument designwill be presentedorally andpresentation willbe marked.Not specificallyassessed. Butethicalconsiderations forresearch will bediscussed.3 LEARNING AND TEACHING ACTIVITIES3.1Approach to Learning and Teaching in the CourseThis course adopts the principles of student-centred learning and dialectics. Thisinvolves a combination of providing information to students and motivating them to usethis information in problem-solving environments. The manner in which studentspresent and argue the reasoning behind their solutions demonstrates their knowledgeof the area, as one cannot convincingly argue something that is not understood.Arguing an issue also expands one’s understanding of a topic as one is forced toconsider alternative points of view. Finally, dialectics empower students tocollaboratively negotiate, rather than passively learn, an area or topic. This hasimplications for teaching strategies and assessment (discussed below) as well as forstudents’ role, responsibilities and expected contribution to knowledge creation.First, the lecturer is responsible for creating a learning environment that is stimulatingand interesting, and that encourages collaboration, knowledge sharing and co-creationby all participants. The learning environment includes both the physical and virtualspaces where learning and teaching activities take place. The aim is to develop anatmosphere of cooperation and a spirit of learning, inquiring and innovating in allactivities, underpinned by a sense of responsibility for our individual and collectivelearning.Second, students as active participants are expected to take responsibility for their ownindividual and collective learning. While this course is designed to foster students’active participation and contribution to knowledge co-creation, this will not happenunless students take seriously their roles and responsibilities. As active contributorsstudents are expected to be prepared for each class and take active role indiscussions and other learning activities.INFS4887 – Business Research Methods6