MBA class - Research Method
Reading and Assignment Schedule (to be updated along the way!)
Project 1 (20%)
Write a literature review about the topic given by the lecturer
Requirements:
- At least 1500 words
- Reviewing the literature on the topic
- From your review, suggest research gaps
Midterm project 2 (40%)
Do a qualitative research, interview at least 8 respondents and write up in a paper (maximum 5 pages) with following sections:
- Research questions and objectives (Only questions with How and Why are acceptable) - Brief of data collection process
- Report of Interview contents (2 pages)
- Analysis of interview content (this is the most important section) (2 pages) - Short conclusion
Links for reading materials
https://sites.google.com/site/drbqthong/research-method-1
Day Topics Home Reading/Assignments
Book: Constructing Grounded theory: A practical guide, Kathy Charmaz (e-book available at
http://www.sxf.uevora.pt/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Charmaz_2006.pdf) 2. Case study Research, Robert Yin (half ebook available at http://cemusstudent.se/ wp-content/uploads/2012/02/YIN_K_ROBERT-1.pdf)
Plus Many methodology and example papers, download from following links:
https://sites.google.com/site/drbqthong/research-method-1
1 Introduction
Course objectives. Grading. Class rules Scientific articles vs non-scientificones Where to find scientific articles?
How to know good journals? (scimagojr.com)
Class exercise:
- Find key papers for a topic
2-3 How to review literature for a topic Method paper
1. Differences between a good and poor literature review 2. Doing_a_Literature_Review
3. Writing narrative lit review baumeister1997 4. Analysing the past
4 Thematic Analysis Method paper
1. Thematic data analysis made easy 2. Thematic analysis – Pragmatic view Example Paper:
3. Multi brand loyalty Felix 2014 4. Investment decision behavior 5. How fund manager make decision
5-6 Phenomenology approach Method paper
1. IPA_Smith_Osborne
2. IPA_ A practical guide for using IPA Example Paper:
2. Decision to remain private Ibekwe2015
5-6 Ethnographic approach Method paper
1. Ethnographic research method 2. Ethnographic research method-slides Example Paper
1. How consumersconsumpt… (Holt, 1995) 2. The consumption experience (Richelieu, 2012)
5-6 Grounded theory approach Method Paper
1. Grounded theory method – short guide – Charmaz 2. Grounded theory methodology
3. Comparison different methods (Grounded theory, Ethnography, and Phenomenology)
Example paper
1. Ethical banking in practice Chew2016 2. What prevent senior executives Bang2012
5-6 Microstoria analysis Method paper:
Read chapter 3: Microstoria analysis in the book “Narrative methods for organizational and communication research”
Example paper
Barefoot entrepreuneurs The death of Steve Jobs Management fads
Survey method Reading
Book: Social science research, AnolBhattacherjee (e-book available) Papers: to be provided
7 Research questions. Hypotheses. Models. Measurement scale
Independent and dependent variables
Making survey questionaire from measurement scales
Reading: Theories and model (p.14),Measurement scale (p.43)
Individual assignment
8 Sampling
Measurement scale. Input data into SPSS. Steps to test a model.
SPSS (Cronbach, Factor, Correlation, Regression)
Reading: Biases in Survey research (p. 80)
Group assignment
Choose one model and measurement scales from last week, develop a survey questionnaire for the research topic
9 Validity. Reliability. Writing literature chapter Plagiarism
How to make referencing? (IU use APA referencing style)
Individual assignment
Choose one model. Write literature review for the model
10 How to write introduction chapter + methodology chapter + recommendation section
Course review
Grade scheme
Final Exam: 40%
Report 1,2, 3: 60%
Plagiarism and Collusion
If you are using ideas, diagrams, models, tables, quotations or ANY other material from a published or unpublished source, you must give details of that source.
Use the APA or Harvard style referencing system
To avoid either of these offences:
NEVER CUT AND PASTE FROM A RESOURCE INTO YOUR OWN WORK – even if you later change the words, students often get caught out
Always give the authors’ name(s) and year of publication in the text every time you use information from their work, plus a full citation in the reference list at the end
Never allow other students to use your work, or share your work with others Never copy from other students’ assignments
Never copy from previous years’ assignments
Never copy from assignments at other universities or from other modules Never use internet essay mills or ‘cheat sites’
Never copy from books, articles or newspapers without full referencing
How to grade yourmid termproject 1
The below grade gridis used as reference.The real grade will be more generous!
Identifying relevant literature
Content of literature review
Analysis of literature
20%
Evaluation of literature
20%
Synthesis
10%
Presentation
10% 20%
A
Evidence of ample reading around the topic and extensive identification of the literature, including major papers, rarer and very recent articles.
Comprehensive review of the findings of literature associated with the topic. Accurately interpreted and documented, well organised into relevant themes, with clear links between related areas.
Strong structure with clear, focused and logical themes. Contains introductions and conclusions which are comprehensive but direct and effective. Clear description of own methodology, and outline of authors’ methodologies. Identifies limitations of own review.
Literature is surveyed in a critical and scholarly way, possibly referencing key methodology authors. Implications for
management and/or policy practice cogent, effective, and clearly connected to the analysis
Evidence of strong attempts to develop models, suggest further research and identify gaps in research. Offers a genuinely creative and original approach.
Presentation skills are immaculate, using appropriate referencing, citing sources correctly and with excellent spelling and grammar. Within word limit.
B
Evidence of identification of key literature, including major papers and recent articles.
Good review of the findings of the body of literature associated with the topic. Well interpreted and documented, well organised into relevant themes, with clear links between related areas.
Good structure with clear themes. Contains introductions and conclusions which are very competent Student will describe own methodology and may identify limitations of own review.
Evaluates positions in a competent way, with some critical elements. Explicit description and evaluation of authors’ methodologies. Clear statement of practical implications.
Evidence of attempts to develop models, suggest further research and identify gaps in research. Offers some new insights into the topic.
Presentation skills and referencing which are generally effective and competent, but with some minor errors. Within word limit.
C
Evidence of identification of some the literature, including major papers, probably missing more recent articles.
Brings out key issues from the literature on the topic, but will miss more subtle points and recent developments. Generally a solid review of key themes.
Clear themes, but perhaps covering too broad areas. Introductions and conclusions summarise and justify the review but lack clear structure. Students own methodology may be superficial, unreflective, or overlooked altogether
Some attempt to be analytical or evaluative, but largely descriptive. Crude discussion of methodology. Implications for practice are underdeveloped, unrealistic or poorly connected to the analysis
Some evidence of synthesis, for example suggesting gaps in the literature and areas for further research. Perhaps a basic model is included.
Presentation and referencing are generally competent, some more serious errors or omissions.
D
Evidence of basic identification of the literature, including some major papers.
Review focuses on only a few authors so is descriptive, partial and superficial as a result. Tendency to miss recent developments and some key areas.
Loose themes, which may be too broad or diverse. Tendency to be led by author rather than topic, summarising whole papers rather than drawing out key points. Little or no discussion of own methods or limitations.
A descriptive approach to the literature. Little, if any evaluation of research methodologies. Practical implication element rudimentary or over-elaborated
Little evidence of synthesis, only identifying areas for further research with little justification.
Poor or careless presentation, poor referencing. Minor infringement of word limit.
E Missing major papers, with
a limited number of papers or 10%> textbooks or non-academic sources.
Basic review, purely descriptive and lacking insight
Presented as an essay rather than as a review of the literature. Lacks meaningful introductions or conclusions. No discussion of own methods or limitations
No evaluation of the literature, failing to identify methodologies or methods. No practical implications discussed
No evidence of synthesis, lacking areas for further research.
