MBA 631 course content and references ( updated 20 March 2014)

Warm welcome to the business research methods (MBAS 631) course.
The main topics to be covered in this course, the reference books , as well as the method of assessment are described below.

COURSE OUTLINE for BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS (MBA 621)

 Chapter 1. General overview

• ·       Introduction,
• ·       The research process,
• ·       Research cycle
• ·       research ethics

Chapter 2.  Beginning the Research Process

• ·       Problem definition,
• ·       Business research proposal,
• ·       exploratory research

Chapter 3. Measurement Concept

• ·       measurement
• ·         Types of scales
• ·       Reliability , validity , and sensitivity  

Chapter 4.  Sampling

• ·       Why sampling ?
• ·       Stages in sampling
• ·       Sampling methods
• ·       Determination of sample size

 Chapter 5.  Research Methods for Collecting Data

• ·       Survey
• ·       Observation  
• ·       experimental  methods
• ·       questionnaire design
• ·       attitude measurement

Chapter 6.  Data Analysis

• ·       Overview of the Stages of Data Analysis
• ·       Hypothesis Testing
• ·       Descriptive statistics
• ·       Univariate , bivariate, and multivariate analysis
• ·       Characteristics of the main statistical techniques

Chapter 7.   Communicating Research Results

• ·       Reporting
• ·       Presentation
• ·       follow-up

Textbook :    Zikmund, W 2005, Business Research Methods, 8^th ed., Thomson Learning Inc., South Western, Bangalore.

REFERENCES

Adams J, Khan H, Raeside R, and D. White. 2011, Research methods for Graduate Business and Social Science Students, SAGE  publications Inc, Thousand Oaks, California

Bryman, A. and D.  Cramer 2011, Quantitative Dataa Analysis with IBM SPSS 17, 18 & 19 : A Guide for Social Scientists, Routledge, New York.

Cooper , D.R.. and P.S. Schindler.2001. Business Research Methods, 7^th ed., McGraw- Hill, New York.

Rea, LM and R  Parker 2005 Designing and Conducting Survey Research: A comprehensive guide, Chichester , Wiely.

ASSESSEMENT 

 Individual Assignment: Developing a business research proposal....   40 %    

Written Final Exam ..........................................................................    60%