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Business Research Methods (BS216)
Business Research Methods (BS216)
COURSE AIM: The course aims at helping students to develop an appreciation and
understanding of why businesses carry out researches and the different approaches and
methods that can be used by businesses in undertaking research.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: at the end of the course students should be able to:
Define business research and outline its importance;
Distinguish the different research philosophies and their importance in research;
Explain the various research designs;
Demonstrate proficiency in the application of qualitative and quantitative research
methods; and
Develop a scholarly research proposal.
COURSE CONTENT: to achieve the above objectives the course will cover the
following areas:
SAMPLING TECHNIQUES
Population vs sample
Sampling procedures
Advantages and disadvantages of sampling
Probability sampling (simple, systematic, cluster, and stratified random sampling)
Non-probability (convenience, quota, judgmental, snowballing)
Appropriate sampling techniques for different types of researches
RESEARCH ETHICS
Community sensitization (negotiating access to research sites)
Consent and assent
Privacy and confidentiality
Integrity and objectivity of researcher
Respect for research participants
Voluntarism
Data management
RESEARCH PROPOSAL DEEVELOPMENT
Importance of the research proposal
Uses of research proposal
Common pitfalls of research proposals
Components of the proposal (Introduction, background, problem statement,
research objectives, research questions, research hypothesis/proposition,
justification of research, scope of research, literature review/conceptual
framework, research methodology, data analysis and presentation techniques,
conclusion and references)
TEACHING METHODOLOGY
COURSE ASSESSMENT:
Students will be assessed based:
1) At least Individual test (ideal) 5%
2) Group assignments 10%
3) Group Project (A real company-based project) 15%: There has to be
EVIDENCE that it’s a practical addressing an existing company
problem/challenge
RECOMMENDED READINGS:
Saunders M., Lewis, P and Thornhill, A., Collis, J and Hussey, R.,(2012):
Business Research. Palgrasve MacMillan
Mustafa, A., (2010): Research Methodology. A.I.T.B.S. Publishers India
Blumberg. B (2005). Business Research Methods. McGraw-Hill Education. 3rd
European Edition.
Kothari. C.R., (2004). Research Methodology. Methods and Techniques:2nd
Edition. New Age International Publishers.
NOTE
Students are also encouraged to read any other Research Methods text
books/journal articles and E-resources materials from the library.