This course covers the process and practice of research with an emphasis on quantitative research orientations and issues related to design in the management research context. The course spans such topics as: types of research, quantitative research orientations, research ethics, measurement, sampling, and quantitative designs. Students will gain experience in research design to help them develop research questions and elements of their proposal.
Outline
This course is divided into 10 lessons.
Lesson 1: Introduction to Business Research and Developing a Research Topic
Lesson 2: Conducting a Literature Review, Addressing Ethical Issues, and Establishing a Research Design
Lesson 3: Primary and Secondary Data, and Sampling
Lesson 4: Analyzing Quantitative and Qualitative Data, and Presenting Your Research
Lesson 5: Introduction to Multivariate Data Analysis and Regression
Lesson 6: Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modelling
Lesson 7: The Difference Methods: Discriminant Analysis and (M)ANOVA
Lesson 8: Cluster Analysis and Advanced SEM Topics
Lesson 9: Study Week
Lesson 10: Final Exam
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, students should develop
an understanding of the nature of a variety of quantitative research methodologies
a working knowledge of how these can be applied in business research
the ability to critique quantitative research methodologies as they are applied in business research
the ability to create a research proposal that uses survey methodology
an understanding of the purposes of multivariate statistical methods.
Evaluation
Your grade will be based on the successful completion of five individual assignments and one final examination and on your participation in moderated group discussions.
Activity
Weight
Participation in Discussions
15%
Assignment 1 (Scale Development Critique)
10%
Assignment 2 (Basic Statistical Analysis)
10%
Assignment 3 (Factor Analysis Example)
10%
Assignment 4 (Statistical Method Summary)
10%
Assignment 5 (Research Design Paper)
25%
Final Examination
20%
Total
100%
To receive a passing grade in this course, you must meet these minimum standards:
receive a minimum of 70% on the participation component; and
receive an average grade of 70% over all course components.
Materials
Wilson, J. (2014). Essentials of business research: A guide to doing your research project (2nd ed.). Sage Publications. (eText)
Hair, J. F., Jr., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2018). Multivariate data analysis (8th ed.). Cengage Learning. (eText)
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.