MGT8401 Research Methodology 1

MGT	8401	78767	2, 2008	EXT	Research Methodology 1	1.00	Toowoomba
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOBUS
Academic org:	FOBUSN
Student contribution band:	3A
ASCED code:	080399

Staffing
Other requisites
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Texts
Reference materials
Student workload
Assessment details
Important assessment information
Assessment notes
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Examiner: Glenda Adkins
Moderator: Melissa Johnson Morgan

OTHER REQUISITES

Students are required to have access to a personal computer, e-mail capabilities and Internet access to USQConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at <http://www.usq.edu.au/business/aboutfob.htm>.

SYNOPSIS

This course provides an introduction to the methodology of research in the context of business and commerce. The focus will be on issues such as: topic selection, problem definition, development of research questions, theory construction, research design, and selected data collection tools. Additionally, students will be expected to develop critical thinking skills and the capacity to read and critique a research article. The course is directed at research students who wish to learn about designing and conducting research in the disciplines represented in business and commerce. Students will be expected to develop an understanding of the key components of the research process, as well as the application of research methods appropriate to particular research questions.

OBJECTIVES

The course objectives define the student learning outcomes for a course. The assessment item/s that may be used to assess student achievement of an objective is/are shown in parentheses after each objective. On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

describe the processes involved in topic selection, problem definition and the development of research questions (Assignment 1, Class Participation)
evaluate the role of literature review and theory construction in research (Assignment 1, Assignment 2, Class Participation)
analyse alternative approaches to research design and methodology (Assignment 2, Class Participation)
apply critical thinking skills in reading and critiquing research articles (Assignment 1, Assignment 2).

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	Research and science	10.00
2.	Locating and evaluating research articles	10.00
3.	Finding, stating and delineating research problems	10.00
4.	Literature review and theory construction	10.00
5.	Research design and methodology - quantitative and qualitative approaches	10.00
6.	Approaches to and methods of qualitative research	10.00
7.	Quantitative data and survey research	10.00
8.	Experimental designs	10.00
9.	Correlational and differential research	10.00
10.	Relating research question, theory, design and validity issues	10.00

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

Leedy, PD & Ormrod, JE 2005, Practical research: planning and design, 8th edn, Merrill Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

Summers, J & Smith, B 2006, Communication skills handbook: how to succeed in written and oral communication, 2nd edn, John Wiley & Sons, Milton, Queensland.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Dooley, D 2001, Social research methods, 4th edn, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

Graziano, AM & Raulin, ML 2007, Research methods: a process of inquiry, 6th edn, Pearson Allyn & Bacon, Boston, Massachusetts.

Kerlinger, FN & Lee, HB 2000, Foundations of behavioral research, 4th edn, Harcourt College, Fort Worth, Texas.

Neuman, WL 2006, Social research methods: qualitative and quantitative approaches, 6th edn, Pearson/Allyn & Bacon, Boston, Massachusetts.

Sekaran, U 2003, Research methods for business: a skill-building approach, 4th edn, John Wiley and Sons, New York.

Zikmund, W 2003, Business research methods, 7th edn, Thomson/South-Western, Cincinnati, Ohio.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Assessment	69.00
Directed Study	48.00
Private Study	48.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description	Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date	Notes
CLASS PARTICIPATION	10.00	10.00	21 Jul 2008	(see note 1)
ASSIGNMENT 1	10.00	10.00	10 Sep 2008
ASSIGNMENT 2	40.00	40.00	24 Oct 2008
2 HOUR EXAMINATION	40.00	40.00	END S2	(see note 2)

NOTES

1.: Class participation refers to either in-class contributions (for on campus students) or online contributions (for external students) to weekly discussion topics.
2.: The examination is scheduled to be held in the end-of-semester examination period. Students will be advised of the official examination date after the timetable has been finalised.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Attendance requirements:
If you are an international student in Australia, you are advised to attend all classes at your campus. For all other students, there are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks. (Depending upon the requirements in Statement 4 below, students may not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to receive a passing grade in this course.)
Penalties for late submission of required work:
If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval of the examiner, then a penalty of 5% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment may apply for each working day late up to ten working days at which time a mark of zero may be recorded.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
Examination information:
This is an open examination. Candidates may have access to any material during the open examination except the following: electronic communication devices, bulky materials, devices requiring mains power and material likely to disturb other students.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Any Deferred/Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
University Regulations:
Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6 Assessment, and 5.10 Student Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene university regulations. These regulations can be found at <http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm>. Students should also read the Faculty of Business Policies and Procedures which can be found at <http://www.usq.edu.au/business/aboutfob.htm>.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

Assignments: (i) The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the examiner. (ii) Students must retain a copy of each assignment submitted for assessment. This must be produced within 24 hours if required by the examiner. (iii) The examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances. Applications for extensions should be in writing and must include supporting documentary evidence. Extensions are only granted in unforeseen and uncontrollable circumstances. The examiner shall consider all documentary evidence (including statement from a doctor, employer, counsellor or independent member of the community as appropriate) accompanying an application for extension and decide on the outcome. Length of extensions: Up to one week's extension (five working days) may be granted if a signed statement with supporting documentation is sent with the assignment, proving that an unforeseen and uncontrollable circumstance caused the delay, for example unusual and unpredictable work or family commitments. If the signed statement and supporting documentation does not show that unforeseen and uncontrollable circumstances were present for the days claimed, then the normal reduction in marks for a late assignment of 5% per working day will apply. Extensions beyond one week are not allowed unless express permission is obtained from the examiner. Extensions beyond one week are only granted in extreme circumstance because model answers may be distributed after this time. If you are likely to require an extension for a longer period than one week, you must contact the examiner for advice. In most cases, you will be required to complete an alternative make-up assignment. However, make-up assignments are only granted if you have passed all other pieces of assessment for the course. Medical extensions: In the case of an application for extension for medical reasons, the documentation should include a statement from a doctor stating: the date the medical condition began or changed; how the condition affected the student's ability to study; when it became apparent that the student could not submit the assignment. As a rule, you will be granted an extension for the number of working days covered on a medical certificate. In the case of a medical extension, you do not need to contact the examiner unless you require an extension of longer than one week. Extensions for family/personal reasons: In the case of an application for extension for family/personal reasons, the documentation should include a statement from a doctor, counsellor or independent member of the community stating: the date the student's personal circumstances began or changed; how the circumstances affected the student's ability to complete the assignment; when it became apparent that the student could not complete the assignment. In the case of an extension for family/personal reasons you must contact the examiner before the due date to discuss the reason for the extension and to negotiate the length of an extension if granted. Extensions for employment-related reasons: In the case of an application for extension for employment-related reasons, the documentation should include a statement from the student's employer stating: the date the student's employment began or the conditions of employment changed; how this prevents the student from completing the assignment. In the case of an extension for employment-related reasons you must contact the examiner before the due date to discuss the reason for the extension and to negotiate the length of an extension if granted.

Text books: Please note that it is the responsibility of the student to acquire a copy of the text book as soon as their enrolment in the course has been confirmed. Extensions will not be granted on the basis of the student not having a copy of the text, if the text is available from the USQ bookshop.

This version produced 27 May 2008.