90-Research Design Seminar

7/31/2019 90-Research Design Seminar

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The purpose of this seminar is to develop a foundationfor consuming, evaluating and producing scholarlyresearch in the complementary domains of business.

During the seminar,

we will review the basic concepts, theories, methodologyand tools for doing business research.

We will pay particular attention to the significant andunique contribution of the research question(s), logical andcoherent development of the theoretical-empiricalbackground, appropriate and valid design of the research

process, rigorous and complete analysis of the data, andmeaningful and insightful discussion of the researchfindings.


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Knowledge Learn key bases of business research methods;

Acquire knowledge of various research designs(e.g., field, surveys, experiments and archival)

used in accounting information systems research; Know how to interpret statistical results from

diverse quantitative analysis techniques; and

Become familiar with some of the primary

psychological theories underlying businessresearch (e.g., agency theory, informationprocessing theory, collective information samplingtheory, and so on).


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Skills Know how to critically evaluate research papers

in business and related fields;

Develop insight into ways to extend extantresearch in business and related fields;

Learn how to think creatively with regard tolinking seemingly different theoreticalperspectives together to produce a new stream ofresearch questions;

Apply your newly acquired knowledge through thedevelopment of a viable research proposal.


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Perspectives Become familiar with the complementary aspects

of business domains;

Understand the unique and overlapping theoriesand research questions;

Discover how to integrate sub-domains ofbusiness, and derive relevant research issuesand questions.

Learn to be contemplative and philosophicalwhen reading, evaluating and discussingresearch papers.


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Zikmund, Babin, Carr, and Griffin(2010). Business research Methods, 8thed., South-Western.


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Class Meetings: Class will meet once every two weeks. You are expected to come

to class fully prepared to discuss the assigned topics.

Participation: You are expected to make a significant contribution to discussions

of all topics.

Assignments for Research Project:

Each participant is expected to design a proposed research study.You are expected design a research proposal related to an area ofbusiness (E.g., marketing, finance, human resources management,and accounting). This will be an excellent opportunity for you toreceive input on your ideas to improve your research skills.


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Introduction (2-4 pages):

Identify the purpose(s) of the research project. Defend the relevance of the research question(s).

Articulate the expected scholarly contribution(s).

Theory and Hypotheses (7-10 pages)

Present the appropriate theory and literature.

Develop testable hypotheses.

Research Method (5-10 pages) Explain the variables, metrics and models.

If archival, explain in detail what databases you will use and how.

If survey or experimental, present the survey or experimental materials.

Results (3-4 pages)

Describe how you would analyze the data.

Defend your choice of statistical testing procedures.

Summary and Conclusion (3-4 pages)

Summarize the potential benefits of your study to theory and practice.

Explain the limitations of your study

Suggest future research arising from your study.

Overall, your manuscript should be around 20-32 pages (double-spaced, one-inch margins, 12-

point font) in length.


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Your grade will be determined by your

performance based on the following:

Class participation 30%

Research project 30%

Final exam 40%

Total 100%


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When reviewing and preparing a discussion of anempirical research paper, you should address thefollowing issues:

What is the research question?

Why is the question important?

What is the theory?

What are the hypotheses?

What is the research method and design?

What statistical methods were used?

What were the key findings?

What is the contribution of the study? What are the implications of the study?

What are the limitations of the study?

What future research would you suggest? (Please comeup with at least one idea of a study that would advancethe state of knowledge).


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For a Non-Empirical Research Paper

When reviewing and preparing adiscussion of a theory, literature review or

framework paper, you should address thefollowing issues:

What is the purpose of the paper?

What is the motivation for writing the paper?

What major theory or theories are relied on? What is the major contribution of the paper?

How can researchers use the paper to further theiragendas?


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TENTATIVE SESSION SCHEDULESessions Topics Chapter Assignments Due date

1

Introduction to Research Methodology

Review of course program and literature, methodology of

teaching, expectations on course participants, definition of

business research, benefits of business research and

framework conditions, scientific method, global business

information systems, sources of business informationChap. 1,

3, 6Basic Terminology / Issues in Research Methodology

Review of basic terminology and issues in research

methodology: theories, concepts, propositions, hypotheses,

business research types, planning and design issues in

research

Problem Definition and the Research Proposal

Brief recap of session 1 highlights, defining a research

problem, exploratory research, techniques of exploratory

research, primary and secondary data and their

advantages/disadvantages


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TENTATIVE SESSION SCHEDULE

Sessions Topics Chapter AssignmentsDue date

2

Research Methods for Collecting Primary Data I

Review of tools for collecting primary data surveys and interviews

and associated advantages / disadvantages

Chap.9, 10

Chap.11, 12

Chap.13, 14,

15

Researchproblem

assignmentdue

Research Methods for Collecting Primary Data II

Review of tools for collecting primary data observations and

experiments and their associated advantages and disadvantages

3

Measurements in Research

Review of measurement and scaling concepts, good measurement

criteria, techniques for measuring attitudes, the questionnaire


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TENTATIVE SESSION SCHEDULESessions Topics Chapter Assignments

Due date

4

Sampling and Fieldwork

Review of sample designs and procedures, statistical

techniques used in sampling, fieldwork.Chap.16,17,

18

Chap.20, 21

Chap.22, 23,

24

Chap.25

Completeresearchproject

due

5

Analyzing Research Data - I

Review of preparing data for analysis, review of descriptive

statistical tools and techniques, univariate statistical tools

and techniques used in testing hypotheses with practical

examples

6

Analyzing Research Data - IIReview of bivariate statistical tools and techniques used in

testing hypotheses with practical examples, multivariate

statistical tools and techniques used in testing hypotheses

with practical examples

Communicating Research Findings

Preparing research results for reports and presentations


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Qualities of a Good Researcher

Calm, kind hearted, obedient, honest, has integrity, and respectful person with goodmaturity in the first instance.

Disciplined, diplomatic, hardworking, good mannered, sincere, devoted and determined.

Listens to others, then thinks, then pauses, and then critically comments.

Tries to put into practice at least to some extent what he/she says.

A good communicator and well concentrated.

Likes to learn new things even from kids, takes adventures and appreciates the progressand results of others.

Patient, bold, gentle, unafraid, confidant, majestic and keeps his/her head cool underpressure.

Believes that knowledge is acquired through training and wisdom is learnt throughexperience.

A motivator and encourager to others through his/her own actions.

A good collaborator in a group, accepts the responsibility and regular to the meetings

Uses available resources to the best of his/her abilities

Progresses forward by accepting his/her errors

Likes to be a life-long student with a good commitment

Likes to gain knowledge continuously

Sees the work and happiness as one and the same object.

Believes that success is a journey but not a destination.


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90-Research Design Seminar