Research Methods in Business Administration (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Objective

The student is able to obtain research information on her/his field of expertise and is capable of critical assessment of information and the sources of new information. The student recognizes the importance of the knowledge interests of science in applied research. The student is capable of applying different research methods in developing working life. The student understands the meaning of research ethics of applied research.

Content

1. Main methods used in business administration
2. Transformation of the research problem into research questions,
3. Data acquisition and evaluation of the reliability, validity and credibility
4. Source criticism
5. Research ethics

Materials

1. Research Methods for Business Students Mark N.K. Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill. 5th or 6th Edition, Pearson publishers 2. Wilkinson, D. 2000. Researcher's Toolkit: The Complete Guide to Practitioner Research. Routledge. Electronic material in Ebrary -database 3. Eriksson, P. & Kovalainen, A. 2008. Qualitative Methods in Business Research. Sage. 4. Lecture slides 5. Other relevant material

Completion alternatives

The course evaluation is based on the following: 1. Pre-assignment and final assignment together 70 % 2. Presentation 30 %

Student workload

Lectures 28h Assignments and independent studying 107h Total 135h ( one credit equals 27 hours of student work)

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

1 (Sufficient):
Students are able to acquire relevant research knowledge in the field of their own expertise. They are able to describe some of the characteristics in different research methods.

2. (Satisfied):
Students are able to acquire relevant research knowledge in the field of their own expertise. They are able to describe the main characteristics in different research methods.

3 (Good):
Students are able to acquire widely relevant research knowledge in the field of their own expertise. They understand and are able to describe the main characteristics in different research methods.

4 (Very good):
Students are able to acquire widely relevant research knowledge in the field of their own expertise. They understand and are able to describe the main characteristics in different research methods. They are able to clearly communicate their knowledge with correct research terminology.

5 (Excellent):
Students are able to acquire widely relevant research knowledge in the field of their own expertise. They understand and are able to describe the main characteristics in different research methods. They are able to clearly communicate their knowledge with correct research terminology. They are able to critically elaborate on different research methods.

Qualifications

Research and development competences in Bachelor's degree.