Research methods for business studies
The course is largely based on assigned readings, discussion seminars, and written assignments. The course begins with a review of the philosophical issues that underlie methodological choices in academic research, which is followed by an overview of common methods for collecting, analyzing, presenting and assessing data in different approaches. With an established awareness that choices of method are influenced by subjective and philosophical positions, the course then proceeds with a more in-depth review of a number of sub-topics.
The sub-topics address the following issues:
the role of the researcher
logically consistent research design and rhetoric in presentation
relevance and contribution (empirical and theoretical)
different methods and techniques for data collection (e.g. interviews, questionnaires, archival data)
different methods and techniques for data analysis (e.g. content analysis, regression analysis)
different parts of a research proposal, including critically reflective issues on individual parts and how they fit together.
Information from the course leader
Welcome to the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and the course FÖ0446
This course will first meet on March 24, 2021, 9.15-12:00. All course meetings will be via Zoom. A Zoom meeting link will be available on the course Canvas site. All pre-registered students will reveive an invitaiton to the Canvas site at lease one week prior to the course start. If you have not received an invitation to join the Canvas room by March 17, you should contact <richard.ferguson@slu.se>.
Please read the following general information, which includes instructions for course registration:
Practical information: Below you can find important information that is good to know for you as a student:
* You have to register yourself in the course via Ladok Student. You can only log in after you have obtained an SLU student account. More information about how to create a student account can be found here: https://student.slu.se/en/study-support/it-support/support/new-student---start/
* The self-registration is open 210317-210329
* If you have been admitted to the course with conditions, you cannot register online and must contact the course leader who decides if you can still register. Only registered students can participate in the course and have access study material.
* You must be admitted and registered to attend the course. Unregistered students may NOT stay on the premises, for reasons of insurance.
* If you are entitled of extra educational support, please inform the course leader at the start of the course so that special arrangements can be made. For educational support for an exam, contact the educational administrator at ekon-adm@slu.se along with your certificate from Nais 15 workings days prior to the examination. More information here: https://student.slu.se/en/study-support/study-support/funka/
* If you cancel the course, you should immediately notify the educational administrators at ekon-adm@slu.se, who in turn will inform the course leader and register a non-completion of the course in Ladok after your approval. You are also able to register a non-completion of the course (within three weeks after course start) in Ladok yourself.
* You are automatically registered for the first exam of the course in Ladok Student. You can find your anonymity code in Ladok Student. Please note that you still have to register yourself for the re-exam in Ladok Student. This applies only to exams and re-exams within the Department of Economics.
* Corrected exams can usually be collected Wednesdays from 12.30 - 14.30 in room D416 or D417 in Ulls Hus. Due to Covid, it is best to contact ekon-adm@slu.se to get help with collection of your exam instead of coming to the office as we are, for the most part, working remotely. Are you a new student? Find more information here: https://student.slu.se/en/studies/new-student/uppsala/.
Do not hesitate to contact us at ekon-adm@slu.se if you have any questions!
Kind regards, The administration
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
FÖ0446-40089 - Course evaluation report
Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.
Additional course evaluations for FÖ0446
Academic year 2023/2024
Research methods for business studies (FÖ0446-30325)
2024-01-15 - 2024-03-19
Academic year 2022/2023
Research methods for business studies (FÖ0446-40087)
2023-03-22 - 2023-06-04
Academic year 2021/2022
Research methods for business studies (FÖ0446-40107)
2022-03-24 - 2022-06-05
Academic year 2019/2020
Research methods for business studies (FÖ0446-40074)
2020-03-25 - 2020-06-07
Academic year 2018/2019
Research methods for business studies (FÖ0446-40118)
2019-03-26 - 2019-06-09
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
FÖ0446 Research methods for business studies, 7.5 Credits
Företagsekonomiska forskningsmetoderSubjects
Business AdministrationEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Single module | 7.5 | 0101 |
Advanced study in the main field
Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1N)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
Knowledge equivalent to 180 credits, including 90 credits of business studies (business administration). English 6.Objectives
The general aim in this course is to support the development of understanding of methodological issues in academic business studies, including understanding of how methodological choices affect the process and outcome of projects and research.
After successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
Describe how research goals and ethical dimensions influence the choice of an appropriate research design.
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of common research designs, including different methods for collecting and analyzing data.
Use a methodological understanding to critically interpret and discuss academic studies.
Develop and present a research plan, including a well-motivated method design.
Content
The course is largely based on assigned readings, discussion seminars, and written assignments. The course begins with a review of the philosophical issues that underlie methodological choices in academic research, which is followed by an overview of common methods for collecting, analyzing, presenting and assessing data in different approaches. With an established awareness that choices of method are influenced by subjective and philosophical positions, the course then proceeds with a more in-depth review of a number of sub-topics.
The sub-topics address the following issues:
the role of the researcher
logically consistent research design and rhetoric in presentation
relevance and contribution (empirical and theoretical)
different methods and techniques for data collection (e.g. interviews, questionnaires, archival data)
different methods and techniques for data analysis (e.g. content analysis, regression analysis)
different parts of a research proposal, including critically reflective issues on individual parts and how they fit together.
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
Passed exam.
Passed assignments.
Passed project work.
- If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
- The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
- If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
- For the examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Responsible department
Department of Economics
Further information
Grading criteria
Grading Criteria
All passing grades require:
- accepted participation in a minimum of 5 of the 7 discussion seminars
- satisfactory completion of the 4 assignments, including the final research proposal.
- The 4 assignments will be checked as Pass/fail, while the final research proposal will be graded. The grades are 3,4 & 5.
For a passing grade of 3, submitted work must demonstrate a correct understanding of:
- basic terms and concepts used in discussion of methodology
- different methodological approaches for conducting business studies research the limitations associated with different methodological approaches
- common methods and techniques used to collect and analyze data.
- correct understanding of fundamental research design project.
For a passing grade of 4, submitted work must demonstrate an ability to:
- present a rhetorically and logically well-developed research proposal
- present well-grounded arguments for a methodological approach consistent with a clearly identified research aim.
For a passing grade of 5, students must:
- present a final research proposal of high academic standard, within the agreed time frame demonstrate understanding of the philosophical premises that underlie methodological approaches
- show a well-developed ability of critical reflection in discussions of academic research and methodological choices.
Students are encouraged to collaborate and gather additional information and literature on assignments, but all work submitted for examination must be individually written, with proper referencing and acknowledgement of others' ideas. Urkund may be used to check for plagiarism.
Litterature list
- Business Research Methods, 5th ed. Författare: E. Bell, A. Bryman & B. Harley ISBN: 9780198809876 Kommentar: Other editions, incl. Swedish, will also suffice (though reading assignments are based on the 5th edition numbering).
- Sage Research Methods [Sage Research Methods] (https://methods.sagepub.com) Kommentar: Selected reading as given in the course study guide. Access available via SLU library.