FÖ0446, Research methods for business studies, 7.5 Hp
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Syllabus

Level

Second cycle (A1N)

Main field of study

Business Administration

Grading Scale

5 / 4 / 3 / U

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.

Course language

English

Entry Requirements

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.

Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course

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 assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Responsible Department/Equivalent

Department of Economics

Supplementary information

Module set

Title	Credits	Code
Single module	7.5	0101

The Course Replaces

FÖ0398

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.