Course outline. Code: BUS512 Title: Introduction to Research Concepts and Design

Transcription

1 Course outline Code: BUS512 Title: Introduction to Research Concepts and Design Faculty of Arts, Business and Law School of Business Teaching Session: Semester 1 Year: 2018 Course Coordinator: Professor Karen Becker kbecker@usc.edu.au Phone: Consultation Times: As advised on Blackboard 1. What is this course about? 1.1 Course description This course provides the foundation for a postgraduate research program in business. It will give you an understanding of the research process, concepts and designs. An examination of different methodologies will enable you to select from a range of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies for their research proposal. The course is designed to give you an introduction into developing a research topic and build an awareness and appreciation for ethical issues involved in research. 1.2 Course content Overview of research Foundations of research Developing research questions and research proposals Research designs Exploratory designs Descriptive designs Causal designs Sampling Data preparation and analysis 2. Unit value 12 units

2 Page 2 3. How does this course contribute to my learning? Specific Learning Outcomes Assessment Tasks Qualities On successful completion of this course you should be able to: Demonstrate the connection between research design and knowledge. Initiate and develop a research proposal. Develop critical literature review skills. Apply research skills and appropriate methodologies to investigate relevant issues. Demonstrate a specialised knowledge within a specified area in business. You will be assessed on the learning outcome in task/s: 1 Empowered. 1 and 3 Engaged. Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming: 2 Creative and critical thinkers. 2 and 3 Empowered. 3 Knowledgeable. 4. Am I eligible to enrol in this course? Refer to the Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of pre-requisites, corequisites and anti-requisites 4.1 Enrolment restrictions Must be enrolled in a postgraduate or Honours program 4.2 Pre-requisites 4.3 Co-requisites 4.4 Anti-requisites 4.5 Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills 5. How am I going to be assessed? 5.1 Grading scale Standard High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL)

3 5.2 Assessment tasks Task Assessment Tasks No. Page 3 Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Week 4, 5pm Week 11, 5pm Friday, Week 13 Where should I submit it? SafeAssign 1 Development of preliminary research question Individual 20% 1,000 words 2 Critique of two peer reviewed Individual 40% 3,000 SafeAssign journal articles words 3a Research proposal Individual 25% 3,000 SafeAssign words 3b Research Presentation Individual 15% 50 minutes Week 13 In class 100% Assessment Task 1: Development of preliminary research question Goal: Develop and justify a research question for a possible research project. Product: Written report. Format: To be provided on Blackboard. Criteria To be provided on Blackboard. Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Problem solving Communication Assessment Task 2: Critique of two peer reviewed journal articles Goal: As the best way to become familiar with this genre is to read and critique other research in the field, as such you will provide a critical review of two peer reviewed academic journal articles. Product: Written report. Format: To be provided on Blackboard. Criteria To be provided on Blackboard. Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Information literacy Problem solving Communication Assessment Task 3a and 3b: Research proposal and presentation Goal: To present and justify an appropriate method for a research project designed to address the research question posed in Assessment Task 1. Product: Research proposal and presentation. Format: To be provided on Blackboard. Criteria To be provided on Blackboard. Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Problem solving Communication Information literacy

4 Page Additional assessment requirements Plagiarism In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Blackboard, are electronically checked through SafeAssign. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that SafeAssign has access to. Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale c) You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct 5.4 Submission penalties Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate: 5% (of the assessment task s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 10% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the third day 20% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome. 6. How is the course offered? 6.1 Directed study hours On campus workshop: 3 hours per week in week Teaching semester/session(s) offered Semester Course activities Teaching Week / Module What key concepts/content will I learn? What activities will I engage in to learn the concepts/content? Directed Study Independent Study Activities Activities 1 Module 1 Overview of research Workshop discussion Zikmund et al. Ch 1, 4 and 5 2 Module 2 Foundations of research Workshop discussion Zikmund et al. Ch 3, 6 and 8 3 Module 3 Developing research Workshop discussion Zikmund et al. Ch 3 questions and research proposals 4 Module 4 Research designs Workshop discussion Assessment Task 1 due Monday, 5pm Zikmund et al. Ch 4

5 5 Friday, 30 th March Good Friday Public Holiday Page 5 Module 5 Exploratory designs Workshop discussion Zikmund et al. Ch 7 and 11 Mid Semester Break 6 Module 5 Exploratory designs Workshop discussion Zikmund et al. Ch 7 and 11 7 Module 6 Descriptive designs Workshop discussion Zikmund et al. Ch 9 and 10 8 Wednesday, 25 th April ANZAC Day Public Holiday Module 6 Descriptive designs Workshop discussion Zikmund et al. Ch 13, 14 and 15 9 Module 7 Causal designs Workshop discussion Zikmund et al. Ch Monday, 7 st May Labour Day Public Holiday Module 8 Sampling Workshop discussion Zikmund et al. Ch 16 and Module 9 Data preparation and analysis Workshop discussion Assessment Task 2 due Friday, 5pm 11 Preparation of Assessment 3 Discussions with supervisor 12 Preparation of Assessment 3 Discussions with supervisor 13 Presentations Assessment Task 3, Presentation in class Please note that the course activities may be subject to variation. 7. What resources do I need to undertake this course? 7.1 Prescribed text(s) Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below: Author Year Title Publisher Zikmund et al. Ch 19, 20 and 21 Preparation of Assessment 3 Preparation of Assessment 3 Zikmund, WG, Babin, BJ, 2013, Business Research Methods 9 th ed Cengage Learning, USA. Carr, JC and Griffin, M Summers, J and Smith, B 2010 Communication Skills Handbook, 3 rd ed John Wiley and Sons, Brisbane. 7.2 Required and recommended readings Lists of required and recommended readings may be found for this course on its Blackboard site. These materials/readings will assist you in preparing for tutorials and assignments, and will provide further information regarding particular aspects of your course. 7.3 Specific requirements

6 Page Risk management Health and safety risks have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to research and understand risks of specific courses and to review the USC s health and safety principles by viewing the online induction training for students. 8. How can I obtain help with my studies? In the first instance you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Additional assistance is provided to all students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can drop in or book an appointment. To book: Tel: or studentcentral@usc.edu.au 9. Links to relevant University policies and procedures For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including: Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs Review of Assessment and Final Grades Supplementary Assessment Administration of Central Examinations Deferred Examinations Student Academic Misconduct Students with a Disability General enquiries In person: USC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs USC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane USC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie USC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay USC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture Tel: studentcentral@usc.edu.au