BMG 230 BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS SYLLABUS WINTER 2008 MEETING TIMES: Monday and Wednesday 130-1500 LOCATION: Hamilton 301 PROFESSOR: Dr. Robert Palmer OFFICE: Hamilton 214 PHONE: 819.822.9600 ext. 2458 EMAIL: rpalmer@ubishops.ca OFFICE HOURS: Monday and Wednesday 12:00 to 13:00 or by appointment REQUIRED TEXT AND READINGS Cooper and Schindler Business Research Methods Ninth Edition COURSE DESCRIPTION The two main aims of this course are: to provide you with a good understanding of business research, and to equip you with the practical tools and skills to conduct business research. By the end of this course, you are expected to have attained proficiency in the following areas: distinguish between good research and research that falls short of professional quality appreciate the value of learning research process skills identify and formulate research questions and hypotheses write and critically evaluate research proposals identify ethical issues and research and understand the need to adhere to ethical guidelines when conducting research understand and apply the major types of research designs understand the relationships that exist between variables in research design and the steps for evaluating those relationships plan and collect sample data for a research project understand and evaluate content, criterion-related and construct validity and reliability
understand the various scale formats for measurement and how to construct each develop survey instruments and conduct survey research design and conduct experimental research design and conduct qualitative studies; collect, code and analyze various types of data explore, display and examine data present research results via both written and oral reports. GRADING Breakdown Percentage of Total GROUP PROPOSAL 20% GROUP DATA ANALYSIS 30% EXAMS (3 EXAMS) 30% PARTICIPATION 20% TOTAL 100% I have had a number of students who felt that their grades should have been higher than they were, I want to remind you how I define the various letter grades: A Superior A- Outstanding B+ Very good B Good B- Better than average C+ Above average C Average C- Below Average D Poor F Failure
Thus, just doing what was assigned in a perfunctory manner does not earn you an A, or even a B. Consistent, thoughtful, creative work is necessary for a high grade. Having said that, I also need to say that what is being graded is your work in my class, not you. If you are not pleased with the grades you are receiving, feel free to come see me about how you might make them better. Greater effort is not necessarily the key, especially if that effort is misdirected! ATTENDANCE / PARTICIPATION Attendance is MANDATORY. Students with excessive unexcused absences (MORE THAN 3 CLASSES) will not be allowed to write the final examination. Participation will be based on the quality and quantity of your contributions to our discussions. I will not be counting every time you raise your hand. Also, just because you say something, does not necessarily mean you are participating. You should not be late for class and you should not come to class unprepared. You are not an observer you are an active participant and you will be evaluated from that perspective. Obviously, you can t participate if you don t show up. I won t take attendance but if you are not here, I will know it. Outstanding Contribution (20 points) These contributions show that you were exceptionally prepared for the discussion, and they provide major insight into the situation being discussed. As such, they help your peers better appreciate the important issues of the situation and/or the potential approaches that the firm might adopt to deal with the situation. Adequate Contribution (10 point) These contributions show that you were well prepared, and they provide useful, if not major, insight. I will grade as adequate the contribution of a student who attends a meeting and pays respectful attention to that which is discussed, even if (s)he does not say anything during the meeting. Unsatisfactory Contribution or Non-Attendance (0 points) Unsatisfactory contributions show inadequate preparation, and they fail to offer any useful insight. They are really not attempts to help the class gain a fuller understanding of the situation; rather, they are attempts at gaining airtime.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS Each student is required to follow the APA guidelines when submitting written work (e.g. double-spaced, 1 margins, 12-point font, and list of references.) All assignments must be written using a word processor and be printed on laser quality printer. Up to 20% of points on each assignment submitted may be taken off because of poor grammar, spelling, or punctuation. EXAMINATION The examination format will be multiple choice format examinations. Adequate preparation for the exam may be achieved by (1) reading and studying all of the required assignments, (2) taking comprehensive class notes and reviewing them prior to the exam, and (3) devoting effort to the preparation and analysis of in-class cases, both written and "reading". Studying these cases will give you concrete examples of the exam format. No supplemental exams will be provided. GROUP PROPOSAL (MAXIMUM OF FOUR MEMBERS) Before conducting any research, you have to provide your clients or organization within a research proposal. For this class, you will be assigned to work with one of two of my clients. You will have to familiar yourself with these organizations and their goals. Information will be provided on Paragon due to the fact that it is a privately held company. These proposals will be evaluated based on how close they are to reality and can be implemented. These proposals will not be forwarded to the clients. The clients for this project include: Paragon Entertainment Home Depot The components of the research proposal are the following: 1. Research problem for your study 2. Research objective of your study 3. Key hypotheses and theory in your study 4. Your research design (including samples, procedures, and measures etc.) 5. Data analysis approach to be used 6. Key reference for your study More information and guidance will be provided in class.
GROUP DATA ANALYSIS AND REPORT (MAXIMUM OF FOUR MEMBERS) Data Analysis Data will be provided to you in SPSS format. A research question will be given to you and you must analyze the data in order to answer the questions (and state which ones you cannot answer). You must use appropriate tools and techniques for analysing your data. Reporting Once analysis is completed, you are required to present your findings in a report and orally in class (all groups will discuss their findings informally) INSTRUCTOR/STUDENT INTERACTION If at any point during the course you have questions regarding the preparation of cases, exams, or other course-related issues, please do not hesitate to contact the instructor either by phone or in person. If scheduled office hours are inconvenient for you, contact me after class to arrange an alternative time to meet. NOTE: EMAILING QUESTIONS TO THE INSTRUCTOR IS ACCEPTABLE, BUT ON WEEKENDS AND NIGHTS, A REPLY MAY NOT BE IMMEDIATE
READINGS DATE TOPIC READINGS Jan. 9 Introduction to Course CHAPTER 3 Jan. 14 Research Process CHAPTER 4 Jan. 16 Clarifying the Research Questions CHAPTER 5 Jan. 21 Research Design CHAPTER 6 Jan. 23 Research Design Jan. 28 Qualitative Research CHAPTER 7 Jan. 30 MID-TERM EXAMINATION CHAPTERS 3, 4, 5, 6, AND 7 Feb. 4 Surveys CHAPTER 9 Feb. 6 Experiments CHAPTER 10 Feb. 11 Measurement Scales CHAPTER 12 Feb. 13 Feb. 18 MID-TERM Examination GROUP WORK DAY Feb. 20 MIDTERM EXAMINATION Feb. 25 Sampling CHAPTER 14 Feb. 27 DATA CHAPTER 15, 16 Mar. 3 NO CLASS Mar. 5 NO CLASS Mar. 10 Hypothesis Testing CHAPTER 17 Mar. 12 Measures of Association CHAPTER 18 Mar. 17 Multivariate Analysis CHAPTER 19 Mar. 19 MID-TERM EXAMINATION Mar. 24 NO CLASS Mar. 26 SPSS WORK DAY Apr. 2 SPSS WORK DAY Apr. 7 Presenting Your Research Apr. 9 GROUP PRESENTATIONS FINAL EXAM (TAKE HOME)