Use the Tab and Up, Down arrow keys to select menu items.
This course focuses on the conceptualisation of research issues in the field of management, the various management research paradigms in use, and the methodological approaches employed in management research. It discusses the nature and use of quantitative and qualitative methods in academic management research. This includes the development of research questions within a theoretical system informed by management and organization theories, and with a view to the appropriate methods of data collection and analysis, as well as the reporting and communication of research results.
Core course for Management Honours Programme (MGMT, HR, IB and Strategy)This is a core course for all management postgraduate students. It provides an overview of social science research processes, highlighting the different choices a researcher faces and the research theory that should inform these choices. Both qualitative and quantitative research techniques and the project management skills required to effectively craft and implement a sound research proposal are examined.The following outlines the content that will be covered in the course:Week 1Introduction to research Asking questions and finding answersEvidence, argument and illustrationWeek 2Philosophy of ScienceAligning ontologies, epistemologies and methodologiesWeek 3Managing a research project Week 4Conducting systematic literature reviewsDeveloping and justifying research questionsManaging dataDeveloping and using Endnote librariesWeek 5Overview of deductive research – the hypothetico-deductive approachDeveloping hypothesesSampling designAnalysis techniques for testing hypothesesWeek 6Overview of inductive research – descriptive, exploratory and theory generating approachesDeveloping research questionsMethods for securing qualitative data (i.e., interviews, document analysis, observation)Sampling designAnalysis techniquesWeek 7Selected qualitative methods 1Case studyEthnographyPhenomenologyGrounded TheoryNarrative approachesWeek 8Qualitative methods 2 - techniquesManaging fieldworkParticipatory and non-paarticipatory observationConducting in-depth interviewingContent analysisFocus groupsWeek 9Selected quantitative methods 1Construct developmentDeveloping a multi-dimensional scaleItem refinement methodsExploratory Factor AnalysisWeek 10Quantitative methods 2 - techniquesReliability and ValidityConfirmatory Factor AnalysisMultiple RegressionWeek 11Developing and writing research proposalsHuman ethics approval processesPresenting research proposalsWeek 12Research Presentations
Course OverviewThis course provides an overview of social science research so that students can appreciate the research paradigms they can choose to guide their enquiries. Specific qualitative and quantitative methodologies that are suited to studying organisations and management processes are examined as well as the project management skills required to conduct sound research. This course guides students through the steps necessary to prepare them to conduct an independent piece of research.ObjectivesThe objectives of this course are:1. To provide students with an understanding of range of research philosophies and paradigms which apply to the study of organisations, their contexts, and management; 2. To introduce relevant qualitative and quantitative methods;3. To provide instruction on the fundamental research management skills necessary to conduct quality research;4. To guide students through the process of developing a viable research proposal;5. To improve students with opportunities to refine their written and oral communication skills.Learning OutcomesStudents will be required demonstrate they can:1. Outline and distinguish between the various research paradigms and methodologies (e.g., positivism, post-positivism, realism, etc) that can be used to guide management research;2. Analyse and synthesise literature that justifies their proposed research and will subsequently provide the basis interpreting their research findings;3. Produce a viable research proposal that will guide their independent enquiry in MGMT680 Management Dissertation;4. Discriminate between a range of methodologies critically analyse findings from studies that use these methodologies; 5. Demonstrate the ability to write sound survey instruments, conduct in-depth interviews and observations, manage focus group discussions, write a quality research proposal and give a research-related presentation;6. Establish an Endnote library;7. Effectively use analysis tools, specifically SPSS and InVivo.
Subject to approval Head of Department of Management
MGMT402; MGMT414; MKTG620
Colleen Mills
Sarah Wright
Assessment in this course is designed to measure the extent to which a student is able to recognise and apply sound research practices including the management and analysis data. To successfully complete these will require:• Regular class attendance • Participation in classroom activities• Completing all set readings • Timely submission of assignments, • Regularly attend lecturesWeightings and descriptions of the various pieces of assessment Systematic Literature Review (20%)This essay will require students to demonstrate their ability to locate and record relevant (i.e., using Endnote), quality literature using online searching techniques (i.e., catalogue searches and online databases) and systematically analyse this (i.e., using InVivo) to provide a sound synthesis that reveals opportunities for research. This assessment addresses outcomes 1, 2, part of 5, and 6. Data Analysis Report – Qualitative (40%)This assignment will require students to collect and analyse (a) qualitative and (b) quantitative data. The assignment will provide a summative assessment for the students as they practice data collection and analysis techniques addressed in class. Undertaking this assignment is designed to assess outcomes 4, parts of 5 and 7.Research Proposal (30%) The research proposal presents the plan that will guide the MGMT 480 Research dissertation. It contains the systematic literature review, the questions or hypotheses that emerged from this, the methodology that will be used to address these, the ethical considerations and the timeline that will be followed. This assessment will address learning outcomes 1- 5.Research Proposal Presentation (10%)Students will present their proposal to the Department of Management and Management Honours students. This assessment will address part of learning outcome 5 (i.e., Give a research-related presentation).
Bryman, Alan; Social research methods ; 3rd ed; Oxford University Press, 2008.
Cavana, R. Y. et al; Applied business research : qualitative and quantitative methods ; Australian ed; J. Wiley, 2001.
Ritchie, Jane , Lewis, Jane; Qualitative research practice : a guide for social science students and researchers ; Sage Publications, 2003.
Departmental Academic Policies The Department assumes that you have read this document.You should also read the General Course and Examination Regulations Dishonest PracticeThe University of Canterbury considers cheating and plagiarism to be serious acts of dishonesty. All assessed work must be your own individual work unless specifically stated otherwise in the assessment guidelines. Material quoted from any other source must be clearly acknowledged. You must not copy the work of another person (student or published work) in any assessment including examinations, tests and assignments. Any person, who is found to have copied someone else's work, or to have allowed their work to be copied, will receive a fail grade for that piece of assessment and may face disciplinary action which may lead to a fine, community service or exclusion from the university.IMPORTANT: Where there are concerns regarding the authorship of written course work, a student can be required to provide a formal, oral explanation of the content of their work.
Domestic fee $1,566.00
International Postgraduate fees
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Management, Marketing and Tourism .