1. COURSE SYLLABUS--- Research Methods for Managers MMG517.BS01 2. Course Number: MMG517.SP01 3. Meeting Dates and Times: SPRING 2015 February 7; March 14; April 11 2015 Saturdays from 2:15-5:45 PM End of Term: May 11, 2015. 4. Blended Learning Course. On campus sessions are required. On campus sessions are held at the Springfield, MA Regional Site: Tower Square, Springfield, MA 5. Title: Research Methods for Managers MMG517.SP01 6. Instructor: Richard E. Turner, Ph.D. 7. Program: Master of Management 8. Curriculum Component: ___X_Graduate __X__required course 9. Course Description MMG511 Research Methods for Managers 3 credits This course helps students understand the role of research in the management decision making process and in the development of business plans and strategies. It helps students become familiar with the research process and with a variety of business research tools and techniques. Students learn how to define a problem and write good research questions, determine what tools and techniques are appropriate for different kinds of problems, find information sources and assess their reliability, and critically analyze information. They also learn how to present the results of research in appropriate output formats. This course helps students with their independent learning projects. 1 Text: http://highered.mcgrawhill.com/sites/0073373702/student_view0/index.html Note: we will be using the 11th edition site which is similar enough to work with our book. The enclosed DVD also has a great deal of material on it. MM Blended Learning Text book process for Springfield We loan the text for one semester. If we get it back in the same condition (no highlighting, notes, underlining, etc.) there is no charge. If it is damaged, used or missing the student is charged $140. Students will have to sign for the books. Cooper, D. R. and Schindler, P.S. (2008). Business research methods (10th ed.) McGraw-Hill Co. In class chapters: 1, 3,5,7,9 plus 2 How to Do the Quizzes: 1. Click on the Text Link: 2 2. Click on the Chapter Drop Down Menu and select any chapter you want to do a quiz on (the ones we did in class were 1, 3, 9, and 13): 1. Click on the Multiple Choice Quiz link for the chapter you have chosen from the drop down list (chapter one in this example): a. 2. Click in the radio button that represents your choice for the best answer: a. 3. At the end of the quiz, make sure to click on : 3 4. You will get a score, feedback and text sections that are relevant for each question. 5. Fill out the Email Results Box and the score will be sent directly to me. This is the best way to document your successful completion of this assignment. Ten points for each passing quiz submitted; limit of three. a. Note: A different text illustration is shown but they all work pretty much the same way. Accessing the web based part of the course: Screenshot MY CC PORTAL CLASS WEB SITE: 1. Go to the college web site: www.cambridgecollege.edu. 2. Click on : User id: Your ID number for the Student Information System (SIS) Password: Your PIN number for SIS Enter these on the login page, shown below: 4 Note these are the same items you use to register online for classes or access your grades. They are mailed to you by the Registrar. Once on My CC Portal, click on the course you are interested in viewing. Click on the Class link: Research Methods for Managers Use the Forum on My CC Portal to post questions and see replies. If for any reason, you cannot access the My CC Portal class web site, simply open the course syllabus while you are online (open your browser first). You can then follow the link to the text web site (press and hold the CONTROL key while you click your left mouse button) and complete most course activities there. Send assignments directly to the instructor via email: richard.turner@go.cambridgecollege.edu . Assignments email must include the following information or they will be returned: 1. Your full name in the text message box. An email address is not enough. Blank text message box messages will be returned unopened since they may contain viruses. 2. The course name and/or number and the assignment title (like “MMG715 Case I”). 3. Attachments must be limited to assignments. Files such as PowerPoint, Excel, or Word documents are fine. If you use a different word processor (Word Perfect, Apple works, MS-Works) you should save your file as a Rich Text File (.rtf) so it can be opened. If in doubt, select (highlight), copy and paste your assignment into the email text box. No other type of attachments will be opened for security reasons. Email files with attachments and no text message will be deleted. A machine or auto program (like a virus with malicious code) can fill out the email header and I have received email with just such information (student’s name and course) in the subject line that was NOT mailed by the student but did contain a virus. What the malicious code does not seem capable of (so far) is placing a 5 coherent message in the text box. This is the large white message space BELOW the email address information (the subject line is part of the address). I hope this helps. This is a security response recommended by most IT departments, including ours. Learning Outcomes 1. To familiarize students with the Research Literature and acquaint them with some of the key thinkers and theories. 2. To enable students to apply theory and research to practical and professional applications. This will aid the development of general strategies to improve management effectiveness. 3. To enable students to develop and refine case analysis skills so that they can further their competencies in diagnosis, analysis and prescription for organizational problems. Knowledge Outcomes To identify: The various principles and applications of Research Methods for Managers Theory. The unique capabilities of business research principles and diagnostic tools. The technological and information systems environment of organizations and the workplace. How to match specific theories with business needs. Skill Outcomes: The student will develop: Effective use of research management theory diagnostic and intervention strategies. Sound criteria for evaluating tools and matching them to needs. The ability to assess programs and measure progress towards goals. Experience in integrating research and resources. The course can be used to develop Chapter 3 (Methods) of the ILP. Attitudinal Outcomes: Students will develop: A critical approach to assessing resources A thinking approach to using web research and resources An awareness of resources and their limitations 6 An awareness of the part technology plays in students lives Course Requirements: The course requires that students read the assigned chapters in the text, follow the discussion on the class web site and chose among several online activities (quizzes, case studies, web links, etc.) there. Students will participate in lesson discussion forums and classroom discussions as well. An example from MMG511 is shown but all courses in My CC Portal work the same way and have a similar look and feel. II. Discussion Topics [25 points]: Under Collaboration. A. Forums: Click on Forums in the left navigation pane of your my CC Portal Web Page. Click on Open Discussion to reveal the MMG511.SN06 Discussion Forum. 7 You can also email a reply. I suggest you formulate it in word and then paste or attach it to an email message to: Email your answer to: Richard.turner@go.cambridgecollege.edu Save copies of all your work in a safe place. I recommend electronic and printed copies. DQ1. 'Understanding Business Research Methods is essential for all successful business managers whether in profit or not for profit organizations.' There is no 'right' answer in relation to the quote above but your answer must be supported. Please give examples and a rationale for your response. DQ2 MMG517.SP01 Research Methods for Managers As a manager, how has research helped you manage people and projects? DQ3 MMG517.SP01 Research Methods for Managers DQ#3: TBA There is no 'right' answer in relation to the quote above but your answer must be supported. Please give examples and a rationale for your response. Email your answer to: richard.turner@go.cambridgecollege.edu Alternatively, Post it in reply to this question on the Discussion Board on the class web site. 8 Attend each of the required on campus sessions and participate actively and well in the classroom activities. Grading Criteria and Standards: See the Task Completion Spreadsheet Course Requirements: Attendance: Regular class attendance and participation are expected for each class meeting. All assignments are expected to be submitted on time. Written papers should reflect graduate level critical thinking and writing, include correct reference citations and follow guidelines for academic integrity. Failure to complete written assignments in a timely manner and/or in a manner that is not consistent the stated standards may result in a lower grade or require compensatory work. Active participation: Students are expected to comply with the Guidelines for Professional Conduct. For a copy of these guidelines, go to: http://www.cambridgecollege.edu/download/CP-Prof'lConductGuidelines+Procedures-2007.pdf Use of electronics in the classroom: Recording devices, phones, computers, etc. are subject to the instructor’s approval and guidelines. Laptop computers should not distract from the classroom activity or interfere with the needs of other students. Violation of these standards may result in a lower grade. Failure to meet these expectations can result in a “no credit” for this course unless the student has a written agreement with the instructor. An “incomplete” may be given if the student has not completed all requirements; the student is responsible for completing the work according to the instructor’s guidelines in order for the incomplete to be changed to a grade. Cambridge College expects students to use the APA reference and writing style correctly. The Writing Center is available to help students develop competency in this area. 9 Academic Integrity Students are expected to maintain integrity in all academic work. They will not attempt to get grades by any means other than honest academic effort. All work must be completed by individual students except for group projects. It is not permissible to hand in the same work for different courses. Violations of Academic Integrity PLAGIARISM Plagiarism is the use of another’s work, thoughts, or language without giving credit. Cambridge College students are expected to submit original work in courses and will not summarize, copy, or use the work of another person or source without proper acknowledgement. Plagiarism is dishonest and a serious academic offense. CHEATING Cheating appears in multiple forms, such as: 1. Unauthorized use of notes, texts, or other aids during an exam or in completing course assignments. 2. Copying the work of another student. 3. Submitting the same assignment for more than one course, subject to faculty discretion. 4. Sharing student work with a group when such sharing has not been authorized by the professor. Note: Any breach of academic integrity is grounds for a grade of F/No Credit in academic courses and/or dismissal. See full policy at https://mycc.cambridgecollege.edu/ICS/Resources. Disability Support Services Cambridge College complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act to provide equal access to educational programs at Cambridge College. Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of learning, psychological, and/or physical disabilities and has appropriate documentation may be eligible for accommodations. Students should contact the Coordinator of Academic and Support Services as soon 10 as possible at 617-873-0191 or at disabilitysupport@cambridgecollege.edu. Requests for accommodations should be made within the first week of the term so that timely and appropriate arrangements can be made. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements in order to receive a passing grade in a class, with or without reasonable accommodations. Accommodations cannot be granted retroactively. All requests are confidential. Online Library Services: Cambridge College Online Library (CCOL) provides an extensive collection of full-text articles from thousands of scholarly journals and 36,000+ full-text books, live reference librarian support 24 hours every day, and instruction and resources for doing research in all of our subject areas. It’s free, it’s always available, and for information and instructions about Cambridge College library services and resources, go to http://www.cambridgecollege.edu/library/research.cfm and click the link How to Use CCOL Handbook. To enter the CCOL, you must have MyCC access (or contact maida.tilchen@cambridgecollege.edu for temporary access.) Log into your MyCC portal homepage Click the third tab, Academics In the right column, click Online Library link This should take you directly to the CCOL Home Page If you cannot get to the “CCOL Home Page, you may have a firewall or browser technical problem: contact Cambridge College Technical Support at 1-800-877-4723 x1159 or (617) 873-0159. Further info is at http://www.cambridgecollege.edu/it/. For information about traditional library arrangements for your campus site, see the “Traditional Library Skills” section http://www.cambridgecollege.edu/library/research.cfm 11 Faculty Contact Information: E-mail: richard.turner@go.cambridgecollege.edu Phone: 1-800-829-4723 ext 6618 12