I.
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Instructor: Saja Shaabin
Office Number: Building 2 Office 2116 e-mail:
Term/year smshaabin@kau.edu.sa semester two - 2013/2014
Office hours: Mon / Wed / Thur 10:30 – 12:30
II.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides an overview of the nature of business and management research. It introduces the students to the fundamental tools of research methodology. It also includes training in the areas of primary and secondary data collection and qualitative and quantitative methods of organizing data and utilization of research findings.
III.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to:
A.
Describe the nature of business and management research.
B.
Define the research process.
C.
Recognize the different business research designs.
D.
Develop a business research proposal.
E.
Discuss major techniques of data collection.
F.
Explain major sampling designs and strategies.
G.
Implement a research project.
IV.
COURSE TOPICS:
A.
The nature of business and management research.
B.
Formulating and clarifying the research topic.
C.
Brainstorming and critically reviewing the literature.
D.
Negotiating access and research ethics.
E.
Selecting samples.
F.
Using secondary data.
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G.
Collecting primary data through observation.
H.
Collecting primary data using:
Semi-structured, in-depth and group interviews
Questionnaires
I.
Writing and presenting the project report.
V.
PROJECTS/ACTIVITIES:
Research paper
This course requires students to conduct a research and develop a proposal and a final report to apply the following:
The most appropriate methodology
Data collection tools
Analysis
A presentation of the project
VI.
TEXTBOOKS / RESOURCES:
A.
Assigned Textbook:
Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2009). Research methods for business students (5th ed.). Essex: Prentice Hal.
B.
Alternative Textbooks:
Ghauri, P, & Gronhaug, K. (2005). Research methods in business studies: A
Practical guide (3rd. ed.). Essex: Prentice Hall.
ISBN-10: 0273681567.
2

VII.
SEMESTER PLAN:
Weeks Course Topics
1&2

Orientation( Discuss course outline and weekly breakdown)

Formulating groups

What is critical thinking?

Getting critical in research and reading
3

Reading it: Tips for reading and taking notes

Introduction to research

The nature of business and management research.

Activity: Brainstorming research areas
4

Identifying useful resources (visiting the library, using the Internet, evaluating
5
6 web sources)

Selecting a topic and guidelines for formulating the research topic

Narrowing down topic.

Critically reviewing the literature

Referencing

Write up- Draft Introduction

Write up- Submit proposal and introduction

Oral Presentation Skills: Tips and guidelines
Submit the introduction and literature review
Section (3 points)
Oral presentation:
Introduction and
7
8 literature review(2.5 points)

Research Methodology

Selecting samples

Data collection tools: Surveys& Questionnaires, Interviews, observation, etc.

Questionnaire structure, tips and introductory note

Peer critiquing , reviewing and piloting questionnaire Submitting the final data

Negotiating access and research ethics collection tool section

Finalizing and approving data collection tool (3points)
9
10
11
12

Data collection

Online survey tools (survey monkey, googledocs,etc)

Data Analysis (Excel,SPSS,megastat) – Creating graphs

Describing data and using graphs

Drafting and editing the methodology and results sections



Drafting discussion and conclusion
Writing the Abstract
Choosing keywords
Submitting methodology and result sections
(3points)
Submitting the discussion and conclusion section
(3points)
13
14 &
15

Presenting the methodology, result and discussion

What is research poster?

Edit, proofread and submit final report (hard copy & softcopy)

Final presentation and evaluation
Oral presentation:
(3points) methodology, result and discussion (2.5 points)

Final report submission
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VIII.
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
A. General instructions

You are required to produce a research report. The aim of the report is: o To introduce the topic and scope of your proposed project and to establish the project aim o To demonstrate reading around the topic area and to appraise literature which is useful for your project o To appraise the sources and methods you will use to collect data for your project o To indicate the main tasks to be carried out and a time plan for the project

The report should be typed in Times New Roman, 12 point font size, with 1.5 line spacing. The maximum length is 15 A4 pages, including references.

The report will normally be submitted in Week 14. The actual date for submission will be given in the first session.
Oral presentation Evaluation Rubric (Total 5%)
Category
Opening and introduction
Technical aspect (ppt slides) content
Language use and delivery
Overall
Description Scale
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
Greet Audience, introduce oneself, set the agenda, make eye contact, formal dress
Clarity, layout, color, amount of text, organization, grammar, spelling, creativity, effort
Quality of information, facts, amount of information, choice, usefulness, multimedia use
Fluency, grammar, voice, body language, confidence, giving attention, subject knowledge, handling questions
 Presentation: useful, informative, clear, original, enjoyable
 Presenter: efficient communication skills, well prepared
(Total 5%)
4

Category Description Scale
1-3 4-6 7-9 10-12 13-15
Cover page
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Questionnaire
Results (Data)
Student name, class, ID, email, semester, instructor name, Title
Clear and concise statement of purpose, context, methods and main findings
1.Describes issues showing its importance
2. gives clear & relevant background information
3. Appropriate & clear research questions
4. Relevant literature review using a minimum of 10 sources.
Description and step by step list of how the study was performed is given
-Coherent and understood
-Introductory paragraph with correct grammar
-Choice of relevant question
-Results and data are clearly recorded, organized so it is easy to see trends.
- All appropriate labels are included
- Clear labels and titles for tables and graph
Discussion & analysis
Conclusion
The data and observations are analyzed accurately, trends are noted and enough data was taken to establish conclusion
1.Summarizes the essential data used to draw conclusions.
2.Provide overall solutions, recommendation and future agenda
References At the end of the proposal include an alphabetical list of any references used.
References should be made in the text of your proposal using the ‘Harvard’ system,
Conditions not met Plagiarism
Table of content missing
10 points
2
Appendices, page numbering missing 1-2
5