Faculty of Business and Accountancy University Malaya: CMGB 6103 Research Methods in Business
Faculty of Business and Accountancy University Malaya: CMGB 6103 Research Methods in Business
Faculty of Business and Accountancy University Malaya: CMGB 6103 Research Methods in Business
UNIVERSITY MALAYA
Master of Business Administration
CMGB 6103 RESEARCH METHODS IN BUSINESS
COURSE OUTLINE
SEMESTER 2, 2014/2015
CONTACT INFORMATION
DESCRIPTIO
N
Lecturer
NAME
OFFICE
PHONE
Dr Noor Akma
Mohd Salleh
A1-38
79673931
akmasalleh@um.edu.my
This course covers several main aspects of research methodology. The first part introduces different
scientific research approaches such as positivism (quantitative) and interpretivism (qualitative). The
process of doing research, literature review and research design are also discussed in this section. The
second part expands on this process and the related topics are survey, experiment, case study,
ethnography, grounded theory and observation. The third part discusses key aspects of methodology such
as questionnaire design, measurement and sampling. The final part concentrates on data analysis such as
Chi Square, ANOVA, Correlation, Factor Analysis and Regression.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this course, you should be able to:
1. Define research terms and concepts.
2. Build a research design in the business discipline.
3. Apply different statistical techniques using computer software packages for data analysis purposes.
4. Interpret research findings using appropriate statistical technique in research.
The learning outcomes for this course include developing and demonstrating the following
competencies:
Content knowledge: Knowledge of concepts, theories and research methods that can be used to study
phenomena in the information systems discipline.
Analytical proficiency: Ability to apply content knowledge in well-structured, clear, and compelling
ways to understand and evaluate existing or proposed research in the information systems discipline.
Dialectical proficiency: Ability to apply critical reasoning to evaluate existing or proposed research
in information systems discipline.
Oral proficiency: Ability to prepare and present oral presentations, and to participate in oral
discussions in a clear, well-structured, confident, compelling, and articulate manner.
Written proficiency: Ability to prepare well-structured research reviews and proposals that conform
to a good grammar and style.
GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES
The University Malaya has proposed that all its graduates will have in-depth knowledge of the field(s)
studied. Furthermore each graduate will display effective communication skills, independence and
creativity, critical judgement and ethical and social understanding. These attributes reflect the broad
nature of a graduates required skill set. The skill set builds upon the culture of inquiry and innovation
that are part of a research university, as well as embedding the need to exhibit effective interpersonal
skills and a broad understanding of social and ethical responsibilities.
TEACHING AND LEARNING MODES
Lecture/Seminar
There will be a 3 hour face-to-face lecture and seminar discussion. You will be expected to actively
participate in the seminar (for example, to express your point of view and ask questions in lectures and
seminars). We will meet in Lecture Theatre 5 (DK5) on Wednesday and Thursday (6:30-9:30pm), and in
Seminar BSB09 on Thursday (2:00-5:00pm) . I will not simply regurgitate material from the textbook
within lectures. Rather I will try to provide supplemental material that is aimed at enhancing your
understanding and enjoyment of the course. In addition, we will try to look how the material we have
learned can be used in practical ways.
Week
Lecture/Tutorial/Assignment Topic
References/Teaching
Materials/Equipment
Lecture Note
Lecture Note
Lecture Note
Lecture Note
Lecture Note
Lecture Note
Lecture Note
Semester Break
Lecture Note
Selecting samples
Lecture Note
Pallant, 2013
10
Pallant, 2013
11
Pallant, 2013
12
Pallant, 2013
13
Presentation (replacement)
Pallant, 2013
14
Presentation (replacement)
Teaching Schedule
Pallant, 2013
20%
15%
15%
10%
40%
Note:
a. Group work will be weighted by peer evaluations
b. All written work will have to be submitted on the due dates. Penalty for late submission is five points
per day.
c. Attendance is mandatory during the simulation sessions, exams, and class project presentations.
Presentation
Starting Week 13 and Week 14, each group of students will give a brief presentation of their research
proposal. You should prepare power-point slides to assist you in your presentation. These power-point
presentations must be handed out at the commencement of the discussion of the reading.
The student presentation will be assessed according to the following criteria:Dimension
1
2
Organization
No logical or
Unorganized sequence of
information
Does not fulfil any
requirements of the
assignment
No or Little eye contact
and poor posture
Acceptable sequence
Use of time
Presentation is either
extremely short
or long
Attire
Casual o Inappropriate
attire with no
respect to the occasion
Does not use visual aids
or uses visual
aids that does not support
the text
and presentation
No or poor confidence
Question and
Answers
Mumbles, incorrect
pronunciation
and soft
Student cannot answer
questions
Clear pronunciation in
some parts
of the presentation
Student can answer but fail
to elaborate
References
No references disclosed
Content
Posture and
eye contact
Visual
presentation
Confidence
Elocution
Confidence level is
excellent
Excellent and precise
pronunciation in all parts
of the presentation
Student answers all
questions with
excellent elaboration
Disclose most references
When paragraphs, sentences, a single sentence, or significant parts of a sentence which are copied
directly, are not enclosed in quotation marks and appropriately footnoted.
When direct quotation are not used, but are paraphrased or summarised, and the source of the
material is not acknowledged either by footnoting or by other reference within the text of the paper.
When idea which appears elsewhere in printed material or film, is used or developed without
reference being made to the author or the source of that idea.
The University of Malaya (UM) considers plagiarism to be a case of academic misconduct which
seriously undermines the reputation of the university. It is clearly stated in the University of Malaya
(Discipline of Students) Rules 1999 [hereinafter referred to as Student Disciplinary Rules], that
students are not allowed to plagiarise other peoples ideas, writings, data or inventions (Rule 6 of the
Student Disciplinary Rules (pp. 1734-1735).
FINAL EXAM
The final exam in this course will cover all topics of the course. All final exams will be held during
official examination period. Information on the structure and content of this examination will be given
towards the end of the semester, through tutorials.
REFERENCE
1. Copper, D.R., and Schindler, P.S. (2012). Business Research Methods 11th Edition, McGraw, Hill,
Singapore.
2. Zikmund, W.G., Babin, B. J., Carr, J. C. and Griffin, M. (2012). Business Research Methods, 8th
Edition, South-Western Cengage Learning, USA.
3. Sekaran, U. and Bougie, R. (2012) Research Methods for Business: A Skill Building Approach, 5th
Edition, John Wiley & Sons, United Kingdom.
4. Hair, F.J., Money, H.A. and Samouel, P. and Page, M. (2011) Business Research Methods,
International Edition, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, USA.
5. Pallant, J. (2013). SPSS Survival Manual: A step by step guide to data analysis using IBM SPSS (5TH
edition). McGraw-Hill.