This course aims to provide understanding to students about research as applied in a business context. Students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills required in a basic research process. Students will also be introduced to the core concepts, methods and research issues which lay the foundations for conducting a research. Data analysis, interpretation and presenting analysis output will also be discussed. 

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to

•  Describe how research is being conducted.
• Understand the issues, process and methodologies used in conducting a research.
• Acquire knowledge and skills for the purpose of data coding, editing, analysing, data interpretation and report writing.

Course Outlines

1.0 Introduction to Research

• Definition of research and its purposes
• Research in business context
• The importance of research for manager
• Internal versus External researchers
• Ethics in Business Research

2.0 Scientific Investigation

• Definition and importance of Scientific Investigation
• The hallmarks of Scientific Research
• Some obstacles to conducting Scientific Research in the Management and Behavioural areas
• Types of Research: Basic and Applied
• Reasoning: Deduction and Induction
• Research Approach: Quantitative, Qualitative, Mixed Methods
• Research Paradigm: Positivism, Constructivism, Pragmatism
• Research Process: Hypothetico-Deductive

3.0 The Broad Problem Area and Defining the Problem Statement

• Broad problem area
• Preliminary information gathering
• Defining the Problem Statement
• Characteristics of a good Problem Statement
• Research Objectives and Questions
• Research Scope and Significance

4.0 Literature Review

• Definition of Literature Review and its function
• Source of Literature Review
• Searching for literature: Search engine and application
• Evaluating the literature
• Documenting the Literature Review
• Citation: APA 7^th Edition
• Ethical issues on Plagiarism

5.0 Theoretical Framework and Hypothesis Development 

• Theoretical Framework
• Concept, Construct and Variable
• Types of Variables: Independent, Dependent, Moderating, Mediating
• Hypothesis: Null and Alternate
• Statement of hypothesis: Directional and Non-directional

6.0 Research Design

• The Research Design and its purposes
• Purpose of study: Exploratory, Descriptive, Hypothesis Testing
• Extent of researcher Interference: Minimal, Moderate, Excessive
• Study Setting: Field Study, Field Experiment, Lab Experiment
• Research Strategies: Experiment, Survey, Observation, Case Studies Grounded Theory, Action Research, Mixed Methods
• Unit of analysis: Individuals, Dyads, Groups, Organizations, Cultures
• Time horizon: Cross-Sectional versus Longitudinal Studies

 ASSESSMENT

 Coursework………………………………………... 60% 

• Group: Research Project 1 (Chap 1-3)- 30%
• Group: Research Project 2 (Chap 4-5)- 30%

Final Exam …………………………….…………... 40%

FINAL REPORT SUBMISSION

1. The final report shall submitted before the due date on 11 July 2024. All submissions shall be done through UUM Online Learning.
2. Only 1 submission shall be made by each of group. 
3. The report shall included: 
   1. Final report chapter 1 - 5 (Softcopy in Words or PDF)
   2. Appendix - Output of SPSS
   3. Data in Excel format
   4. Questionnaire - link of questionnaire 
   5.  Turnitin Report

EXAMPLE OF REPORT

Please refer the example of final report