This course is a survey course intended to develop the students’ ability in scientific analysis and to provide opportunity for application of concepts and tools in the study of economic and social problems. It also gives students a preliminary knowledge with the art of using different research methods, techniques in solving research problems. Specifically, it covers scientific inquiry; experimentation; survey; fact finding, design of questionnaire and interpretation of data; and formulation of management research project by students.

At the end of this course, students should be able to

• Understand the role of business research
• Differentiate the different types of research
• Identify and define research problem
• Design appropriate research design
• Know sampling design
• Differentiate types of data and instrument of data gathering methods
• Analyze and interpret data
• Prepare standard research project

Chapter I - Research Methods: An introduction                                        

1.1. Meanings of Research

1.2. Types of Research

1.3. Motivation of doing Research

1.4. Research and Scientific Method

1.5. Research Process

1.6. Criteria of Good Research

 

Chapter II - Defining Research Problem and Hypothesis Formulation  

2.1. What is Research Problem?

2.2. Techniques and Approaches to Problem Definition

2.3. Problem Formulation, Research Question and Hypothesis

 

Chapter III - Research Proposal                                                                 

3.1. What is a Research Proposal?

3.2. Functions of Research Proposal

3.3. General Format of research Proposal

 

Chapter IV - Research Design (planning of research project)                              

4.1. Meaning of Research Design

4.2. Important Concepts Concerning Research Design

4.3. Features of Research Design

4.4. Forms of Research Design

4.4.1. Research Design for Non-experimental Research

4.4.2. Research Design for Experimental Research

4.4.3. Case study design

 

Chapter V - Sources and Methods of data collection                        

5.1. Primary data

            5.1.1. Source

            5.1.2. Data collection method                  

 5.2. Secondary

            5.2.1. Source

            5.2.2. Data collection Method

 

Chapter VI – Sample Design and Procedure                                    

6.1. Some Fundamental Definitions

6.2. Sampling Procedure

6.3. Sampling Techniques

6.4. Central limit Theorem and Sampling Theory

 

Chapter VII - Data analysis (an overview)                                       

7.1. Data Processing

7.2. Data Analysis

7.2.1. Descriptive Analysis

7.2.2. Inferential Analysis

            7.3. Data analysis software

 

Chapter VIII - Interpretation & reporting the research result  

8.1. Meaning & Techniques of Interpretation

8.2. Organization & Types of Reports

• Babbie (1973). Survey Research Method. Wadsworth Publishing Company, Inc, USA.
• Green E. Paul, D. S. Tull & Gerald Albaum (1998). Research for Marketing Decisions. Prentice - Hall of India, Private Limited, New Delhi.
• Joseph Gibaldi (1995). MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, forth edition. The Modern Language Association of America, USA.
• Hussey J & Hussey R (1997). Business Research, a practical guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students Macmillan Press LTD, Great Britain.
• Kenneth R. Hoover (1988). The Elements of Social Science Thinking (Fourth Edition). St. Martin’s Press, New-York, USA C.R. Kothari. (1990). Research Methodology, Methods & Techniques.
• Wishwa Prakashan, Wiley Eastern Limited, New Delhi.
• Lawrence F. Locke, Waneen Wyrick Spirduso & Stephen J. Silverman (1993). Proposal That Work, A guide for Planning Dissertation and Grant, Sage Publications, Inc. Newbury Park, California
• DR. Vatsyayan (1989). Methods & techniques of Social Survey and Research (in questions & answers). Kedar Nath Ram Nath, New Delhi.
• Robert K. Yin ( 1994). Case study Research, Designs and methods (second edition), Sage Production Editor,  USA. 

William G. Zikmund (1998). Business Research Methods, fifth edition, Oklahoma State University, The  Dryden Press, USA.

 

Please give us your feedback about the course. Near the end of the course, you should be receiving an email from the Evaluations Office of ACT to be filled by you.  Please fill the form and return to the evaluation office on time.

 

Review Activity:

 

At the end of each lesson, please write down in your own words what you consider to be the most important point of the lesson. (one sentence)

 

Discuss the review in class