Indian Institute of Management Ranchi

Course Number MKC09

Name of the Course - Social
Research Methods
MBA - HRM, Term-II

INSTRUCTORANDCONTACTINFORMATION
Name: Suhani Maharshi
E-mail: maharshi.srm@gmail.com
Office Tel:

COURSEDESCRIPTION

Social Research Methods are the tools of trade for a student of management who seeks to
understand, design and conduct scientifically robust enquiry into social and
organizational phenomenon, processes and problems of interest. This course introduces
the students to the philosophy, principles and applications of quantitative, qualitative &
mixed methods of research typically used in the domain of behavioral science.

COURSEOBJECTIVES

The course is designed to enable the students to gain strong conceptual understanding of
quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods of research and apply it to proficiently
execute research projects that they may encounter in their work place.

Course LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLOs)

At the end of the course, the students will be equipped to

1. Develop integrative frameworks to synthesize existing research and data.
2. Design and execute an investigation to answer a research question and/ or test a
hypothesis.
3. Analyze the strength and appropriateness of alternate designs for investigating a
phenomenon/ problem of interest.
4. Critically examine the ethical implications of the research question being studied,
the research design being proposed, the methods of data collection and the
articulation, discussion and application of research findings.
 2

ALIGNMENTS OF INTENDED PROGRAM & COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

Program LearningOutcomes Course Learning Outcomes

PLO1 ->Develop competence in participants to learn and adapt to the dynamic -

national and international environments and strive for excellence.

PLO2 ->Orient the participants to apply knowledge and understanding of theories CLO1, CLO2
and concepts from basic disciplines and functional areas for creation, growth, and
management of organizations.

PLO3 ->Develop acumen to implement suitable strategies by critically analyzing both CLO1
internal and external organizational environment.

PLO4 ->Understand various approaches and techniques relevant to the CLO1, CLO2, CLO3
organizational processes, models and practices.

PLO5- >Develop cultural sensitivity to appreciate diverse points of view in a global -

environment.

PLO6->Exhibit high degree of integrity and ethics in behavior. CLO4

REQUIREDCOURSE MATERIALSANDREADINGS

PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOK:

Bryman, A. (2016). Social Research Methods (5th Edition). Oxford University Press.
* Chapter 28 – Writing up Social Research in 5th Edition is Chapter 29 in 4th Edition

REFERENCE BOOK:

Field, A. (2013). Discovering Statistics using IBM SPSS Statistics (4th Edition). Sage Publications
Limited.
** Chapter 6 – Non Parametric Models in 4th Edition is Chapter 15 in 3rd Edition.

READINGS:

Field, A. P., & Gillett, R. (2010). How to do a Meta-Analysis. British Journal of Mathematical and
Statistical Psychology, 63(3), 665–694.

Tong, A., Sainsbury, P., & Craig, J. (2007). Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research
(COREQ): a 32-Item Checklist for Interviews and Focus Groups. International journal for quality in
health care, 19(6), 349-357.

Ramaprasad, A., & Syn, T. (2013, August). Ontological Meta-Analysis and Synthesis. In Proceedings of
the Nineteenth Americas Conference on Information Systems, Chicago, Illinois.

Ellis, C., Adams, T., & Bochner, A. (2011). Autoethnography: An Overview. Historical Social Research/
Historische Sozialforschung, 36(4 (138)), 273-290.
 3

Evaluation SCHEME

Component Mode (open/closed book) Duration Weightage

Mid Term Exam Closed book 90 Minutes 25
(Compulsory)
Closed book
End Term Exam 120 Minutes 30
(Compulsory)
Closed book 5 quizzes of 15
Quizzes/ Assignments 20
minutes each
-
Group Project 20
Class Participation - 05
Total 100%

Details about Evaluation Scheme

Project Breakup
Proposal: 05 Marks
Project Status Report: 03 Marks
Presentation: 07 Marks
Project Report: 05 Marks

Quiz Schedule
Quiz 1: End of Session 4
Quiz 2: End of Session 8
Quiz 3: End of Session 12
Quiz 4: End of Session 16
Quiz 5: End of Session 20

ACADEMICDISHONESTY
i. It may be noted that any kind of copying/plagiarism by any student and/or malpractice in
examinations will be subject to strict disciplinary action under IIM Ranchi rules. If a
student is found guilty in any such case(s), it will be recorded in his/her personal file.

ii. The reports submitted by the students like Summer Project Reports/Term Papers/ Case
Study Report/ Project Report/CIS dissertation paper or any other report will go through
the anti-plagiarism software.

iii. In all cases where the software has reported more than 30% of plagiarism by a student or
group of students, there will be automatic conversion of the grade given in that
component into “F”.

iv. The faculty may even choose to report the matter to the PGP Committee which will
 4
temporarily convert the course grade into “F” or an “I”, issue a show cause to the student
(s) and based upon the response of the student(s) assign any punishment or its
combination from the options below.
a. Expulsion from the Institute
b.Suspension for a specified period
c. “F” grade in the course concerned
d.Scaling down grades obtained in the specific subject
e. Repeating the course
f. Withdrawal of placement services
g.Suspension, withdrawal or made ineligible for scholarships
For details, kindly refer to PGP Manual.

Course Schedule

Session No. Session Plan

1 Topic: Social Research - Philosophy, Process, Strategies

Book Chapters: Bryman - Chapters 1, 2

2 Topic: Research Design

Book Chapter: Bryman - Chapters 3, 4

3 Topic: Research Ethics

Book Chapter: Bryman - Chapter 6

4 Topic: Literature Review

Book Chapter: Bryman - Chapter 5

5 Topic: Ontological Modeling

Readings: Ramaprasad & Syn (Paper)

6 Topic: Quantitative Research: Principles

Book Chapter: Bryman - Chapters 7, 8

7 Topic: Quantitative Research: Data Collection 1

Book Chapter: Bryman - Chapters 9, 10

8 Topic: Quantitative Research: Data Collection 2

Book Chapter: Bryman - Chapters 11, 12

9 Topic: Quantitative Research: Data Analysis 1

 5
Session No. Session Plan
Book Chapter: Bryman - Chapters 13, 14

10 Topic: Quantitative Research: Data Analysis 2

Book Chapter: Bryman - Chapters 15, 16

11 Topic: Quantitative Research: Non Parametric Tests

Book Chapter: Field - Chapter 6

12 Topic: Meta-Analysis & Ontological Meta-Analysis

Readings: Field (Paper), Ramaprasad & Syn (Paper)

13 Topic: Qualitative Research: Principles

Book Chapter: Bryman - Chapters 17, 18

14 Topic: Qualitative Research: Data Collection 1

Book Chapter: Bryman - Chapters 19, 20, 21

15 Topic: Qualitative Research: Data Collection 2

Book Chapter: Bryman - Chapters 22, 23

Readings: Ellis et. al. (Paper)

16 Topic: Qualitative Research: Data Analysis & Reporting

Book Chapter: Bryman - Chapter 24

Readings: Tong et. al. (Paper)

17 Topic: Mixed Methods Research: Principles & Challenges

Book Chapter: Bryman - Chapters 26, 27

18 Topic: Writing up Social Research

Book Chapter: Bryman - Chapter 28

19 Topic: Research Project Presentation 1, Viva & Feedback

Pre-requisites: Research Project Reports

20 Topic: Research Project Presentation 2, Viva & Feedback

Consolidation of Course Learning
 6

Details of Group Project

Component Submission Format Submission Contents

Schedule
Group Formation (6-8 Collated List to be Session 3 Names of Members
members per group) submitted by CR
Topic Selection Collated List to be Session 4 Topic
submitted by CR
Proposal Word doc: Min 6 Session 7 Cover page – Title & Group Details
pages (excluding
bibliography), Certificate of Authenticity (including
Times New Roman Turnitin Similarity Index) signed by
12, single spaced. group members
Proposal Abstract – 300 words
Introduction/ Need for the Research
Review of Literature
Research Questions/ Hypothesis
Research Design
Expected Contributions
Limitations
Bibliography
Project Timelines & Member
Accountabilities Chart
Word doc: 1 page, Status on Project Timelines &
Project Status Report Session 13
Times New Roman Member Accountabilities Chart
12, single spaced.
Word doc: Min 12 Cover page – Title & Group Details
Project Report Session 17
pages (excluding
bibliography), Certificate of Authenticity (including
Times New Roman Turnitin Similarity Index) signed by
12, single spaced. group members
Abstract – 500 words
Introduction/ Need for the Research
Review of Literature
Research Questions/ Hypothesis
Research Design
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Findings
Discussion
Expected Contributions
Limitations
Areas for Future Research
Bibliography
Project Timelines & Member
Accountabilities Chart
AV Presentation; 10 Session 19 -
Presentation All components listed in the report
 7
min for presenting; 5 20
min Q&A/ viva