Course Code: Mgt 221

Course Title: Research Methods

Credit Hour: 3
Year and semester: 2nd year, 2nd semester
Course Category: Major
Pre-requisite: Mgt 122
Text: Business Research Methods, Zikmund, William G, (2000), 6th Ed.

I. Course Description:
The course deals with different analytical techniques, examples of modeling problems, data
collection issues and hypothesis testing. Besides basic probability and statistics, estimation and
desirable properties of estimations as well as other statistics topics of research will be covered.
II. Course objective:
The course intends to prepare students for practical research activities in business. It helps them
to learn writing techniques appropriate for business issues. It provides the basic concepts for
further research practices and the senior papers and presentations.
III. Course Content
CHAPTER ONE: THE NATURE OF RESEARCH
1.1 Definition
1.2 The role of research
1.3 Scientific Method of ht research process
1.4 Characteristics of good research
CHAPTER TWO: THER RESEARCH PROCESS
2.1 Establish the need for research
2.2 Define the problem
2.3 Establish research objectives
2.4 Determine research design
2.5 Identify information types and sources
2.6 Determine methods of accessing data
2.7 Design data collection forms
2.8 Determine sample plan and size
2.9 Collect data
 2.10 Analyze data
2.11 Prepare and present the final research report

CHAPTER THREE: THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL

3.1 The value of proposals
3.2 Types of research proposals
3.3 Structure f the research proposal

CHAPTER FOUR: DEFINING THE PROBLEM AND THE RESEARCH OBJECTIVE

4.1 Define manager’s problems
4.2 Define research problems
4.3 Develop the research objectives

CHAPTER FIVE: RESEARCH DESIGN

5.1 The significance of research design
5.2 Types of research design
5.2.1 Exploratory research
5.2.2 Descriptive research
5.2.3 Causal research
5.3 Experiments
CHAPTER SIX: OBSERVATION, FOCUS GROUPS, AND OTHER QUALITATIVE
METHODS
6.1 Qualitative research
6.2 Observation techniques
6.3 Focus groups
CHAPTER SEVEN: SURVEY DATA COLLECTION METHODS (3 HOURS)
7.1 Advantages of survey
7.2 Three alternative data collection modes
 7.3 Factors determining the choice of a particular survey method

CHAPTER EIGHT: MEASUREMENT IN RESEARCH

8.1 Basic question response format questions
8.1.1 Open-ended response format questions
8.1.2 Closed ended response format questions
8.1.3 Scaled response format question
8.2 Basic concepts in measurement
8.2.1 Description
8.2.2 Order
8.2.3 Distance
8.2.4 Origin
8.3 Levels of measurement of scales
8.3.1 Nominal scales
8.3.2 Ordinal scales
8.3.3 Interval scales
8.3.4 Ratio scales
8.4 Scaled response question forms
1.4.1 The modified likert scale
8.4.2 The semantic differential scale

CHAPTER NINE: DESIGNING A QUESTIONNAIRE

9.1 The functions of a questionnaire
9.2 The questionnaire development process
9.3 Developing questions
9.4 pre coding the questionnaire
CHAPTER TEN: DETERMINING THE SAMPLE PLAN AND SIZE
 Basic concepts in sampling
Two basic sampling methods
Probability sampling methods
Non probability sampling methods
10.3 Methods of determining sample size
Computing the sample size using the confidence interval approach

CHAPTER ELEVEN: DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data editing, coding, and tabulation
Types of statistical analyses used in research
Descriptive statistics (Mean, median, mode, standard deviation)
Inferential statistics (null hypothesis testing)
Differential statistics (ANOVA)
Associative statistics (regression analysis, correlation analysis, cross tabulation)

CHAPTER TWELVE: PRESENTING THE RESEARCH RESULTS

12.1 Importance of the research report
12.2 organization of the research report

12.3 Guidelines and principles for the written report

\IV. Delivery Methods:

Lecturing, question and answer, assignments, discussions, active participation from students,
group assignments, in-class presentation, and project. However, the course instructor may use
other supplementary methods for effective delivery of the course as needed.

V. Evaluation
Short tests……………………………………….. 20%
Mid Exam …………………………………. 30%
Assignments ……………………………… 10%
Final Exam ………………………………… 40%
Total……………………………… 100%
VI. REFERENCES
Alreck, Pamela L. and Robert B. Settle (1985), The Survey Research Handbook,
Homewood: Irwin Inc.
Babbie, Earl (1986), The Practice of Social Research. 4th ed. Belmont: Wadsworth
Publishing Co.
Bryman, Allen (2008), Social Research Methods, 3rd ed. Oxford, Oxford University Press.
Emory, C. William and Donald R. Copper (1991), Business Research Methods, 4th
Ed.Boston: Irwin-Burr Ridge, Illinois.
Goode, William J. and Paul K. Hatt (1982) Methods in Social Research, Auckland:
McGraw-Hill Book Company.
Greener, Sue (2008), Business Research Methods, Ventus Publishing APS
Kothari, C.R. (2004), Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques, Revised Second
Edition, New Age International(P) Limited Publishers, New Delhi, India
Leedy, Paul D (1989), and Practical Research: Planning and Design, 2nd Ed. New
York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc.: London: Coller Macmillan Publishers.
Lin, Nan. Foundations of Social Research (1986), New York: McGraw-Hill Book
Company.
Sakaran, Uma (2003), Research Methods for Business: A Skill Building Approach,
4th Edtion, John Wiley and Sons, Inc, Singapor.
Simon, Julian L (1969) Basic Research Methods in Social Science: the Art of
Empirical Investigation. New York: Random House, Inc.
Turabian, Kate L, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and
Dissertations. Rev.
Zikmund, William G, (1997), Business Research Methods. 5th Edition, Toronto: The Dryden
press Harcourt Brace College Publishers.
Zikmund, William G, (2000), Business Research Methods. 6th Edition,
Toronto: The Dryden Press Harcourt Brace College Publishers.