RBUS2900 

– Business Research Methods

WHAT ARE WE ACHIEVING TODAY?

 Course Introduction & Overview

 Why Business Research Methods?

 Group Information for Research Proposal Assessment

RBUS2900 Lecture 1
BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS Course Overview

YOUR RBUS2900 TEAM

Coordinator & Lecturer

Ann Wallin
a.wallin@business.uq.edu.au
Room 309, Colin Clark (39)

Consultation
Monday and Friday in my office by appointment:
Lecture 1 http://calendly.com/a-wallin
COURSE INTRODUCTION
Course Overview

YOUR RBUS2900 TEAM COURSE AIMS

This course aims to have you:

Associate Lecturer & Tutorial Tutor Team
Leader 1. develop an understanding of the business research process,
Alison Joubert
including the development of research questions and application
Kim Vu
of methods that are appropriate to a specific research problem.
a.joubert@business.uq.edu.au Taylor Willmott
2. be able to critically evaluate the reliability and validity of business
Alexander Stathakis research studies.
Consultation rbus2900@business.uq.edu.au
Drop in and appointments available:
3. be able to apply relevant data analysis techniques in order to
make recommendations regarding the business research
http://calendly.com/alison-joubert problem.

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LEARNING RESOURCES

Quinlan, Christina, Babin, Barry J., Carr, John

C., Griffin, Mitch, Zikmund, William G. (2015), It is your responsibility to follow the important
Business Research Methods. 1st Edition. South- course-related announcements. We assume
Western Cengage Learning. ISBN978-1-4737- you are regularly watching the Blackboard.
0485-5
 Module materials
 Contact details
Please note: This textbook can be purchased
in hardcopy from the UQ Bookshop and in  Announcements and changes
online format from the Cengage website:
http://www.cengagebrain.com.au/shop/isbn/
9781473704855

In this course we also have an official

Facebook page. This is a great place to ask
questions, get in touch with other students
and post interesting things about business
research.
LECTURE AND TUTORIAL STRUCTURE
 The course has a lecture and tutorial each week. Lectures will focus
more on research design and judgement and tutorials will focus
more on data analysis and interpretation.

 Ask around for group members.

 Quickest way to ask non-personal questions.
 Great for last minute questions for
assessment.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/rbus2900sem22018/

Research Proposal
ASSESSMENT
 Assesses research design and analysis theoretical knowledge.
Research Proposal – Group – (40%)  Part A provides formative feedback.
Part A (10%) – due 24th August
Final proposal (27%) – 26th October Case Study
Self and Peer reflection (3%)  Assesses data analysis and interpretation skills.

Case Study – Individual – (20%) Final Examination

Part A (7.5%) – due 14th September  Assesses overall course knowledge and research decision making.
Part B (12.5%) – due 19th October

Final Examination (40%)

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Late Submission
 Loss of 5% of the marks per day.
 ONLY Electronic copy to be submitted, has time and date stamp.
 No submissions can be accepted after 10 days from the due date.
Extensions
 Must be received 24 hours prior to the deadline for the assessment.
 Must be accompanied with supporting evidence.
 https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-
program/exams-and-assessment/applying-extension
BEST RESULTS ARE ACHIEVED BY…
 Participating in lectures and tutorials.
 Engaging with myself and the tutors.
= Ask us questions in class, put up your hand if you need more information.
= Talk to us if you are feeling overwhelmed or you see a problem down the road.
 Working on the proposal throughout the semester.
= Organising and communicating with your group.
= Being aware of deadlines and competing priorities.

WHAT IS BUSINESS RESEARCH?

 Business research is a systematic inquiry aimed at providing

information to make decisions and solve problems.

WHAT IS RESEARCH?  Businesses are linked to consumers, customers, stakeholders,

regulatory bodies and the public via information.

 Businesses need information for making decisions and designing

strategies that can achieve their strategic objectives.

WHY BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS?

 You will need to use and develop information on a daily basis.

 You may be called upon to do a research study for a manager.

https://bizfluent.com/about-6593241-role-research-business-
decision-making.html

 You may need to buy research services from others, or at least

evaluate research done by others.

 You may want a career in research. https://www.pwc.co.uk/careers/student-jobs/apply/the-skills-we-look-

for.html

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APPLIED VS. PURE RESEARCH APPLIED RESEARCH IN ACTION

 Can be used at each of the four stages of designing and

PURE RESEARCH APPLIED RESEARCH implementing business strategy to…

 Pure research is also problem  Practical problem-solving is the

solving but is aimed at solving focus. Studies are closely related
perplexing questions of a to action or policy needs.
theoretical nature.
 Applied research has an
 Pure research is a large part of inherent value to the extent that
what we do here at UQ. it can assist management in
making decisions.
 Once information is known
about a phenomena, it can then
be applied.

The Problem: Jetstar sought to compete more effectively and The Results: At the time Jetstar CEO
profitably in the low-cost carrier market. They commissioned market Bruce Buchanan forecast Jetstar
research to understand how they could improve positioning on price will overtake Virgin Blue in terms of
competitiveness and service parity. revenue within the next two years.
oContribution to profit: $40M
The Solution: Based on the research, Jetstar launched 3 campaigns: oMarket share increase: 29% in 1st
year
oPrice beat guarantee
oNPV of market share: $128M
oFocused service delivery
oLow fares – Good times

The Problem: NT Government made it mandatory for all adults to The Results: Market research was
report domestic & family violence. To support this new law, they instrumental in developing an
sought to launch a social marketing campaign. effective, well-received campaign.
They commissioned research to develop and evaluate the success The Be Someone campaign had a
of the Be Someone campaign, which encourages people to report positive impact on the likelihood of
domestic & family violence. people reporting and on their
reasons for being willing and
unwilling to report domestic
The Solution: Qualitative research (interviews & concept testing) was and family violence.
conducted with domestic violence service providers. Quantitative
research (telephone survey) was used to evaluate the effectiveness
of the campaign.

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PURE RESEARCH IN ACTION

https://theconversation.com/students-dont-
know-whats-best-for-their-own-learning-33835

https://theconversation.com/research-check-do-
neckties-reduce-blood-supply-to-the-brain-99939

WHEN RESEARCH GOES WRONG! DISCUSSION

 Incorrect research problem.

Introduce yourself to your neighbours…

 Incorrect or incomplete research method
1. Where and in what role will you be employed after UQ?
 Incorrect analysis an interpretation of the data
2. How will these roles include research?

 Inexecutable solutions

Lecture 1
GROUP FORMATION OVERVIEW
Course Overview

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 RBUS2900 – Business Research Methods

RESEARCH PROPOSAL – GROUPS WHY GROUPS?

 The research proposal assignment is worth 40% and assesses all It is good to get experience with group work as in industry you will
aspects of what we discuss in lectures and tutorials (data analysis always be working in teams. However, in industry your goals are in
theory). alignment. The positives of groups include:
“More hands make for lighter work.”

 The assignment can be attempted in groups of 2 or 3. If you want to “Two heads are better than one.”
do it own your own you will have to come and speak to me. “The more the merrier.”

However, we have all had experiences that are less than positive…
There is a trade-off:
Control cost Co-ordination cost

GROUPS IN THIS COURSE BE HONEST…

Groups in this course: How many lectures do you usually attend during semester?
o Performance can be high for all types of groups. The best groups have 0-3 4-7 8-10 11-13
members who understand their strengths and weaknesses and are open
about their expectations.
How many tutorials do you usually attend during semester?
o Common approach has been to split parts. Not a great idea. Need to 0-3 4-7 8-10 11-13
come together and discuss sections/critical issues.

o Recognise that people will have different styles and highlight that What mark to you want to achieve in the course?
people can contribute in different ways.
What other commitments do you have this semester that will impact your ability to
contribute?

REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS GROUP FORMATION WILL

OCCUR IN TUTORIALS
What kinds of things do you have to consider when forming a
group?
oHow often will do you expect your group to meet?
oWhere and how will you meet (campus, online etc.)? 1. When you find group mates, take down their name, student
oHow do you expect to share work (google docs, email, Dropbox etc.) number and contact details.
oHow will your group make decisions?
oHow will disputes be settled? 2. A group sign up form will be available online through
oWhat are your expectations of your group members? Blackboard next week.
oWhat are your expectations of yourself as a group member?
3. You have until 14th August (in week 4) to register your group.

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THE END