SUKKUR IBA UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Business Research Methods
Course Outline
1. Course Identification and General Information
Program &Class: BBA-VI Semester: Fall - 2019
Credit Hours: 03 + 01 Instructor: Dr. Faiz Muhammad Khuwaja
Email: faiz@iba-suk.edu.pk
Office Location: R # 08 (Knowledge center)
Pre-requisite Course: NA Counseling Hours: Wednesday 11:00A - 1:00P
2. Schedule of Assessment Tasks for Students during the Semester
S.No: Assessment Task (e.g. essay, test, Week Due Proportion of Final
group project, examination etc.) Assessment/Marks
1 Class Participation 5 & 10 05
rd
2 Assignments Every 3 week 05
3 Report and Presentations 15 & 16 10
4 2 Mid-Terms Academic Calendar 40
5 Final Exam Academic Calendar 40

3. Learning Resources
I- Recommended Book:
1. Research Methods for Business Students by Mark Saunders, Philips Lewis Adrian
Thornhill 5th Edition.
II- Reference Books/ Material:
1. Research Methods for Business: A Skill Building Approach. 5th Edition
III-Electronic Materials, Web Sites etc.
1. VU video lecture series: https://ocw.vu.edu.pk/Videos.aspx?cat=Probability+
%26+Statistics&course=STA630
2. Other Details will be shared in the class on as and when required
IV- Other Learning Material such as computer-based programs/CD, professional
standards/regulations, PowerPoint lecture presentations, assignments and other required
readings will be shared in class.

4. Course Description
This course consists of an in-depth knowledge development and practical working of the
different perspectives and methodologies for conducting research in business arena. A thorough
understanding of the methods and processes of business research is the key component of this
course. It looks at the concept of research, both basic and applied, and examines how information
can provide a greater understanding of business and its successful management. Learning and
application will be attained through course materials, Case Studies, Class activities, written
assignments, research proposal and final research report.
5. Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

S.No. CLOs Teaching Strategies Assessment

Methods
1
Students will be able to apply ethical reasoning to Lecture Assignments
take responsible decisions while undertaking and Exam
Reading
conducting business research and presenting their
findings. Class discussion Quiz

Case study Reports

2
Students will be able to prepare assignments, Lecture Assignments
research proposal and research reports effectively. and Reports
Class discussion
3
Students will be able to analyze business issues and Lecture Exam
relate their understanding of business research and can
Class discussion Project
apply research techniques to come up with appropriate
solutions to business problems. Articles/Scenarios Assignments

Lab Work Quizzes

Reports
4
Students will be able to apply statistical techniques Lecture Exam
(Regression, Correlation etc) to test the hypothesis to
Class discussion Project
propose solutions of business-related issues, through
research findings. Articles/Scenarios Assignments

Lab Work Reports

5
Students will be able to understand the basics of Lecture Exam
Business Research Methods including, proposal Articles Assignment
preparation, conducting critical literature review,
data collection, hypothesis testing, analysis and Class discussion Quiz
preparation of final research report etc. Case study Project

6. Assessment Task Description

a) Quizzes
Quizzes will be based on theoretical concepts and their situational application with reference
to business research in organizations and academic arena.

b) Assignments
Students will be given five major assignments, through which their research proposals and
reports will be compiled.

7. Other (Please Specify)

a) Consistent review of previous literature related to the corresponding research projects.
(Students will demonstrate their progress for pertinent literature review corresponding to
their research projects, once in every week by means of discussion/submitting to the tutor.
  Lesson Plan & Week-wise Schedule
Assignments/ Suggested
Week Topics
Quizzes Readings
The Nature of Business and Management Research Chapter 1
1 and Structure of this Book Research
 Introduction Topics
 Nature of Research Finalization
 Nature of Business and Management Research
 The Research Process
Formulating and Clarifying the Research Topic Assignment 1 Chapter 2
2  Introduction Introduction
 Attributes of a Good Research Topic Chapter of
 Generating and Refining Research Ideas Proposal (Part
 Turning Research Ideas into Research Projects 1)
 Writing Your Research Proposal
 Evaluating Research Proposals
Critically Reviewing the Literature Assignment 2 Chapter 3
 Introduction Introduction
3  Critical Review Chapter of
 Literature Source Available Proposal (Part
 Planning Your Literature Search Strategy 2)
 Conducting Your Literature Search
 Obtaining and Evaluating the Literature
 Recording the Literature
 Plagiarism
4 Understanding Research Philosophies and Assignment 3 Chapter 4
Approaches Literature
 Introduction Review
 Understanding your Research Philosophy: Chapter of
Why Research Philosophy is Important Proposal
 Research Approaches

5 Formulating the Research Design Chapter 5

 Introduction
 The Purpose of your Research
 The Need for a Clear Research Strategy
 Multiple Methods Choices
 Time Horizons
 The Credibility of Research Findings
 The Ethics of Research Design
6 Negotiating Access and Research Ethics Assignment 4 Chapter 6
 Introduction Methodology
 Issues Associated with Gaining Access Chapter of
 Strategies to Gain Access Proposal
 Research Ethics and Why to Act Ethically Quiz 1
 Ethical Issues at Specific Stages of the
Research Process
Week 6 - Mid Term 1
 Selecting Samples Assignment 5 Chapters 7
 Introduction Final Copy of
7  Probability Sampling Proposal
 Non-probability Sampling
Using Secondary Data Assignment 6 Chapter 8
8  Introduction Tool
 Types of Secondary Data and Uses in Development–
Research Questionnaire
 Locating Secondary Data
 Advantages and Disadvantages of Secondary
Data
 Evaluating Secondary Data Sources
Collecting Primary Data through Observation Chapter 9
 Participant Observation: An Introduction
9  Participant Observation: Researcher Roles
 Participant Observation: Data Collection and
Analysis
 Structured Observation: An introduction
 Structured Observation: Data Collection and
Analysis
Collecting Primary Data Using Questionnaires Assignment 7 Chapter
 Introduction Introduction & 11
11  An Overview of Questionnaire Techniques LR Chapter of
 Deciding What Data Need to be Collected Report
 Designing the Questionnaire
 Administering the Questionnaire
Week 12 - Mid Term 2
12 Sessions on Bloomberg/SPSS
Analyzing Quantitative Data Assignment 8 Chapters
13  Introduction Methodology 12
 Preparing, Inputting and Checking Data Chapter of
 Exploring and Presenting Data Report
 Describing Data using Statistics
 Examining Relationships, Differences and
Trends using Statistics Quiz 2

14 Writing and Presenting your Project Report Assignment 9 Chapter

 Introduction Data 14
 Getting Started with Writing Collection
 Structuring your Project Report through
 Organizing the Project Report’s Content Questionnaire
 Developing an Appropriate Writing Style and
 Meeting the Assessment Criteria Assignment 10
Data Analysis
 Oral Presentation of the Report
15 Report Presentations Final Report
Submission