MIDLANDS STATE UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF COMMERCE

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS (BM 206)

COURSE OUTLINE

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The focus of the course is provide practical knowledge of the basic concepts in research,
including how to define a research problem, prepare research tools, collect data, analyse data
and compile the research report. The module is therefore a preparatory course for the final
undertaking of the research project. It is meant to equip year students with the necessary skills
to carry out research in their final year.

MODULE OBJECTIVES

At the end of the course students should be able to:

 Prepare a research proposal in preparation of the actual dissertation writing

 Understand the basic approaches to research in business

 Appreciate the different research designs and where they are applicable

 Understand the various ways of reviewing literature

 Acquire necessary skills for sampling, collecting, presenting and analyzing research data

 Conduct an undergraduate level research write up

Approaches

The teaching methodology combines lectures, discussions and tutorial presentations. Adequate
preparation and active participation during discussions is encouraged.

Course Content

1.0 Meaning of research

 Objectives
  Regulations and research relations
 General steps in research process

2.0 Types and classification of research

 Classification by purpose
 Classification by logic
 Classification by process
 Classification by outcome

3.0 Formulating the research topic

 Identifying the research problem
 Pitfalls to avoid
 Research Proposal write up

4.0 Literature Review Write up

 Purpose of literature review
 Methods of constructing literature
 Problematising literature/Identifying the gap(s) in literature

5.0 Research Design

 Purpose of research design
 Sampling Techniques and how they are used
 Determining the sample size
 Research Instruments and their applicability
 Biases in formulating questions for data collection
 Validity and Reliability of Instruments

6.0 Data Presentation, Analysis & Interpretation

 Presentation methods
 Quantitative analysis and interpretation
 Confidence Interval Estimation
 Hypothesis Testing
 Chi Squared Testing
 Qualitative analysis

7.0 Final Write up

  Layout and Contents

Course Assessment & Evaluation

The course assessment shall consist of an in-class test, an assignment, and a 3-hour
examination at the end of the semester. Details on assignments shall be availed to students
during the course of the semester. Students are particularly advised not to submit group
assignment as individual. Every student should belong to a specific group and is expected to
contribute in the group assignment.

Coursework 30%: (At least one individual assignment, group assignment and in class tests )

Final Exam 70% :(Paper comprising 6 questions, 25 marks each & Candidates Choose any 4)

Recommended Texts

 Donald and Schindler (2003) 8th Edition, Business Research Methods, McGraw Hill , New
Delhi
 Saunders M, Lewis P and Thornhill A (2009), 5th Edition, Research Methods for Business
Students, Pearson Education Ltd, India
 Bryman A and Bell E (2003), 2nd Edition, Business Research Methods, Saurabh Printers,
India
 Collis J and Hussey R (2003), 2nd Edition, Business Research: A Practical Guide for
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students, Palgrave Macmillan, Great Britain
 Burns A and Burns B (2012), 2nd Edition, Business Research Methods and Statistics Using
SPSS, Sage Publications, Singapore
 Blumberg B, Cooper D and Schindler S (2011), 3rd Edition, Business Research Methods,
McGraw Hill, Berkshire
 List not exhaustive