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Course Title: Research Methods

Course No: MPM 611

Cr.hr: 3

Descriptions
The objectives of this course are to acquire knowledge and understanding of basic
principles of research methods in project management. This course equips the
participants with knowledge, skills and insights in business research methods. The
philosophies, theories and principles that build the capability of students on
recognizing research problems, streamlining them, solving them with logical and
scientific inquiry will be covered at length. Both quantitative and qualitative research
methods are equally emphasized as a guide in gaining insights in the business
research process. More specifically, such topics as research problem identification,
standard measurement scales, quantitative research design, qualitative research
design, mixed research designs, research instrument development, research proposal
development, qualitative and quantitative techniques of data analysis which include
both descriptive statistics as well as inferential statistics, writing research reports, etc
will be discussed.

Course Objectives
By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Define research and research methodology in your own words.

• Explain the objectives of research and the rationale for research
methodology.  Enumerate the basic concepts, principle and strategies of
handling research in  Social science in general and in business
management in particular.
• Understand the context in which different research methods can be applied
in solving practical business problems.
• Appreciate the role of research methods in solving social, business and
organization Problems.
• Develop realistic proposals on variety of problems.
• Carry out research projects and papers on social, managerial and
organizational Problems independently.
• Apply different tools and techniques in gathering and analyzing data.
• Prepare a comprehensive research report from the data analysis.
 Course contents

Chapter 1 The Nature of Research

1.1 What is Business research?

1.2 Purposes and Importance of research in Business
1.3 Motivation in research
1.4 Managerial Value of Research: Applications of Research in Important Areas
1.5 Characteristics of a Good Research
1.6 Kinds & Classification of Research
1.7 The Research Process: an Overview

Chapter 2 THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

2.1What is research problem?

2.2 problems Discovery and Definition

2.3 Important Problem Sources
2.4 Precautions to problem Selection
2.5 Guidelines/criteria in selection of a research Problem
2.6 Guidelines in writing the title
2.7 Guidelines in statement of the problem
2.8 Hypotheses
Chapter 3 RESEARCH PROPOSAL
3.1What is a research proposal?

3.2 Importance of a research proposal

3.3 Developing a proposal
3.4 Components of the Research Proposal
Chapter 4 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
4.1 Reading for Research

4.2What does it Mean to carry out a Review?

4.3 Where in a research Project is Literature Review Necessary

4.4 Importance, purposes, and Functions
4.5 Characteristics of Valuable related Literature
4.6 Sources of Related Literature
4.7Where to Locate the Sources of Related Literature

4.8 Generic Review Capabilities

Chapter 5 RESEARCH DESIGN

5.1What is Research design?

5.2Importance of Research Design

5.3 Features of a Good Research Design

5.4Components of Research design

5.4.1 Model Development

5.4.2 Research Approaches
5.4.3 Data Sources
5.4.4 Data Gathering instruments
5.4.5 Sampling plan and contact methods, and
5.4.6 Selecting analytical methods: statistical tools o Variables and measurement
scales o Measures of difference
o Measures of association
Chapter 6 DATA PROCESSING, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

6.1 Data Processing: Editing, Coding, Classification & Tabulation

6.2 Data Analysis and Interpretation
6.2.1 Analysis of qualitative data
6.2.2 Analysis of quantitative data
Chapter 7 PRESENTATION OF RESULTS: REPORTING WRITING
7.1 Role of Written Report
7.2 Types of Reports
7.3 Principles of report preparation
7.4 Contents of Report: report Format
7.5 Procedure of preparation of references and bibliography
MODE OF DELIVERY
The main methods of delivery will be lecture, group discussions, and individual
assignments.

MODE OF ASSESSMENT

o Individual Proposal writing and presentation, =40 % o

Article Review assignment or Analyzing different Articles
=10%
o Final Examination =50 %

REFERENCES:
1. American Psychological Association/APA (2001). Publication Manual of the
American Psychological Association (5thed.).Washington, DC: Author.
2. Bailey, K.D. (1982) Methods of Social Research 2nd.ed. New York: The Free
Press.
3. Best, J.W., & Kahn, J.V. (2002). Research in Education (4thed.). New Delhi:
Prentice-Hall of India.