Faculty of Business Studies (FBS)

Course Title: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Course Code: BUS 8508
Program: Professional Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Section: A&B
Credit Hours: Three (03)
Semester offered: Session-May- August, 2023

Course Teacher:
Dr. Mohammad Zahedul Alam
Professor
Department of Business Administration in Marketing Office location: Room No. 1001, 10th
Faculty of Business Studies (FBS) Floor, Academic Building,
Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) Bangladesh University of Professionals
Cell: - +8801715030184 (Personal), +8801769021726 (BUP), Mirpur Cantonment, Dhaka-1216
(Official)
E-mail address: zaheddu2000@yahoo.com,
zahedul.alam@bup.edu.bd

Course Objectives:
Specifically the course objectives are to;
 Discuss about the objectives, significances, and motivations of research.
 Discuss in details about the scientific research and its process.
 Describe the major characteristics and tools used in qualitative and quantitative research
 Discuss how to define the research problem.
 How to select a standard topic for the study.
 Discuss about the theoretical and conceptual framework.
 Develop a standard questionnaire for the study.
 Describe the procedures to be maintained in writing a standard research proposal.
 Select and apply research methodology and data analysis techniques appropriate for
research problem.
 Analyze the research data and draw conclusions based upon that analysis.
 Help those students who are to write a master’s thesis.
 Help the students for selecting an appropriate journal or publication for the manuscript.
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completing this course, each student will
be able to:
 demonstrate knowledge of research processes (reading, evaluating, and
developing).
 select a good research title for the upcoming thesis writing in the next semester.
 conduct literature review using print and online databases.
 learn different referencing styles like American Psychological Association (APA),
Harvard Referencing Styles and number system etc;
 identify, explain, compare, and prepare the key elements of a research
proposal/report.
 define and develop a possible research interest area using specific research
designs.
 compare quantitative and qualitative research paradigms and explain the usage of
each research design.
 describe, compare, and contrast descriptive, exploratory, and causal research
design.
 describe sampling methods, measurement scales and instruments, and appropriate
uses of each.
 Determine the sample size.
 design a standard questionnaire for collecting the primary data.
 Understand the publication process in the ranked and indexed journals.
 Write a formal research report.

Text (s): Research Methodology, Methods and Techniques, 4th Edition,

By C.R. Kothari.

References Books:
Marketing Research, an Applied Orientation, 7 th Edition, By Naresh K.
Malhotra
Business Research Methods by William G. Zikmund
Statistics for Management by Levin & Rubin
Research Methodology by Dr. Abdus Salam Akanda
Research Methodology-A step by step guide for beginners by Ranjit Kumar
Writing Research Papers- A Complete Guide by James D. Lester • James D.
Lester, Jr.

Teaching Methodology:
 Lecture will be the main method of teaching. Use of visual aids, like Zoom and
Google Meet.
 The techniques of experiential learning like classroom exercises role-play and
group discussions will be used to increase participation.
 Assignments and case studies will help the students to solve real-life problems and
develop insights into applied organization approaches.
 OHP and Multimedia, will aid the lecture presentations.
 Topics to be Discussed Remarks
Introductory Class Relevant to the Course and Research
Meaning of Research, Significance of Research, Business research, Research methods vs.
Research methodology, Importance of knowing how research is done.
Types of research, Scientific Research, Criteria of good research and scientific research,
Research Philosophy, Research Approaches
The Scientific Research Process: Characteristics and Requirements
Steps of the Research Process
Defining the Problem
Problem definition. What is a research problem? Selecting the problem.
Importance of defining the problem
The process of defining the problem
Literature Review
Literature review, Purposes of Literature Review, Advantages of literature review
How to write a literature review, how to find out research gap.
Conceptual/Theoretical Framework/Model Development and Hypotheses
Development
Developing an approach to the problem or development of working hypotheses
Components of the approach: Conceptual/theoretical framework, analytical model,
research questions, Hypotheses and factors influencing the research design.
Research Method/Methodology
Meaning of research design, feature of good research design: Classification of research
design: Exploratory, Descriptive and Causal research designs.
Qualitative vs. quantitative, Dependent variable vs. independent variables, Census vs.
Sample survey, Primary Scale of Measurement.
Research Proposal
Contents of research proposal, how to write a research proposal, M Phil, and PhD research
proposal. Difference between dissertation and thesis.
Questionnaire design process, Types of questionnaires, Pre-testing the questionnaire
Sampling, Sampling Design Process, Classification of sampling techniques
Field work, Data Collection
Data, Types of Data, Sources of data collection, Data collection techniques
Data Analysis Strategies
Discussion on Statistical Software i.e., SPSS23. Smart PLS 4.0. AMOS-23, STATA,
eViews etc.
Process of Results Interpretation
Discussion, Generalizations, and Interpretation
Report Preparation and Presentations Process
Discussions on Abstracting/Indexing, Its importance, Discussion on different types of
publishers, authors’ guidelines for submission in different journal.
Abstract Writing, Guidelines for Abstract Writing
Importance of the report and presentation, Report preparation and presentations process,
Contents of a Research Report, how to write a references, Bibliography and Citation.
Referencing Style, Referencing Software, i.e. Endnote, Mendely, BibTeX and RefMan
 Course Policies
 Attendance: Attendance in class is mandatory unless otherwise specified
 Course Content: Instructor reserves the right to make necessary changes in the
course content depending on the progress of the class.
 Class Makeup: In case of unavoidable circumstances should a course meeting,
lecture, or exam, needs to be cancelled; students will be offered a make up class.
All makeup classes will be held as per the rescheduling suggested by the course
teacher.
 Exam Makeup: There will be no makeup of any exam.
 Academic Honesty: Any academic misconduct will be dealt according to the
provisions of the students’ code of conduct.
 Consultation Hour: Students are most welcome to visit course teacher either
during the consultation hour or by appointment.

Grading Scheme:
Class Attendance/ Class room Participation and performance……….....5%
Attitudes ………………………………………………………………...3%
Class tests/ Quizzes/ Surprise tests ……………………………………..12%
Assignment/ Case study/ presentation………………………………..... 10%
Mid-term Examination ……………………………………..…...20%
Term paper……………………………………………………………...10%
Semester Final Examination …………………………………………....40%
Total: …………… ………………………………………..100%

Grade Assignment:
Letter grades will be assigned based on performance in the course. UGC Grading system.

Marks Letter Grades

80 and above A+
75-79 A
70-74 A-
65-69 B+
60-64 B
55-59 B-
50-54 C+
45-49 C
40-44 D
Below 40 Fail