Wallaga University
MBA Program
Course title: ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODS
Course code: MBA 521
Credit Hours: 3
Semester II
Academic Year: 2021
Instructor: Misganu Getahun (PhD)
Course Description
This course provides students with applied skills in understanding and conducting research in
business. It emphasizes on the nature of research, problem identification and formulation,
research and sampling design, methods of data collection, analysis and interpretation, research
report writing and presentation. It examines and explores a range of methods that align with
theory building and testing. Its focus is also on the understanding of how analytical and statistical
techniques and thinking can aid in managerial decision making. Both qualitative and quantitative
approaches are examined.
Course Objectives
Up on completing the course, the students will be able to:
acquire advanced practical research skills;
design and plan a research study
write a research proposal
apply research techniques and statistical methods to commerce and business issues.
differentiate between descriptive and inferential statistics
describe sampling theory and devise appropriate sampling distributions.
formulate and test a hypothesis
compare and contrast between the types of research designs
write a publishable research paper
apply ethical research standards
link the research process with theories of their specialty areas. By becoming familiar with
the research process in practice, students should be more confident and competent in
evaluating and using research results in their specialty areas.
Course Contents
Chapter One: Introduction to Business Research
1.1 .Introductory Issues
1.2 Business research-meaning, objectives, significance
1.2. Characteristics of good research
1.3. Research and scientific method
1.4. Types of research
1.5. Research process
Chapter Two: Defining a Research Problem, Literature Review and Research Proposal
2.1. Meaning of a research Problem
2.2. Selecting research problem,
2.3. Defining research problem and Techniques
2.4. Literature Review and Variables identification
2.5. Illustration of research problem [example]
2.6. Formulating Hypothesis
2.7. Research proposal
Chapter Three: Literature Review
Chapter Four: Research design
4.1. Research Design
4.1.1. Meaning of Research design
4.1.2. Need of Research design
4.1.3. Features of Research design
4.1.4. Types of research designs and details
Chapter Five: Sampling design
5.1. Sampling Design
5.1.1. Meaning of sampling design
5.1.2. Steps in sampling design,
5.1.3. Characteristics of good sample design,
5.1.4. Types of sample designs (Probability and non-probability sample design)
5.1.5. Case studies relating to sampling techniques
Chapter Six: Methods of Data collection and Measurement of Variables
6.1. Methods of Data Collection
6.1.1. Types and sources of Data
6.1.2. Primary and secondary data Collection techniques
6.2. Measurement: Scaling, Reliability and Validity
6.2.1. Meaning of Scaling techniques
6.2.2. Measurement of scaling techniques
6.2.3. Bases of scale classification,
6.2.4. Important scaling techniques
6.2.5. Scale construction techniques
6.2.6. Construction of research questions
6.2.7. Guidelines for constructing questionnaire/schedule
6.2.8. Goodness of Measures: Reliability and Validity
Chapter Seven: Methods of Processing and Analysis of Data
7.1. Processing of data
7.1.1. Meaning of data
7.1.2. Processing operations of data
7.1.3. Some problems in processing of data
7.2. Data analysis
7.2.1. Meaning of Data analysis
7.2.2. Types of Data analysis (quantitative and qualitative analysis)
7.2.2.1. Testing hypothesis
Testing of hypothesis (parametric and non-parametric tests)
Steps involved for the application of hypothesis testing
o Z and t-tests:
Meaning of Z and t-testing techniques
Conditions of Z and t-tests
o Chi-square tests
Meaning of Chi-square testing technique
Conditions of Chi-square tests
Steps involved for the application of chi- square tests
o Analysis of variance and co-variance
Basic principles of variance and co-variance
Techniques of variance and co-variance
7.2.2.2. Multivariate analysis techniques
Characteristics and applications
Classifications of multivariate techniques and important multivariate
techniques
7.2.3. Meaning of Interpretation
Techniques of Interpretation
Precautions in interpretation
7.2.4. SPSS (software packages for social science research) and its application
Chapter Eight: Report writing and Presentation
8.1. Report writing
8.1.1 Significance of Report writing
8.1.2 Different steps in writing
8.1.3 Types of reports
8.1.4 Mechanics and precautions for writing research reports
8.1.5 Layout of the research report-
8.2. Report Presentation
Chapter None: Ethical Issues in Research+
MODE OF TEACHING-LEARNING PROCESES
A combination of Lecture, Individual and or group Assignment: term papers, proposal writing,
research article review, Class presentation and discussion by students, Case Illustrations, and
demonstration of Soft ware Application on Computer methods will be used.
ASSESSMENT SCHEME
Case studies and Presentations 20%
Project Works 20%
Mid Exam 20%
Final Exam 40%
Total 100%
Text book
Geoff Lancaster, Research methods in management; A concise introduction to research in
management and business consultancy, 2005, Elsevier.
References
Anol Bhattacherjee, social science research; principles, methods and practice, 2nd ed., 2012
Donald R. cooper and Ramcis S. schindler, ‘’Business research methods’’, Tata McGraw Hill
Publishing Company limited, New Delhi
C.R. Kothari, ‘’ Research methodology-methods and Techniques’’, new age
international(P)limited, publishers
Willian G. zikmund, “Business Research Methods’’, the Dryden press, Harcourt Brace
college publishers.
Donald H.MC.Burney,’’Research Methods’’, Thomson Asia Pvt. Ltd, Singapore
Ranjit Kumar, ‘’ Research methodology’’, Saga publication, London, New Delhi,1999
Uma Sekaran, ‘’ Research Methods for Business’’, John Wiley and Sons Inc, New
York, 2000.
Ron Mcqueen and Christina Knussen, ‘’research methods for social science: An
introduction’’, prentice Hall.
Jill Hussey and Roger Hussey, ‘’Business Research: A practical guide for undergraduate and
post-graduate students’’, Macmillan Press Ltd.
