Class : 2MBAM Course Name : RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Course Code : MBA232

Syllabus

Total Teaching Hours For Semester :

No of Lecture Hours/Week : 3
30

Max Marks : 100 Credits : 2

Course Objective

This paper is offered as a core subject in the second trimester. The paper aims to develop a research orientation among
students and thereby making their managerial decision making process scientific. The course covers all elements of business
research process including problem discovery, literature review, research design, data collection, and data analysis using
software applications, interpretation and reporting of results. It provides a knowledge base on steps in a research process
needed to conceptualize, define, design and execute a business research project.

Learning Outcome

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to complete the following key tasks

Become aware of importance of research in business applications;

Develop a research proposal for a research project in a business related topic;

Understand different phases of a research process in a research project. [Problem discovery,

literature review, formulation of hypothesis, research design, data collection instrument
design, data collection, data preparation, analysis, interpretation & reporting]. Relate and
apply these steps independently as a part of business research project or any scenario
needing a formal research work (Live projects, SIP, Dissertation, Course Projects etc)

Develop appropriate data collection instruments.

Use of software (SPSS / Excel) for data compilation, data preparation, data summary and
appropriate analysis using descriptive and inferential statistical methods (univariate /
bivariate/multivariate).

Unit-1 Teaching Hours:6

Introducing Business Research

Business Research: Concepts, Research skills, types of research, manager-researcher relationship, limitations of research. Ethics
in research: Ethics in business research. Ethical treatment and obligation towards respondents, sponsoring agency and society.
Research Problem Definition ? Problem definition, hypothesis, variables and measurement. Research process and design:
Research process, designing a research study, Sampling design, Resource allocation and budgets, Scheduling of projects.
Research Proposal: Purpose, Proposal development, types, structuring the proposal and valuation
Unit-2 Teaching Hours:4

Data Measurement, Sources and Collection

Sources of Data: Primary versus Secondary data, Library research, Literature review, use of internet. Data collection design:
Qualitative - Focus group discussion, Projective techniques, Depth interview, Observation and Surveys Measurement: Nature,
data types, sources of measurement differences, characteristics of sound measurement, validity and reliability. Scaling Design:
Definition, classification, response methods, rating and ranking scales, scale construction, arbitrary scale, graphic scale,
Itemized rating scales.

Unit-3 Teaching Hours:5

Instrument Design & Experimentation

Instrument Design: Types of data collection instruments. Questionnaire construction- structure - content, Wording- sequence,
Response strategy, Instrument refining Experimentation: Nature, Evaluation, Conducting an experiment- Randomized designs -
Completely randomized design (CRD) and Randomized block design (RBD).

Unit-4 Teaching Hours:3

Data Preparation and Working with SPSS

Data Preparation: Editing, coding, data entry, tabulation, cross-tabulation and classical hypothesis testing in IBM SPSS.

Unit-5 Teaching Hours:10

Multivariate Analysis

Multiple regression, Factor analysis, Discriminant analysis and Cluster analysis - Fitting the model, validation of the model fit
and model performance assessment. Working with IBM SPSS for multivariate analysis.

Unit-6 Teaching Hours:2

Report Presentation

Report Presentation: Short and long report ? Research report components - Report writing -Presentation - oral and written.

Essential Text Books

Chawla, D. (2011). Research Methodology Concepts and Cases. New Delhi: Vikas Publications.

Recommended Reading

Cooper, D., & Schindler, P. (2009). Business research methods (4th ed.). New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill Publications