MBA 2020.

21
Research Skills Seminars

Dr Kerrin Myres - Lead Faculty

myresk@gibs.co.za
with
Professor Danie Petzer
petzerd@gibs.co.za
Subject Overview

This series of seminars (and workshops) aims to equip students with the skills required to prepare a research proposal and undertake a research project to
address a business problem that an organisation is facing. The seminars build on the Research and Statistics module presented during the PGDip.

The emphasis is therefore on research methodologies that enable the researcher to make the most suitably informed decisions. Specifically, the seminars
will equip students with a framework for research methods relating to population and sampling selection and quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Students will be able to anticipate who or what the best source of information is for their challenge and which method to employ to find solutions. The
benefits of the course extend beyond the academic value of research methodology by developing decision-making competence in support of competitive
and responsible organisational performance.

The learning process requires interactive participation, thorough preparation and post-course application.

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Programme Goals and Objectives
Programme Goals
Research Skills Seminars will aim
to contribute to the student’s
achievement of the following Learning
Goals:
Learning Goal 1:
Problem Solving and decision
making skill.
Students will be able to demonstrate
that they have the ability to identify,
assess and interpret a business
problem and propose innovative and
relevant solutions on which they can
make effective and ethical decisions
within the context of the development
imperatives in South Africa and other
dynamic markets.
Learning Objectives
The intended Learning Objectives to be
achieved by students on this course are as
follows:
1.1 Demonstrate the ability to identify
business problems at an organisational
level
1.2 Demonstrate data gathering, analysis
and interpretation skills to solve
business problems.
1.3 Demonstrate the ability to propose,
select and defend solutions to business
problems.
1.4 Demonstrate the ability to integrate
appropriate multi-disciplinary
knowledge and skills in business
decision making.
1.5 Demonstrate an understanding of
ethical decision making.
Course Outcomes
By the end of this module, students will be able to:
• Design and scientifically execute a research project
to address the business problem the organisation is
facing
• Identify the universe for a research project;
• Select a suitable sample for a research project;
• Use various qualitative and quantitative research
methodologies including questionnaires and
interviews to gather data to solve the business
problem;
• Identify the core components of well-designed
research project as well as the inherent risks
embedded in executing the research project to solve
a business problem.
**Consequently, students should become informed research
users who are able to critically assess and integrate the
business research to which they are exposed. Moreover,
students should be able to conduct a research project in
their field.
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Programme Goals and Objectives

1.6 Demonstrate an ability to make ethical and

responsible decisions, based on identified
solutions and within the context of the
development imperatives in South Africa
and other dynamic markets.

1.7 Demonstrate the ability to create innovative

solutions to address business problems in
uncertain situations.

Learning Goal 2:
Drive competitive and
responsible organisational
performance
Students will be able to demonstrate
that they have the necessary
knowledge and skills to drive
competitive and responsible
organisational performance
2.4 Demonstrate how to measure and review
competitive, ethical and responsible
business performance.
• Differentiate between different forms of data and how
data should be used as evidence in solving a business
problem;
• Reflect on the ethical aspects involved in conducting a
research project to solve a business problem;
• Judge a business position using evidence obtained from
a research project.

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Preparation

Pre-reading The textbook, readings and exercises have been carefully chosen and represent some of the current thinking in the
specific areas. Please read through the readings, and prepare the exercises thoroughly before each lecture in order to
maximise your learning. You will be cold-called on during class to state your opinions and understanding.

Course structure The course comprises one full day ‘plenary’ and two three and a half-hour sessions in either qualitative or quantitative
methods. Students will have assigned readings to prepare before each seminar. Attendance is compulsory at these
sessions and registers will require to be signed.

The first two sessions will deal with the preparation of the research proposal and attendance is required for all students,
while the final two sessions are divided into separate sessions each of qualitative and quantitative research skills, which
you will attend depending on which methodology you are planning to use.

Prescribed Books Saunders, M., & Lewis, P. (2012). Doing Research in Business and Management. Pearson: Edinburgh Gate.

Students will be given a course pack on Aspire containing key readings.

Session 1 1. Foundation of the research process:

Dr. Kerrin Myres This session covers an overview of the research process, including 3 research options for students; revisits the rationale
for choosing a particular topic, reviews research questions; considers the literature review and the formulation of
propositions and hypotheses

1.1 Prescribed Reading

1.1.1 Saunders, M., & Lewis, P (2012). Doing Research in Business and Management. Pearson: Edinburgh
Gate, Ch 1; Ch 2; Ch 3
1.1.2 GIBS. (2019). Integrative business research report regulations. Illovo, South Africa: Gordon Institute
of Business Science.

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Preparation

1.2 Exercises

1.2.1 Consistency matrix

Session 2 2. Research methodology decisions and proposal development:

Prof. Danie Petzer This session provides an overview of research design decisions; examines population and sampling decisions; considers
quality and ethics; research proposal preparation and techniques for ensuring the overall logic of the study.

2.1. Prescribed Reading

2.1.1. Saunders, M., & Lewis, P (2012). Doing Research in Business and Management. Pearson:
Edinburgh Gate, Ch 5; Ch 7
2.1.2. GIBS. (2019). Integrative business research report regulations. Illovo, South Africa: Gordon
Institute of Business Science.

2.2. Exercises

2.2.1. Consistency matrix

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Preparation

Session 3 3. Qualitative Research

Dr Kerrin Myres
This session focuses on qualitative research designs, qualitative data collection and qualitative data analysis options.

3.1. Prescribed readings

3.1.1. Saunders, M., & Lewis, P (2012). Doing Research in Business and Management. Pearson:
Edinburgh Gate, Chapters 6 and 7.
3.1.2. GIBS. (2019). Integrative business research report regulations. Illovo, South Africa: Gordon
Institute of Business Science.

3.2. Pre-work

3.2.1 Work through the prescribed chapters, readings

3.2.2 Download Atlas TI from Additional Material.
3.2.3 Make sure it is loaded on your laptop and in working order for class.

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Preparation

Session 4 4. Quantitative Research and Analysis

Prof. Danie Petzer
This session focuses on quantitative research designs, quantitative data collection and quantitative data analysis options.

4.1. Prescribed Reading

4.1.1 Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2016). Research methods for business students (7th
ed.). Edinburgh Gate: Pearson. (Chapter 11).
4.1.2 Wadhwa, V. (2013, August 29). Is the GMAT the root of business evil? Retrieved from the
Poets and Quants website: http://poetsandquants.com/2013/08/29/is-the-gmat-the-root-of-
business-evil/
4.1.3 GIBS. (2019). Integrative business research report regulations. Illovo, South Africa: Gordon
Institute of Business Science.

4.2. Pre-Work

4.2.1 Work through the prescribed chapters and readings.

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Preparation

Session 5 5. Problem Identification Workshop

Prof. Danie Petzer and
Dr Kerrin Myres This workshop focuses on assisting students in identifying a research-worthy problem.

5.1. Prescribed Reading

5.1.1. Ellis, T. J., & Levy, Y. (2008). Framework of problem-based research: A guide for novice
researchers on the development of a research-worthy problem. Informing Science: The
International Journal of an Emerging Transdiscipline, 11, 17-33.

5.2. Pre-Work

5.2.1 Work through the prescribed chapters and readings.

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Overall Assessment

Methodology
The course marks and learning goal assessment will be based on and facilitated through the following assessment methods:

Learning Objectives Learning Objectives

Assessment % Weighting 1 2

LO LO LO LO LO LO LO LO LO LO LO
1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4
Individual Assignment 100% √ √

The course’s primary contribution is towards all learning objectives that are TAUGHT and ASSESSED on the course are considered primary as indicated with
the √ symbol.

The course’s secondary contribution is towards all learning objectives that are NOT ASSESSED on the course are considered secondary

Individual Syndicate Class Participation: Exam:

Assignment: 100% Assignment:
Due: 20th March 2020 at 23:59 Due: N/A Due: N/A No exam

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Overall Assessment

Research Proposal: 7-page document

AIM
The individual assignment seeks to evaluate your skill as a research producer. It has the dual purpose of shaping
your MBA research project generally and to prepare for you research proposal submission.

TASK
Write a research proposal chosen for your MBA research project that incorporates the most suitable research
method to address the problem and purpose you have identified.

Please condense the research problem, purpose statement and literature review into one page, with the
remainder of the assignment constituting the description of your research methodology.
Individual
Assignment Recommended readings:
• Saunders, M., & Lewis, P (2012). Doing Research in Business and Management. Pearson: Edinburgh Gate:
Pearson
• GIBS. (2019). Integrative business research report regulations. Illovo, South Africa: Gordon Institute of
Business Science

GUIDELINES
The assignment must follow the guidelines for proposals given to you in the student research guidelines.

It should be 7 pages long, excluding the cover page. All sources must be referenced in the accepted APA 6th
Edition format given in the student guidelines.
The assignment should reference a minimum of 5 high quality research methodology sources, in addition to those
relating to the literature.

The document should contain the following elements:

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 • Title
• Research problem
• Purpose statement
• Literature review
• Choice of methodology - philosophy, approach, strategy, choices, time horizon, techniques and
procedures
• Proposed research methodology and design – population, unit of analysis, sampling method and size,
measurement instrument, data gathering process, analysis approach and limitations
• Reference list

The assignment must be submitted on Aspire on the:

20th March 2020 at 23:59.

Penalties of 5% per day or part thereof will be enforced for late submissions.

Marks will be allocated as per marking rubric posted on Aspire

Any plagiarism found in this document will attract a mark of 0% and be subject to a disciplinary
hearing

Referencing which is not done properly will attract a mark deduction of between 5% and 10%
• Referencing must follow the APA format
• Referencing must be in alphabetical order by author’s surname
• Referencing must not be numbered or bulleted
• Referencing must be consistent with the text

Do not use “et al.” At the first opportunity: all authors must be cited when first referenced.
Sloppy writing (poor spelling, presentation etc.) will attract a mark deduction of between 5% and
10%
PLEASE SEE MARKING RUBRIC FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT

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