International University of California (IUC)

Business Research Methods - Syllabus

CoInstructors Class Hours Group Page Sana Ahmedani, MBA Parisa Popalzai, MBA, PhD Live Discussion Sessions - Sundays 1) 5:30 6:30pm; 2) 6:40-7:40pm; 3) 7:50-8:50pm http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IUC_ BRMSpring10/ E-mail Office Hours Email List sahmedani@iuc-usa.com pspopalzai@iuc-usa.com By Appointment

IUC_BRMSpring10@yahoogroups.com IUC_BRMSpring10-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Text: Business Research Methods, 10th International Edition by Donald R. Cooper & Pamela S. Schindler Description: This course provides an overview of the field of research, particularly as it is related to business and management. Emphasis will be placed on the scientific method of research and practical application of research theories and methods. This is an introductory class that aims to teach students an organized approach to solving management problems. Goals: Understand the field of business research Learn the scientific method as it applies to research Acquire organized and empirical problem solving-skills Apply lessons and business research methods to practical situations

Requirements: Attendance at all Live Discussion Sessions as well as review of recorded material and textbook. Resources: We have created a group page for this class in order for you to post messages, questions, and start discussions. It is important that you join this group as we will email you the link to the lectures using the email list. Please join the list using the subscribe e-mail shown above. Instructions: Each week you will be required to view the recorded lecture(s) and read the corresponding chapters in the textbook on your own time. Each set of recorded lecture(s) will be approximately 1-1.5 hours. On Sundays, your class will come together for an hour of live discussion. Log in to the Yahoo group to get the link to each weeks lecture and to download the chapters of the book. If possible, please email your questions ahead of time through the group page.

Page 1

Course Schedule: Week 1 2 Date Feb 7 Feb 14 Topic Introduction Being a Researcher 3 Feb 21 The Research Question 4 Feb 28 Research Design Chapters 4, 5 Appendix A Chapters 6, 7 Reading Chapter 1 Chapters 2, 3 Business Research Ethics, Thinking Like a Researcher, The Research Process, Clarifying the Research Question Research Design Overview, Qualitative Research 5 6 Mar 7 Mar 14 Types of Studies Types of Studies (continued) 7 Mar 21 (NO Live Session) 8 Mar 28 Instruments Chapter 13 Appendices 13a,b 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Apr 4 Apr 11 Apr 18 Apr 25 May 2 May 9 May 16 May 23 Sampling Analyzing Data Using Data Hypothesis Testing Measures of Association Multivariate Analysis Presenting Results Working Time Presentations Chapter 20 Reporting Findings Preparing for Presentation Final Due Chapter 19 Multivariate Analysis TBA Chapter 18 Measure of Association TBA Chapter 14 Appendix 14a Chapter 15 Appendix 15a Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Using Data Hypothesis Testing Quiz 2 TBA Data Description TBA Sampling TBA Measuring Instruments TBA Measurement Chapters 8, 9 Chapter 10 Appendices 10a,b Chapters 11,12 Measurement, Measurement Scales Midterm Due on Mar 20 Observation Studies, Surveys Experiments TBA TBA Ch 4 DQ 4 & 5 Ch 5, DQ 12 a-d (choose 2) Quiz 1 Recordings Assignments Ch1 DQ 1-4; Ch 2, DQ 3 Ch 3 DQ 7 & 10

Page 2

Attendance and Participation (5% of grade): We require attendance during each live session and that you viewed the recorded lectures. Additionally, we also want your participation in the course by asking questions and starting discussions. Your involvement and attendance in the course will help your overall grade and worth 5%. Assignments and Examinations (20% of grade): For each week, you will be required to complete short assignments based on the reading which will be worth 10% of your grade. There will be two quizzes, total worth 10% of your total grade. The timing of the quizzes is marked in the class schedule. They will be closed-book exams conducted in the classroom by a proctor. Midterm and Final (75% of grade): For the midterm and final, we will require that you get into a team of three or four students. Your team will decide on a short research project using what you have learned from the class. Each team will turn in a research proposal in lieu of a midterm exam. The team will then conduct the research and summarize their findings in a final paper due at the end of the course. On the last session, each team will present their findings to the class and to us via webcam. We will provide more details about the format as the time comes closer. The midterm is worth 25% and final is worth 50% of your grade.

Page 3