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MSC 521: Research Methodology
Credits: 3
Lecture Hours: 48
Course Objectives
The primary purpose of this course is to introduce students to quantitative and qualitative method for
conducting meaningful inquiry and research. Specifically, course aims at introducing them to the basic
concepts used in research and to scientific social research methods and their approaches.
Course Description
The course provides an introduction to, and a basic grounding in, fundamental research methods as
they relate to the modern practice of management and to academic research. The emphasis of the
course is therefore on problem definition, hypothesis formulation, research design, measurement,
sampling, secondary data gathering, observation and interview, data analysis and report writing. The
course thus enables students to develop their understanding of research methods, and confidence in
designing a research project, choosing and executing appropriate methods, and assessing its academic
rigour.
Course Details
Unit 1: The Nature and Context of Social Research LH6
The concept of research; Types of research; Nature and purpose of research; Scientific research
- scientific research process, feature of scientific research, difficulties of applying scientific
methods to social science research; Management research-concept, types, importance of
research for decision making; Ethical issues in management research.
Unit 2: Literature Review LH 4
Concept, purpose and functions of literature review; phases in literature review; searching,
obtaining, and evaluating the literature; Literature search through the Internet; Format and
guidelines for conducting literature review; Meta analysis
Unit 3: Problem Definition, Theoretical Framework and Hypothesis Formulation LH 8
Problem definition- concept and steps in problem formulation; Research questions- concept
and types; Theoretical framework- concept and need for research; Research and theory-
deduction and induction; Contributions of research to theory building and practices ;
Hypotheses Formulation- concept and function of hypothesis; Types - descriptive, relational,
directional, explanatory and null hypothesis; Criteria of good hypothesis.
Unit 4: Quantitative and Qualitative Research Designs LH 9
Definition; Elements of a research design; Classification of research designs- exploratory;
descriptive; developmental; case study; causal- comparative and experimental research
designs; Common sources of error; Qualitative research- concept, basic assumptions, types and
features; Differences between quantitative and qualitative research.
Unit 5: Measurement, Scaling and Sampling LH 6
Variables- concept and types; Scales of measurement; Attitude measurement and scale
construction; Attitude scales commonly used in social science research; Criteria of good
measurement-validity and reliability of measurement; Sources of measurement problems;
Sampling-concept and process; Population and sampling; Types of sampling-probability and
non- probability sampling; Sampling and non-sampling errors.
Unit 6: Data Collection and Analysis LH 8
Data and its types; Sources of primary and secondary data; Important considerations for data
collection; Questionnaire- principles, components and types; Research interview-types and