Bachelor of Business (Honours) in International Business
MODULE NFQ
Level 8
MODULE CREDIT UNITS
ECTS: 10
MODULE TITLE
Business Research Methodology
Reference Code: BB8 805
STAGE
Award
Fall Semester 1
Full-Time X 2.30 Hours per week
Part-Time X Hours per week
Business Research Methodologies Module
Introduction to Research Methodology
The indicative syllabus for business research methodology is outlined below:
Nature of business research.
Research process.
Generating research ideas: spotting business research opportunities.
Ethics in academic and business research.
Project proposal
Business Research Methodology for project proposal
General topic.
Hypothesis.
Research Questions.
Research Objectives (General and Specific Objectives).
Literature Review
Primary, Secondary and Tertiary sources.
Referencing systems: Harvard Referencing System.
Reliable Literature sources.
Research Methodology
Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies
Main qualitative and quantitative techniques: surveys, interviews (structured, semi-structured, in-depth, group interviews), observation (complete participant, complete observer, observer as participant, participant as observer), focus group.
Designing researching tools: design of questionnaire.
Sampling strategies.
Case studies and qualitative interviews.
Research Findings and Conclusions
Writing up and presenting research outcomes.
General conclusions.
Research limitations.
Recommendations.
Minimum Intended Learning Outcomes (MIMLOs)
Upon successful completion of this module, the learner should be able to:
LO 1
Demonstrate an effective capacity for independent research.
LO 2
Evaluate, select and apply appropriate research methodologies in the investigation of a contemporary area of relevance.
LO 3
Critically discuss, analyse and evaluate information relevant to the issue.
LO 4
Prepare a project proposal and literature review for a chosen topic.
LO 5
Produce a structured project document that integrates academic content and management responses and defend their work before a panel.
Assessment
MIMLOs
Assessment
Percentage
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Individual Project
100%
Project Proposal
15%
Business Project Report
65%
Individual Presentation
20%
Aims & Objectives
The aims of this module are to enable the learner to:
Gain knowledge of the nature and importance of research in the business field.
Assess the contemporary issues, ethics and best practice in business research.
Apply appropriate research techniques to an academic issue and manage a research project from the research brief stage to oral presentation of findings stage.
Apply methods of research: research sources, business data bases, and Market Information Systems.
Analyse and evaluate information relevant to specific business issues.