Goal: This task allows you to get feedback on the critical first stage of your research proposal development to ensure Task 2, the full proposal, is soundly based. Product: Draft of Background and Problem Definition of Research Proposal. Format: Select a business research problem or opportunity for investigation, from the list of topics provided on Blackboard. This can be related to your employment situation, a friend or relative's business, or your own business. The business problem or opportunity must require a substantial amount of research that includes the collection of both primary and secondary data to assist management in making a decision. Your proposal should be for an applied business problem (so for a specific company or organisation) and not for general basic research into a general topic. Complete the template on Blackboard on the Background and Problem Definition stage of the Research Proposal. The template is available in the Assessment area of Blackboard. This assessment is designed to give feedback that should then be incorporated into Task 2. Please refer to the detailed guidelines for Assessment Task 2 to assist you with this task. Criteria • Develop skills in problem definition • Communication Generic skill assessed Skill ass
Course outline Code: BUS703 Title: Managing Research Faculty of Arts, Business and Law School of Business Teaching Session: ATMC Semester 1 Year: 2018 Course Coordinator: Dr Carlene Boucher 1. What is this course about? 1.1 Course description This course provides you with skills in business research that will allow you to propose research and evaluate the research of others. The course covers all stages of the research process including problem definition; research designs and methods including secondary data and exploratory, descriptive and causal designs; sampling; data analysis; and the reporting of research results. In addition, ethical issues involved at each stage of the research process are addressed. 1.2 Course content The course covers all stages of the research process including: • problem definition • research designs • research methods including secondary data and exploratory, descriptive and causal designs • sampling • data analysis • the reporting of research results • ethical issues 2. Unit value 12 units Page 2 Course Outline: BUS703 Managing Research 3. How does this course contribute to my learning? Specific Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course you should be able to: Assessment Tasks You will be assessed on the learning outcome in task/s: Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming: Demonstrate mastery of theoretical business research principles. 1, 2 and 3 Knowledgeable. Analyse and synthesise complex business information to develop applied research proposals. 2 Creative and critical thinkers. Critically evaluate the research of others. 3 Creative and critical thinkers. Demonstrate understanding of ethical issues in research when proposing and evaluating research. 1, 2 and 3 Ethical. 4. Am I eligible to enrol in this course? Refer to the Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of “pre-requisites, co- requisites and anti-requisites” 4.1 Enrolment restrictions Must be enrolled in a postgraduate program 4.2 Pre-requisites Nil 4.3 Co-requisites Nil 4.4 Anti-requisites MBA703 or EMB753 4.5 Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills N/A 5. How am I going to be assessed? 5.1 Grading scale Standard – High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL) Page 3 Course Outline: BUS703 Managing Research 5.2 Assessment tasks Task No. Assessment Tasks Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it? 1 Draft of background and problem definition of research proposal Individual 15% 750 words Week 5, Monday, 5.00pm AEST Online via Blackboard 2 Research proposal Individual 45% 2750 words Week 11, Monday, 5.00pm AEST Online via Blackboard 3 Critique of a research project Individual 40% 2 hours Second week of exam period, Friday, 5.00pm AEST Online via Blackboard 100% Assessment Task 1: Draft of background and problem definition of research proposal Goal: This task allows you to get feedback on the critical first stage of your research proposal development to ensure Task 2, the full proposal, is soundly based. Product: Draft of Background and Problem Definition of Research Proposal. Format: Select a business research problem or opportunity for investigation, from the list of topics provided on Blackboard. This can be related to your employment situation, a friend or relative's business, or your own business. The business problem or opportunity must require a substantial amount of research that includes the collection of both primary and secondary data to assist management in making a decision. Your proposal should be for an applied business problem (so for a specific company or organisation) and not for general basic research into a general topic. Complete the template on Blackboard on the Background and Problem Definition stage of the Research Proposal. The template is available in the Assessment area of Blackboard. This assessment is designed to give feedback that should then be incorporated into Task 2. Please refer to the detailed guidelines for Assessment Task 2 to assist you with this task. Criteria • Develop skills in problem definition • Communication Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Problem solving Graduate Communication Graduate Page 4 Course Outline: BUS703 Managing Research Assessment Task 2: Research proposal Goal: The Research Proposal is fundamental to ensuring any research conducted is relevant, timely and cost effective. This Task will allow you to develop a full research proposal incorporating all stages of the research process. Product: Research proposal Format: Based on the business research problem or opportunity for investigation identified in Task 1 - prepare a research proposal. Criteria • Apply relevant research theories and frameworks to develop an applied research proposal. • Demonstrate understanding of ethical issues in research. • Demonstration of sound presentation and communication skills in presenting a professional written report. Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Communication Graduate Problem solving Graduate Assessment Task 3: Critique of a research report Goal: When making decisions managers need to be able to evaluate the quality of information on which the decision will be based. This evaluation often has to be made in a timely manner. This task will allow you to develop skills in critiquing the research of others in a time restricted situation. Product: Exam – open book Format: You will be provided with a reading in Week 12. On Friday, in the second week of the exam period list of up to 10 exam questions related to the reading will be posted on Blackboard. You need to select and answer four (4) questions. The questions will require you to critique the reading. For each of the selected questions the critique should systematically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the research reading. As this is an open book exam, while care should be taken with presentation and communication, however a report format is not required. Simply clearly state the question being answered. No referencing is required but your knowledge of theory should be evident. The exam will be open for 48 hours, however you should be able to complete the exam in 2 hours. Criteria • Critically evaluate the research of others • The critique should be based on a sound understanding of the theories and frameworks of business research Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Problem solving Graduate Communication Graduate 5.3 Additional assessment requirements Plagiarism In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Blackboard, are electronically checked through SafeAssign. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that SafeAssign has access to. Page 5 Course Outline: BUS703 Managing Research Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale c) You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct 5.4 Submission penalties Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate: • 5% (of the assessment task’s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. • 10% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the third day • 20% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. • A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome. 6. How is the course offered? 6.1 Directed study hours On campus Lecture: 3 hours per week 6.2 Course activities Teaching Week / Module What key concepts/content will I learn? What activities will I engage in to learn the concepts/content? Directed Study Activities Independent Study Activities 1 Module 1 Overview of Business Research Zik et al. Ch 1, 4 & 5 Relevant activities as per course workbook 2 Module 2 Defining the Problem: Developing Theories Module 3 Defining the Problem: The Process Zik et al. Ch 3, 6 & 8 Relevant activities as per course workbook Draft Task 1 3 Module 4 Research Designs Zik et al. Ch 4 Relevant activities as per course workbook 4 Module 5 Exploratory Research Zik et al. Ch 7 & 11 Relevant activities as per course workbook 5 Module 5 Exploratory Research Zik et al. Ch 7 & 11 Relevant activities as per course workbook 6 Module 6 Descriptive Research Zik et al. Ch 9 & 10 Relevant activities as per course workbook 7 Module 6