Foundations Of Research

Course Description

This is a course introducing the foundations of research. Research principles and the scientific method are applied to professional situations. The course is designed to equip students with an understanding of commonly employed research methodologies that can be utilized to improve productivity and increase customer satisfaction.

Topics and Objectives

Research Methods

• Describe general research principles and their application to the workplace.
• Distinguish situations where Web-based research is an appropriate research strategy.
• Discuss the role of qualitative analysis in research.
• Contrast qualitative and quantitative research.
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using secondary data.
• Describe how survey research can be applied to a management problem.
• Explain how an experimental research methodology can be used to solve a management problem.
• Determine how structured observational methods can be applied to management decisions.
• Determine how the scientific method can be applied to the decision-making process.
• Evaluate which research method is appropriate for a given research application.

Ethics in Research

• Discuss ethical issues such as deception, privacy, and advocacy research.
• Relate the rights and obligations of the client sponsor and the respondent to the research project.
• Determine the potential for ethical problems at various points during the research process.

Sampling

• Describe the various sampling techniques presented in this course.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of various sampling techniques for a research application.
• Define the target population of a research project.
• Discuss the advantages or disadvantages of the various types of probability and nonprobability sampling techniques.
• Choose an appropriate sample design for a research application.

Scaling and Question Design

• Distinguish among nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio scales.
• Define criteria for good measurement in research.
• Describe the characteristics of a well-constructed questionnaire.
• Discuss differences among ranking, rating, and multiple-choice attitude scales.
• Design an attitude scale for a research project.

Data Analysis Methods and Report Writing

• Describe different techniques for summarizing, rearranging, ordering, and manipulating data.
• Construct a research report using the appropriate sections required for good report writing.
• Integrate an oral presentation with a written report.

Customer-Focused Research

• Describe the value of research and its role in the development and implementation of a management strategy.
• Demonstrate ways in which research methodologies can be utilized to improve productivity and increase customer satisfaction.