CQUniversity Unit Profile
BUSN20016 Research in Business
Research in Business
All details in this unit profile for BUSN20016 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit provides the essential skills and techniques for designing, implementing and evaluating research in business contexts. It provides an in-depth introduction to the critical thinking and planning required in the initial stages of a thesis or research project. You will undertake research problem definition, design a research project, development of a literature review, consider qualitative and quantitative methods, measurement concepts, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, reporting and presentation of results with the final outcome of the unit being the development of a research proposal. This unit is designed as the pre-requisite for the work you will undertake in your final year capstone unit Professional Project.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 9
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 2 - 2019

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Practical and Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
2. Practical and Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
3. Written Assessment
Weighting: 50%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Unit Evaluation Report

Feedback

The best aspect of the unit is that it encourages students to do an actual research on any business topic.

Recommendation

Many students appreciated the unit's structure and the processes of learning research. We will continue our support to enhance the students' experiences with research.

Feedback from Unit Evaluation Report

Feedback

The requirements for each assessment task were clearly explained.

Recommendation

We will endeavor to provide more detailed explanation about the assessment items in T1 2020.

Feedback from Unit Evaluation Report Phone

Feedback

Some of the tutors' performance needs to be improved.

Recommendation

Unit coordinator will provide more mentoring services to the tutors over phone and Zoom.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. formulate problems in business studies into a concise and precise research question;
  2. develop and employ ethical practices that consider social, cultural and legal responsibilities of researchers and the research process;
  3. critically evaluate published academic research, identify secondary data sources, and review extant literature, to develop a theoretical framework for a business problem or opportunity;
  4. choose and apply the appropriate research strategies (qualitative and/or quantitative) and techniques to best address the research problem;
  5. demonstrate the application of data analysis techniques and measurement concepts; and
  6. prepare and communicate a comprehensive research proposal.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 20%
2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 30%
3 - Written Assessment - 50%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 20%
2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 30%
3 - Written Assessment - 50%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Research Methods For Business: A Skill Building Approach

Edition: 7th (2016)
Authors: Uma Sekaran and Roger Bougie
Wiley
West Sussex West Sussex , England , UK
ISBN: 978-1-119-16555-2
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

We strongly encourage all students to purchase this book because weekly readings and exercises have been scheduled and designed from this book.
An E-Text of this book is available here: https://www.vitalsource.com/en-au/products/research-methods-for-business-a-skill-building-uma-sekaran-roger-j-bougiev9781119266846?term=sekaran
If you do prefer a paper copy, You can purchase one from the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Delwar Akbar Unit Coordinator
d.akbar@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 15 Jul 2019

Module/Topic

The nature and issues of business research

Chapter

Chapter 1: Introduction to research (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 22 Jul 2019

Module/Topic

Business research process, design and ethics    

Chapter

Chapter 3: Defining and refining the problem (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016)

Chapter 4: Critical literature review (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016)

Chapter 6: Elements of research design (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 29 Jul 2019

Module/Topic

Types, sources and scale of data

Chapter

Chapter 11: Measurement of variables: Operational definition (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016)

Chapter 12: Measurement: Scaling, reliability and validity (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016)

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 4 Begin Date: 05 Aug 2019

Module/Topic

Data collection and sampling methods    

Chapter

Chapter 7: Interviews (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016)

Chapter 8: Data collection methods: Observation (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016)

Chapter 9: Administering questionnaires (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016)

Chapter 13: Sampling (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016)

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 5 Begin Date: 12 Aug 2019

Module/Topic

Quantitative data analysis

Chapter

Chapter 14: Quantitative data analysis (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Project Outline, Topic and Data Presentation Due: Week 5 Friday (16 Aug 2019) 5:00 pm AEST
Vacation Week Begin Date: 19 Aug 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 26 Aug 2019

Module/Topic

Hypothesis development and testing

Chapter

Chapter 5: Theoretical framework and hypothesis development (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016)
Chapter 15: Quantitative data analysis: Hypothesis testing (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016, pp.302-317)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 02 Sep 2019

Module/Topic

Examining relationship: Correlation and regression.

Chapter

Chapter 15: Quantitative data analysis: Hypothesis testing (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016, pp.318-332).

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 09 Sep 2019

Module/Topic

Basic qualitative data analysis    

Chapter

Chapter 16: Qualitative data analysis (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 16 Sep 2019

Module/Topic

Advanced qualitative data analysis

Chapter

No set text

Events and Submissions/Topic

Research Exercise Due:

  • Opens: Monday (Week 9) at 9am AEST
  • Closes: Friday (Week 9) at 5pm AEST.
  • Duration: 100 minutes; MUST BE COMPLETED IN ONE GO.
Week 10 Begin Date: 23 Sep 2019

Module/Topic

Refining the problem statement and research scope

Chapter

Resources are available in the unit's Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 30 Sep 2019

Module/Topic

Draft research proposal

Chapter

Resources are available in the unit's Moodle site

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 07 Oct 2019

Module/Topic

Final research proposal

Chapter

Chapter 17: The research report (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Project Proposal Due: Week 12 Friday (11 Oct 2019) 5:00 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 14 Oct 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 21 Oct 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Practical and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Project Outline, Topic and Data Presentation

Task Description

Students are to provide an outline of a research project that they intend to use as the basis for their final assessment task (assessment 3). The full project proposal should not exceed 700 words excluding the cover page, table of contents and references.

Students need to present the following:

  • Title and the study area - no more than 25 words;
  • Problem statement - students must present what they would like to investigate and why? The research aim and research objectives to address the problem also need to be discussed. Here, you need to critically evaluate and analyse the literature to support your problem statement.
  • Research aim, objectives and scope of the study- students to identify the potential research aim and objectives that can address the problem that they have identified followed by scope and limitation of the study.
  • Methodology, sources of secondary data and data analysis- students must provide a rationale for the type of methodology selected to address the research problem (quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods); and students must clearly identify the data sources and data that is required to conduct the research. Students must also discuss the methods and tools that will be used to analyse the collected data. If a student like to use primary data along using the secondary data, then the student need to justify of using both type of data.
  • References - We expect you to read and reflect on at least ten recent refereed journal articles closely related to your proposed research topic supported by any other evidence or information that can help identify the problem of your research and the methods of data collection and analysis.

This is an individual research task. As a Masters student, you are required to engage in research and demonstrate your understanding of the relevant body of work including recent developments in a discipline and/or area of professional practice. You are also required to demonstrate knowledge of research methods applicable to real-life business research. 

  • All on campus students are required to present their project topic and available secondary data during tutorial sessions in front of other students. Students are also expected to provide constructive feedback on all other students' projects.
  • Distance students are required to present their project topic and sources secondary data online via Zoom during the online tutorial session. Students are also expected to provide constructive feedback on all other students' projects.


Assessment Due Date

Week 5 Friday (16 Aug 2019) 5:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 7 Friday (6 Sept 2019)


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

All of the assessment criteria outlined below are equally weighted for this assessment piece.

Criteria Grade:

1. A brief statement of the problem,

2. Research aim, objectives and scope of the study  

2. A brief methodology, sources of secondary data, data presentation and analysis methods;                          

4. Accurate referencing, use of correct English and logical sequencing; and                            

5. Topic and Data Presentation.

Key to grading:

  • HD (84.5% to 100%) - The student demonstrates an outstanding understanding and interpretation of all aspects of the criteria.
  • D (74.5% to 84.4%) - The student demonstrates an excellent understanding and interpretation of almost all aspects of the criteria with some minor corrections or additions needed.
  • C (64.5% to 74.4%) - The student demonstrates a very good understanding and interpretation of most aspects of the criteria with some need for additional work and/or improvement.
  • P (50% to 64.4%) - The student demonstrates a good understanding and interpretation of the criteria to warrant the award of a PASS but requires considerable additional work and/or improvement.
  • F (below 50%) - The student demonstrates an unsatisfactory understanding and interpretation of the criteria and requires major additional work and/or improvement to achieve a passing grade.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • formulate problems in business studies into a concise and precise research question;
  • develop and employ ethical practices that consider social, cultural and legal responsibilities of researchers and the research process;
  • critically evaluate published academic research, identify secondary data sources, and review extant literature, to develop a theoretical framework for a business problem or opportunity;


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility
  • Leadership

2 Practical and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Research Exercise

Task Description

This is an online and individual research exercise.

The online link will be available from 9am on Monday in Week 9 and closes at 5pm AEST on Friday of Week 9.

The link will open for 100 minutes.

You need to complete this task in one go. You cannot exit and re-enter the site.

There will be 30 short questions based on several brief case studies.

Students will need to:

  • read these cases;
  • do some calculations (if required); and
  • provide the correct answer.

Each correct answer is worth 1 mark and 30 correct answers are worth 30 marks.

Please see Moodle for the detailed guidelines and practice tests.


Assessment Due Date

Students need to complete this assessment during week 9. The link opens at 9am AEST on Monday and closes at 5pm AEST on Friday.


Return Date to Students

Results are available to students after the assignment due time (i.e., after 5pm AEST on Friday of week 9). However, the unit coordinator will check the results of some selected questions manually.


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

Questions are automatically graded.

Each correct answer is worth 1 mark.

However, the unit coordinator will check the results of some selected questions manually (see Moodle for further details).


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • choose and apply the appropriate research strategies (qualitative and/or quantitative) and techniques to best address the research problem;
  • demonstrate the application of data analysis techniques and measurement concepts; and


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility

3 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Project Proposal

Task Description

Assessment task three requires the preparation of a full project proposal that should not exceed 3000 words excluding the cover page and reference list.

Students need to address the following:

  • Refined Problem Statement, Aim, Objectives and Scope- students need to provide a detailed statement of the problem you would like to investigate as well as aim and objectives of the project within the scope of the study.
  • Research Project Justification and Potential Outputs - students need to explain why your chosen project is important both theoretically and practically? What are the potential outputs and outcomes of your research?
  • The Conceptual Framework - students need to provide an analysis of the literature relevant to the research project that leads to the development of a conceptual framework for conducting the research.
  • Methodology - based on the conceptual framework, research aim and research objectives, students need to provide a detailed description of the data collection methods, tools and data sources that will be used to analyse the data.
  • Research Project Organisation, Budget and Schedule - students need to present all components of the research report by writing the names of the chapters/sections and briefly discussing what will be written in each of those chapters/sections followed by a brief description of the budget and project schedule.

This is an individual research task. Students are required to demonstrate their understanding of the relevant body of work in a real-life business research context. We expect students to read and reflect on at least twenty recent refereed journal articles on your topic, supported by any other evidence or information that can help refine the problem of your research, formulate a conceptual framework and develop the methods for data collection and analyses.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (11 Oct 2019) 5:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

This is a summative assessment. Students will not receive any feedback for this piece of assessment.


Weighting
50%

Assessment Criteria

All of the assessment criteria outlined below are equally weighted for this assessment piece.

Criteria:

  1. A detailed statement of the problem, research aim and objectives, research questions and scope of the study;
  2. A detailed justification and potential output of the research;
  3. The conceptual framework;
  4. Methodology, organisation of the study, project budget and schedule; and
  5. Accurate referencing, use of correct English and logical sequencing.

Key to grading:

  • HD (84.5% to 100%) - The student demonstrates an outstanding understanding and interpretation of all aspects of the criteria.
  • D (74.5% to 84.4%) - The student demonstrates an excellent understanding and interpretation of almost all aspects of the criteria with some minor corrections or additions needed.
  • C (64.5% to 74.4%) - The student demonstrates a very good understanding and interpretation of most aspects of the criteria with some need for additional work and/or improvement.
  • P (50% to 64.4%) - The student demonstrates a good understanding and interpretation of the criteria to warrant the award of a PASS but requires considerable additional work and/or improvement.
  • F (below 50%) - The student demonstrates an unsatisfactory understanding and interpretation of the criteria and requires major additional work and/or improvement to achieve a passing grade.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • develop and employ ethical practices that consider social, cultural and legal responsibilities of researchers and the research process;
  • critically evaluate published academic research, identify secondary data sources, and review extant literature, to develop a theoretical framework for a business problem or opportunity;
  • choose and apply the appropriate research strategies (qualitative and/or quantitative) and techniques to best address the research problem;
  • demonstrate the application of data analysis techniques and measurement concepts; and
  • prepare and communicate a comprehensive research proposal.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?