MBA 8109 Research Methods

Topic outline

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  MBA 8109 Research Methods by Dr. Elizabeth Muthuma and Dr. Christopher Ouma

  Core Text: Research Methods for Business Students

  Reading Materials: Guide to Research for MBA Dissertations
  

  • News forum
  • Course Outline File
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  Module 2A
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  Basic elements of scientific research

  • Explain concepts and operational definitions in research (variables, hypotheses, theory, models)

  • Elements of good research File
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  The research process

  • Discuss the steps of the scientific method

  • The Research Process File
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  Choosing research topics and formulating research problems

  • Distinguish between a research topic and a research problem Develop research objectives and questions

  • The Language of Research File
  • Formulating research problems File
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  Review of literature

  • Evaluate literature sources Prepare an annotated bibliography
  • Develop a theoretical or conceptual framework

  • Critical Review of Literature File
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  Ethical issues in research

  • Discuss the importance of research ethics and the need to act ethically
  • Anticipate ethical issues in your research

  • Negotiating access and Research Ethics File
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  Research designs

  • Explain differences between quantitative, qualitative and multiple method research designs

  • Research Designs File
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  Measurement

  • Explain how variables are measured (operationalization)
  • Distinguish types of measurement scales
  • Design a measurement instrument (questionnaire)

  • Basic concepts in measurement File
  • Questionnaire Design Presentation File
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  Population and sampling

  • Define the study population
  • Explain the nature of sampling and steps in sampling design
  • Probability & non-probability sampling

  • Sampling and Sample Size Determination File
  • Analyzing quantitative data File
  • Chapter 3 File
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  Qualitative methods

  • Discuss the use of observation, interviews and focus groups (FGDs) to answer research questions
  • Design an interview/ FGD guide

  • Qualitative Methods File
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  CAT 1
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  Module 2B
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  Analysis of qualitative data

  • Discuss the main issues to consider in qualitative data analysis (QDA)
  • Apply appropriate techniques to undertake QDA

  • Qualitative Data Analysis File
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  Analysis of quantitative data (primary data)

  • Explain the use of descriptive and inferential statistics to interpret primary data
  • Discuss how to explore relationships in the data
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  Analysis of quantitative data (secondary data)

  • Simulation and modeling
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  Presentation of research findings

  • Differentiate between a research and a consultancy report
  • Discuss the formal content, structure, format and style of the research report
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  Preparation of individual research concept paper(submission end of Wk 2)
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  Past Papers

  • MAKE -UP CAT research methods CAT 30th July 2014 File
  • MBA 8109 CAT 1 - 2013 File
  • MBA 8109 CAT 2 - 2013 File
  • MBA 8109 Make up CAT - 2013 File
  • MBA 8109 Research Methods - CAT 1 2012 File
  • MBA 8109 Research Methods - CAT 2 2012 File
  • MBA 8109 Research Methods - Make-up CAT 2012 File
  • Research Methods CAT July 11th 2014 File
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  Syndicate Assignments - Problem Statements

  • Syndicate 1 Assignment File
  • Syndicate 4 Assignment File
  • Syndicate 5 Assignment File
  • Syndicate 6 Assignment File