TOLANI INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES, ADIPUR

BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS Course Guide Instructor: Dr.Bhavesh Vanpariya Batch : 2012-14 Session : February to April 2013 Trimesters: III Credits : Four

Course Objective: This course introduces the student about the basics of research methods needed in business and other fields. Students gain an understanding of the importance of business research to managers through providing accurate information for decision making. Course links: This course is strongly linked with statistics and marketing research course and with the knowledge of Excel and SPSS. Learning outcomes: After doing this course students should: 1. Understand strengths and weaknesses of different research methods and when it is and is not appropriate to use specific methods; 2. Be able to design a research project using appropriate multiple research methods. 3. Understand how to collect, code, and enter quantitative data into a database for use by spread sheets and statistical packages. 4. Be able to analyse data using a computerized statistical package (SPSS). 5. Be able to prepare a professional written research report Cognitive levels:
Blooms taxonomy of cognitive learning: Level 1 Knowledge and comprehension Level 2 Application and Analysis Level 3 Evaluation and Synthesis

Learning/ teaching methodology: As mentioned above the course aims to enable student to achieve various learning outcomes. Instructor will conduct 36 class room sessions to introduce and explain some of the key concepts and techniques through lectures, presentations and encouraging discussion from the students. Instructor will also monitor students learning by assessing it through observations, small tests, assignments and written examination. The details of assessment are mentioned later in assessment section. Textbook: Gupta, S. & Gupta, H. (2012), Business Research Methods. New Delhi: McGraw Hill. References Books : 1. Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill (2011). Research Methods for Business Students. New Delhi: Pearson Education. 2. Donald R. C. & Pamela S. S. (2011). Business Research Methods (9th Ed.). New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill Publishing Company Ltd. 3. William, G. Z. (2010). Business Research Methods (7th Ed.). New Delhi: Thomson Southwestern. Journals and Magazines: Indian Journal of Marketing, Quest, Vikalpa and HBR On line resources: You may also study articles or research papers in journals, magazines and books available in EBSCO and J-Gate online resources.

Assessment: The assessment of course is divided into following components: 1. Class Participation 2. Assignment 3. Project 4. End Trimester Examination

10% 10% 20% 60% Total 100%

Session wise Course Guide Session 1-3 4-6 7-9 10-12 13-15 16-18 19-21 22-24 25-28 29-31 32-34 35-36 Learning topic Business Research: An Overview Research methods, Research Problems and Hypothesis Business Research Design Methods and Techniques of Data Collection Sampling and Sampling Distribution Attitude Measurement and Scales Questionnaire Design Data Processing and Preliminary Analysis Statistical Analysis and Data Interpretation Multivariate Analysis T-Test and ANOVA Research Report and Proposal Writing Student Activity Rd Ch. 1 Rd Ch.2 Rd Ch.3 Rd Ch.4 Rd Ch.5 Rd Ch.6 Rd Ch.7 Rd Ch.9 Rd Ch.8 Rd Ch.10 Rd Ch.11 Rd Ch.12 Cognitive level 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 1