SYLLABUS

BUSINESS RESEARCH METHOD

__________________________________________________________________

1. General Information
 Course Title:
+ Vietnamese: Phương pháp nghiên cứu trong kinh doanh
+ English: Business Research Method
 Course ID: Course IDBA161IU
Undergrad
 Course level: Master
Both
General Fundamental
 Course type: x Specialization (required) Specialization (elective)
Project/Internship/Thesis Others: ……………..
 Number of credits: 3
+ Lecture:
3
+ Laboratory:
0
 Prerequisites: Statistics for BusinessName of prerequisites course
 Parallel Courses: NoneName of parallel course
NoneName the course which can be replaced by this course
 Course it replaces: (dùng cho trường hợp 1 môn ở Master được tính cho cả 2 level ,
miễn cho 1 môn ở ĐH)
 Course standing in
curriculum

2. Course Description
This course is designed to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to deter-
mine the information necessary to address an identified research problem (basic or applied) and, us-
ing this understanding, develop and use an actionable research proposal. In this process, the stu-
dents will gain an understanding of relevant approaches and elements of undertaking a research en-
quiry specifically to provide insights to solving a relevant problem. They will develop critical core
competencies and skills required to carry out such an enquiry. These competencies and skills in-
clude: defining research questions; setting appropriate research objectives; study design that incor-
porates research objectives and budgetary constraints; secondary and primary data collection and in-
struments; sampling and analysis methods; and effective reporting of results; as well as the impor-
tance of ethical conduct in conducting research in both a domestic and in international business con-
texts.

3. Textbooks and Other Required Materials

 Textbooks:
- Cooper, R.D. & Schindler, S.P. (2011). Business Research Methods. 12nd Ed. McGraw-Hill Irwin.
NY.
- Bhattacherjee (2012), Social Science Research: Principles, Methods, and Practices
- Woodside (2010), Case Study Research: Theory, Methods, Practice
Reference Materials:
- Hancock and Algozzine (2006), Doing case study research: a practical guide for beginning
researchers.
- Dul and Hak (2008), Case study Methodology in Business Research.
- Yin (2009), Case study research: design and methods.

 Additional materials provided in Blackboard

The instructor will provide his/her lecture notes and additional reading available on Blackboard.
However this is not an automatic entitlement for students doing this subject. Note that this is not a
distance-learning course, and the students are expected to attend lectures and take notes. This way,
the students will get the additional benefit of class interaction and demonstration.

4. Course Goals
The course provides a strong grounding in understanding the research process enabling students to
either engage an external research organisation to undertake a study on their behalf in a business
environment or, alternatively, action and complete a research project themselves as either the sole
researcher or as part of a research team. In addition to the technical skills and knowledge required to
be successful in these endeavours, the course also provides students with a clear understanding of
the ethical considerations involved in undertaking research and the special challenges evidenced in
international and cross cultural studies.
5. Learning Outcome

Learning Program Learning

Course learning outcomes descriptions
outcome codes outcomes (*)
Apply an advanced understanding of business
research design options, methodologies and
analysis methods (both qualitative and
G1.11 quantitative), including respective terms, a,c,h
definitions and applications to the design,
implementation and evaluation of a research
project.
Distil an identified business problem into a
succinct research problem (or problems) and
G1.2 articulate this into a comprehensive research brief c,e,h,i
for investigation by a research team locally or
internationally.
Complete, from the brief created, a research
…G3 proposal for implementation at either a local or c,e,i
international level.
Apply a broad understanding of issues specific to
undertaking business research across international
boundaries, including cultural, geographical,
G4G2.1 language and cost related challenges and respective a,c,d,i
strategies and approaches that may be employed to
solve them to the design, implementation and
evaluation of a research project.
Recognise, and take account of, the importance of
ethical conduct in undertaking research, including
potential implications for business relationships,
effects on potential respondents and sensitivity to
G5 c,e,i
cultural differences and honesty and integrity in
analysis and reporting in the design,
implementation and evaluation of a research
project.
(*) Refer to student outcomes:
a. Knowledge: the students possess a solid body of knowledge relevant to the area of business,
appreciate changes and dynamics in the broad range of environments, and comprehend the appli-
cations of business administration knowledge focusing on one of four concentrations: Business
Management, International Business, Marketing, Hospitality Management for the Business Admin-
istration Program; and focusing on one of two concentrations: Corporate Finance, Banking & Fi-
nancial Investment for the Finance and Banking Program.
b. Political perspective: the students understand fundamentally the structure and principles of
Vietnamese political system and its orientation.
 c. Analytical skills: the students demonstrate an ability to apply appropriate quantitative and
qualitative analysis techniques, relevant conceptual frameworks, and general knowledge in their
majors to draw valid conclusions and provide recommendations.
d. Communication skills: the students demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively by us-
ing appropriate communication methods to both domestic and international audiences.
e. Critical thinking skills: the students understand business-related issues in multi perspec-
tives, interpret information effectively, and give sound judgment.
f. Technology skills: the students understand how to apply effectively and efficiently appropri-
ate technologies to business and communication settings.
g. Ethical attitude at work: the students develop an awareness of the ethical dimensions of
communication, behavior, and decision-making at the workplace.
h. Cognitive ability and perspectives on globalization: the students are sensitive to opportuni-
ties and challenges of globalization; responsive to cross-cultural issues that influence business op-
erations in the global context so as to take advantages of global opportunities and overcome chal-
lenges.
i. Teamwork, self-studying, and career development skills: the students are effective team
members who are able to and willing to support others, to become successful team leaders, to pur-
sue life-long study having future-oriented perspectives.
6. Course Assessment
See file Schedules

Students are encouraged to choose different research types and designs:

Quantitative Qualitative Mixed Quantitativ Case study
Method Method method e method in
Finance
Applied Marketing Problem Marketing Behavioral Describe
research research: solving: research Finance problems
Descriptive Case study Case study and give
study feasible
solutions
Academic Explanatory Exploratory Theory Theory Managerial
research research: research: building and building implication
Hypothesis Theory testing and testing s
testing building

FINAL TEST
The final test will be 90-120 minutes in length during Final Exam Period and account for 35% of
total grade. It will be in the form of essay (problems/ criticized). This is OPEN or Half-open book
test

Grading
The letter grade will be followed by the University suggested rule:
90-100: A+, 80-90: A, 70 – 80: B+, 65 – 70: B, 55 – 65: C+, 50 – 55: C, 30 - <50: D+,
10 - <30: D
Assignment Submission Procedure
It is essential that you submit all your assignment tasks on time via the appropriate procedures. You
should submit your written assignment to the tutor or lecturer in the beginning of class that your
group will present.

i) Attach a copy of the Assignment Cover Sheet to be found at the end of this document
ii) Make the copy of the assignment for safe keeping
iii) Hand in your assignment to the tutor or lecturer
iv) You may not submit assignment via email or by fax

Late submission
Request for late submission of assignments or absent in the session that your group will present
must be made in writing to the course lecturer. Extensions will be granted on medical grounds only,
or on compassionate grounds under special circumstances. Medical certificates or other supporting
documents may be required. Late submissions may incur a penalty of 5% of the assignment mark
per day.
 (Use the information from course assessment plan and grading scale from AUN syllabi to fill this
table)
7. Course Outline
Lecture: see file schedules

Noted: Organizational structure will be not included in this course.

8. Course Policy
8.1 Workload
It is expected that the students will spend at least six hours per week studying this course. This time
should be made up of reading, research, working on assignment, preparing for presentation and
attending classes. In periods where they need to additionally prepare for examinations, the workload
may be greater.
Over-commitment has been a cause of failure for many students. They should take the required
workload into account when planning how to balance study with part-time jobs and other activities.
8.2 Attendance
Regular and punctual attendance at lectures and presentations is expected in this course. University
regulations indicate that if students attend less than eighty per cent of scheduled classes they may be
refused final assessment. Exemptions may only be made on medical grounds.
8.3 General Conduct and Behavior
The students are expected to conduct themselves with consideration and respect for the needs of the
fellow students and teaching staff. Conduct, which unduly disrupts or interferes with a class, such as
ringing or talking on mobile phones, is not acceptable and students will be asked to leave the class.
More information on student conduct is available at the university webpage.
8.4 Keeping informed
The students should take note of all announcements made in lectures or on the course’s Blackboard.
From time to time, the university will send important announcements to their university e-mail
addresses without providing a paper copy. The students will be deemed to have received this
information.

8.5 Academic Honesty and Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the presentation of the thoughts or work of another as one’s own (definition proposed
by the University of Newcastle). Students are also reminded that careful time management is an
important part of study and one of the identified causes of plagiarism is poor time management.
Students should allow sufficient time for research, drafting, and the proper referencing of sources in
preparing all assessment items. The university regards plagiarism as a form of academic
misconduct, and has very strict rules regarding plagiarism.1

9. Course Coordinator/Lecturer
 School/Department:
 Course Coordinator/Lecturer:
 Email:
1 This is adapted with kind permission from the University of New South Wales.
 Ho Chi Minh City, ………….
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT DEAN OF SCHOOL