Research Design Seminar

Ismail I. Gomaa, PhD.

Course Description
The purpose of this seminar is to develop a foundation for consuming, evaluating and producing scholarly research in the complementary domains of business. During the seminar,
we will review the basic concepts, theories, methodology and tools for doing business research. We will pay particular attention to the significant and unique contribution of the research question(s), logical and coherent development of the theoretical-empirical background, appropriate and valid design of the research process, rigorous and complete analysis of the data, and meaningful and insightful discussion of the research findings.

COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Knowledge
Learn key bases of business research methods; Acquire knowledge of various research designs (e.g., field, surveys, experiments and archival) used in accounting information systems research; Know how to interpret statistical results from diverse quantitative analysis techniques; and Become familiar with some of the primary psychological theories underlying business research (e.g., agency theory, information processing theory, collective information sampling theory, and so on).

COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Skills
Know how to critically evaluate research papers in business and related fields; Develop insight into ways to extend extant research in business and related fields; Learn how to think creatively with regard to linking seemingly different theoretical perspectives together to produce a new stream of research questions; Apply your newly acquired knowledge through the development of a viable research proposal.

COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Perspectives
Become familiar with the complementary aspects of business domains; Understand the unique and overlapping theories and research questions; Discover how to integrate sub-domains of business, and derive relevant research issues and questions. Learn to be contemplative and philosophical when reading, evaluating and discussing research papers.

REQUIRED MATERIAL
Zikmund, Babin, Carr, and Griffin (2010). Business research Methods, 8th ed., South-Western.

CLASS STRUCTURE
Class Meetings:
Class will meet once every two weeks. You are expected to come to class fully prepared to discuss the assigned topics.

Participation:
You are expected to make a significant contribution to discussions of all topics.

Assignments for Research Project:

Each participant is expected to design a proposed research study. You are expected design a research proposal related to an area of business (E.g., marketing, finance, human resources management, and accounting). This will be an excellent opportunity for you to receive input on your ideas to improve your research skills.

Structure of the Research Project

Introduction (2-4 pages): Identify the purpose(s) of the research project. Defend the relevance of the research question(s). Articulate the expected scholarly contribution(s). Theory and Hypotheses (7-10 pages) Present the appropriate theory and literature. Develop testable hypotheses. Research Method (5-10 pages) Explain the variables, metrics and models. If archival, explain in detail what databases you will use and how. If survey or experimental, present the survey or experimental materials. Results (3-4 pages) Describe how you would analyze the data. Defend your choice of statistical testing procedures. Summary and Conclusion (3-4 pages) Summarize the potential benefits of your study to theory and practice. Explain the limitations of your study Suggest future research arising from your study. Overall, your manuscript should be around 20-32 pages (double-spaced, one-inch margins, 12point font) in length.

COURSE ASSESSMENT
Your grade will be determined by your performance based on the following:
Class participation Research project Final exam Total 30% 30% 40% 100%

AN APPRACH TO READING RESEARCH

When reviewing and preparing a discussion of an empirical research paper, you should address the following issues:
What is the research question? Why is the question important? What is the theory? What are the hypotheses? What is the research method and design? What statistical methods were used? What were the key findings? What is the contribution of the study? What are the implications of the study? What are the limitations of the study? What future research would you suggest? (Please come up with at least one idea of a study that would advance the state of knowledge).

AN APPRACH TO READING RESEARCH

For a Non-Empirical Research Paper When reviewing and preparing a discussion of a theory, literature review or framework paper, you should address the following issues:
What is the purpose of the paper? What is the motivation for writing the paper? What major theory or theories are relied on? What is the major contribution of the paper? How can researchers use the paper to further their agendas?

TENTATIVE SESSION SCHEDULE

Sessions Topics Chapter Assignmen ts Due date

Introduction to Research Methodology Review of course program and literature, methodology of teaching, expectations on course participants, definition of business research, benefits of business research and framework conditions, scientific method, global business information systems, sources of business information
1

Basic Terminology / Issues in Research Methodology Review of basic terminology and issues in research methodology: theories, concepts, propositions, hypotheses, business research types, planning and design issues in research

Chap. 1, 3, 6

Problem Definition and the Research Proposal

Brief recap of session 1 highlights, defining a research problem, exploratory research, techniques of exploratory research, primary and secondary data and their advantages/disadvantages

TENTATIVE SESSION SCHEDULE

Sessions Topics Chapter Assignments Due date

Research Methods for Collecting Primary Data I Review of tools for collecting primary data surveys and interviews and associated advantages / disadvantages Chap. 9, 10
Research problem assignment due

2
Research Methods for Collecting Primary Data II Review of tools for collecting primary data observations and experiments and their associated advantages and disadvantages Chap. 11, 12

Measurements in Research Review of measurement and scaling concepts, good measurement criteria, techniques for measuring attitudes, the questionnaire Chap. 13, 14, 15

TENTATIVE SESSION SCHEDULE

Sessions Topics Chapter Assignments Due date

Sampling and Fieldwork 4 Review of sample designs and procedures, statistical techniques used in sampling, fieldwork.
Chap. 16,17, 18

Analyzing Research Data - I

Review of preparing data for analysis, review of descriptive statistical tools and techniques, univariate statistical tools and techniques used in testing hypotheses with practical examples
Analyzing Research Data - II Review of bivariate statistical tools and techniques used in testing hypotheses with practical examples, multivariate statistical tools and techniques used in testing hypotheses with practical examples Communicating Research Findings Preparing research results for reports and presentations

Chap. 20, 21

Chap. 22, 23, 24 Complete research project due Chap. 25

Qualities of a Good Researcher

Calm, kind hearted, obedient, honest, has integrity, and respectful person with good maturity in the first instance. Disciplined, diplomatic, hardworking, good mannered, sincere, devoted and determined. Listens to others, then thinks, then pauses, and then critically comments. Tries to put into practice at least to some extent what he/she says. A good communicator and well concentrated. Likes to learn new things even from kids, takes adventures and appreciates the progress and results of others. Patient, bold, gentle, unafraid, confidant, majestic and keeps his/her head cool under pressure. Believes that knowledge is acquired through training and wisdom is learnt through experience. A motivator and encourager to others through his/her own actions. A good collaborator in a group, accepts the responsibility and regular to the meetings Uses available resources to the best of his/her abilities Progresses forward by accepting his/her errors Likes to be a life-long student with a good commitment Likes to gain knowledge continuously Sees the work and happiness as one and the same object. Believes that success is a journey but not a destination.