MBA research methods workshop top-up 50 2021-2022
MBA research methods workshop top-up 50 (blended/ online) 2021-2022
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Synopsis Form: 20 Jan
2022
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Proposal: 10 Mar 2022 |
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Dissertation only |
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Dissertation: Jul 2022 |
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Dissertation with 2 modules |
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Dissertation: Oct 2022 ** also note the online ethic form. [submission date: probably from 6 weeks after proposal submission to the date of sending the first dissertation draft to supervisor for review]. |
Sessions | Topics | Readings/ activities |
1. On research proposal and research methodology O Oct 26 (Tue): 19-21.30pm | 1. Nature and skills required for formulating dissertation proposal 2. Basic nature on research process 3. Introduction of local university theses portals to access dissertation reports with local contents | · Saunders et al. (2012: section 1.2: The nature of research; 1.3: business and management research; 1.4: the research process). * How to write a problem statement. Slides: Business research methods slides. Slides: Introduction to business research methods ** updated module description information: Dissertation/Project
12,000 words. |
2. Layers of management research: an introduction
Nov 2 (Tue): 19-21.30pm | 1. From research philosophies, to inductive/ deductive reasoning, to a range of research strategies 2. On ontology and epistemology | · Saunders et al. (2012: Chapter 4, primarily the “research onion”: pg. 128) · Saunders et al. (2012: 145-148: inductive and deductive reasoning) · Saunders et al. (2012: 130-132: ontology) · Saunders et al. (2012: 132-134: epistemology) videos: * Facts and values (a briefing). * A sample on dissertation proposal * A sample on synopsis form (note the topic of project background also). |
3. Quantitative vs. qualitative research methods; inductive vs deductive reasoning
Nov 9 (Tue): 19-21.30pm | 1. Explanation of quantitative and qualitative research 2. Review of dissertation report samples from local university theses portals 3. Inductive vs deductive reasoning: an elaboration | · Saunders et al. (2012: Chapter 12: analyzing quantitative data; chapter 13: analyzing qualitative data) · Saunders et al. (2012: 145-148: inductive and deductive reasoning). Also see Facebook page on reasoning (url address: https://www.facebook.com/Literature-on-reasoning-1589559494676577/). Video: Slides * Slides: qualitative research slides. * Slides: quantitative research slides. * Slides: inductive and deductive reasoning. |
4. Correlation analysis; literature review I
Nov 16 (Tue): 19-21.30pm | 1. Correlation analysis 2. Literature review skills: elaboration 3. Review of relevant academic articles on local topics related to correlation analysis and literature review | · Saunders et al. (2012: section 12.5: examining relationships, differences and trends using statistics). · Saunders et al. (2012: Chapter 3: critically reviewing the literature). · Facebook page on correlation analysis (url address: https://www.facebook.com/literature.correlation.analysis/). Video: * understanding correlation. (also on the basic steps to calculate correlation coefficient). * Slides: Literature review. * Slides: Correlation analysis |
5. Dissertation report writing skills; literature review II; primary vs secondary data; case study research I
Nov. 23 (Tue): 19-21.30pm | 1. Review dissertation report writing quality with local universities’ dissertation report samples 2. Literature review skills – elaboration II 3. Primary vs secondary data: nature and gathering methods 4. Case study research I | · The HKU Scholars Hub (url address: https://hub.hku.hk/advanced-search?location=thesis). · Saunders et al. (2012: Chapter 3: Critically reviewing the literature) · Saunders et al. (2012: Chapter 8 (using secondary data) and Chapter 9: Collecting primary data through observation) · Yin (1989; chapter 1: Introduction) |
6. Discuss potential local dissertation topics of interest to students; case study research II; Focus group approach; survey research
Nov. 30 (Tue): 19-21.30pm | 1. Examine local potential dissertation topics of interest to students 2. Case study research II 3. Focus group approach 4. Survey research
On ethics form briefing, and on the basic concepts in Social Research ethics (video) & study note. | · Class brainstorming of dissertation topics in local contexts (1 hour 30 min). · Yin (1989; chapters 2-6) · Saunders et al. (2012: 176-178: Survey) · Saunders et al. (2012: section 10.8: group interview and focus groups) * Slides: Case study research method. * Slides: Focus groups. * Slides: Survey method in research. * Slides: Questionnaires and survey e-readings Videos to review: 1. research philosophies (also take a look at pragmatism [a brief lecture]) 2. ontology and epistemology (also a vlog on ontology. vlog on epistemology; vlog on methodology) (also see a brief lecture on epistemology and ontology). 4. on deductive and inductive research. (also see analytic induction [a brief lecture]; and inference and inquiry (a brief lecture). 5. constructs. 8. survey research: features, benefits and drawbacks. 9. how to create a survey with Google Forms. 10. Online focus group. 11. Qualitative methods in social media research. About interview research. * types of interview: unstructured, semi-structured and structured interview. * a practical guide to qualitative interviewing. * how to conduct a research interview. Specific topics to cover: |
7. Observational research; interview; action research
Dec 7 (Tue): 19-21.30pm | 1. Observational research 2. Interview 3. Action research 4. Discussion of how research methods can be applied in dissertation projects in local settings, with special reference to case study research Preparatory videos on quantitative research methods * The Normal Distribution and the 68-95-99.7 Rule. | · Saunders et al. (2012: Chapter 9: Collecting primary data through observation) · Saunders et al. (2012: Chapter 10: Collecting primary data using semi-structured, in-depth and group interviews) · Saunders et al. (2012: 183-184: Action research) · lecture 7 details * Slides: observational research. * Slides: interview method in research. * Slides: action research. Videos: * interview research. (also watch online interview research). * observational research./ [also views on observation]; [advantages and disadvantages of observational research]. . ALRA practice notes: |
8. Experiment; ethnography; experiment
Dec 14 (Tue): 19-21.30pm | 1. Experiment research methods (true experiment and quasi-experiment. Ethnographic research 2. Discussion of how research methods can be applied in dissertation projects in local settings, with special reference to case study research Videos: | · Saunders et al. (2012: 174-176): Experiment · Saunders et al. (2012: 181-182): Ethnographic research · Videos on research methods quality * Slides: Experimental method in research. * Slides: Ethnographic research. On the chi square test. * simple explanation of chi-squared test. * a briefing on chi-squared test. On ANOVA (videos) * basic ideas on one-way ANOVA. * one-way ANOVA with manual calculation. [also take a look at the F-value calculator] * on the F-distribution curves./ also this video showing curves with different degrees of freedom. Some readings related to Pivot Table 1. Using Pivot Table as a research DSS. 2. Multidimensional data analysis with Pivot Table. On multiple regression videos: * multiple linear regression. part 1 * multiple linear regression part 2. * multiple linear regression - evaluating basic models. * using Excel for multiple regression analysis. * Video on netnography. Also watch digital ethnography. Research methods topics: * what is research methodology? * what is a literature review? * philosophical assumptions: an introduction. * on methodology: philosophical underpinnings. * interview research: pros and cons. |
9. Content analysis; grounded theory
Jan 25 (Tue)[f2f]/ Jan 26 (Wed) [ol]: 19-21.30pm [Drop-in session; attendance will be taken] | 1. Content analysis: basic techniques 2. Grounded theory: basic ideas, including thematic analysis 3. Discussion of how research methods can be applied in dissertation projects in local settings, with special reference to case study research
| · Facebook page on content analysis (url address: https://www.facebook.com/literature.contentanalysis.documentstudy/). · Saunders et al. (2012: 185-187): Grounded theory. · Examine the local case of Esprit annual report (url address: http://www.esprit.com/investor_relations/financial_information/annual_interim_reports/ ) to brainstorm specific case study research design: class exercise. (1 hour 30 min.) e-reading: * Slides: Content analysis in research. Videos to review: * interview research: pros and cons. * qualitative grounded theory. * grounded theory: a brief lecture. (also see versions of grounded theory). * survey research: features, benefits and drawbacks. * framework analysis (a brief lecture). * briefing on validity - part 1. * briefing on validity - part 2 (face validity). * a briefing on triangulation in qualitative research. * quality of qualitative research. * trustworthiness in qualitative research. Recently released practice notes: 1. Consolidation and expansionism in the agile literature review approach (ALRA) diagramming 2. The topic of vision, mission and objective in agile literature review diagramming 4. Some advice on linkage-type research objective in the agile literature review approach To review recent postings on articles on academic ideas for ALRA (FB group). To review some typical management to study in dissertation projects: 1. Sales force management (slideshare). 2. Human resource management (slideshare). 3. Marketing management (slideshare). 4. Production management (slideshare). 5. Managerial competence (slideshare). 6. IT management (slideshare). |
10. Research methods quality
Feb 8 (Tue) [f2f] / Feb 9 (Wed) [ol] 19-21.30pm [Drop-in session; attendance will be taken] | On reliability, validity, relevance, ethical considerations, feasibility, etc. * a revision of the onion model with slideshares added. To discuss dissertation requirement using diagrams for illustration [from dissertation sample [Hero]]: Diagram 1:  Diagram 2:  Diagram 3  Diagram 4  Also study the common defects of dissertation report. A revision on e-resources on research quality [slideshares added]. A revision on observational research [slideshares added]. ** an updated proposal template based module guide 2020/2021. |
An examination on: Also to review the related information in the Videos: * how to structure your dissertation report. * writing the chapter of introduction. * writing the chapter of literature review. * writing the chapter on methodology. * writing the chapter on results. * writing the chapter on discussion. * connecting findings, conclusions and recommendations. * results, discussion and conclusions in chapters. * writing the chapter on conclusions. * on the chapter on conclusions and recommendations. * cohesion in academic writing. * what is a good explanation (a briefing). ** some teaching material related to multiple regression analysis. |
Lecture 15
March 15 (Tue) [f2f]/ March 16 (Wed) [ol]:
Class exercise continued...:
A class exercise on research method selection and justification (a blog exercise).
A review of the blog note on: the common defects of dissertation report.
* Video:
* qualitative writing (a brief lecture).
A demonstration of Excel regression function (demonstration excel file in google drive)
** this note includes useful YouTube videos on correlation analysis [useful study material]. In particular, study the videos on types of variables, coefficient of correlation and determination and Excel regression report interpretation.
A demonstration of Excel ANOVA function (demonstration excel file in google drive); also take a look at the YouTube videos on a brief introduction on ANOVA and how to calculate and understand ANOVA.
** Students who are interested in using quantitative research methods and tools in dissertation projects would find the articles of MPSB Research and OR-knowledge structure useful for a discussion of the quantitative approach (in google drive course folder).
** a review of some of the examples of the academic literature for ALRA (FB).
Lecture 16
March 22 (Tuesday) [f2f]/ March 23 (Wed) [ol]:
A review of the research project module guide info.
A blog note on dissertation project effort adequacy.
A revision on the Dissertation Table of Content template, and the dissertation sample of Hero (in google drive). [also take a look at the ebook, Saunders et al., on research methods in the course google drive]
A revision of philosophy of science (a video to study). Also study he topic of problematic situation [rich picture concept].
**Collections of blog notes on ALRA 2019, 2018 and 2022. [total 3 volumes]. Some specific practice note to review:
1. how to write recommendations.
2. three types of research tasks.
3. One way to perform theory-driven analysis on interview research findings.
4. typical topics used in different ALRA zones: examples.
5. terminologies used in theoretical framework level 0.
6. terminologies used in theoretical framework level 1c.
7. strengths and weaknesses of ALRA.
8. the complicated understanding orientation of ALRA.
A review of the academic literature of ALRA. (also study e-resources on literature review).
A review of the blog note on the onion model e-resources.
A review of the blog note on research methods e-resources.
A review of the blog note on research methods quality.
Currently, students should be working on literature review and research methodology formulation. The diagrams being constructed and refined are mainly theoretical frameworks level 1a and and level 1c.
As quite some students expressed interested in using quantitative research methods, let's study the video on quantitative research methods and discuss how these methods are to be used in the dissertation project research methodology.
If time allows, study the video on Chi Square Test. The Excel function is =CHITEST(observed range, expected range), the result is the p-value. If p-value is larger than alpha (e.g. 5%), then the null hypothesis is not rejected [i.e. there is no relationship between x and y].
Announcement
"Please be informed that we have the below lucky draw campaign to encourage students to fill in the end of module evaluation. Please kindly remind your students to fill in the module feedback in CANVAS during your last few sessions. It would be great if you can spend 5-10 minutes time for student to conduct the survey. Student just simply click in the “Module feedback” in the home page of the module link. You also can view the statistics of student’s feedback in CANVAS. Many thanks for your help.
"Module feedback"
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References
Saunders, M., P. Lewis and A. Thornhill. 2012. Research Methods for Business Students, Pearson. [textbook].
Yin, R.K. 1989. Case study research: Design and Methods, Sage.
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