| CODE | EMA3000 | ||||||
| TITLE | Applied Research Tools for Business | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Aims: The study-unit aims to equip future business practitioners with the skills and competencies needed to solve pressing problems through the application of effective research tools and processes specifically designed to explore tacit processes and/or to confirm/reject hypotheses. It explains the design and implementation of research projects in business, including the formulation of research questions and the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative data analysis covers measurement, analysis of univariate information, contingency tables, some fundamentals of statistical theory, sampling and testing of hypotheses. The qualitative data analysis covers sampling, coding, categorising, mapping and the generation of hypotheses and theories. Learning Outcomes: On completion of this study-unit, the student should have knowledge of: - the logic, concepts and epistemologies associated with qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and the relationship of these to research design and outcomes; - the range of qualitative and quantitative methods available to researchers, both practically and critically; - the possibilities and problems associated with the collection or use of alternative kinds of data in qualitative and quantitative research. Subjects to be Covered: - Introduction to Research Design: - Research Questions - Hypothesis - Indicators and Variables - Qualitative Methods: - Qualitative Interviews - Focus Groups - Reviewing Written Texts/Documents; The Internet - Case Studies - Sampling, coding and categorising - Generating hypotheses - Quantitative Methods: - Data Types, Distribution and Summary Statistics - Samples, Population and Confidence Intervals - Hypothesis Testing (t-test, F-test, Chi-Squared test, regression analysis) - Role of inferential statistics in research - Quantitative Questionnaires (including pilot studies) - Triangulation and Combining Research Methods - Writing Skills: - Developing and Writing a Research Proposal - Contents of a Research Report - Limitations of a Research Project - Bibliography and Referencing - Contemporary Research Issues - Research ideas to be presented and discussed by various members of the department Readings: Students will be introduced to various sources of literature on research methodology. Planned readings shall also include examples of research papers published in peer-reviewed academic business journals. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Joseph G. Azzopardi Frank H. Bezzina Natalie Farrugia |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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