MBA 5652, Research Methods
Course Syllabus
Course Description
Research Methods will guide students in advancing their knowledge of different research principles used to embrace
organizational opportunities and combat weaknesses and threats. Students will compile a SWOT analysis and develop an
understanding of research tools used in business and industry.
Course Material(s)
No physical text required; text and resources are integrated within the course.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Discuss the importance of research-based decision making in a company.
Examine the developmental components of a research study.
Explore quantitative research methods.
Describe how qualitative research methods are used.
Appraise experimentation and observation research methods.
Conduct an environmental scan of an organization to result in an analysis of its strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities, and threats (SWOT).
7. Appraise current research tools used in business and industry.
8. Summarize how a company applies research methods to solve problems within the organization.
Credits
Upon completion of this course, the students will earn three (3) hours of college credit.
Course Structure
1. Study Guide: Each unit contains a Study Guide that provides students with the learning outcomes, unit lesson,
required reading assignments, and supplemental resources.
2. Learning Outcomes: Each unit contains Learning Outcomes that specify the measurable skills and knowledge
students should gain upon completion of the unit.
3. Unit Lesson: Each unit contains a Unit Lesson, which discusses lesson material.
4. Reading Assignments: Each unit contains Reading Assignments from the CSU Online Library.
5. Suggested Reading: Suggested Readings are listed in each unit’s study guide. Students are encouraged to read
the resources listed if the opportunity arises, but they will not be tested on their knowledge of the Suggested
Readings.
6. Discussion Boards: Discussion Boards are part of all CSU term courses. More information and specifications
can be found in the Student Resources link listed in the Course Menu bar.
7. Unit Assignments: Students are required to submit for grading Unit Assignments in Units I-VIII. Specific
information and instructions regarding these assignments are provided below. Grading rubrics are included with
each assignment. Specific information about accessing these rubrics is provided below.
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8. Ask the Professor: This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or
course content related questions.
9. Student Break Room: This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates.
CSU Online Library
The CSU Online Library is available to support your courses and programs. The online library includes databases,
journals, e-books, and research guides. These resources are always accessible and can be reached through the library
webpage. To access the library, log into the myCSU Student Portal, and click on “CSU Online Library.” You can also
access the CSU Online Library from the “My Library” button on the course menu for each course in Blackboard.
The CSU Online Library offers several reference services. E-mail (library@columbiasouthern.edu) and telephone
(1.877.268.8046) assistance is available Monday – Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm and Friday from 8 am to 3 pm. The
library’s chat reference service, Ask a Librarian, is available 24/7; look for the chat box on the online library page.
Librarians can help you develop your research plan or assist you in finding relevant, appropriate, and timely information.
Reference requests can include customized keyword search strategies, links to articles, database help, and other
services.
Unit Assignments
Unit I Article Review
Using the CSU Online Library, locate an article that discusses research in an organization. Topic ideas might include the
role of research, development of research studies, integration of different types of methods, or the communication of
research results within an organization. Note that these are ideas; please expand within the parameters of research used
within organizations. Respond to the following questions/topics:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Summarize the article with an eye on the author’s main point.
How does this article contribute to contemporary thinking about research?
How does this article illustrate the importance of using research to make decisions within an organization?
How can information in this article be applied to your field?
What is your opinion on the topic of this article?
Your APA-formatted response should be a minimum of three pages in length (not including the title and reference pages).
Your sources should include the article of reference from the CSU Online Library and at least one additional peerreviewed source. All sources used must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying
citations.
For step-by-step instructions for formatting a paper in APA style, please refer to the CSU Citation Guide at
http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/downloads/pdf/success/citation-guide. Instructions for formatting formal documents can
be found on page 17.
Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.
Unit II Scholarly Activity
Business problems are basically information problems because if a company had all the necessary information, it could
solve the problems. Using the CSU Online Library, explore the topic of how research is conducted in organizations to
address problems or issues. Then, select a company that is of interest to you, and respond to the following
questions/topics:
1. Briefly describe your company. Identify potential problems or issues (current or future) that your company might
address with a research study.
2. What indicators are prevalent demonstrating that the company is effectively (or ineffectively) using research
studies within the organization?
3. How might the company use secondary research? How might they use primary research?
4. What might this company do in the future to expand its research? Include your rationale.
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Your APA-formatted response should be a minimum of three pages in length (not including the title and reference pages)
and should include an introduction, thesis statement and a clear discussion of the questions/topics above. Your response
should include a minimum of two credible references. All sources used must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted
material must have accompanying citations.
For step-by-step instructions for formatting a paper in APA style, please refer to the CSU Citation Guide at
http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/downloads/pdf/success/citation-guide. Instructions for formatting formal documents can
be found on page 17.
Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.
Unit III Scholarly Activity
Using the CSU Online Library and other disciplinary resources, research how qualitative research is used in your field.
Using this information, write an essay that describes how qualitative research tools can be used to aid in decision making
within your field. Be sure that your essay addresses the following questions/topics:
1. Describe specific qualitative methods and tools that could be used within your discipline to gather data. Include
your rationale.
2. Evaluate their effectiveness with respect to certain areas within your discipline.
3. Include company or organizational examples within your essay, as relevant.
4. In your opinion, what is the future of qualitative research both within your discipline and in general?
Your APA-formatted response should be a minimum of three pages (not including the title and reference pages) and
should include an introduction, thesis statement and a clear discussion of the questions/topics above. Your response
should include a minimum of two credible references. All sources used must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted
material must have accompanying citations.
For step-by-step instructions for formatting a paper in APA style, please refer to the CSU Citation Guide at
http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/downloads/pdf/success/citation-guide. Instructions for formatting formal documents can
be found on page 17.
Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.
Unit IV Scholarly Activity
Using the CSU Online Library and other disciplinary resources, research how quantitative research is used in your
discipline. Using this information, write an essay that describes how quantitative research tools can be used to aid in
decision making within your field. Be sure that your essay addresses the following questions/topics:
1. Describe specific quantitative methods and tools that could be used within your discipline to gather data. Include
your rationale.
2. Evaluate their effectiveness with respect to certain areas within your discipline.
3. Include company or organizational examples within your essay, as relevant.
4. In your opinion, what is the future of quantitative research both within your discipline and in general?
Your APA-formatted response should be a minimum of three pages (not including the title and reference pages) and
should include an introduction, thesis statement and a clear discussion of the questions/topics above. Your response
should include a minimum of two credible references. All sources used must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted
material must have accompanying citations.
For step-by-step instructions for formatting a paper in APA style, please refer to the CSU Citation Guide at
http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/downloads/pdf/success/citation-guide. Instructions for formatting formal documents can
be found on page 17.
Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.
Unit V PowerPoint Presentation
You are the research manager within your organization, and you are grappling with a problem that needs further research.
Your immediate supervisor is interested in using experimentation and observation research techniques in researching this
problem and requests that you prepare a presentation to educate him on these methods. You are unsure whether using
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these techniques would be adequate, but you set yourself on a mission to analyze the two research methods to provide
him with the best information.
Compile a PowerPoint with your analysis of experimentation and observation as they apply to your company and/or
discipline. In your PowerPoint, be sure to address the following questions/topics:
1. Describe specific experimentation and observational methods that could be used within your discipline to gather
data. Include your rationale.
2. Evaluate their effectiveness with respect to certain areas within your discipline.
3. Include company or organizational examples, as relevant.
4. In your opinion, are there any ethical implications with the use of experimentation and observational methods
within your discipline?
Your presentation should be at least 12 slides in length (including a title slide and a reference slide). In this presentation,
you are required to use speaker notes. In the speaker notes, you will provide what you would say if you were actually
giving the presentation to your supervisor. Please write your notes in complete sentences and adhere to typical grammar
and punctuation rules.
All sources used must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations. Be sure to
use APA style for citations and references.
Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.
Unit VI Scholarly Activity
Select an existing company, possibly a publicly-held company in order to find easily accessible information. Research the
company and compile a SWOT analysis identifying a minimum of four elements under each of the strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities, and threats. Explain each element with an eye on how this affects the company overall. Once the table has
been compiled, address the following questions:
1. How does this tool assist the marketing and management teams to solve problems within the company?
2. Based upon your research and this SWOT analysis, what recommendations would you make for the management
team?
Your APA-formatted submission should be a minimum of three pages (not including the title and reference pages). The
table may be single spaced. References should include a minimum of two credible sources.
Click here for a template for this assignment.
Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.
Unit VII Web Assignment
Using your favorite search engine, locate the website for two research firms. Conduct a review of the services offered by
these two different research firms. What types of tools do they use, and how effective are those tools? Be sure to respond
to the following questions/topics, evaluating each research firm’s capability of providing valuable services to its customers.
1. Contrast the services and tools provided by the two research firms.
2. Explain the advantages of utilizing these research firms.
3. Discuss why a company might decide to save the money and utilize its in-house team as opposed to one of these
firms.
4. Explain how the tools discussed in the lecture might enable more companies to complete their research internally.
Your APA-formatted submission should be a minimum of three pages (not including the title or reference pages).
References should include the two websites and a minimum of one additional credible reference. All sources used must
be referenced. Paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations.
For step-by-step instructions for formatting a paper in APA style, please refer to the CSU Citation Guide at
http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/downloads/pdf/success/citation-guide. Instructions for formatting formal documents can
be found on page 17.
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Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.
Unit VIII PowerPoint Presentation
Compile a PowerPoint presentation introducing the importance of research and the use of research methods within an
organization. Think about how this applies to your industry and, specifically, to a company that might use research
methods discussed in this course. As you compile this PowerPoint, discuss the points identified below.
Analyze the theoretical aspects of research methods to include the following:
o importance of conducting effective research leading to good decision making,
o analysis of the process associated with putting together a research study,
o summary of research methods including advantages and disadvantages of each, and
o effective presentation strategies for reporting research results.
Apply learning from this course to your discipline to include the following:
o Explain either a hypothetical or real research problem that could arise within a company in your discipline.
o Discuss a minimum of two research methods that could be used to address this research problem.
o Identify and explain specific challenges and opportunities associated with the use of these research methods
within your discipline.
Your PowerPoint should be at least 16 slides in length (including a title slide and a reference slide). In this presentation,
you are required to use speaker notes. In the speaker notes, you will provide what you would say if you were actually
giving the presentation to an audience. Please write your notes in complete sentences and adhere to typical grammar and
punctuation rules.
All sources used must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations. Be sure to
use APA style for citations and references.
Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.
APA Guidelines
The application of the APA writing style shall be practical, functional, and appropriate to each academic level, with the
primary purpose being the documentation (citation) of sources. CSU requires that students use APA style for certain
papers and projects. Students should always carefully read and follow assignment directions and review the associated
grading rubric when available. Students can find CSU’s Citation Guide in the myCSU Student Portal by clicking on the
“Citation Resources” link in the “Learning Resources” area. This document includes examples and sample papers and
provides information on how to contact the CSU Success Center.
Grading Rubrics
This course utilizes analytic grading rubrics as tools for your professor in assigning grades for all learning activities. Each
rubric serves as a guide that communicates the expectations of the learning activity and describes the criteria for each
level of achievement. In addition, a rubric is a reference tool that lists evaluation criteria and can help you organize your
efforts to meet the requirements of that learning activity. It is imperative for you to familiarize yourself with these rubrics
because these are the primary tools your professor uses for assessing learning activities.
Rubric categories include: (1) Discussion Board, (2) Assessment (Written Response), and (3) Assignment. However, it is
possible that not all of the listed rubric types will be used in a single course (e.g., some courses may not have
Assessments).
The Discussion Board rubric can be found within Unit I’s Discussion Board submission instructions.
The Assessment (Written Response) rubric can be found embedded in a link within the directions for each Unit
Assessment. However, these rubrics will only be used when written-response questions appear within the Assessment.
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Each Assignment type (e.g., article critique, case study, research paper) will have its own rubric. The Assignment rubrics
are built into Blackboard, allowing students to review them prior to beginning the Assignment and again once the
Assignment has been scored. This rubric can be accessed via the Assignment link located within the unit where it is to be
submitted. Students may also access the rubric through the course menu by selecting “Tools” and then “My Grades.”
Again, it is vitally important for you to become familiar with these rubrics because their application to your
Discussion Boards, Assessments, and Assignments is the method by which your instructor assigns all grades.
Communication Forums
These are non-graded discussion forums that allow you to communicate with your professor and other students.
Participation in these discussion forums is encouraged, but not required. You can access these forums with the buttons in
the Course Menu. Instructions for subscribing/unsubscribing to these forums are provided below.
Click here for instructions on how to subscribe/unsubscribe and post to the Communication Forums.
Ask the Professor
This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or course content questions.
Questions may focus on Blackboard locations of online course components, textbook or course content elaboration,
additional guidance on assessment requirements, or general advice from other students.
Questions that are specific in nature, such as inquiries regarding assessment/assignment grades or personal
accommodation requests, are NOT to be posted on this forum. If you have questions, comments, or concerns of a nonpublic nature, please feel free to email your professor. Responses to your post will be addressed or emailed by the
professor within 48 hours.
Before posting, please ensure that you have read all relevant course documentation, including the syllabus,
assessment/assignment instructions, faculty feedback, and other important information.
Student Break Room
This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates. Communication on this forum should
always maintain a standard of appropriateness and respect for your fellow classmates. This forum should NOT be used to
share assessment answers.
Grading
Discussion Boards (8 @ 2%)
Unit I Article Review
Scholarly Activities (4 @ 11%)
Unit VII Web Assignment
PowerPoint Presentations (2 @ 10%)
Total
= 16%
= 10%
= 44%
= 10%
= 20%
= 100%
Course Schedule/Checklist (PLEASE PRINT)
The following pages contain a printable Course Schedule to assist you through this course. By following this schedule,
you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted.
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MBA 5652, Research Methods
Course Schedule
By following this schedule, you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted. Please keep this
schedule for reference as you progress through your course.
Unit I
The Role of Research in Decision Making
Review:
Read:
Discuss:
Submit:
Notes/Goals:
Unit Study Guide
Reading Assignment: See Study Guide
Suggested Reading: See Study Guide
Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by
Saturday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Article Review by Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Unit II
Development of a Research Study
Review:
Read:
Discuss:
Submit:
Notes/Goals:
Unit Study Guide
Reading Assignment: See Study Guide
Suggested Reading: See Study Guide
Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by
Saturday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Scholarly Activity by Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Unit III
Qualitative Research Methods
Review:
Read:
Discuss:
Submit:
Notes/Goals:
Unit Study Guide
Reading Assignment: See Study Guide
Suggested Reading: See Study Guide
Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by
Saturday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Scholarly Activity by Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
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MBA 5652, Research Methods
Unit IV
Quantitative Research Methods
Review:
Course Schedule
Read:
Discuss:
Submit:
Notes/Goals:
Unit Study Guide
Reading Assignment: See Study Guide
Suggested Reading: See Study Guide
Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by
Saturday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Scholarly Activity by Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Unit V
Experimentation and Observation Research
Review:
Read:
Discuss:
Submit:
Notes/Goals:
Unit Study Guide
Reading Assignment: See Study Guide
Suggested Reading: See Study Guide
Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by
Saturday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
PowerPoint Presentation by Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Unit VI
The Use of Research Methods in Compiling a SWOT Analysis
Review:
Read:
Discuss:
Submit:
Notes/Goals:
Unit Study Guide
Reading Assignment: See Study Guide
Suggested Reading: See Study Guide
Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by
Saturday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Scholarly Activity by Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
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MBA 5652, Research Methods
Unit VII
Popular Research Tools Used in Business and Industry
Review:
Course Schedule
Read:
Discuss:
Submit:
Notes/Goals:
Unit Study Guide
Reading Assignment: See Study Guide
Suggested Reading: See Study Guide
Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by
Saturday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Web Assignment by Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Unit VIII
Communicating Research Results
Review:
Read:
Discuss:
Submit:
Notes/Goals:
Unit Study Guide
Reading Assignment: See Study Guide
Suggested Reading: See Study Guide
Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by
Saturday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, 11:59 p.m. (Central Time)
PowerPoint Presentatio…
