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(04) 2284-0515 ext 16
Mobile: 0953276828
-MAI
 bruceho@dragon.nchu.edu.tw
 


jhis course aims to give you an introduction to the research
methods most often used in social science. Students will
gain a knowledge and understanding of the concepts and
terminology of empirical methods used in  field.
Research design, data collection, analysis, validity, and
report writing will all be covered. Also, Quantitative
research methods are included in this course as they are
appropriate for certain research investigations. Selection of
a particular research method will be determined based on
the problem under investigation and its underlying
assumptions.
 


1. jo acquire skills to locate problem areas in
organisational settings, and plan, organise,
design, and conduct research to help solve the
identified problems;
2. jo gather and analyse data, using both
qualitative and quantitative methods.
3. jo be able to write and present research reports;
and
4. jo develop skills and knowledge to discriminate
"good" from "bad" research reported in
academic, business, and trade journals.
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1. Introduction to Research.
2. Scientific Investigation. ‡ 1. A scientific approach to
3. jechnology and Business Research. business research
4. jhe Research Process: Steps 1 to 3: jhe
Broad Problem Area, Preliminary Data
Gathering, Problem Definition.
‡ 2. Initial stages and design
5. jhe Research Process: Steps 4 and 5: of a research project
jheoretical Framework Hypothesis
Development. ‡ 3. Qualitative business
6. jhe Research Process: Step 6: lements
of Research Design. research
7. xperimental Designs.
8. Measurement of Variables: Operational ‡ 4. Quantitative business
Definition and Scales.
9. Measurement: Scaling, Reliability, research
Validity.
10. Data ollection Methods. ‡ 5. Research reporting and
11. Sampling. managerial decision
12. Data Analysis and Interpretation.
13. jhe Research Report. making
14. Managerial Decision Making and
Research.
 
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Students are evaluated on the basis of two written

exam and a series of in-class activities. jhe grade
will be weighted as follows:

1. jwo Written xams and Several Quiz: 60%

2. lass Activities: 40% (Students learn a lot by
³doing´ rather than by simply reading the
materials.)
 
'
(

‡ Uma Sekaran (2003), Research Methods for

Business: A Skill Building Approach, 4th
dition, John Willey & Sons,
td.

‡ (' Bookstore: Please contact


 Phone:(02)2368-4198 Mobile:0936-187-
660))
 About the jextbook
‡ jhis book is the story of the coming together of three
strangers from three countries.
‡ Bob (Robert) from New Zealand (Quantitative)
‡ Brian from Australia (Qualitative)
‡ Uma from USA
Uma¶s highly successful ?
 

 




 
  Published in the USA, is now in
its fourth edition.
jhey have tried to maintain the strengths of Uma¶s
original book and to add new materials about the use of
both qualitative and quantitative methods. Also, a wide
variety of Australian and New Zealand examples of
business research have been provided.
 What is Research ?

‡ Just close your eyes for a moment

to think about that ? ?
 What is Research ?
Research is simply the process of thoroughly
studying and analysing the situational factors
surrounding a problem in order to seek out
solutions to it.
Basically, Research is the process of problem-
solving.
Research = Re + Search
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‡ 1. Finding problems
‡ 2. Analyzing the problems (Analyzing Data) (
et
data do the talking and serve as the departure point
of analysis)
‡ 3. Solving the problems
‡ 4. Proposing solutions ( rasing the problems and
Predicting problems)
 Some jips for making postgraduate
study a success
‡ hoose your supervisor carefully: Be bold, be polite and get to know
your supervisor. A good supervisor welcomes interaction and treats
students as collaborators.
‡ Get a good group: Nothing helps more than finding a nice bunch of
people to work with, either in a study group or as a part of the subject¶s
assessment. While you will be tempted to work with friends or people
from similar disciplines or cultures, some of the best group are those
with people in them from completely different backgrounds.
‡ Set aside study time and the right location: Set aside regular study time
and set up a home office to allow you to work effectively.
‡ Network: stablish a network among your peers and teaching staff.
‡ Visit the library: jhe library will become your best friend. You can
search the world in seconds and download all the information you
need.
‡ Have fun
Have fun and a gratifying experience
learning this course!