Principles and Practices of Research

None

• Searching, locating, gathering secondary data including search strategies in other languages (i.e. English)
• Social research strategies (quantitative and qualitative methods) and their epistemological base
• Formulating research questions/objectives
• Review of the existing literature: What is a critical literature review?
• Introduction to the different stages of the research process, including formulating and clarifying research ideas
• Pitfalls of cross-cultural research
• Gaining access to data & research ethics
• Introduction to a range of data collection techniques
• Academic writing and citations

This module introduces students to the principles and practices of research. It follows a progressive logic and leads students through the stages of the research process. It provides students with the academic tools to undertake a research project independently.

With its overarching focus on building necessary knowledge and skills relevant to Business Studies, students will be equipped with core principles as well as frequently used techniques and methods. Apart from ‘hands on’ exercises, students have the opportunity to start thinking about possible research topics and develop research ideas that reflect the individual interests of the students.

By the end of the module, they should:

• Be familiar with methodological approaches and the research continuum;
• Understand research design, information gathering and data processing and presentation;
• Be familiar with ethical principles of research projects and academic writing;
• Be able to conduct an independent academic research project.

Lectures, coaching, self-study

Research Proposal

none

• Collis, Jill & Hussey, Roger (2013): Business research. A practical guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students. 4th  Ed. 2014, Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan.

• Deetz, Stanley (1996): Describing Differences in Approaches to Organization Science: Rethinking Burrell and Morgan and their Legacy. Organization Science, No. 2(Vol. 7), S.191–207. Available at: http://profjayrfigueiredo.com.br/GON_AC_05.pdf.

• Easterby-Smith, Mark; Thorb, Richard; Jackson, Paul (2015): Management and Business Research. 5th Ed., Los Angeles [a.o.]: Sage. Achtung hier kommt im Mai die neue 6. Auflage 2018

• Miles, Matthew B.; Huberman, Michael A.; Saldana, Johnny (2013). Qualitative Data Analysis. A Methods Sourcebook. 3rd Ed., Los Angeles [a.o.]: Sage.

• SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research (2001): 4th Ed., Denzin, Norman K. & Lincoln, Yvonna S. Los Angeles [a.o.]: Sage.

• Yin, Robert K. (2013): Case Study Research. 5. Ed., Los Angeles [a.o.]: Sage.

• Witzel, Andreas (2000): The problem-centered Interview. Forum Qualitative Social Research, 1(1). Available at: http://www.qualitative-research.net/index.php/fqs/article/view/1132

Face-to-face instruction without mandatory presence