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| Detailed information |
| Pre-requisites |
Zulassung zum Masterstudium
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| Original study plan |
Master's programme Management 2023W |
| Objectives |
This course aims to:
- Let students discover the different phases of a research project and help them to develop the necessary skills to write their own research plan.
- Learn students to develop their own questionnaires and ask relevant questions.
- Understand the difference between primary and secondary data – and show students the potential of international databases.
- Learn students to critically analyze and present data – and showing them the importance of proper data analysis in everyday business life.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, the students will be able to:
- LO1: Critically analyze scientific literature and summarize the main findings. [analytical/practical]
- LO2: Draft their own questionnaire, using both open and closed questions. [practical skill]
- LO3: Consult and analyze international databases. [analytical/practical]
- LO4: Perform basic data analysis. [analytical/practical]
- LO5: Critically examine data presented to them in everyday life [analytical/practical]
- LO6: Develop a research plan for their master thesis [practical skill]
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| Subject |
In this course, students get a hands-on introduction to quantitative research methods – with a clear focus on skills that can be used in writing a master's thesis and later in their professional life. During the sessions, we discuss the different phases of a research project – learning step-by-step how to perform a quantitative research study.
The following subjects are covered during the sessions:
- Research: Getting Started
How to develop your own research questions and find relevant literature.
- Quantitative Methods: Surveys
How to develop your own survey: survey structure, question types, and common pitfalls.
- Quantitative Methods: Secondary Data
Working with secondary data: international databases and critically assessing data sources.
- Quantitative Methods: Data Analysis
Basic data analysis: types of variables, univariate and bivariate analysis, and presenting data.
- Statistical Software: SPSS
Basic data analysis with SPSS: bringing the theoretical knowledge into practice – and showing the possibilities of statistical software.
Practical tips for getting started.
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| Criteria for evaluation |
Attendance in the course is mandatory. The students will have to participate in class discussions (40%) and make an individual assignment (60%) to demonstrate their skills.
Class discussion (40%):
During the sessions, there are small group assignments (e.g. searching for literature, developing a questionnaire, consulting international databases) to develop a better understanding of the different phases in a research process.
Individual assignment (60%):
At the end of the course, you will have to write a project proposal, which proofs that you have developed the necessary skills to critically analyze the scientific literature, formulate an original research question and develop a sound methodological framework.
Synchronization of learning outcomes and assessments:
- LO1: Class discussion + Individual assignment
- LO2: Class discussion
- LO3: Class discussion + Individual assignment
- LO4: Class discussion
- LO5: Class discussion
- LO6: Individual assignment
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| Methods |
In this course, it is the objective to make the students familiar with the different aspects of quantitative research. Therefore, there are six theoretical/practical sessions of three hours, to give the students sufficient time to develop the necessary hands-on experience in quantitative research.
Each session has a similar structure: we start with the necessary theoretical background to properly understand the different aspects of the topic, before we move on to the practical part where the students use this knowledge to solve a research issue.
Here, we use small group assignments (e.g., searching for literature, developing a questionnaire, consulting international databases), to help the students understand the different facets of the research process. At the end of each session, they present their results to the other students, so that everyone can discover the broad variety of research perspectives.
At the end of the course, the students have to write a final assignment (project proposal), which proofs that they have developed the necessary skills to critically analyze the scientific literature, formulate an original research question and develop a sound methodological framework.
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| Language |
English |
| Study material |
Study material: Slides
Additional sources:
Business Research Methods, Fifth Edition (by Emma Bell, Alan Bryman, and Bill Harley)
Doing Survey Research: A Guide to Quantitative Methods, Fourth Edition (by Peter Nardi)
Research Methods for Business Students, Eight Edition (by Mark N.K. Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill)
All additional sources are available in the JKU library.
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| Changing subject? |
No |
| Further information |
For quality assurance and improvement purposes, please participate in all JKU course evaluations and surveys!
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| Earlier variants |
They also cover the requirements of the curriculum (from - to)
973MIMRQNRS10: SE Master Seminar Quantitative Research Methods (2010W-2019S)
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