Research Design, Science Theory and Methods

Knowledge and understanding

After completing the course, the student shall be able to:

• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the field of Business Administration and Management. (1)

Skills and abilities

After completing the course, the student shall be able to:

• demonstrate analytical capabilities using various research methods and techniques, (2)
• present and discuss, both orally and in writing, the knowledge, arguments and conclusions of academic articles or dissertations in the field of Business Administration and Management and by doing so formulate research problems and identify possible research gaps, (3)
• independently prepare and present, both orally and in writing, a research proposal within a predetermined time frame, (4)
• justify the choice of theories, research designs and methods for scientific studies. (5)

Judgement and attitudes

After completing the course, the student shall be able to:

• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations that exist with scientific research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, (6)
• demonstrate an awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work. (7)

In the first part of the course, students learn about various research approaches and research philosophies and their link to research strategies, as well as about research ethics. Furthermore, students are guided into the research process including research problem formulation and choice and design of appropriate research methodology, and are taught about different methods of data analysis.

The course concludes with the preparation of research proposals for a Master’s Thesis in Business Administration and Management showing the students’ ability to identify and formulate a research problem autonomously as well as to plan for carrying out research, using appropriate methods within predetermined time frames.

Examination part 1: Active participation in seminars and written examination, 4.5 credits (examines outcome 1)

Examination part 2: Written assignment (individual or in pairs) and its oral presentation in a seminar, 2 credits (examines outcome 3)

Examination part 3: Active participation in seminars, written and oral assignments, 4.5 credits (examines outcome 2)

Examination part 4: Written assignment (a research proposal) (individual or in pairs) and its oral presentation and defence in a seminar and the role of the opponent of papers written by other students, 4 credits (examines outcomes 4-7)

The Swedish grades U–VG.