COURSE UNIT TITLE

: RESEARCH METHODS

Description of Individual Course Units

Course Unit Code Course Unit Title Type Of Course D U L ECTS
FBA 2201 RESEARCH METHODS COMPULSORY 3 0 0 4

Offered By

Faculty Of Business

Level of Course Unit

First Cycle Programmes (Bachelor's Degree)

Course Coordinator

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR ENGIN BAĞIŞ ÖZTÜRK

Offered to

Economics
International Business and Trade
International Relations
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Political Science and International Relations
International Trade and Business (English)
Tourism Management

Course Objective

The aim of the course is to provide students an understanding of basic concepts of research methodology. The course also provides knowledge on making scientific research as a problem solving tool.

Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit

1   Understand a range of research methods, techniques and skills and how they can be used to address particular research questions.
2   Diagnose the related issue; define the problem statement regarding the studies issue; ask the valid research questions.
3   Perform a literature review and synthesize existing knowledge and research related to the research question.
4   Design data collection methods, devices to collect, identify qualitative and quantitative data and material.
5   Apply appropriate tools to analyze data.
6   Write research project proposals to address particular research questions.
7   Communicate and discuss research projects and issues with others in written and verbal forms.
8   Develop problem solving and analytical skills.
9   Develop and enhance the essential interpersonal skills to be an effective team member.
10   Develop oral/written communication skills; articulate and defend his/her position.
11   Recognize and deal with ethical issues arising in the conduct of research.

Mode of Delivery

Face -to- Face

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

None

Recomended Optional Programme Components

None

Course Contents

Week Subject Description
1 Introduction to Research Sekaran Chp. 1
2 The Scientific Approach and Alternative Approaches to Investigation Sekaran Chp. 2
3 The Research Process: Defining the Research Problem; The Critical Literature Review Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Chp. 4, 5
4 The Research Process: Theoretical Framework and Hypothesis; Elements of Research Design Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Chp. 6, 7
5 Measurement of Variables: Operational Definition; Scaling, Reliability and Validity Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Chp. 12, 13
6 Data Collection Methods: Interview and Observation Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Chp. 8, 9
7 Data Collection Methods: Administering Questionnaire Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Chp. 10
8 Data Collection Methods: Experimental Designs Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Chp. 11
9 Sampling Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Chp. 14
10 Data Analysis Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Chp. 15, 16, 17
11 Data Analysis Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Chp. 15, 16, 17
12 Data Analysis Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Chp. 15, 16, 17
13 The Research Report and Conclusion Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Chp. 18, 19
14 Researches and Review Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Chp. 19

Recomended or Required Reading

Primary book: Sekaran, U., & Bougie, R. (2019). Research Methods For Business: A Skill Building Approach. John Wiley & Sons. (ISBN: 978-1-119-56124-8)

Supplementary book: Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill A. (2019). Research Methods for Business Students. Pearson. (ISBN:978-1-292-20878-7)

Additional readings will be assigned during the term.


Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

1. Lectures
2. Assignments
3. Term project

Assessment Methods

SORTING NUMBER SHORT CODE LONG CODE FORMULA
1 MT Midterm
2 ASS Assignment
3 TP TermProject
4 BNS BNS MT * 0.30 + ASS * 0.30 + TP * 0.40


Further Notes About Assessment Methods

Explanations related to the assessment methods:
Learning objectives of this course will be assessed by midterm, assignment and term project.

Midterm:
Written or multiple choice exam will be conducted to measure information learned from this course.

Assignments:
Students will submit a short written report that shows how much they learn from the topics - research question, literature review, hypothesis development and methodology etc.- covered in the course.
Reports will be evaluated with a scale ranging from 1-5: weak, fair, good, very good, and excellent. Weak (0-39%) means "this element is absent, falls short of expectations, or detection of significant plagiarism". Fair (40-59%) means "this element is somewhat absent and somewhat meet the expectations." Good (60-79%) means "this element is developed satisfactorily and meets acceptable standards." Very good (%80-89) means "this element is developed well and exceeds expectations." Excellent (90-100%)means "this element is developed in a noteworthy way, exceeds expectations, and becomes a role model."

Term Project:
Students will write a research report that answers a research question based on data. Report will consists of three parts: data collection, data analysis, and data report.
Each part within the report will be evaluated with its own unique features. The scale ranges from 1-5: weak, fair, good, very good, and excellent. Weak (0-39%) means "this report is absent, falls short of expectations, or detection of significant plagiarism". Fair (40-59%) means "this report is somewhat absent and somewhat meet the expectations." Good (60-79%) means "this report is developed satisfactorily and meets acceptable standards." Very good (80-89%) means "this report is developed well and exceeds expectations." Excellent (90-100%) means "this report is developed in a noteworthy way, exceeds expectations, and becomes a role model."

Assessment Criteria

1. The learner will state the basic terms and concepts related to scientific research.
2. The learner will explain the rationale behind making a scientific research by making a literature review, by asking a research question, by collecting and analyzing data and coming to a conclusion.
3. The learner will diagnose the related problem and recommend solutions depending upon the results of the studied issue.
4. The learner will categorize the details regarding data collection and analysis methods.

Language of Instruction

English

Course Policies and Rules

Academic integrity is to demonstrate responsbile and honest behaviors and follow ethical principles in academic activities. All students should respect the intellectual property rights of others. Specifically every student should avoid plagiarism. All types of plagiarism are serious and violate academic integrity policy.
To understand and prevent plagiarism, please see the following link: https://www.plagiarism.org/understanding-plagiarism. During our lectures, a variety of information will be provided, but if you have any problems you can always ask the instructor.

Contact Details for the Lecturer(s)

Different instructors might lecture this course at each department, so please see the following list:

Business Administration: Assoc. Prof. Engin Bağış Öztürk, engin.ozturk[at]deu.edu.tr (Course Coordinator)

Economics: Prof. Sedef Akgüngör (Economics), sedef.akgungor[at]deu.edu.tr

International Relations: Assoc. Prof. Zühal Ünalp Çepel, zuhal.unalp[at]deu.edu.tr

Tourism Management: Assist. Prof. Ahmet Demirci, ahmet.demirci[at]deu.edu.tr

International Trade and Business: Dr. Ayça Kübra Hızarcı Payne, ayca.hizarci[at]deu.edu.tr

Office Hours

Office hours will be announced in class by the instructors.

Work Placement(s)

None

Workload Calculation

Activities Number Time (hours) Total Work Load (hours)
Lectures 11 3 33
Tutorials 3 3 9
Preparations before/after weekly lectures 14 1 14
Preparation for midterm exam 1 8 8
Web Search and Library Research 1 8 8
Peparing term project and presentation 1 8 8
Preparing assignments 1 10 10
Midterm 1 2 2
Project Assignment 1 2 2
Final 0 2 0
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours) 94

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

PO/LOPO.1PO.2PO.3PO.4PO.5PO.6PO.7PO.8PO.9PO.10PO.11PO.12PO.13
LO.15
LO.24
LO.34
LO.4
LO.5
LO.6
LO.7
LO.8
LO.9
LO.10
LO.11