Course Title: Business Research Methods

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Business Research Methods

Credit Points: 12


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BUSM1408

City Campus

Research

660H Grad School of Business

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 1 2009

BUSM2288

City Campus

Postgraduate

660H Grad School of Business

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2006,
Sem 2 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2009

Course Coordinator: Professor Brian Corbitt

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 39925 5808

Course Coordinator Email:brian.corbitt@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment only


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Students must be enrolled in either a PhD, or Masters by Research degree, or Honours program.


Course Description

The aim of this predominately on-line course is to enable students to understand the scientific method. Students will examine the motivation, subject, and method of scientific enquiry. Students will also be exposed to the knowledge and skills necessary to be undertake a significant research project.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

By the completion of this course, students will:

  • be familiar with RMIT Rules and Procedures;
  • be familiar with RMIT Ethics requirements;
  • be familiar with the electronic Library facilities;
  • be familiar with the scientific method;


  • understand the major approaches to business research;
  • understand the various aspects of research design;
  • understand the requirements of a literature review;
  • understand the principles of quantitative and qualitative data analysis.





Overview of Learning Activities

This course is designed to enable students to move through the materials at their own pace. All teaching materials in the form of modules can be accessed on-line. In addition there will be one face to face class. Students should continue to work closely with their supervisor during this semester.


Overview of Learning Resources

Learning Resources –The Distributed Learning System (DLS

The course materials are divided into modules that students can access individually via the Distributed Learning System or DLS. Instructions for logging on to the DLS to access course materials are provided below:
1. Go to: http://www.rmit.edu.au/online
2. Click on the area labelled: Login to the learning hub. Use your student number as your login and your password i.e. your RMIT network password, to gain access to the system.
3. This will automatically link you to the courses you are enrolled in and begins with a Welcome Page.
4. Go to the New Blackboard Button for your course and double click BUSM 1408 or BUSM2288 or OMGT1000 - Business Research Methods.
5. Go to the Course Documents button, double click and then select the modules you are interested in.
If you are denied access, please contact the Research Development Unit, Student Administration Officer Prue Lamont on (03) 9925 5598 so that she can check your current enrolment status. During orientation, students will be given a guided tour through the online study and communication tools.


Overview of Assessment

There are two pieces of assessment that are compulsory for this course:
Assignment 1: Critical review essay on the scientific method and the students own project; and

Assignment 2: Research proposal. The successful presentation of a research proposal represents the final assessment in the subject.