Course Title: Research Methods

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Research Methods

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BUSM3294

City Campus

Undergraduate

620H Business IT and Logistics

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2009,
Sem 2 2009

BUSM3303

City Campus

Research

620H Business IT and Logistics

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2009

ISYS2444

City Campus

Undergraduate

620H Business IT and Logistics

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2010,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014

ISYS2445

City Campus

Postgraduate

620H Business IT and Logistics

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2010,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 1 2011

ISYS2446

City Campus

Research

620H Business IT and Logistics

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2010,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 2 2013

ISYS3317

RMIT University Vietnam

Postgraduate

620H Business IT and Logistics

Face-to-Face

Viet2 2012,
Viet1 2013

Course Coordinator: Dr. Siddhi Pittayachawan

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 1357

Course Coordinator Email: siddhi.pittayachawan@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

You must have have sound communication capability, English proficiency, information management and literacy skills; be familiar with the use of basic statistical techniques and tools; be capable accessing information from a variety of sources to conduct a critical review of literature; be an independent, self-motivated learner who undertakes additional study outside of the classroom.


Course Description

This course seeks to engage you in exploring the whole research process including identifying current trends and issues in business environment and reporting the outcome of this investigation. You will learn how to frame a suitable business research question, critically review literature, select appropriate research methods to answer the research question, collect and analyse data, and write a research report. By completing this course, you will be equipped with knowledge and appreciation in diversity of research methods and techniques and with experience in academic writing.

If you are undertaking this course in Melbourne from semester 2, 2012 onwards your teacher will advise you if you require access to a computer for the course. It is recommended that you have access to a mobile computing device to allow greater flexibility in terms of where you can work on campus outside class times.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

The capabilities that are developed through the program in which you are enrolled are described in the Program Guide. This course contributes to the development of the capabilities in the following way.

It is expected that you will acquire the following capabilities:

  1. Analytical skills, logical reasoning, and critical thinking: you are required to demonstrate justification in constructively criticising extant studies, identifying research gaps, formulating research questions/hypotheses, and designing research.
  2. Communication of complex ideas, idea design and presentation, and creativity and initiative: you are required to demonstrate sound communication skills through an academic writing style with easy-to-follow structure and creative presentation.
  3. Enhancing specialised knowledge: you are provided with an opportunity to learn an entire research process that can be used to address real-world issues in business environment. In particular, each issue may require different research approaches and methods to be addressed, and it is students’ responsibilities to recognise which methods and techniques are suitable.
  4. Ability to develop independent research skills: you are provided with an opportunity to demonstrate that you can become an independent learner by investigating current business trends and issues and proposing a solution that can be later validated with empirical evidence.


Upon the completion of this course, you are expected to be able to:
 

  1. Appreciate use of different research approaches in addressing different business issues
  2. Demonstrate sound argumentation on extant literature in pinpointing research gaps
  3. Critically write a review of literature and propose a new idea to address an issue
  4. Demonstrate an ability of an independent researcher


Overview of Learning Activities

Lecturer inputs: A range of learning experiences are planned for you including lectures, group problem solving exercises and group debates. The problem solving exercises and group debates in particular develop your analytical skills drawing on knowledge and frameworks offered in the lectures. Lectures will introduce students to the key concepts, principles, and theories of science, and their applications in addressing real-world business issues. A diversity of research approaches and methods will be discussed to stimulate critical thinking by linking to real-world case studies.

Your inputs as learners: Your active and constructive participation in group discussions is expected in addition to weekly reading, group and individual exercises and careful planning and completion of assessment tasks.


 


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT university will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and computer laboratories.
You have access to extensive course materials on myRMIT Studies, including digitised readings, lecture notes and a detailed study program, external internet links and access to RMIT Library online and hardcopy resources.


Overview of Assessment

The assessment in this course may consist of a combination of class discussion, laboratory work, oral presentation, reflective journals, and reports. This breadth of assessment provides opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding of data analysis by stimulating them to use a deep-learning approach.

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions, through individual and group feedback on practical exercises and by individual consultation.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.

Your course assessment conforms to the RMIT university assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced in a single document Assessment Policies and Procedures manual. An 1.2.4 Assessment Charter section of this document summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.