BUSINESS 704 : Quantitative Research Methods

Business and Economics

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Students will become familiar with underlying theory and current best practice in quantitative research through discussion and application of topics including measurement, design (including survey design), and computer-based data analysis.

Course Overview

This course provides an overview of the quantitative research methodologies applicable to investigating organizational and behavioural phenomena. It is intended to equip graduate research students with the fundamental skills and concepts needed to design and conduct behavioural research, particularly using surveys and experiments. Students interested in other quantitative research methods, such as modeling, data mining, big data, and econometrics, should consider taking other courses, such as FINANCE 705, 706, INFOSYS 722 OPSMGT 752, ECON 721, 723. This course will be delivered in seminar format, with active participation from students in class discussions.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: BUSINESS 710 Restriction: MKTG 703, 704

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Graduate Profile: Master of Commerce

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand and apply the underlying theories and current best practices in quantitative methods for behavioural research (Capability 1, 2, 5.1 and 5.2)
  2. Critically evaluate other empirical research that adopt quantitative methods (Capability 2 and 4.2)
  3. Develop thorough procedures for conducting quantitative studies for behavioural research (Capability 3, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)
  4. Write testable hypotheses, methods, and results sections of a quantitative research paper (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4.2, 5.1 and 5.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Review 20% Individual Coursework
Data Analysis Assignment 20% Individual Coursework
Research Proposal 60% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Review
Data Analysis Assignment
Research Proposal

Important note: “All data analysis assignments and the two research proposals are compulsory assessments. Failure to attempt any of these assignments will incur a Did Not Complete (DNC) grade.”

Workload Expectations

This is a standard 15-point course offered in an intensive mode. Students are expected to spend 20 hours per week involved in each 15-point course they are enrolled in. 

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

This course will be delivered on campus. Attendance is required at scheduled activities, including all seminar classes, to receive credit for components of the course.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a block delivery (2 classes per week for 6 weeks).


Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

The recommended textbook for this course: Babbie, Earl R. (2016) The practice of social research (14th Edition). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. (Note. The 15th Edition is available from 2020, but only the 14th Edition is available for reading online at the University of Auckland Library.)
Reference: Goss-Sampson, M. A. (2020). Statistical Analysis in JASP 0.14: A Guide for Students. November 2020. (Free pdf)
Getting Started with JASP: You are encouraged to visit the JASP YouTube channel and the ‘How to Use JASP’ page, where you can find introductory blog posts and videos.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of every semester, students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching. The lecturer will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Any other feedback about the course can be given to the instructor at any time, either face to face, by email, or by anonymously placing feedback in the instructor’s letterbox.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Attention is drawn to University policy and regulations on honesty and integrity in academic work and the disciplinary guidelines and procedures applicable to breaches of such policy and regulations. Details may be found at https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/learning-and-teaching/policies-guidelines-and-procedures/academic-integrity-info-for-students/about-academic-integrity.html

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 26/02/2024 12:00 p.m.