BUSINESS 712 : Advanced Qualitative Research Methods

Business and Economics

2025 Semester One (1253) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

An advanced seminar on recent developments in the application of qualitative methods in business research.

Course Overview

This is an advanced course intended for candidates enrolled in a PhD programme. It focuses on the application of qualitative research methods to investigate organisational phenomena. We will meet for three hours, twice a week, over six weeks (weeks 7-12 of semester 1). These classes will be discussion based, through which we seek to understand, apply and analyse the theory and practicalities of qualitative research methodologies. Participants will interact with expert guest speakers about the realities of being 'in the field' . 

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: BUSINESS 705, 710, or Head of Department approval

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Master of Commerce

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Describe and assess the assumptions, principles and applications of various qualitative research paradigms and methodologies (Capability 3 and 4)
  2. Articulate and justify your paradigmatic and methodological choices (Capability 5, 6.1 and 6.2)
  3. Apply and evaluate various qualitative data collection and data analysis methods (Capability 3 and 5)
  4. Critically reflect on your assumptions, beliefs and actions as a qualitative researcher (Capability 6.2 and 8)
  5. Describe the ethical dimensions of qualitative research and how these apply to your research (Capability 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Written Reflections 30% Individual Coursework
Interview Assignment 30% Group & Individual Coursework
Research proposal 30% Individual Coursework
Discussant role 10% Group & Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Written Reflections
Interview Assignment
Research proposal
Discussant role

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in. Please be aware that the condensed six-week duration of the course will make for an intense learning experience, and students will likely spend 15-20 hours per week including class participation, readings, and assessment activity.


Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities to complete the course.
The course will not include live online events.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

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.

Please refer to CANVAS where a list of reading material has been compiled. Readings have been organised into modules and additional reading materials provided.

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.

Student feedback from previous semesters will be considered for improvements to current delivery.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations 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. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

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 your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, 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 you may be asked to submit your 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. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 13/11/2024 10:28 a.m.