INFOSYS 751 : Research Methods – Qualitative
Business and Economics
2024 Semester Two (1245) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
The purpose of this course is to provide advanced education and training in qualitative research methods for postgraduate students. The course looks at the underlying research philosophies and possible qualitative research designs in business and management. It also explores how a variety of qualitative research methods, including action research, case study research, ethnographic research and grounded theory, can be used in business and management. The course aims to achieve this through lectures, practical exercises, and class discussions of qualitative studies and examples.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
| Capability 5: | Independence and Integrity |
| Capability 6: | Social and Environmental Responsibilities |
Learning Outcomes
- Display familiarity with a broad range of qualitative research methods and approaches used within information systems and operations and supply chain management (Capability 1 and 2)
- Apply important ethical principles related to research (Capability 1, 2, 5.2 and 6)
- Apply critical thinking by presenting and evaluating arguments in an academic fashion (Capability 2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1 and 5.2)
- Exhibit competence in critiquing the research methods sections of qualitative research articles (Capability 1, 2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
- Demonstrate the effective writing and presenting of a research proposal using qualitative methods published in some of the leading academic journals (Capability 1, 2, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Assignments | 25% | Individual Coursework |
| Assignments | 25% | Group Coursework |
| Final Exam | 50% | Individual Examination |
| 3 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||
| Assignments | ||||||||||
| Assignments | ||||||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
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.
For this course, you can expect one 3 hour lecture, 5 hours of reading and thinking about the content and on average 2 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is expected at lectures but lectures will be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events unless, due to COVID-19, Auckland is in lockdown. In the event of a lockdown, all lectures will be held online via zoom.
Attendance on campus is required for the final exam, but depending upon university policy at the time, may be held online using Inspera.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly lecture as per the 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.
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.
For many years the student feedback has been excellent whether the course has been held on campus or online (due to COVID lockdowns). However, based on recent student suggestions, there will be more practical hands-on exercises in class.
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.
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.