Research Methods (MHR101)

This course will provide a platform for your learning in the master's program as well as your lifelong learning in a manager-, consultant-, and researcher role. The course offers opportunities to develop skills and competence in identifying, collecting, evaluating, synthesizing, and presenting management- and leadership relevant information. The course will also introduce you to contemporary research methods and writing a master thesis. Methods are selected from major management-relevant social science disciplines such as psychology, sociology, and organization studies.

The course starts with a presentation and evaluation of the foundation for good social science research including design-, sample-, measurement-, and analysis issues. Then we introduce important quality concepts such as objectivity, falsification, explanation, empirical testing, and reliability/validity, and precision. Throughout we focus on implications for research- and management processes, and we work extensively with cases and assignments related to individual studies as well as reviews and meta-analyses. The point of departure is contemporary standard management-relevant research in social sciences such as psychology, sociology, and organizational theory.

Throughout the course, we expect participants to evaluate knowledge, participate in class discussions, and write papers.

A candidate who has completed this class should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence.

Knowledge

After completing this course the student has

• advanced knowledge in fundamental quality principles of research in social sciences and how research relates to a manager's role.
• in-depth knowledge of how to critically classify, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and apply state-of-the-art knowledge from several social science disciplines.
• in-depth knowledge of the elements of contemporary social science research.

Skills

After completing this course the student can

• analyze and extract, evaluate, and apply existing knowledge in social sciences and management.
• critically discuss contemporary knowledge within business and leadership.
• present, discuss and write critical evaluations of the quality of contemporary knowledge within business and leadership.
• analyze methodological issues and make a research plan.

General competence

After completing this course, the student can:

• analyze and formulate methodological problem statements for relevant academic, business/professional, and research ethical issues.
• based on rhetorical principles communicate, present, and argue for the result of independent work, like analyses, methodology, and conclusions, to various audiences like specialists and the general public.
• apply his/her knowledge and skills in new areas in order to carry out advanced assignments and projects.
• on a sound social science scientific basis, continue life-long learning in research, management, and life in general.

• 2 group-based cases/assignments
• 1 individual case/assignment

These cases/assignments must be passed before the exam.

Student-centered learning based on cases, lectures, seminars, discussions, and group-work.

Class attendance is not mandatory, but highly recommended since the interactive class ambiance offers an efficient learning environment as well as a chance to acquire highly needed skills.

This is a 10-credit course, and thus the total expected workload is around 280 hours, distributed as follows (approximately):

• Lectures, guest lectures, presentations, seminars, student presentations: 50 hours
• Group work/collaborative learning: 130 hours
• Self-study: 100 hours

Distributed over 16 weeks = 17.5 hours per week.