Business Research Methodology

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:7.00

Study Course Accepted:02.02.2024 12:29:51

Study Course Information
Course Code:		SBUEK_176		LQF level:		Level 6
Credit Points:		4.00		ECTS:		6.00
Branch of Science:		Economics		Target Audience:		Business Management; Management Science; Marketing and Advertising
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:		Romāns Putāns
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:		Faculty of Social Sciences
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:		Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szfrsu[pnkts]lv
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		10	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		20
Classes (count)		10	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		20
Total Contact Hours								40
Part-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		7	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		14
Classes (count)		7	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		14
Total Contact Hours								28
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Knowledge in statistics methods, micro and macroeconomics.
Objective:
To provide students with knowledge and practical skills to conduct research work.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Science definitions. Types of scientific thinking.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
2	Basic research principles. Research planning and stages.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
3	Research credibility, validity.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
4	Ethical principles in research work. Plagiarism.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
5	Scientist’s code of ethics, basic principles and issues.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
6	Quantitative and qualitative research methods.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
7	Description of methods and their pros and cons.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
8	Formulating the research problem.			Classes		2.00	auditorium
9	Research subject, object, objective and tasks.			Classes		2.00	auditorium
10	Formulation of a hypothesis.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
11	Data collection. Data summarising. Analysis.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
12	Research formatting and presentation.			Classes		3.00	auditorium
Topic Layout (Part-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Science definitions. Types of scientific thinking.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
2	Basic research principles. Research planning and stages.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
3	Research credibility, validity.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
4	Ethical principles in research work. Plagiarism.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
5	Scientist’s code of ethics, basic principles and issues.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
6	Quantitative and qualitative research methods.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
7	Description of methods and their pros and cons.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
8	Formulating the research problem.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
9	Research subject, object, objective and tasks.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
10	Formulation of a hypothesis.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
11	Data collection. Data summarising. Analysis.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
12	Research formatting and presentation.			Classes		2.00	auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
Mandatory and additional reading studies, taking regular tests (summaries, seminar work), preparing for classes, seminars, final examination and other types of work pursuant to the study course description and content.
Assessment Criteria:
The final grade will be calculated by summing up all grades. Knowledge will be assessed using 10-point grading scale. Seminars will be organised in the form of discussions – exchange of opinions, with the aim of teaching reasoning and expressing a reasoned opinion. During seminars, knowledge will be assessed by taking tests (20 – 30 minutes), which will be evaluated with a grade. Attendance of lectures and seminars – 5%. Participation in seminars (activity and quality of answers, work in groups) – 10%. Summary evaluation – 10%. Individual paper – 20%. Research presentation – 15%. Exam grade – 40%.
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):		Exam (Written)
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		Students will gain knowledge about basic research principles, research stages, quantitative and qualitative research types, their advantages and disadvantages, types of samples, basic principles of selecting a sample and representation mistakes.
Skills:		After successful acquisition of the course, students will be able to apply quantitative and qualitative methods in analysis of economic processes and development of management resolutions.
Competencies:		Students will be able to classify groups, carry out economic interpretation of matrices, explain function research algorithm, define financial mathematics concepts.
Bibliography
No.	Reference
Required Reading
1	RSU SBUEK Student`s Manual / RSU SBUEK Studējošā rokasgrāmata
2	Classes` material - available at: https://www.rsu.lv/en/course/SBUEK_176 and on course`s e-studies
3	Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere, A. (Red.). Zinātniskā rakstīšana un pētījumu rezultātu izplatīšana. Rīgas Stradiņa Universitāte. 2019.
4	RSU studiju materiāls: Atsauču un darbā izmantoto avotu un literatūras saraksta noformēšanas metodiskie norādījumi.
Additional Reading
1	Sekaran, U. Research methods for Business. A skill building approach. Fourth Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2003.
2	The Essence of Research Philosophy.
Other Information Sources
1	Social Research methods.
2	Zinātnieka ētikas kodekss.
3	RSU Bibliotēkas datu bāzes.