[Research Methods in Social Sciences]

COURSE BASICS
Course Code BAHU3033
Credit Hours 3
Lectures [No. of Lec(s) 2 Duration 80
Lab Sessions NA Duration NA

COURSE DISTRIBUTION
Program(s)
Attached To BS in Business Analytics

Core / Elective Core

Course Pre- College Mathematics, Business Statistics, Introduction to Information Technology

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Business research is a systematic inquiry whose objective is to equip students with knowledge to solve managerial
problems. This three credit hours course is an introduction business research with an emphasis on problem solving. It
has a major focus on problem identification, problem solving strategies and communication skills.

Business research provides the information needed to make sound business decisions. It helps organizations reduce the
chance for costly errors in production, human resources, marketing, entering global markets, and strategic planning in
local context. The emphasis of this course is to teach the student to become an effective consumer of business research.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The course aims to:
CO1: Develop the understanding of students about research lingua-franca, methods and techniques
Prepare students to plan a study and selecting methods and techniques appropriate for answering the
CO2: research questions
Prepare students for conducting a study including formulating research questions and selecting a research
CO3:
approach, applying research tools,
CO4: Develop skills in developing instruments for both qualitative and quantitative methods
CO5: Prepare students to develop a research report exhibiting the core findings

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completion of the course the students will be able to:
CLO1: Understand the framework of the business research process.
CLO2: Develop an understanding of research methods and techniques.
CLO3: Apply acquired theoretical knowledge to conduct basic and applied research.
CLO4: Appreciate the components of scholarly writing and evaluate its quality critically.
CLO5: Develop data collection instrument according to the underlying theoretical framework.
Students can acquire insights into issues which they can use to suggest organization accomplish their
CLO6:
goals and objects.
CLO7: Develop research-report on the basis of acquired data.
BBA PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The program aims to:

Integrate knowledge of the functional areas of business and funnel into a coherent strategic whole to
PO1:
enable students see management problems in a holistic perspective.
Build managerial cognition of the students with a variety of planning, organizing, controlling, and
PO2:
leading and communication skills necessary to effectively manage businesses and influence society.
Inculcate the spirit of free inquiry in students towards contemporary social, economic and political
PO3:
realities which impact the business environment in Pakistan as well as globally
Nurture problem analysis and decision-making skills in students, required for handling challenges
PO4:
faced by modern business world.
Impart an awareness of the ethical considerations and social responsibilities to the students, in the
PO5:
conduct of business.
Equip students with quantitative and qualitative tools to identify potential business opportunities and
PO6:
successfully materialize new entrepreneurial ventures

BBA PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing BBA Program our graduates will be able to:
Identify and analyze practical organizational problems and suggest innovative solutions with sound
PLO1:
reasoning.
PLO2: Improvise implementation strategies to achieve objectives in a given business scenario

PLO3: Apply an understanding of ethics and social responsibility to real-world contexts.

PLO4: Assess the way organizations create value through integrated processes and impact society

PLO5: Demonstrate excellent business communication skills.

PLO6: Apply the skills of critical thinking, teamwork and leadership within an organization setting

PLO7: Take initiatives without hesitation and exhibit competitiveness in professional world.
Be reactive, anticipative, adaptive and proactive towards entrepreneurial opportunities in the
PLO8:
contemporary business environment.
Demonstrate awareness of domestic as well as global political, economic and regulatory contexts of
PLO9:
business in particular and society in general

Map if course objectives or outcomes specifically relate to any program objectives (along with corresponding
assessment item):

PROGRAM COURSE LEARNING COURSE

COURSE OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVES OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT ITEM
Quiz, Assignment,
PO1 CO1 CLO1
Midterm
Quiz, Assignment,
PO2 CO2 CLO2
Midterm
Final Project, Quiz,
PO3 CO3 CLO3, CLO6
Assignment, Final term
Quiz, Assignment,
PO4 CO3, CO4 CLO3
Midterm
Final Project, Quiz,
PO5 CO2, CO3 CLO6, CLO7
Assignment, Final term
Final Project, Quiz,
PO6 CO4, CO5 CLO4, CLO5
Assignment, Final term
PRPGRAM DELIVERY METHOD
Method Application
Lectures �
Research Papers �
Hands-on-practical Sessions in
�
Computer Lab (SPSS)/Endnote
Project based learning �
Group Discussion �

ASSESSMENT STRUCTURE
Assessment Items Percentage
Quiz(s) 10%
Assignments(s) 10%
Class Participation 5%
Midterm Examination 20%
Final Examination 40
Project/Presentation 15%
Other(s)

Any specific teaching/learning strategies:

Using Case study approach to develop critical thinking.

COURSE CONTENT AND DELIVERY PLAN

Application (Course
Application (Course
objective achieved Assessment
Learning Outcomes
Sr. No Topics through this topic) Item
achieved through
(Used for this
this topic)
topic)
Introduction to research / types of
1 research CLO1 CO1 Assignment 1
Relevance and significance of
2 Research in business/finance, CLO1 CO1 Midterm Exam
Marketing and Management
3 Types of Research (basic and Applied) CLO1, CLO2 CO1 Midterm Exam
Scientific Investigation (Hallmarks of
4 Scientific Research) CLO2 CO1 Midterm Exam
Quantitative and Qualitative research
5 CLO2 CO1 Quiz 1
Techniques
The Broad problem, Significance and
6 CLO2, CLO3, CLO4 CO2 Midterm Exam
purpose of the study
7 How to review Literature CLO3, CLO4 CO1, CO2 Assignment 2
Understanding of Endnote, APA
8 CLO2, CLO3, CLO4 CO2 Final Project
formatting and referencing etc.

9 Formulation and identification of CLO5 CO3 Midterm Exam

variables
Formulation and identification of
10 variables CLO5 CO3 Midterm Exam
11 Develop theoretical Framework CLO3, CLO4, CLO5 CO2, CO3 Midterm Exam
Research Questions. Proposition /
12 Hypothesis CLO3, CLO4, CLO5 CO3, CO4 Quiz 2
13 Operationalization of variables CLO5 CO3 Midterm Exam
14 Elements of research design CLO5, CLO6 CO2 Midterm Exam
 Measurement of variables:
15 Development of questionnaire CLO5 CO4 Final Project
Experimental designs Experimental,
16 Cross sectional Longitudinal, Case CLO2, CLO5, CLO6 CO4 Quiz 3
study and comparative.
17 Sampling and it’s techniques CLO5 CO3 Assignment 3
Introduction to sampling and sampling
18 error. Types of Probability and non- CLO5 CO3 Assignment 3
probability sampling
Introduction to Survey research
Advantages and disadvantages of each
19 CLO5, CLO6 CO3 Quiz 4
types. Limits and error in survey
research
Data Collection Methods,
Advantages and disadvantages of each
20 CLO5, CLO6 CO4 Final Exam
types. Limits and error in survey
research
Structured observations
Advantages and disadvantages of each
21 CLO6 CO4 Final Exam
types. Limits and error in survey
research
Structured and unstructured
questionnaires Advantages and
22 CLO5 CO4 Final Exam
disadvantages of each types. Limits
and error in survey research
Structured and unstructured
interviewing Advantages and
23 CLO5 CO4 Final Exam
disadvantages of each types. Limits
and error in survey research
Focus group interview and discussion
Advantages and disadvantages of each
24 CLO5 CO4 Final Exam
types. Limits and error in survey
research
Final Exam,
25 Quantitative and Qualitative analysis CLO6, CLO7 CO4
Final Project
26 Interpretation of data analysis CLO6, CLO7 CO4, CO5 Assignment 4
27 Report and it’s components CLO7 CO5 Final Project
28 Research Project Presentations CLO6, CLO7 CO5 Final Project

LEARNING RESOURCES
Books:
[Text] Research Methods for Business A Skill Building Approach by Uma Sekaran , 7th Edition, 2016
[Ref] William G. Zikmund, Business Research Methods, 9th. ed, 2015.
Web Resources
Study Material (Case Study, Article, Journal etc)