Students
FOBE720 – Qualitative Research Approaches in Business and Economics
2014 – S2 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor, lecturer
Alison Pullen
Contact via alison.pullen@mq.edu.au
E4A 644
Tuesday 12-1 or by email for an appointment
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| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit provides students with an introduction to theoretical and empirical research approaches informed by qualitative methods of inquiry within the business and economics discipline. It seeks to develop students? understanding of the contexts in which qualitative research can be undertaken. Topics covered include grounded theory, hermeneutical analysis, discourse analysis, heuristic and narrative methods of investigation, typology, and participant observational. Students will also develop the ability to analyse, conduct, and evaluate qualitative forms of research.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Understand commonly used qualitative research approaches in business and management research.
- Discuss different forms of data and outline their differences;
- Demonstrate an awareness of the diversity of research methods and be able to make informed methodological choices;
- Demonstrate an awareness of contemporary ethical issues in research and strategies for addressing them.
- Do qualitative research by constructing problem oriented literature reviews, formalising meaningful research questions, handling and evaluating a range of evidence, and be able to deduce arguments on the basis of data.
General Assessment Information
No extensions will be granted. Late tasks will be accepted up to 72 hours after the submission deadline. There will be a deduction of
20% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is
late (for example, 25 hours late in submission – 40% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for
special consideration is made and approved.
In order to pass this course you must:
1. achieve a composite mark of 50%.
2. make a satisfactory attempt at all assessment tasks.
3. attend at least 80% of classes and participate fully in class activities.
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Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Presentation: paradigm debates | 20% | Week 3 19/8/2014 |
| Assessed coursework | 40% | Week 7: 16/9/2014 |
| Assessed coursework | 40% | Week 12: 4th November |
Presentation: paradigm debates
Due: Week 3 19/8/2014
Weighting: 20%
Choose a research topic and critically analyse it from two out of four of Burrell and Morgan’s sociological paradigms. Students will present their analysis during session 3. 10 minute presentations should focus on the application of the paradigms to their subject rather than describing the paradigms. Students should prepare a 1 page handout for class members. Feedback will be provided during the session. This assessment will be discussed in weeks 1 and 2.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand commonly used qualitative research approaches in business and management research.
- Demonstrate an awareness of the diversity of research methods and be able to make informed methodological choices;
- Do qualitative research by constructing problem oriented literature reviews, formalising meaningful research questions, handling and evaluating a range of evidence, and be able to deduce arguments on the basis of data.
Assessed coursework
Due: Week 7: 16/9/2014
Weighting: 40%
Choose and critically appraise 10 qualitative methodology papers from a specific subject in your discipline. Prepare a 2,000 word critical review of these papers by first, conducting a literature review of their substantive contribution, and second, identify any methodological gaps that you envisage. Feedback will be provided in week 8.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand commonly used qualitative research approaches in business and management research.
- Discuss different forms of data and outline their differences;
- Demonstrate an awareness of the diversity of research methods and be able to make informed methodological choices;
- Demonstrate an awareness of contemporary ethical issues in research and strategies for addressing them.
- Do qualitative research by constructing problem oriented literature reviews, formalising meaningful research questions, handling and evaluating a range of evidence, and be able to deduce arguments on the basis of data.
Assessed coursework
Due: Week 12: 4th November
Weighting: 40%
Prepare a Research Proposal that contains a description of the topic and questions you will investigate as well as the qualitative methods and form of analysis you will use to address your research questions. The course will take you through these stages. Feedback will be provided in week 13.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand commonly used qualitative research approaches in business and management research.
- Discuss different forms of data and outline their differences;
- Demonstrate an awareness of the diversity of research methods and be able to make informed methodological choices;
- Demonstrate an awareness of contemporary ethical issues in research and strategies for addressing them.
- Do qualitative research by constructing problem oriented literature reviews, formalising meaningful research questions, handling and evaluating a range of evidence, and be able to deduce arguments on the basis of data.
Delivery and Resources
Delivery and resources
There will be no one textbook for this subject. You are encouraged to research the Qualitative Methodology texts and find appropriate sources that suits your discipline focus and research interests. Required weekly readings will be posted on iLearn.
Key research databases for your study include Ebsco host: Academic Search Elite and Business Source Premier.
To succeed in this unit, students are required to:
1. Attend classes and understand the material covered to be able to discuss this with their peers.
Students are expected to participate in class.
2. Critically analyse the material covered in relation to their own research interests. This is an essential requirement for all the assessment.
3. Students are expected to work individually and with their peers throughout the course.
4. Students must achieve an overall pass grade.
Technology Used and Required
Students are required to use various technology tools including word processing, Power Point, Turnitin
and iLearn. The latter is a software tool used by Macquarie to manage teaching and learning practices:
https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/. To log on, you must first obtain a log on password from IT services or the
library then click through to BUS832. Please check this site each week for possible lecture slides and
other announcements and material.
Timetable
The timetable for this unit can be accessed from this portal: http://timetables.mq.edu.au
IT Help and IT Policy
To receive IT Help online, on the phone, by email or simply walking in use the following link. When
using the University’s IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who
connect to the MQ network including students and it outlines what can be done. Access to all student
computing facilities within the Faculty of Business and Economics is restricted to authorised
coursework for approved units. Student ID cards must be displayed in the locations provided at all
times. Students are expected to act responsibly when using University IT facilities.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services.
Students with disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Support Unit who can provide
appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
University possesses vast online and human resources to help students learn:
• Online resources on Learning Skills
• Workshops and other Learning Skills resources for Postgraduate Students (ALPS)
• Personal assistance with your learning & study related questions.
• The Learning Help Desk is located in the Library foyer (level 2).
• Online and on-campus orientation events run by Mentors@Macquarie.
Unit Schedule
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Lecture and date |
Lecture Topic
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Lecture 1: 5/8/2014 |
Doing Qualitative Research: The Philosophy of Research
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Lecture 2: 12/8/2014 |
Approaches to Qualitative Research: The Paradigm Debates
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Lecture 3: 19/8/2014 |
Generating qualitative research questions
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Lecture 4: 26/8/2014 |
Approaches to Qualitative Research 1: Case Studies
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Lecture 5: 2/9/2014 |
Approaches to Qualitative Research 2: Interviewing
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Lecture 6: 9/9/2014 |
Approaches to Qualitative Research 3: Ethnography and autoethnography
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Lecture 7: 16/9/2014 |
Approaches to Qualitative Research 4: Narrative Inquiry and Arts Based Methods |
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Lecture 8: 7/10/2014 |
Approaches to Qualitative Research 5: Grounded Theory and Discourse Analysis
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Lecture 9: 14/10/2014 |
NVIVO
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Lecture 10: 21/10/2014 |
The Ethics and Politics of Qualitative Research
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Lecture 11: 28/10/2014 |
The Researcher, The Researched and Reflexivity in Qualitative Research
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Lecture 12: 4/11/2014 |
Cross-discipline showcases
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Lecture 13: 11/11/2014 |
Cross-discipline showcases
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Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Changes from Previous Offering
Unit Descrition
The course explores qualitative methodologies and methods commonly used in business and management research. The course will describe the process of conducting research, from developing problem oriented literature reviews, to formalising research questions, designing studies and analysing data.
A key aim of the module is to prepare you for future research work in your programme, to understand the basis upon which social scientific knowledge is erected and to enable you to critique ‘popular’ knowledge. It is therefore important that you are able to situate the research methods you employ to collect data within the broader social science approaches.