Students

MQBS7020 – Qualitative Research Approaches in Business and Economics

2023 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convener
Dr Dale Tweedie
dale.tweedie@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
With MQBS8020
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, and the ability to analyse, conduct, and evaluate qualitative forms of research.

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:

  • ULO1: Explain the role of research philosophy in selecting suitable research methods for a particular study
  • ULO2: Consider the relative advantages and disadvantages of a diverse range of qualitative research methods used in management research in developing a research design
  • ULO3: Address any ethics issues that may arise as part of a research design that involves qualitative methods
  • ULO4: Conduct qualitative research using a basic understanding of different coding strategies, and a range of typical qualitative methods
  • ULO5: Develop a basic research proposal based qualitative methods that links the suitability of the proposed method to the nature of the research question, as well as the relative advantages and disadvantages of the proposed method

General Assessment Information

Late submissions of written assessments

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.   

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration. 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Critique your preferred method 20% No Week 7
Qualitative research design 40% No Week 10
Weekly reviews 40% No Week 12

Critique your preferred method

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 31 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 20%

 

Select three recent (within the last 5 years) empirical research papers from three different top academic journals that have used a particular research method that you are interested in exploring more deeply, and write a 1,500 word critique of the three papers through critically comparing them on your assessment of the following: 1) Suitability and justification of the chosen method in relation to the research question 2) Technical adequacy of the method application in terms of data collection and analysis

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the role of research philosophy in selecting suitable research methods for a particular study
  • Consider the relative advantages and disadvantages of a diverse range of qualitative research methods used in management research in developing a research design
  • Develop a basic research proposal based qualitative methods that links the suitability of the proposed method to the nature of the research question, as well as the relative advantages and disadvantages of the proposed method

Qualitative research design

Assessment Type 1: Qualitative analysis task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 40%

 

Prepare a 2,500 word research proposal that is based on a qualitative research design. The report should contain: 1) Your research problem and research question(s) 2) A justification of your choice of qualitative method(s) in relation to your research question(s) based in a literature review of relevant methodological literature 3) The relation of your choice of qualitative method(s) to your onto-epistemic research philosophy 4) An explanation of how you will conduct your analysis 5) A significant example of actual data collection and analysis, including a summary of your main findings 6) A discussion of limitations and next steps

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the role of research philosophy in selecting suitable research methods for a particular study
  • Consider the relative advantages and disadvantages of a diverse range of qualitative research methods used in management research in developing a research design
  • Conduct qualitative research using a basic understanding of different coding strategies, and a range of typical qualitative methods
  • Develop a basic research proposal based qualitative methods that links the suitability of the proposed method to the nature of the research question, as well as the relative advantages and disadvantages of the proposed method

Weekly reviews

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 40%

 

For each of the sessions from weeks 2-12, write a 500 word review that: 1) Summarises what you believe to be the most important learnings from the seminar and readings in each week, and 2) Critically discuss how the materials covered could relate to your own research project e.g. how might you use some of the points discussed to improve, critique, and/or justify your research project?

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the role of research philosophy in selecting suitable research methods for a particular study
  • Consider the relative advantages and disadvantages of a diverse range of qualitative research methods used in management research in developing a research design
  • Address any ethics issues that may arise as part of a research design that involves qualitative methods
  • Conduct qualitative research using a basic understanding of different coding strategies, and a range of typical qualitative methods
  • Develop a basic research proposal based qualitative methods that links the suitability of the proposed method to the nature of the research question, as well as the relative advantages and disadvantages of the proposed method

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Please see iLearn for details.

Unit Schedule

WEEK

Date

Title

Topic

1.

20 February

Introduction

Introduction to the unit

2.

27 February

Philosophy of social science

Epistemology and qualitative research

3.

6 March

Designing qualitative research

Research design, sampling, and ethics

4.

 

13 March

Methods: Interviews and Focus Groups

Interview paradigms, approaches (e.g. semi-structured) and techniques.

5.

20 March

Methods: Case studies

Selection, motivation, generalising from cases.

6.

 

27 March

Methods: Ethnography

Ethnography and participant observation, autoethnography

7.

3 April

Methods: Action Research

Qualitative questionnaires and document research, action research, arts-based methods

Hand-in assessment: critique your preferred method

RECESS (2 weeks)

8.

24 April

Methods: Content analysis.

Analysing documents and images, including e-research.

9.

 

1 May

Data analysis: Interview coding methods

Including types of coding (e.g. axial) and coding hierachies.

 

10.

 

8 May

Data analysis tools

NVIVO, e-coding strategies and techniques

Hand-in assessment: qualitative research design

11.

15 May

Writing qualitative research 

Using quotes, developing a story.

 

12.

22 May

Contemporary issues and debates

Current debates on designing, theorising and using qualitative research in business.

Assessment deadline: weekly reviews

13.

29 May

Summary and your research

Wrap up and moving your own project forward.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2023.01R of the Handbook