Students

MQBS8910 – Business Research Methods I

2025 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor
Dale Tweedie
dale.tweedie@mq.edu.au
Contact via email
E4 644
Appointment by email
Unit convenor
Alison Pullen
alison.pullen@mq.edu.au
Contact via email
E4 644
Appointment by email
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to Graduate Certificate of Research in Business, Graduate Diploma of Research in Business
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit provides students with an introduction to the principles underlying business research methodology and design. It presents the foundations of qualitative research and develops the students’ ability to evaluate a range of qualitative methods and to apply business research methods, tools and techniques.

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 relative advantages and disadvantages of a diverse range of qualitative research methods used in business research in developing a research design.
  • ULO2: Assess the suitability of a range of qualitative research methodologies in relation to the research question and underlying research philosophy.
  • ULO3: Apply business research methods, tools and techniques to analyse and interpret data and effectively communicate the findings.

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty (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 apply for Special Consideration.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Research methods review 50% No Friday Week 9 (9th May)
Research methods application 50% No Friday Week 13 6th June 2025

Research methods review

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Friday Week 9 (9th May)
Weighting: 50%

 

Students critically review qualitative methods in business research.

Length: 3,000 words.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the relative advantages and disadvantages of a diverse range of qualitative research methods used in business research in developing a research design.
  • Assess the suitability of a range of qualitative research methodologies in relation to the research question and underlying research philosophy.

Research methods application

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Friday Week 13 6th June 2025
Weighting: 50%

 

Students apply business research methods, tools and techniques to analyse and interpret data and report the results. Length: 3,000 words.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply business research methods, tools and techniques to analyse and interpret data and effectively communicate the findings.

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

Topic

1

Research fundamentals

2

Research design: Philosophies and principles

3

Implementing research principles

4

Designing qualitative research

5

Qualitative approaches - Interviews and focus groups

6

Qualitative approaches - Case studies

7

Qualitative approaches - Content analysis

 RECESS

8

Analysing qualitative research

9

 

 

                     

 Advanced modules 1 & 2

10

11

12

13

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 connect.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 the Service Connect Portal, 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 2025.03 of the Handbook