Organisation Research Decisions & Design

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

144 hours per semester, including self-directed study and research

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject introduces doctoral students to the “big questions” faced by researchers in the domains of Management and Marketing, as well as the more practical issues and expectations of students designing and executing a research project in the Department. Topics include: the nature of the research process and key decisions made in designing and executing a project; the nature of social inquiry and different ways of knowing; the philosophy of science and epistemology (i.e., different ways of investigating organizational phenomena); the nature of theory and the theory creating/constructing process; and the ‘practicalities’ of conducting research, including developing research questions, designing studies and managing potential ethical issues in conducting organization based research.

In this subject students will be able to:

• understand the epistemological and ontological foundations of knowledge and their implications for research design;
• align methodological choices with research questions to be investigated;
• identify the potential strengths and limitations associated with alternative research strategies and methods used in marketing and management research; and
• appreciate the ethical and political context of different types of research questions and methodological choices, especially in relation to sensitive topics or topics that may impact human subjects.

• Class presentation (oral, 15 minute + questions) from week 7 (10%)
• Class participation throughout the semester (10%)
• Individual assignment of 3,000 words, due in week 11 (30%)
• Take-home examination, end of semester (50%)

TBC

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Problem solving skills, which should be enhanced through the study of research design and research methods;
• Writing skills appropriate for the preparation of academic articles and research reports in Management and Marketing, including the doctoral thesis; and
• Analytical skills, which should be developed through the evaluation of quantitative and qualitative empirical research literature.