Business Administration MA, Quantitative and Qualitative Method, 7.5 credits

Aim

The course aims to provide students with knowledge to conduct and apply qualitative and quantitative research and investigation. Furthermore, the course aims to equip students with the ability to critically review their own research and the work of other researchers.

Course objectives

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

• Analyze and relate the scientific theoretical foundations of qualitative and quantitative methods to applied research.
• Formulate and critically examine business research problems using both quantitative and qualitative approaches.
• Identify and justify strategies for data collection and evaluate and select appropriate primary and secondary data in relation to the research question and method.
• Apply and compare qualitative methodological approaches and analysis methods and justify method choices based on the purpose of the study and theoretical framework.
• Control and apply univariate, bivariate and multivariate quantitative analysis methods and critically assess their assumptions and areas of application.
• Critically evaluate and synthesize strengths and weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative methods.

Content

The course relates scientific theory to various quantitative and qualitative research methods and emphasizes the connection between research questions and method selection. Participants have the opportunity to learn to choose an appropriate research method based on different scientific problems and receive theoretical and practical training in all crucial stages of investigation. Business elements are also included.

The course covers a number of advanced qualitative research methods in the form of discourse analysis, ethnography, grounded theory and qualitative case studies. Qualitative data collection and analysis are described and discussed based on problematizations within the subject area of ​​business administration. In addition, knowledge use of qualitative research results is covered.

The quantitative part of the course focuses primarily on multivariate analysis methods. The differences between the two families of analysis techniques, dependency analysis (dependence) and interdependence analysis (interdependence), are clarified during the course. A technique representing each analysis family is studied in detail, namely multiple regression analysis and factor analysis. Before the course reaches these advanced analyses, all data preparations that need to be made are covered. This includes operationalization, requirements for scale levels for data, control of data quality and various data transformations that may be necessary to perform before the analyses. Before the multivariate analyses begin, the participants get to know their data ready for analysis. This is done by first covering a number of univariate (descriptive) analyses, and then a couple of bivariate correlation analyses, correlation analysis and simple linear regression analysis.

Entry requirements

Business Administration BA (A/B/C) 90 credits, of which 30 credits completed in BA (A), 30 credits completed in BA (B), and 30 credits completed in BA (C), including Business Administration BA (B) Method, 7,5 credits or BA (C) Method, 7,5 credits.

Selection rules and procedures

The selection process is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance and the local order of admission.

Teaching form

Campus Course:
The teaching consists of lectures, seminars, assigned materials, various forms of exercises, and elements from the business sector. Mandatory attendance applies to seminars and elements from the business sector (in case of absence, supplementary tasks will be assigned). Access to a computer with internet connection is required to complete the tasks included in the course. The language of instruction can be Swedish or English.

Online Course:
The teaching consists of digital lectures, seminars, assigned materials, elements from the business sector, and communication in an online learning platform. Physical meetings are not obligatory, except in cases where a written individual in-class examination takes place. Access to a computer with internet connection is required to complete the tasks included in the course. The language of instruction can be Swedish or English.

Student Responsibility:
Students are responsible for their own learning and are expected to independently seek information and take responsibility for both individual and group work.

Limitation of Teaching:
Teacher-led teaching and support from the course responsible teacher are only offered during the course period when the student is admitted to the course.

Examination form

1001: written examination, 4.5 Credits
Grade scale: Seven-grade scale, A-F o Fx

2002: Individual written assignment, 3 Credits
Grade scale: Two-grade scale

3000: Business element
Grade scale: Two-grade scale

Campus course and distance course: During the examination, a supplementary oral presentation may be requested by the examiner in order for the student to demonstrate the required knowledge. This is to ensure that the student is the actual sender and author of the written work. 

If a student has a decision from the coordinator at Mid Sweden University regarding educational support for disabilities, the examiner has the right to provide an adapted examination for the student. 

Criteria for assessment: see discipline specific criteria: www.miun.se/gradingcriteria

Grading system

Seven-grade scale, A-F o Fx

Other information

Course certificates, credit transfers, appeals, etc., are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance.