Please note - Swinburne University of Technology

BQ~OO Business Modelling Honours
Students should seek advice from the appropriate Business
Modellina staff when formulatina their discipline-specific
course ofstudy and their resear& project proposai.
To encourage a multi-disciplinary approach, students may,
subject to approval, undertake selected honours-level
coursework subjects from other schools, divisions, or
institutions provided that they show the relevance of these
coursework subjects to their proposed area of research. Such
arrangements are subject to the student having any
necessary prerequisite studies and may be subject to any
quotas imposed on these subjects by the offering
department.
Students must submit their proposal to the Business
Modelling Honours Convener for approval prior to the
commencement of their honours program. Approval for a
student's discipline-specific course of;tudy and research
project proposal shall be subject to the availability of any
necessary resources and the availability of appropriate staff
supervision.
Advanced Business Modelling Techniques
Students will be required to investigate advanced theoretical
business modelling techniques which support their research
project proposal. In particular, students will be expected to
demonstrate their understanding of these techniques by
applying them to one or more business modelling case
studies and presenting their findings via participation in a
seminar program. Students may also be required to analyse
specific business case studies, consult textbooks, periodicals
and conference proceedings and investigate the use of
computer software packages as part of this subject.
Business Modelling Honours Research Project
Students will be required to undertake a substantial research
project utilising business modelling techniques within their
chosen area of speciality. The research project may involve
the collection and analysis of data, an extension of the
student's theoretical knowledge, the use of existing computer
software packages or the production of computer software
via programming. Students will be expected to report their
research activity in the form of a written dissertation of
approximately 15 000 words in length and will be required to
progressively present their findings as part of a research
seminar program.
Students intending to complete their degree with honours
must apply for entry into the honours year by the end of
their three year degree.
Note that entry into the honours year is competitive and the
number of places is subject to a quota.
~ ~ 4 0 5 Research Methodology
No. of hours per week: three hours
Prerequisites: nil
Instruction: seminar
Assessment: seminar participation
Subject aims and description
The Research Methodology subject aims to equip students
with the necessary research skills to conduct research studies
for higher degrees. It is designed to facilitate the
development of independent learning skills. Students will be
with research methodologr'es appropriate to their
discitdine as well as those most cornmonlv used in other
disciplines. Throughout this subject students will make
extensive use of library resources.
Research Methodology topics normally covered include:
Posing research questions and the measurement of concepts:
theory perspectives and construction;
orienting statements and propositions;
value free research;
nominal and operational definitions;
validity and reliability;
the development of indicators;
the development of an index.
Library research methods:
accessing databases e.g.: bibliographic, CD-ROM;
parliamentary papers and journals;
ABS data;
video and audio e.g.: AUDIODISC;
Gophes and Internet;
evaluate discipline-specific library research methodology.
Qualitative research methods:
participant observation;
interviewing;
group discussions;
software for analysing text material e.g.: NUDIST.
Survey research methods:
design options e.g.: personal interview, mail interview,
C ATI;
research questions;
sample design;
questionnaire construction;
fieldwork practice;
coding, data entry and data verification;
data analysis.
Experimental research methods:
types of experimental and quasi-experimental design;
validity and threats.
Analysis and interpretation of results:
preparation for analysis;
statistical analysis;
correlation, regression, t-tests;
Chi-squared and ANOVA;
reporting results.
Presenting a project outline and report writing techniques:
the problem or question and its importance;
account of related research;
theoretical perspectives;
sources of data;
analysis of data;
timetabling;
budgets;
word processing, desktop publishing and graphics;
personal presentations and presenting at a conference.
Textbook
Emory, C.W. and Cooper, D.R. Business Research Methods. 4th edn,
Homewood, Ill., Irwin, 1991