SYLLABUS AND COURSE OUTLINE
BA 595, APPLIED BUSINESS RESEARCH
Fall, 2006
Professor: Dr. Donald E. English
Office Number: BA 318
Phone: OFFICE (903) 886-5662
E-mail: Donald_English@tamu-commerce.edu
Office Hours:
Course Description:
A course to
investigate the techniques of the research process as applied to business and
economics. Experience is gained in
defining research problems, designing a research project, and in collecting,
analyzing, recording and interpreting data.
Also, an analysis of pertinent research literature in business and
economics is conducted.
Course
Prerequisite(s):
No graduate
prerequisites. Should
be one of the first courses taken in the MBA program.
Course Objectives:
1.
Understands the
scientific method of research.
2.
Contrasts applied
and theoretical forms of research.
3.
Differentiates
descriptive, historical, correlational, and
experimental research methods.
4.
Demonstrate the
ability to review appropriate literature.
5.
Develops an
appropriate research question/problem.
6.
Identifies the
advantages and disadvanges of various data collection
techniques.
7.
Constructs an
appropriate bibliography from scholarly scources of
material for study and research.
8.
Utilizes secondary
data appropriately.
9.
Generates an
appropriate research plan.
10. Demonstrate the ability to develop appropriate
hypotheses.
Students requesting accommodations for disabilities must go through the
Academic support committee. For more
information, please contact the Director of Disability Resources &
Services, Halladay Student Services Bldg., Room 303D, (903) 886-5835.
Means to Accomplish
Objectives:
1. The student will be required to prepare
two (2) papers. These papers will be
prepared in accordance with APA Publication Manual Fifth Edition. (See attachment #1).
2. Class time may be made available to the
student for library research during the term. (time
permitting).
3. The student will select a research
problem, prepare and turn in a prospectus indicating the background of the
problem, the purpose of the study, the study's hypothesis(es),
the need for the study, the study's assumptions and applicable delimitations,
the methodology to be employed in the study and a review of the literature pertaining
to the problem. (see
attachment #2)
Textbook(s) and Other
Required Materials:
Business Research
Methods, William Zikmund, 7th ed.
Publication
Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th edition, 2001.
Grading Weights:
Paper #1 100
points
Paper #2 100
points
Prospectus or
Research Project 100
x 2 = 200 points
Midterm Exam 100 points
Final Exam 100 points
Minimum percentages for grade level
are as follows:
A = 90+ percent of total points available
B = 80-89 percent of total points
available
C = 70-79 percent of total points
available
D = 60-69 percent of total points
available
Any student absence for more than two classes
(excused or unexcused) will have his/her grade lowered by one letter grade.
One grade will be deducted for papers turned in
late. Anyone caught plagiarizing
will receive an “F” in the course.
“All students enrolled at the University shall
follow the tenets of common decency and acceptable behavior conducive to a
positive learning environment.” (See
Student’s Guide Book)
COURSE OUTLINE AND
ASSIGNMENTS:
|
DATE Week of |
READING ASSIGNMENT Class Schedule Chapter |
PAPER ASSIGNMENT DUE |
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 28 |
Introduction to the course |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 4 |
Chapter 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
11 |
Chapter 3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
18 |
Chapter 4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
25 |
Chapter 6,8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oct 2 |
Research night |
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
Mid Term Chapter 1,3,4,6,8 Paper #1 Due |
|
|
|
|
|
16 |
Chapter 9,10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
23 |
Chapter 8 |
Paper #2 Due |
|
|
|
|
|
30 |
Chapter 11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 6 |
Chapter13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
13 |
Chapter 15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
20 |
Chapter 16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
27 |
|
Research Night |
|
|
|
|
|
Dec 4 |
|
Prospectus Due |
|
|
|
|
|
11 |
|
FINAL EXAM |
|
|
|
|
Dec. 1 Last day to drop a course.
TERM PAPER ASSIGNMENTS
All papers
should be typewritten and be about four pages in length. Papers will be graded on content,
organization, and format. An
introduction and a summary section should be included in the papers. They should also include a table of contents
and references. Do not segment papers
into chapters. The following are the
specific assignments for the term papers.
1. Paper 1: Prepare a
short term paper on a business/economics topic of your choice. An introduction and a summary section should
be included in the papers. They should
also include a table of contents and reference page. Do not segment papers into chapters. This paper should be four pages in length.
2. Paper 2: Prepare a paper which
evaluates the use of the scientific method in an actual research project. Find a research-based article in a business
journal and appraise the methodology employed and the interpretation of the
study's results and conclusions. This
paper should be two pages in length.
Attachment
#1
TERM PROJECT (PROSPECTUS)
1. The term project is to
develop a finished "Prospectus for a Thesis." The student is referred to APA for the
mechanical details of a prospectus preparation.
2. Approval of the
research topic by the instructor can be obtained at any time, but no later than
November 6, 2006 For approval, each
student must submit the following information:
a. Proposed
research topic.
b. Definition
of the problem.
c. Some
evidence of delimitation.
d. Preliminary
statement of justification.
e. Preliminary
statement of hypothesis.
f. Preliminary
statement of methodology.
g. Preliminary
review of the literature.
(None of the above
need be submitted in a "formal" manner (i.e. this information may be
presented on one or two sheets of paper--written in longhand or may be
discussed with the instructor informally).
3. The student should
consider the following elements when preparing Chapter I of the prospectus (all
elements may not be required).
a. Background
b. Problem
Statement
c. Purpose
of Study
d. Study
Hypothesis(es)
e.
Study Delimitations
f.
Study Limitations
g.
Definitions
Attachment
#2
A:SYS595Defal/syllabi&courseoutlinegbusmis