UCP BUSINESS SCHOOL

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL PUNJAB LAHORE

course outline

Research Methodology
Instructor:
Office

Dr. Zia Ullah

C-103

Contacts:

dr.ziaullah@ucp.edu.pk
0300 44 73 269

Course objectives:
This course is designed to:

Familiarize students with the fundamental concepts and jargons used in research.

Highlight the research process with special emphasis on the methods of research,
data collection, and data analysis.

Equip students with the skills of critical and analytical thinking by challenging
them to identify and investigate business problems scientifically.

Strategy:
To accomplish the above objectives, an interactive teaching methodology will be used.
Each student will have to contribute meaningfully to the learning processes by raising
pertinent questions in the class and completing assignments.

Evaluation criteria:

Class participation & Quiz

Mid-term exam.
Final-term exam.
Research Study

10 marks
25 marks
35 marks
30 marks

Guidelines:
1.

Each student has to demonstrate a responsible behavior in the class by

being productive, cooperative, and disciplined.

2.

Irrelevant discussion in the class and using rubbish material in

presentations should be avoided as they will mark down the overall performance
of the students.

3.

The students must develop analytical skills and demonstrate the same in
exam. Papers.

4.

Each student will be required to develop a research study on any area of

his/her interest..

COURSE OUTLINE
S.
No.
1

Topics
Introduction:
o Research Defined
o Scientific Method of Research
o Hallmarks of Science
o Research Process
Language/Issues in Research:
o Concepts
o Variables
o Types of Variables
o Operationalisation
o Hypothesis: Characteristics and Types
o Null Hypothesis: Type I and Type II errors
Theory:
o Meaning
o Theory and Research
o Theoretical Framework
Research Process:

Hours

o
o
o
o
o
o

10

Problem identification
Literature review
Developing hypotheses
Data collection
Data analysis
Reporting results

Measurement:
o Validity
o Reliability
o Factors affecting validity and reliability
Research Designs:
o Survey
o Field
o Experimental
Sampling:
o Basic concepts
o Procedure
o Methods
Data Collection Methods:
o Observation
o Questionnaire
o Interview
Data Analysis:
o Coding
o Tabulation
o Interpretation
Report writing:
o Qualities
o Integral parts
o Research proposal

Readings:
Sekaran, Uma. (2000) Research Methods for Business: A Skill Building Approach
Fourth Edition
Cooper, Donald R., Emory C. William (1995) Business Research Methods.
National Books Foundations Islamabad.
Good Luck