UNIVERSITI UTARA MALAYSIA

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
LECTURER:
ROOM:
CONTACT:
EMAIL:
FB GROUP:

DR. SAMI MOHAMED AL HADERI

3.56 ACCOUNTING BUILDING
0149654807
sssami_sssami@yahoo.com
BPMN3143 GROUP I - J

COURSE CODE
COURSE NAME
PREREQUISITE

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:
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1.0

BPMN3143
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
SQQS1013 & COMPLETED 72 CREDIT HOURS

SYNOPSIS
This course aims to provide understanding to students about research as applied in
a business context. Students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills
required in a basic research process. Students will also be introduced to the core
concepts, methods and research issues which lay the foundations for conducting a
research. Data analysis, interpretation and presenting analysis output will also be
discussed.

2.0

OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of the course, students are expected to
2.1
2.2
2.3

3.0

describe how research is being conducted.

understand the issues, process and methodologies used in conducting a
research
acquire knowledge and skills for the purpose of data coding, editing,
analysing, data interpretation and report writing

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4

State in written and orally the process involved in conducting a basic

research in business context. (C1, P1, A1)
Explain various concepts, issues, types of research, methods, and
approaches available for conducting a basic research in business context.
(C2, P2, A3)
Apply SPSS software to choose the appropriate statistical techniques for
data analysis, interpretation, and reporting analysis output. (C3, P2, A3)
Develop in group the stages in conducting research including problem
definition, literature review, research framework, research design,
instrument development, data analysis and findings, conclusion and
suggestions, and references by using correct APA format. (C5, P7, A4)
1

4.0

REFERENCES
Borges, W. G., Ng, S. I., Chew, B. C., Lau, T. C., Derek, O. L. T., Devika, N.,
Mohd Noor, M. (2016). Business Research Methods. Kuala Lumpur: SJ
Learning.
Sekaran, U., and Bougie, R. (2013). Research methods for business: A skill
building approach (6th Ed). United Kingdom: John Wiley.
Coakes, S. J. (2012). SPSS analysis without anguish: Version 20.0 for Windows.
Australia: John Wiley.
Nizamuddin Zainuddin, Badruddin A. Rahman, Abu Bakar Hameed, Thi Lip
Sam, Azrain Nasyrah Mustapha, Nazlina Zakaria, Norita Deraman,
Norzalila Jamaludin, Shamsul Huda Abd Rani & Suhaila Abdul Rahman.
(2010). Penyelidikan saintifik: Asas dan aplikasi. Kuala Lumpur:
McGraw-Hill.
Zikmund, W. G., Babin, C. C., and Mitch, G. (2010). Business research
methods. South-Western C & Sons Ltd. Cengage Learning.
Cavana, Y. R., Delahaye, L. B., & Sekaran, U. (2003). Applied business
research: Qualitative and quantitative methods. Australia: John Wiley.
Coakes, J. S., and Steed, G. L. (2003). SPSS Analysis Without Anguish: Version
12.0 for Windows. Australia: John Wiley.
Hair, J. F. Jr., Money, A. H., Samouel, P., and Page, M. (2007). Research Methods
for Business. London: John Wiley.

5.0

CONTENT

NO.
1

1.0

TOPIC
Introduction to Research
What is research?
Definition of business research
Types of business research: applied and basic
Managers and research
Why is business research necessary?
Knowledge about research and managerial
effectiveness
Ethics and business research

HOUR
3

CHAPTER
Chap 1

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

Scientific Investigation
The hallmarks of scientific research
Some obstacles to conducting scientific
research in the management area
Deduction and Induction
Research Paradigm
The Research Process: The Broad Problem Area
and Defining the Problem Statement
Broad problem area
Preliminary information gathering
Literature review
The purpose of a critical literature review
How to approach the literature review
Data sources
Searching for literature
Evaluating the literature
Documenting the literature review
Defining the problem statement
The research proposal
What makes a good problem statement?
Managerial implications
Ethical issues on Plagiarism
The Research Process: Theoretical Framework
and Hypothesis Development
Variables
Theoretical framework
Hypothesis development
Definition of a hypothesis
Statement of hypotheses: formats
Directional and non-directional hypotheses
Null and alternate hypotheses
Managerial implications
The Research Process: Elements of Research
Design
The research design
Purpose of the study: exploratory,
descriptive, hypothesis testing, case study
analysis
Study setting: contrived and noncontrived
Research strategies
Unit of analysis: individuals, dyads, groups,
organizations, cultures
Time horizon: cross-sectional versus
longitudinal studies

Chap 3

Chap 4
Chap 5

Chap 7

Chap 6

6.0

Measurement of Variables: Operational Definition

How variables are measured
Operationalization of variables
Measurement: Scaling, Reliability, Validity
Four types of scales
Rating scales
Ranking scales
Goodness of measures
Data Collection Methods
Differentiating between surveys and
questionnaires
The advantages of questionnaires
Questionnaire administration method
Sources of error in questionnaire data
Steps in developing questionnaire
Encourage Participation
Edit, Code and Data Entry
Sampling
Population, element, sample, sampling unit,
and subject
Parameters
Reasons for sampling
Representatives of samples
Normality of distributions
The sampling process
Probability sampling
Non probability sampling
Examples of when certain sampling designs
would be appropriate
Determining the sample size
Importance of sampling design and sample
size
Efficiency in sampling
Sampling as related to qualitative studies
Managerial implications

Chap 8

Chap 8

Chap 9

Chap 10

7.0

8.0

9.0

10

10.0

Quantitative Data Analysis SPSS Laboratory

Getting the data ready for analysis
Getting a feel for the data
Testing goodness of data

Chap 11

11

11.0

Quantitative Data Analysis: Hypothesis Testing

SPSS Laboratory
Testing of Means
- One sample t-test
- Independent sample t-test
- One Way Analysis of Variance

Chap 11

(ANOVA)
Measures of Association
- Pearson Correlation Co-efficient
- Linear Regression

13

12.0

Qualitative Data Analysis

Data cleaning
Data analysis
Reporting Qualitative Data
Specific approach to Qualitative Data
Analysis (Inductive and Deductive)

Chap 12

12

13.0

The Research Report

The report
The written report
Oral presentation

Chap 16

JUMLAH

42

6.0

TEACHING METHOD
Lectures, discussions and hands-on.

7.0

ASSESSMENT
Coursework
Consists of : Group Assignment Research Project
Group Activities Case Studies & Presentations
Individual Assignment - SPSS Exercise
Participations
Quiz
Final exam

60%
30%
15%
5%
5%
5%
40%

8.0.

REMINDER:
Students are also advised to strictly to abide university rules and regulations
specifically on the attendance and dress code. Should any of these are not
followed, stern action will be taken.

9.0.

CLASS POLICIES:
Attendance: Class attendance is compulsory. Should you have any problem
or event / activities to attend that colliding with the class, do inform me for
formality. Otherwise I will take it as ABSENT. I do keep track of who is
coming to class and who is not.
Assignments: Make sure you do all given assignments. Free rider attitude is
not allowed at all.
Academic honesty: Plagiarism in any form is banned and will result in a
straight F grade.
Ethic and moral values are evaluated at all time during semester.
Cell phones: Cell/smart phones must be SILENCE during the duration of the
class.