Text: Zikmund, William G., Business Research. Dryden Press. Sixth Edition.

Slade, Carole. Form and Style in Thesis, Reports, and Term Papers, EleventhEdition. Houghton Mifflin Company.

Supplementary Texts: Numerous library books.

Instructor: Sara Hart

Description: This course is designed to prepare graduate students to do research as well as develop their oral, written, and interpersonal skills. Both individual and group research projects are completed utilizing appropriate research methodology.

Objectives:
 

1. To develop efficient library research skills.

2. To develop an understanding of and experience in research method skills using secondary and primary research methodology.

3. To develop a business research proposal.

4. To employ secondary research methodology to prepare an informal research report.

5. To employ secondary and primary research methodology and using the scientific inquiry process to identify the problem, implement the appropriate data collection methods and develop a formal research project written in thesis format.

6. To develop effective written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills through individual and group projects and presentations.

7. To learn how to evaluate business research projects.

8. To discuss ethical considerations involved in the research process.

9. To learn how to compose effective job application letters and resumes.

10. To develop interpersonal and leadership skills through team work and group dynamics.

Topic Outline:
 

Parts Topics
 

1. Tour Library Facilities

2. Scientific Inquiry"s Role in Decision Making

The Role of Business Research in the Decision-Making Process
 

3. Beginning the Research Process and the Research Proposal

4. Research Design

Fundamentals of Research Design

Foundations of Measurement

Scaling and Instrument Design

Sampling Design
 

5. Data Collection Methods

Surveys

Personal Interviews

Telephone Interviews

Mail Questionnaires

Experimental

Fieldwork
 

6. Research Reporting and Evaluation

Ethical Considerations in Business Research
 

7. Oral and Written Presentations of Group Projects.
 

8. Individual Oral and Written Presentations.
 

Class Meetings:
One 3-hour session per week for 15 weeks plus a final examination.

Students attending class at the Conroe site will be required to meet on Sam Houston State University campus on designated dates.

Teaching Method:
Lecture, individual and group presentations, interaction in class and among group team members.

Course Evaluation Process
 

Course averages are determined on the following basis:

40%--Research Project

20%--Exam over Textbook and Research Method Presentation

20%--Application Letter and Resume

20%--Research Proposal/Presentation
 

Grades in this course are determined by applying the following scale to a student's average:

89.5 and up = A

79.5 to 89.4 = B

70.0 to 79.4 = C

Below 70 = F
 

Exam dates are included in the GBA 587 Course Schedule given to the students the second class meeting. Students are to take their exams and make their presentations on the designated dates shown on the Course Schedule.

Religious Holy Days Policy
Students who are absent from class for observance of a religious holy day will be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within one (l) week of returning to class. The student, not later than the l5th calendar day after the first day of the semester (September 9 for Fall l993), must notify the instructor of each scheduled class day that he/she would be absent for a religious holy day.

Handicapped Student Policy
It is the policy of Sam Houston State University that no otherwise qualified disabled individual shall, solely by reason of his/her handicap, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any academic, Student Life program, or activity. Handicapped students may request academic assistance when needed from a Committee for Continuing Academic Assistance for Disabled Students by visiting the Director of the Counseling Center in the Lee Drain Building Annex, or by calling extension l720.

Attendance Policy
Graduate students are expected to attend class regularly. When a student must be absent, the student is responsible for completing a reaction paper for each class hour missed (3 reaction papers for a 3 hour class session).

Reaction Paper--The student must read and summarize a recent article (l990 or later) from a professional journal pertaining to research. The summary is to be no more than two pages and should include the following:

Bibliographical citation: author, title or article, name of journal, month, year, volume, number, and page numbers.

Purpose of article (author's)

Method of collecting data (author's)

Findings (author's)

Conclusions (author's)

Recommendations (author's)

Your reaction, comments, implications.