RESEARCH PHILOSOPHY AND DESIGN

BUS5RPD

2020

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

This subject considers the fundamental epistemological premises on which research may be developed. It explores ways of formulating research question(s), propositions and hypotheses, and identifies assumptions and theories that are relevant in the development of a conceptual framework for research. This subject provides students with an understanding of research design as the foundation for effective and informed research. It emphasises a systematic approach to developing rigour in research design, building theoretical and paradigmatic links from a research idea to the design of a research project. It will cover principles of the scientific method, key epistemological perspectives in business and social sciences, and argument analysis. The aim of these topics is to provide an understanding and appreciation of both the theoretical and practical foundations of research design, and to inform subsequent analyses of how to select different research methods.

School: La Trobe Business School (Pre 2022)

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Zahirul Hoque

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: No

Subject year level: Year Level 5 - Masters

Exchange Students: No

Available as Elective: No

Learning Activities: N/A

Capstone subject: No

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: Student enrolment is by application only

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: N/A

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Quota Management Strategy: N/A

Quota-conditions or rules: N/A

Special conditions: N/A

Minimum credit point requirement: N/A

Assumed knowledge: N/A

Learning resources

Methodologial Issues in Accounting Research

Resource Type: Other resource

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Hoque, Zahirul

Year: 2006

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: Spiramus, London

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Social Research Methods

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Prescribed

Author: Bryman, Alan

Year: 2014

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: Oxford University Press

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Career Ready

Career-focused: No

Work-based learning: No

Self sourced or Uni sourced: N/A

Entire subject or partial subject: N/A

Total hours/days required: N/A

Location of WBL activity (region): N/A

WBL addtional requirements: N/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

COMMUNICATION - Communicating and Influencing

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Research and Evidence-Based Inquiry

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Enhance awareness of the multiple and epistemological and ontological perspectives that underpin research.

02. Understand notions of theory, theory building and theoretical contribution across the social sciences and business research fields.

03. Evaluate the literature, philosophical traditions, methods and problems associated with several topics.

04. Apply knowledge of ontological, epistemological, methodological and procedural assumptions to the preparation of papers that demonstrate an advanced understanding of the assumptions, methodology, techniques and results of research.

05. Have an appropriate understanding of the purpose of research design: method, methodologies, and theoretical perspectives.

06. Understand how to develop an appropriate research proposal for a relevant research area and questions.

07. Understand issues of research quality and research ethics.

Melbourne (Bundoora), 2020, Semester 1, Day

Overview

Online enrolment: No

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Enrolment information: N/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Zahirul Hoque

Class requirements

SeminarWeek: 0 - 0
One 3.00 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 0 to week 0 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment element	Comments	Category	Contribution	Hurdle	%	ILO*
One 2500 word individual assignment (literature review)	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	40	SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO4, SILO5, SILO6, SILO7
One 2500 word individual assignment (research project design)	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	40	SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO4, SILO5, SILO6, SILO7
One 1000 word individual reflexive written assignment (on elements 1 and 2)	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	20	SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO4, SILO5, SILO6, SILO7