Online Class: Business Research Methods

Name: Business Research Methods
Price: 95.00 USD

This course demystifies business research by offering a comprehensive framework that balances foundational concepts with advanced methodologies, ensuring participants are adept at both data collection and interpretation. Emphasizing ethical considerations and stakeholder engagement, it empowers learners to derive meaningful insights and drive impactful decisions in any organizational context.

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15

Lessons
23

Exams &
Assignments
265

Students
have taken this course
10

Hours
average time
1.0

CEUs

Course Description

Delving into the World of Business Research: A Comprehensive Exploration

Embarking on a research project, especially within the intricate world of business, is akin to setting sail on a vast ocean of information, analytics, and insights. This expansive course, "Navigating Business Research Methods," is designed as your compass and guiding star, ensuring that every exploration yields valuable discoveries.

Our course sets out with twin ambitions:

To demystify the intricate maze of business research, equipping you to champion it within your organizational landscape.
To hone your research acumen, refining your ability to navigate diverse tools and methodologies with precision and confidence.

Research isn't merely a collection of data; it's an odyssey that involves probing questions, strategic collection, and an incisive interpretation of data. This odyssey is invaluable to both corporate behemoths and nimble non-profits. Our course transforms this odyssey into an exhilarating journey, taking you from conceptualizing research objectives to presenting compelling findings.

Our syllabus, spread across fifteen meticulously curated lessons, is a blend of foundational concepts and advanced strategies:

The A-Z of Business Research
The Blueprint: Mapping the Research Process
Cultivating Stakeholder Engagement and Consensus
Crafting a Robust Literature Review
Ethical Considerations: The North Star of Research
Delving into Quantitative Analysis
Tools of the Quantitative Trade: Effective Data Collection 8-9. Harnessing the Power of IBM SPSS Statistics: A Two-Part Exploration
The Art and Science of Qualitative Analysis
Qualitative Data Collection: Techniques and Best Practices
NVivo: A Deep Dive
The Harmony of Mixed Methods Research 14-15. Crafting and Presenting Stellar Research Reports: A Dual-Module Masterclass

Post each module, you'll engage in a comprehensive assessment designed to gauge and enhance your grasp on the intricate tapestry of business research.

Whether you're an established business analyst, an emerging research enthusiast, or a curious individual eager to unlock the secrets of the business research realm, this course is your key. Dive deep, uncover insights, and emerge with a refined skill set, poised to elevate the research narrative in any organizational setting.

Courses Frequently Bought Together:

Basic Research Skills

Business Administration 101

Business Analysis

Completely Online
Self-Paced
Printable Lessons
Full HD Video
6 Months to Complete
24/7 Availability
Start Anytime
PC & Mac Compatible
Android & iOS Friendly
Accredited CEUs

Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:

"Extraordinarily Helpful"

(60 votes)

Lesson 1. Building Research Skills for Business Success

Business research serves as a multi-disciplinary approach to improving understanding of markets, products, and consumer relations, thereby supporting strategic decision-making. Crafting a well-defined research question is key to addressing business challenges and requires open-ended inquiry and creative thinking. Additional lesson topics: Business Research Methods, 12th Edition; Developing strong research questions 12 Total Points

Lesson 1 Video
Complete Assignment: Introduce Yourself
Assessment: Lesson 1 Exam

Lesson 2. Crafting Your Research Journey: From Questions to Plans

There are four primary forms of research: action, applied, basic, and evaluation, each with unique purposes and methodologies, such as quantitative and qualitative methods. Understanding these foundational types helps ensure research projects are designed and executed effectively to gather meaningful insights. Additional lesson topics: Understanding Research Methodology 5: Applied and Basic Research; The Steps in a Business Research Process 10 Total Points

Lesson 2 Video
Assessment: Lesson 2 Exam

Lesson 3. Securing Organizational Support: A Strategic Guide to Ensuring Buy-In

Gaining buy-in entails aligning your research objectives with the interests of different stakeholders, from superiors to participants, managing their expectations, and maintaining trust throughout the process. Project management essentials like integration, scope, time, costs, quality, and risk must be effectively managed to ensure project success. Additional lesson topics: How to Get Buy in at Work: a Step by Step Guide; Several ways to get buy-in from your team when change is necessary; Project Management Basics: Several Steps to a Foolproof Project Plan 10 Total Points

Lesson 3 Video
Assessment: Lesson 3 Exam

Lesson 4. Strategically Engaging with Literature

The literature review is an analytical bridge connecting past research to your future findings, unveiled through sourcing credible, diverse, and insightful secondary research. This lesson details strategies for forming a coherent narrative that aligns with your research question and effectively transitions into data collection and project development. Additional lesson topics: Types of Sources and Where to Find Them: Secondary Sources; Example Of A Literature Review Structure; Effective and Meaningful Literature Review 10 Total Points

Lesson 4 Video
Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam

Lesson 5. Research Ethics: A Fundamental Pillar

The lesson emphasizes the importance of ethics in business research, highlighting key principles like honesty, objectivity, and social responsibility to protect all involved. It cautions against research misconduct, such as fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism, to ensure the integrity and usability of research findings. Additional lesson topics: What Are Ethical Considerations in Business Research?; Several Ethical Principles for Business Executives; What is ethics? 11 Total Points

Lesson 5 Video
Complete: Lesson 5 Activity
Assessment: Lesson 5 Exam

Lesson 6. The Core Elements of Quantitative Research Explained

Quantitative analysis focuses on using numerical data to understand relationships between variables, as it provides concrete, mathematically representable insights that can facilitate generalizations across large datasets. While this approach excels at answering 'what' or 'how' questions, it is less effective in explaining the underlying reasons or 'why' behind the observed phenomena. Additional lesson topics: What Is Quantitative Analysis for Business?; Quantitative vs. Qualitative Business Research; Quantitative Methods: Meaning and Characteristics 10 Total Points

Lesson 6 Video
Assessment: Lesson 6 Exam

Lesson 7. Essential Techniques in Quantitative Research

Sampling involves selecting participants that represent a larger population, with probability sampling relying on randomness to minimize bias, making results generalizable. Non-probability sampling is less randomized and often used when research circumstances limit options, though it raises concerns about potential bias. Additional lesson topics: How Is Sampling Important to Business?; What is content analysis and how can you use it in your research?; The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Self-Completion Questionnaire 10 Total Points

Lesson 7 Video
Assessment: Lesson 7 Exam

Lesson 8. Unveiling the Power of IBM SPSS: A Tool for Quantitative Research

The IBM SPSS Statistics system empowers users with an accessible interface for performing ad-hoc analyses, hypothesis testing, and comprehensive data manipulation to reveal insights. Compatible with a wide array of data sources like Excel, it simplifies importing and editing data, accommodating both beginners and seasoned analysts. Additional lesson topics: Why SPSS Statistics? 10 Total Points

Lesson 8 Video
Assessment: Lesson 8 Exam

Lesson 9. Unlocking Insights with IBM SPSS

Data analysis in IBM SPSS encompasses tools like descriptive statistics and frequencies, allowing researchers to visualize patterns through histograms. It maintains data integrity while offering diverse analytical models to build foundational insights for further analysis. Additional lesson topics: Descriptive Statistics; Understanding Frequency Distributions; Understanding Descriptive and Inferential Statistics 11 Total Points

Lesson 9 Video
Complete: Lesson 9 Activity
Assessment: Lesson 9 Exam

Lesson 10. Qualitative Analysis: An Introduction

Transitioning from quantitative to qualitative research employs methods like ethnography and grounded research to delve into human experiences and cultural insights, revealing the 'why' behind data. While qualitative research provides a profound understanding, it remains circumscribed in scope and challenging to replicate, highlighting individual truth rather than universal axioms. Additional lesson topics: 5 Types Of Qualitative Methods; Exploring Characteristics of Qualitative Research; Understanding of Qualitative Analysis; Several Advantages and Disadvantages of Qualitative Research 11 Total Points

Lesson 10 Video
Complete: Lesson 10 Activity
Assessment: Lesson 10 Exam

Lesson 11. Qualitative Methods in Action: Observation, Interviews, and Content Analysis

This lesson offers a detailed examination of qualitative data collection techniques, encouraging researchers to select methods such as field research and focus groups based on their specific research objectives. By employing strategic sampling and coding, qualitatively-driven projects aim to capture the depth and complexity of human experiences and behaviors. Additional lesson topics: Methods of data collection in qualitative research: interviews and focus groups; Case Study Research Design; Focus Groups Advantages and Disadvantages; How to Conduct Field Research 10 Total Points

Lesson 11 Video
Assessment: Lesson 11 Exam

Lesson 12. Getting Started with NVivo

NVivo is a comprehensive software designed for qualitative researchers to seamlessly organize and analyze data from various media sources, allowing the integration of complex datasets into one unified project. By facilitating data coding, visualization, and securing, NVivo optimizes research efficiency, enabling users to focus more on analysis and insights rather than administration. Additional lesson topics: The Implication of Using NVivo Software in Qualitative Data Analysis: Evidence-Based Reflections; NVivo website 11 Total Points

Lesson 12 Video
Complete: Lesson 12 Activity
Assessment: Lesson 12 Exam

Lesson 13. Combining Forces: Exploring Mixed Methods Research

Modern researchers find mixed methods research beneficial for tackling diverse questions, aiming to validate findings, and resolving potential contradictions through triangulation. This comprehensive approach is gaining traction in both academic and business contexts, allowing for thorough investigation across various disciplines. Additional lesson topics: Advantages and disadvantages of mixed method research; Analyzing, Interpreting and Reporting Basic Research Results; Mixed Methods: Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis While Studying Patient-Centered Medical Home Models 11 Total Points

Lesson 13 Video
Complete: Lesson 13 Activity
Assessment: Lesson 13 Exam

Lesson 14. Crafting the Final Research Report: Structure, Audience, and Citations

We highlighted the essential sections of a business research report, including title, abstract, and methods, as well as the critical nature of a clear audience focus. Properly cited sources reinforce the credibility and ethical grounding of your research. Additional lesson topics: How to Construct a Mixed Methods Research Design 10 Total Points

Lesson 14 Video
Assessment: Lesson 14 Exam

Lesson 15. Guiding Stakeholders Through Your Research Journey

Presenting research findings involves choosing between a thematic or sequential structure, and ensuring clarity through the use of visual aids when necessary. 91 Total Points

Lesson 15 Video
Lesson discussions: End of Course Poll; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments; Course Comments
Complete: Lesson 15 Activity
Assessment: Lesson 15 Exam
Assessment: The Final Exam

238

Total Course Points

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

Demonstrate the ability to formulate a comprehensive business research question by identifying a business problem and developing a focused, open-ended question that requires in-depth exploration and analysis.
Describe the interdisciplinary nature of business research by identifying its integration of at least three distinct disciplines such as economics, psychology, and sociology.
Create a comprehensive research plan by outlining the problem, selecting appropriate methods, and identifying relevant primary and secondary sources for data collection.
Define and differentiate the four standard forms of research: action, applied, basic, and evaluation, and identify their corresponding research methods.
Define strategies for successfully obtaining buy-in from superiors by tailoring pitches and managing timing effectively.
Demonstrate techniques for engaging research participants, including setting clear expectations and establishing permission to ensure trust and buy-in.
Organize and structure a literature review by summarizing, comparing, and critically analyzing different research sources to provide meaningful insights and context for your research project.
Recognize and critically evaluate strong secondary sources to identify gaps and establish your literature review's context for effective research.
Define key ethical principles in business research and demonstrate their application in research design to ensure participant protection and data integrity.
Identify common research misconducts such as fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism, and describe strategies to prevent them in business research projects.
Identify and describe the advantages and limitations of quantitative research, including generalizability, ease of replication, failure to explain 'why,' time consumption, and need for standardization.
Define the three key characteristics of quantitative research, including focus on numbers, commitment to objectivity, and emphasis on comparison.
Define the concept of content analysis and demonstrate its application in transforming qualitative data into quantitative data within business research.
Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.

Additional Course Information

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Course Title: Business Research Methods

Course Number: 9770586

Lessons Rating: 4.8 / 5 Stars (60 votes)

Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries

Category:

UniversalClass.com > Business > Management

Availability: Enroll in this course from any U.S. state, including California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Georgia. The course is also accessible to learners in English-speaking countries such as the UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and South Africa.

Last Updated: May 2024

CEU Value: 1.0 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)

CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).

Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.

Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Classes

Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams

Instructor: Linda Zavadil

Syllabus: View Syllabus

Course Fee: $120.00 U.S. dollars