INSTITUTE OF ACCOUNTANCY ARUSHA
THE DEPARTMENT OF POSTGRADUATE
MODULE GUIDELINES FOR RESEARCH METHODS
PROGRAMME: MBA ITM/ MIS/MBA LG/MEM/HRM/MBA PSM/PDE – 2023/2024
NTA: LEVEL 9
FACILITATOR: DR. THADEI KIWANGO/DR. CHRISTOPHER MARUSHWA
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TOPIC SUBTOPIC OBJECTIVES LEARNING OUTCOMES TOOLS TASK
Meaning of scientific At the end of the module Define research
research Understand the the student should be able Explain basic
Objectives of research meaning, objective to: terminologies in
Research approaches and significance of Understand the research
Types of researches research meaning of scientific Explain main
Significance of research Examine an research procedures for
Criteria of good overview of the Understand types of research
research research process research undertaking
Identifying research Lecture notes Formulate research
Identify research
problem Construct research Class problem,
problem
1.0 Introduction to Research questions proposal for solving Prepare the research assignment hypothesis and
Research Formulate the research selected business proposal discussion research question.
hypothesis problem
Explain the
importance for
literature review
Explain the aspects of
Types of literature theoretical and
Searching for Literature empirical literature
Evaluating literatures review
Identify themes, debates Review literature Discuss the
and gaps relating to research referencing styles
Referencing study At the end of the module the Lecture notes Demonstrate
Theoretical review Discuss different student should be able to: Class searching online
Conceptual review principles for clear search, evaluate and identify assignment literature using AND,
2.0 Literature Review Plagiarism literature review themes, debate and gaps discussion OR and NOT
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TOPIC SUBTOPIC OBJECTIVES LEARNING OUTCOMES TOOLS TASK
3.0 Writing the research
proposal At the end of the module Class assignment
Writing the following: - Construct research the student should be Lecture notes l
Background information proposal for solving able to: develop research Assignment on writing a
Literature Review selected business proposals draft research proposal
Data and Methodology problem
Budget
Schedule of activities
References
The students Differentiate between
Discuss how to prepare a should be able to qualitative and
questionnaire use various quantitative data
research analysis
Discuss various data method both Differentiate between
analysis methods: qualitative and qualitative and
quantitative quantitative analysis
Quantitative Analysis e.g. technique
Describe various data The students
Regression analysis Lecture notes
analysis techniques should able to use
Chi Square Analysis SPSS software Assignment on
statistics methods
T test analysis Discuss concepts and in analyzing data Use of Excel on analyzing quantitative
Descriptive frequency data analysis data using (SPSS)
analysis. principles of business Assignment data and qualitative data
Qualitative analysis e.g. statistics analysis using content or
Content analysis narrative analysis.
4.0 Data Analysis Method Narrative analysis
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TOPIC SUBTOPIC OBJECTIVES LEARNING OUTCOMES TOOLS TASK
Demonstrate how to Make use of statistical Students should
enter data in SPSS software packages to be able to enter Assignment to enter
analyze business data in SPSS and analyze data in
Demonstrate how to research data SPSS software SPSS
analyze data in SPSS Make use of SPSS to Students should Excel Discuss various
using various data test hypothesis be able to analyze approaches for
analysis methods data using SPSS hypothesis testing
5.0 Analysing data using Testing the hypothesis Students should
Statistical Package for be able to test
Social Science hypothesis
Students should be able to
identify the characteristics
of good research report
Identify features of good Students should be able to
Features of good research research report write a good research
report Use the report writing report Lecture notes
How to write a good skills to write a good Class assignment Discuss the elements of a
6.0 Writing research report research report research report discussion good research report
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DETAILED CONTENTS
TOPIC 1: INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
• Meaning of research
• Objectives of research
• Research approaches
• Significance of research
• Criteria of good research
• Identifying research problem
• Research questions
• Research hypothesis
TOPIC 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
• Types of literature
• Searching for Literature
• Evaluating literatures (Identify themes, debates and gaps)
• Referencing
• Theoretical literature review
• Empirical literature review Research gap
• Conceptual framework
• Plagiarism
TOPIC 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
• Research approach
• Research philosophy
• Research design
• Study area
• Population
• Sample design (size and strategies)
• Data collection
• Operationalization of variables (scaling)
• Data analysis
• Validity and reliability
• Ethical consideration
TOPIC 4: FINDING AND DISCUSSION
• Demographic Characteristics of Respondents
• Test and assumptions
• Presentation of findings in relation to specific objectives
• Discussions of findings
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TOPIC 5: PROPOSAL WRITING
• Introduction and Background information
• Literature Review
• Research methodology
• References
• Budget
• Schedule of activities
• Research instruments
• Defending the proposal
TOPIC 6: DISSERTATION WRITING
• Introduction and Background information
• Literature Review
• Research methodology
• Findings and discussion
• Summary, recommendations and conclusions
• References
• Appendices (Research instruments, etc.) Defending the dissertation
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
1.1 Assessment Methods
This module will be assessed using both continuous and semester examination. Continuous
assessment (CA) will carry 50% of the module weight and the semester examination (SE) will carry
50% of the module weight.
Continuous assessment (CA):
One written test which will carry 20%
Two assignments, one will carry 20% and the other activities 10% assessment weight.
Semester examination (SE):
One written examination paper which will carry 50% of the semester examination weight
Pre-requisite Modules: None
Learning Context:
This module will be taught through lecture, discussions, field practice, case studies, exercises,
role playing.
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Learning and learning Materials:
Flip charts, marker pens, Hand-outs, computer and Multimedia Projector, text books.
Required References:
1. Bryman A. & Bell E. (2007) 2nd ed. Business Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford
University Press
2. The Harvard Style Guide (2007). Downloadable from the Harvard Style website:
Centre for Academic Writing (2007) Harvard Style Guide [online]
3. Fisher, C (2004), Researching and writing a dissertation for business students, FT
Prentice Hall.
4. Weaver, P (2004), Success in your project; A guide to student system development
projects, FT Prentice Hall.
5. Kothari C.R (2004), Research Methodology, Methods and Techniques, second
edition, New Age International Publishers, New Delhi.
6. Robert Lynn Gardner, Dave N. Stewart, Ronald G. Worsham, Tax Research
Techniques, Edition5, American Institute of Certified Public Accountant
Recommended References:
1. Jankowicz, A D (2004), Business Research Projects, 4th Edition, Thompson Learning
2. Saunders, M, Lewis, P and Thornhill, A (2006), Research Methods for Business
Students, 4th Edition, FT Prentice Hall
3. White B. (2002), Writing Your MBA Dissertation, London