Research Methodology in Management

The main goals of this course can be summarized as follows:

Knowledge of the most important research methods in business management.
Ability to design a research.
Design of a survey and data processing using various statistical programs employed in research in Business Administration.
Ability to interpret results and draw relevant conclusions.
Knowledge of the impact journals in Business Administration and the publishing process.

The contents that will be taught during the sessions can be looked up in the course descriptor of the Master programme. The course's outline consists of the following four topics:
1. SCIENTIFIC METHOD. Techniques for research in business administration.
2. DATABASES. Data collection.
3. TREATMENT. Data analysis.
4. PUBLICATION. Scientific journals in business administration.

SARABIA, F.J. (1999) "Metodología para la investigación en marketing y dirección de empresas". Ed. Pirámide.

URIEL, E. y ALDÁS, J. (2005) “Análisis multivariante aplicado”. Ed. Thomson

BYRNE, B.M. (1994) “Structural equation modeling with EQS and EQS/Windows”. Ed. Sage

MALHOTRA, N. (2008) "Investigación de mercados" 5ª Edición Prentice-Hall.

AEDEMO (2000) "La investigación en marketing".

FERNÁNDEZ, A. (1999) "Investigación de mercados: obtención de la información" ed. Civitas

Degree competences to which the course contributes:
CB01- Possess and understand knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity to be original in the development and/or application of ideas, often in a research context.
CB02- That students know how to apply the knowledge acquired and their ability to solve problems in new or little-known environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their area of ​​study.
CB04- That students know how to communicate their conclusions –and the knowledge and ultimate reasons that support them– to specialized and non-specialized audiences in a clear and unambiguous way.
CB05- That students have the learning skills that allow them to continue studying in a way that will be largely self-directed or autonomous.
CG01- Advanced knowledge in Business Management, fundamentally in its methods, techniques and areas of application.
CG03- Ability to apply the knowledge acquired to business reality.
CG04- Ability to solve problems in new or little-known environments.
CG06- Ability to communicate information, ideas, business management problems -of a generic or specific nature- and proposed solutions.
CG07- Ability to design integrated or functional areas management projects .
CG09- Ability to identify, gather and interpret relevant data on issues related to business management.
CT01- Ethical sense of management and business management.
CT03- Analysis and synthesis capacity.
CT04- Planning and organization capacity.
CE01- Overall vision of the company and its environment, which allows diagnosing and understanding complex problems, analyzing them and making appropriate decisions, being aware of their scope.

Face-to-face teaching. In the theoretical classes the teacher will develop the program, explaining concepts and topics. The computer and the projector cannon will be used as main supports, projecting presentations and different materials that serve as a guide to the explanations made. In the theoretical classes the blackboard, printed articles or any other information necessary to expand knowledge and clarify doubts will also be used. The interactive sessions may involve the analysis of research articles, resolution of exercises and practical cases, and preparation of research material. Interaction with the student is essential to achieve the desired learning. Tutorials can be face-to-face or virtual (via email or the corporate platform MS ’Teams).
This subject has a Virtual Classroom.

The evaluation will take into account all the activities carried out by the students under the teacher's request. The corresponding score in this continuous evaluation will suppose 50% of the final grade and will be kept for the July opportunity but not for repeaters. The final exam will account for the remaining 50% of the grade. To pass the subject there are two opportunities. Students who do not pass the subject at the first opportunity will be entitled to a second, which will be the one that appears in their academic record in the event that the grade obtained is higher.
To pass the subject, students must attend at least 80% of the scheduled classroom teaching activities.
The evaluation will be carried out as follows:
- Final theoretical and practical test: face-to-face on the dates and times set in the final tests calendar.
- Continuous assessment: telematic delivery (through the virtual campus) and face-to-face resolution.
Students who are granted a class attendance waiver (following Instruction No. 1/2017 of the General Secretariat on the waiver of class attendance in certain circumstances), will be evaluated with a specific final exam that will mean 100% of the grade.
For cases of fraudulent performance of exercises or tests, the “Regulations for evaluating student academic performance and reviewing grades” will apply.

The subject’s workload is 4.5 ECTS.
Contact hours 36 h.
Hours of personal work: 76,5 h.

To prepare the course the students should work during the year, keep the theoretical concepts up to date, use the support material provided and keep a constant communication with the teacher.