Business Research Methods - Qualitative

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/E_IBA2_BRML

Course Objective

ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH SKILLS – students can conduct a basic international research project from start to finish ACADEMIC SKILLS After successfully completing this course, the student can
• put forward well-founded, substantiated points of view regarding choices in qualitative research design and analysis (Argumentation) RESEARCH SKILLS After successfully completing this course, the student can
• critically reflect on (the quality of) academic research
• translate academic research into practically relevant outcomes
• translate practically relevant problems into academically relevant research questions
• apply all the qualitative research skills needed to complete a qualitative, international research process in full, including design, data collection and analysis methods BRIDGING THEORY AND PRACTICE KNOWLEDGE: Demonstrates theoretical and empirical knowledge concerning the relevant areas in international business administration After successfully completing this course, the student can:
• explain the theoretical foundations of qualitative research APPLICATION: Can propose a solution to an international real-life business problem by applying relevant theories and methodologies. After successfully completing this course, the student can:
• provide practical solutions to a case by applying qualitative research methods (i.e., qualitative interviews and observations) to solve a specific business-relate problem SOCIAL SKILLS – students can effectively manage different professional roles in a cross-cultural environment After successfully completing this course, the student:
• demonstrates good listening and observation skills through interview and observation
• can present qualitative research findings (both orally and in writing)
• can work well in a team and reflect on his/her own role in the team
• is sensitive to cross-cultural differences, understands how these translate into social contexts and is able to deal with those differences in social interactions

Course Content

This course will teach you to skilfully and reflexively perform all elements of the qualitative research process. You will learn to recognize and use a “hands on” approach—that is, you gain an understanding of qualitative research design, data collection, data analysis, and reporting by doing it all yourself within a team research project. You will take this skill set forward with you, not only in future courses in the university setting, but also in the next avenues of your professional life. During this project you will also gain in depth knowledge of important aspects of international business that you can expect to encounter in your own future careers.

Teaching Methods

The cours consistents of lectures and tutorials. These will be on campus as much as possible. Some independent online study is also a part of the course, for example in completing team tasks independently and submitting these online for feedback and/or a grade.

Method of Assessment

Practical assignment (individual) Practical assignment (group) Participation assignments

Literature

The course literature will be announced on Canvas and in the course manual

Additional Information

Note that this course is an entry requirement for the Bachelor Thesis, meaning that this course needs to be completed successfully in order to be able to start with the Bachelor Thesis process in year three.

Recommended background knowledge

1.3 Academic Skills