BUS3100 Business Research Practices

Welcome to BUS3100 Business Research Practices!

This unit explores the nature and process of business research. It covers a review of the methods used to collect research data available to an organization and examines how these different avenues for research complement each other to form a sound information base for management decisions. We trace the process of research including: principles of social science research, research paradigms, framing research questions, data collection methods, sampling, measurement concepts and techniques, data preparation and analysis, and business research applications. In addition, the implications of research ethics are discussed. The focus of the unit is on providing decisional research for business managers, so we adopt a practical and applied approach to activities and assessment tasks.

BUS3100 is a capstone unit for the Marketing Major in the Bachelor of Commerce. The knowledge and skills you acquire in this unit are important for graduate level professionals because they will help you make more informed and rational business decisions. The unit also develops and consolidates course level outcomes relating to problem solving, teamwork and business ethics.

To succeed in this unit, it’s important to engage with preparatory readings and participate fully in tutorials to get the most out of the learning experience.

Unit Learning Outcomes

At the end of this unit you will be able to:

1. Analyse and apply quantitative and qualitative techniques to business situations and interpret findings for management.

2. Compare quantitative and qualitative methods used in the business research context.

3. Critically assess when to use research effectively in a business context.

4. Design and implement a real-life research project.

5. Develop analytical, communication & team work skills relevant to effective data collection and interpretation.

6. Understand and critically evaluate secondary data collection and analysis methods.

Course Learning Outcomes

Your learning in this unit will contribute to the development of the following Course Learning Outcomes:

• UGCLO2: Access, analyse and critically evaluate relevant information to solve challenging business problems systematically [AQF7 S1, S3, A1].

• UGCLO4: Collaborate effectively in team settings to produce measurable outcomes [AQF7 A1, A3].

• UGCLO7: Value professional behaviours and/or personal citizenship that reflect an appreciation of the interrelationship between business ethics and corporate social responsibility [AQF7 S3, A1, A3].