Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

This unit is designed to give students an introduction to a range of quantitative research methods and their application to different research questions and types of quantitative data.

Aims

The primary purpose of the unit is to integrate an understanding of the logic underlying various quantitative research designs, the statistical procedures appropriate for the analysis of data obtained from these research designs, and the operation of computer programming packages necessary to effect statistical analysis.

Objectives

Course Learning Goals (Research)

The QUT Business School has established the Assurance of Learning (AOL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:

Have a broad and deep advanced theoretical and disciplinary knowledge (KNO)

1.1 Discuss advanced theoretical and disciplinary knowledge

Have advanced analytical research skills necessary to evaluate and conduct research in their areas of specialisation (ARS)

2.1 Display understanding of research design through appropriate methodological critique of published research
2.2 Display competence in research design through the development and critique of a rigorous design for their own research
2.3 Display competence in the appropriate and rigorous analysis of data

Be an effective communicator of theoretical, disciplinary and research information effectively at an advanced academic level (COM)

3.1 Provide an effective presentation and defence of their research in oral contexts
3.2 Provide an effective presentation and defence of research in written contexts
3.3 Disseminate research outcomes through presentations of their academic work within academic and other relevant communities **

Be able to demonstrate independence in research planning and execution (IND)

4.1 Identify independently issues as they arise in the conduct of research and enact solutions in a timely manner **

Have an understanding of the ethical context of research (ETH)

5.1 Reflect on the ethical dimensions of their research and obtain ethical clearance prior to conducting research

Be able to work effectively in a team environment (TW)

6.1 Operate effectively and with flexibility to achieve common goals in research settings, using a range of skills, including leadership, negotiation, reflection, proactivity and support for team members

** AOL goal applies at PhD level only.


Unit Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Explain frequently-used quantitative research methods in business research and studies.
2. Discuss various sampling, measurement and analysis issues associated with quantitative research strategies.
3. Explain the purpose, advantages and limitations of different types of kind of quantitative analyses.
4. Conduct, interpret, and report in an academic context a variety of quantitative analyses related to different research questions.
5. Demonstrate literacy skills to assist in reading, understanding and evaluating published research in your field.


The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.

Content

The unit will cover quantitative research concepts and analyses including:

• Data Collection: Survey Research


• Index construction and reliability analysis; Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor analysis


• Regression Analysis (bivariate correlation, simple regression, multiple regression, regression diagnostics)


• mediated and moderated regression


• Logistic regression


• Structural Equation Modeling


• Experimental Data Collection and Analysis

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The delivery of this unit is based around a 4 hour seminar, usually comprising a 2 hour lecture followed by a 2 hour computer-based tutorial. Some weeks will be delivered via online methods as outlined below. The purpose of each seminar is to introduce students to the concepts and analyses appropriate to address a variety of quantitative research questions. Seminars are additionally utilised to develop students' abilities to apply the analyses to a variety of research questions and data sets, and to interpret the results of statistical output using SPSS.

The unit is supported by the QUT Blackboard system and the Collaborate Online Teaching system. In addition to basic information such as the unit outline, lecture outlines, assessment information and staff contact details the Blackboard site contains learning materials and datasets to enable students to practice developed quantitative research skills. Collaborate is used to teach some analyses relevant to assessment in recorded sessions to enable student playback as required.

To access the BSN414 Blackboard site, simply bookmark the following URL: http://blackboard.qut.edu.au

Note: The BSN414 Blackboard site can only be accessed with the use of your QUT access username and password.

Assessment

The assessment in this unit aims to support your achievement of the learning objectives for both Discipline Knowledge and Other Graduate Capabilities. Assessment has been designed in order to allow you to both:

receive feedback on your learning as you progress towards the development of knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes (formative assessment); and

demonstrate your learning in order to achieve a final grade (summative assessment).

Student grades are determined by the Faculty Academic Board. The Unit Coordinators provide the detailed assessment results to the Board, working through the relevant School. These results are advisory in nature and do not necessarily constitute the final grades awarded by the Board. In its decisions the Board compares results both within units and programs, using as a guide a set of standard distribution criteria. These criteria enable the Board to systematically compare student performance, but are not applied in a prescriptive fashion.

Formative Assessment
In each seminar, students will have exercises to complete relating to the topic or analysis being studied in that week. Students will receive feedback on their performance on these tasks in the seminars and are able to provide their exercise to lecturers for written feedback the following week. Formative assessment incorporates the following Assurance of learning goals: KNO (1.1), ARS (2.3), COM (3.2).

Summative Assessment
Refer to "Assessment" section below.Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation

Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary

Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation

Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment name: Report
Description: Students will conduct an exploratory factor analysis and a confirmatory factor analysis based on data provided to students. Student are required to interpret and write-up the results of the analyses.
Length/Duration: 1,000 words
Formative or Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit Objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and AOL goals: KNO (1.1), ARS (2.3), COM (3.2)
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 5

Assessment name: Research Paper
Description: Students will be provided with information and data related to a specific research question. Using this information and data, students are to perform a series of preliminary data analyses and mediated and moderated regressions to test the hypotheses. Students are required to individually write up a Method, Results, and Discussion section.
Length/Duration: 1,500 words
Formative or Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 4, 5 and AOL goals: KNO (1.1), ARS (2.3), COM (3.2)
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 11

Assessment name: Assignment
Description: Students will conduct a series of logistic regressions and write up the results of these analyses using data provided by the lecturer.
Length/Duration: 1,000 words
Formative or Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and AOL goals: KNO (1.1), ARS (2.3), COM (3.2)
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 13

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Prescribed Text
Hair, J., B. Black, B. Babin, R. Anderson and R. Tatham (2010). Multivariate Data Analysis, Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ.

A set of readings is also available though the BSN414 Blackboard site.

Recommended reading
Lecture notes, workshop notes, data, example analyses and additional readings are provided on the unit Blackboard site.

Additional Resources
Allen, P., & Bennett, K. (2012).PASW Statistics by SPSS: A Practical Guide Version 20.0.Cengage Learning Australia: South Melbourne, VIC

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Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 24-Jan-2013