MET530 Introduction to Research Designs and Methodological Choices: Accounting track

• Topics

  The purpose of the course is to enhance and reinforce knowledge and understanding of the various steps in the research process based on their own research problem.

  This course will provide an overview of different research designs often used in the business studies, which are related to qualitative, and quantitative methodologies. The main aim of the course is to strengthen the participants abilities to create adequate research designs in their own research endeavors, and to actively assess the design choices. All participants are expected to actively participate in discussions which are part of the course.

  During the course, different designs will be presented and discussed, with respect to:

  • What type of research questions can be examined / answered in the various research designs;
  • What are their possible units of analysis, data sets and methodologies;
  • What are their strengths and limitations

• Learning outcome

  Upon course completion, students are able to:

  Knowledge

  • demonstrate understanding of different research designs and their epistemological foundations
  • can recognize methodological implications of the various designs in general terms
  • are able to compare and assess strengths and limitations of published research that employ different research designs to approach related problems
  • are able to position their own research design in the broader research traditions of accounting/business studies

  Skills

  • formulate adequate research problems for their own research project
  • critically assess methodological choices relevant for their own research project (dissertation)
  • develop and formulate researchable research problems
  • can carry out research and scholarly research work of a high international standard

  General competence

  •  can communicate and discuss research with a peer audience.

• Teaching

  The pedagogical approach for this course centers around seminars, where we will adress central topics relevant for writing a research proposal. The candidate will also have to present the research proposal in class.

• Restricted access

  • PhD students at NHH
  • PhD students at other Norwegian institutions

• Recommended prerequisites

  None

• Required prerequisites

  None

• Compulsory Activity

  None.

• Assessment

  The assessment consists of two equally weighted parts:

  • Individual written research proposal (50%). Students work on the proposal from August to December.
  • Oral presentation of the research proposal (50%). The presentation lasts approximately 15 minutes.

  Both components must be passed in the same semester.

• Grading Scale

  Pass/Fail

• Computer tools

  No special.

• Literature

  Selected articles. The program with complete list of readings will be available in due time prior to the course starts.

• Retake

  Re-take is offered the semester after the course was offered for students who signed up for the initial evaluation. Additionally, the students must fulfill one of the two requirements listed below in order to be eligible for re-take:

  • Students who, at the original exam failed or got a grade below C
  • Students who were sick on the day of the exam and has provided a valid sick note ("sykemelding")