Course detail

Research Methods in Economics

FP-vmePAcad. year: 2020/2021

The content of the course is to acquaint students with the methodology of research work and to deepen knowledge and skills in the implementation of research of future graduates for practice in international trade and economics or for further continuation in academic activities. The course is based on the theoretical foundations of laws, procedures and rules of research throughout the research process so that the student is individually and independently able to choose research issues, choose a suitable approach or strategy, method for data collection, analyze and interpret data to fulfill goals or answers to the research question and then defend these results in the form of a presentation. The focus of the course is on the elaboration of the final diploma thesis, in which it complements the analytical-research part and increases the quality of proposals

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

4

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Students will get acquainted with the whole research process, rules and procedures. Students will know the basic research approaches (qualitative / quantitative) and methods used in them. Students will be able to choose a suitable research approach (strategy) and methods of data collection with respect to the selected issue and research question / goal. Students will be able to prepare a research report and present its results. Students will learn to apply research methods in practice and apply them in the thesis.

Prerequisites

The course requires the following knowledge and skills of the student:
Knowledge: statistical data analysis, probabilistic statistics, at least basic knowledge in the field of theoretical search
Skills: collect and analyze data, ability to interpret data, ability to present project result

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

.Teaching takes place in the form of lectures, which have the character of an explanation of the basic principles, methodology of the discipline and problems. Exercises mainly support the practical mastery of the material presented in lectures. Discussions, individual and team work are used in lectures and exercises.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Completion of the subject
The final evaluation of students will be based on the quality of processing an individual research project, including the presentation and passing an exam in the form of a test of theoretical assumptions. Both activities are mandatory in case of completion of the course.

Completion of the course for students with individual study (ISP)
After submitting the approved plan, the student must complete activities in the form of elaboration and submission of an individual research project to the instructor and pass the exam in the form of a test. The condition is that the student submits a completely prepared project to the tutor no later than one week before the exam. Both activities are mandatory in case of completion of the course.

Detailed specification:
Completion of the course is based on the fulfillment of two parts:
1) Elaboration and presentation of a research project
The evaluation of a research project is based on the quality of a critical analysis of the literature search and the selection of a suitable research strategy and methods. Furthermore, the analysis, interpretation of data and derived (discussed) conclusions or practical recommendations for practice. The total number of points that a student can obtain is 70 points, which is divided according to the qualitative evaluation criteria as follows:
20 points - literature search and setting the research framework (10b), goal formulation (10b),
20 points - selection of methodology (10b), chosen strategy and techniques of data collection (10b),
20 points - analysis and evaluation of data (10b), formulation of conclusions (5b), contribution to practice or academic field (5b),
5 points - topic and structure of the work,
5 points - presentation of research results.

2) Written test
The test of practical prerequisites will be composed of questions based on the content of the lectured material from lectures for the full-time form of study. The total number of points that a student can achieve from the test is 30 points. The student must obtain at least 16 points from the test. If the student does not obtain at least the mentioned 50% of points in the first term, he / she has the opportunity to write a corrective written test.

Partial and overall evaluation:
In total, you can get 100 points, of which:
- elaboration and presentation of an individual research project - 0-70 points (for successful completion the student must obtain at least 30 points).
- elaboration of an exam test - 0-30 points (for successful completion the student must obtain at least 50%, ie at least 16 points).

Overall rating:
A - 89-100 points
B - 77-88 points
C - 65-76 points
D - 53-64 points
E - 46-52 points
F - 45 points or less

Reasons for not granting credit:
- failure to submit a presentation of the research result,
- failure to submit a research project on time,
- Gaining less than 46 points.

Course curriculum

Structure and content of lectures:
1. Introduction to the subject (content, time course and benefits for the student), evaluation conditions and required activities, specifics of research in international trade and economics, design of the research process and its critical factors.
2. Determining the state of scientific knowledge, setting research goals and research questions, the biggest difficulties in defining, data sources for literary research, conceptualization of the topic. Primary and secondary research, pre-research, deductive vs inductive approach.
3. Quantitative and qualitative approaches, their strategies and methods of data collection. Part 1: Operationalization in quantitative research, hypotheses, level and unit of analysis, sample, quota and purpose selection, validity and reliability, types of variables, archival research, types of databases and work with data retrieval.
4. Part 2: Qualitative approach - implementation process, preparation and methods of data collection, qualitative sampling, types of questions in different types of interviews, analysis and interpretation of qualitative data (transcription and coding of data), display of results and interpretation of data.
5. Processing of research results into a research project / report, interpretation and discussion of data, proposals for recommendations for practice, preparation for the presentation of research results.
6. Externist - archival research, work with secondary and panel data, their advantages and disadvantages - will be specified

Structure and content of exercises:
1. Introduction to exercises (conditions for obtaining credit and the course of exercises), the procedure for selecting and determining research issues, generating research ideas.
2. Carrying out literary research and searching for resources, formulating central research questions and goals, mind maps and relevance trees, working with Google tools, conceptualization, decisions about research philosophy, research approach and research strategy.
3. Quantitative research strategies - operationalization of research, hypotheses, level and unit of analysis, selective, quota and purposeful selection, validity and reliability, types of variables, archival research, work with data retrieval in the Amadeus database
4. Qualitative research strategies and their data collection techniques - data collection, operationalization, qualitative sampling, types of questions in different types of interviews, analysis and interpretation of qualitative data (transcription and data coding), displaying results and data interpretation.
5. - 6. Individual and independent implementation of research by the student in practice
7. Submission of presentations of research results, submission of completely processed research projects according to conditions
7. -8. Evaluation of results and entry of credits into the IS

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The main objective of the course is to teach students to aply research methods in the practice. The second objective is to use provided research in the diploma thesis.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Not applicable.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

SAUNDERS, M., P. LEWIS a A. THORNHILL. Research methods for business students. 6th ed. Harlow: Pearson, c2012. ISBN 978-0-273-75075-8. (EN)
WONNACOTT, T. H. a R. J. WONNACOTT. Statistika pro obchod a hospodářství. Praha: Victoria Publishing, 1993. ISBN 80-85605-09-0. (CS)
ŠIROKÝ, J. Tvoříme a publikujeme odborné texty. Brno: Computer Press, 2011. ISBN 978-80-251-3510-5 (CS)

Recommended reading

SURYNEK, A. Základy sociologického výzkumu. Praha: Management Press, 2001. ISBN 80-7261-038-4.
PAVLICA, K. Sociální výzkum, podnik a management: průvodce manažera v oblasti výzkumu hospodářských organizací. Praha: Ekopress, 2000. ISBN 80-86119-25-4.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme MGR-UFRP Master's, 2. year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

  • Programme MGR Master's

    branch MGR-UFRP-D , 2. year of study, winter semester, elective

  • Programme MGR-MEO Master's, 2. year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

13 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. Science and research, their importance and function in management. Methodology of research in management.
2. Fundamentals of research work in management. Research theme, idea, research problem and its formulation. Hypothesis formulation.
3. Stages of research activities. Research plan. Problem of the research file.
4. Research methods and techniques in management, sorting them. Study of documents as a research method. Quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
5. Method of observation in control. Types, characteristics, use.
6. Method of questioning in control, its characteristics, use.
7. Experimental methods in control. Types of experiment, realization, evaluation.
8. Methods of measurement (scaling, tests) in control.
9.Qualitatively oriented research,
10. Data processing.
11. Processing of research results.
12. Presentation of research results.
13. Ethics in research work.

Exercise

13 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. Selection of research topics.
2. Creation of research plan.
3. Selection of research methods.
4. Research in the practice.
5. Research in the practice.
6. Research presentation.
7. Research presentation..