Course detail

Research Methods in Management

FP-SvmrKAcad. year: 2025/2026

An integral part of university studies is creative activity, which is further deepened in the master's degree. This emphasis on creative activity is based not only on the requirements of the academic sphere, but also on business practice, which requires graduates of the master's degree to take an innovative approach, quality knowledge of the researched reality and ultimately independent solutions. The course follows primarily on the elaboration of a diploma thesis as a support for improving the quality of the outputs of the analytical part and subsequent proposals, but also on solving problems or projects of students in practice from the contracting authorities or their own business activities.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

4

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Entry knowledge

The subject requires the following knowledge and skills of the student: statistical data analysis, probabilistic statistics, basic knowledge in the field of literature research, ability to collect and analyze data, ability to interpret data and formulate conclusions and recommendations. The subject relies on the student's individual ability to define a chosen problem from practice (following the diploma thesis) or selected issues and knowledge and skills from the professional subjects completed in the program.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

The graded credit is based on a point assessment, which totals 100 points (100%). The first scored part consists of the preparation of an individual research project (70%) and the second part consists of passing a review test of knowledge in the issue (30%). Both activities are mandatory in order to complete the course and obtain graded credit.

COURSE COMPLETION FOR STUDENTS WITH INDIVIDUAL STUDY PLAN OR STUDENTS GOING ABROAD (ERASMUS):
After submitting the approved plan (ISP) to the teacher (in the form of an e-mail and a pdf scan attachment), the student must complete the activities in the form of developing and submitting an individual research project to the teacher and pass an overview test in the subject. The condition is that the student submits a completely developed project to the teacher no later than a week before the last date of the test. Both activities are compulsory upon completion of the subject.

The assessment of an individual research project is based on the quality of the processing of sub-areas and is based on the practical application of knowledge of the research process and methods in the selected issue with the aim of improving practical skills and abilities. The total number of points a student can get is 70 points, which are divided according to the qualitative assessment criteria as follows:

15 points – formulation of the problem, research questions and objectives,
10 points - literature research, setting the research framework,
10 points – choosing a research approach,
10 points - chosen method and technique of data collection,
10 points – data analysis and evaluation,
15 points - discussion and formulation of conclusions, recommendations and possible benefits for practice or the academic field.

The minimum number of points to complete the activity is 35 points. If the student does not achieve the minimum required number of points from the project, he will be informed by the teacher, including obtaining detailed feedback on the adjustment or rework. The student resubmits the project to the teacher's email no later than one week before the last exam date in the form of a study prerequisite test.
The examination test will be compiled from a range of topics based on the content of the lectures for the face-to-face form of study. The student selects and chooses from 10 questions the correct answer of type a), b), c), d), with 3 points for a correct answer and 0 points for none or an incorrect one. The total time to complete the test is 20 minutes.
The student must obtain 15 points from the study prerequisite test. If the student does not get at least the mentioned 50% of points in the first term, he has the option to write a make-up test on a date set by the teacher. The study prerequisites test is a mandatory part of the course completion.

PARTIAL AND OVERALL ASSESSMENT:
1) Individual research project – 0-70 points. (min. 35 points).
2) Study prerequisites test – 0-30 points (min. 15 points).

Overall rating according ECTS:
A – 90-100 points
B – 89-80 points
C – 79-70 points
D – 69-60 points
E – 59-50 points
F – 49-0 points

Reasons for not granting credit:
- failure to submit the research project on time,
- failure to complete both two compulsory activities (project+test),
- obtaining less than 50 points.

Participation in lectures is not compulsory, but is controlled by the teacher. The interim and final control takes place in phases and in the form of evaluation of partial scored activities to meet the conditions for obtaining a classified credit.

Aims

The aim of the subject is to familiarize students with the methodology of research work and to deepen the knowledge and skills in the field of research implementation of future graduates for practice in the field of business development management. The subject is built on the theoretical foundations of the laws, procedures and rules of conducting research throughout the research process so that the student is individually able to choose an appropriate approach, method and technique of data collection, analyze and interpret data in order to fulfill a goal or answer a research question and then process these results in the form of a research report and presentation.
The student individually chooses the issue to be processed through selected research methods and data collection techniques: 1) "in the field" (primary data collection) or by carrying out 2) "desk research" (secondary data collection).

Students will become familiar with the research process, its rules and procedures. Students will know basic research approaches, methods and data collection techniques used in them. Students will be able to independently choose a suitable approach and methods of data collection with regard to a selected practical problem or issue with the aim of answering the research question and fulfilling the goal. Students will be able to prepare a research report with relevant results for subsequent decision-making or recommendations for practice. Students will learn to practically apply research methods and techniques and apply them in a diploma thesis.

The motivational and prestigious output of the course are printed collections of selected best projects of master's students, which will be gradually evaluated and reviewed (internal staff and an external practitioner). Student projects that pass the opposition will be printed in the collection and also published on the faculty's website: https://www.fbm.vutbr.cz/cs/veda-a-vyzkum/studentske-projekty 

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

HENDL, Jan. Kvalitativní výzkum: základní teorie, metody a aplikace. 4. vyd. Praha: Portál, 2023. ISBN 978-80-262-1968-2. (CS)
HENDL, Jan. Přehled statistických metod: analýza a metaanalýza dat. Páté, rozšířené vydání. Praha: Portál, 2015, 734 s. ISBN 978-80-262-0981-2 (CS)
NOVOTNÁ, Hedvika. Metody výzkumu ve společenských vědách. 1. vydání. Praha: Portál, 2020. ISBN 978-80-262-1572-0. (CS)
SAUNDERS, Mark N. K., LEWIS, Philip, and THORNHILL, Adrian. Research methods for business students. 9th ed. Harlow: Pearson Education, 2023. ISBN 9781292402727. (EN)

Recommended reading

BELL, Emma; BRYMAN, Alan a HARLEY, Bill. Business research methods. Sixth edition. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press, 2022. ISBN 978-0-19-886944-3. (EN)
KOZEL, Roman. Moderní marketingový výzkum: nové trendy, kvantitativní a kvalitativní metody a techniky, průběh a organizace, aplikace v praxi, přínosy a možnosti. Praha: Grada, 2006. ISBN 80-247-0966-X. (CS)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme MGR-SRP-KS Master's 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Guided consultation in combined form of studies

16 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. Introduction to the subject, evaluation conditions and required activities, specifics of research within the framework of corporate governance, definition of basic concepts in the field, research process, pilot study and pre-research, critical factors of the process. Determination of research objectives and research questions, literature search and data sources, conceptualization of the topic. Research approaches. Categories of triangulation and methodological triangulation. Research design and strategy.
2. Methods and techniques of quantitative research. Experiment and quasi-experiment, testing and simulation. Archival (historical) and secondary analysis of structured data. Quantitative content analysis of unstructured data. Standardized interviewing and observation.
3. Methods and techniques of qualitative research. Non-standardized interviewing (data collection technique interviews and discussions). Non-standardized observation (field notes). Documentary analysis. Qualitative content analysis - reduction and analysis of qualitative data - transcription and data coding process. Interpretation of qualitative data and visual display of results.
4. Sampling in research, probability vs. non-probability sampling, determination of the sample and sample, validity and reliability in quantitative and qualitative approaches, representativeness. Processing of research results into a research project/report, linking the research project with the thesis.

The student has the opportunity to consult his research project with the teacher, who will provide methodological support if necessary throughout the research process. The student has the opportunity to request methodological advice and consultation during the semester. In the case of contact teaching, the student can request a consultation after the explanation of the professional issue or on the days designated for consultations in the teacher's office or by agreement online via MS Teams. More details will be specified in the lecture.