MET531 Introduction to research methods

• Topics

  This course introduces relevant research methods for research in strategy and management. It covers both quantitative and qualitative research traditions. The course gives a brief introduction to basic research methods to enable students to interpret research results and findings from the various methods and evaluate the results in terms of meaning, substance and limitations. The course forms the basis of students' informed decision to follow a more advanced course in either qualitative or quantitative methods in the spring term. 

• Learning outcome

  After completion of the course, the students will be able to:

  Knowledge

  • Interpret research results from qualitative and quantitative research methods.
  • Evaluate results from qualitative and quantitative research methods.

  Skills

  • Extract and communicate key findings from qualitative and quantitative research.
  • Evaluate appropriate strategies for data collection and data analysis within qualitative and quantitative research.
  • Formulate appropriate research questions for qualitative and quantitative methods.

  General competencies

  • Communicate and discuss qualitative and quantitative research in a clear-cut manner.

• Teaching

  The teaching consist of interactive lectures and a final workshop. Active participation is expected.

  Day 1 focuses on Qualitative Methods and the students are expected to take responsibility as "experts" on assigned papers. 

  Day 2 follows the same format but focuses on Quantitative Methods. 

  Day 3 is a half-day workshop format to get students started on their term paper.

• Restricted access

  • PhD candidates at NHH
  • PhD candidates at Norwegian institutions
  • PhD candidates at other institutions
  • PhD candidates from the ENGAGE.EU alliance
  • Motivated master student's may be admitted after application but are subject to the approval from the course responsible on a case by case basis
  • Motivated master's students at NHH may be admitted after application, but are subject to the approval from the course responsible on a case by case basis
  • Individuals outside academia may be admitted after application, but are subject to the approval from the course responsible and the Vice Rector for Research on a case by case basis

  Maximum number of participants: 20

• Recommended prerequisites

  No prerequisites.

• Credit reduction due to overlap

  None.

• Compulsory Activity

  Active participation in class sessions and workshops.

  Compulsory activities (work requirements) are valid for one semester after the semester they were obtained.

• Assessment

  The final course grade (Pass/Fail) is based on the individual course paper (max 10 pages).

  The course paper includes two parts: (1) the students should find two substantive empirical research papers - one qualitative and one quantitative - within their own field of interest and use terminology and criteria in the course to critically reflect on the two studies' findings and contribution to the field (approximately 75%) (2) the students will be asked to reflect on their takeaways from this course, eg tied to a specific aspect/issue (approximately 25%) 

  Students will have 3 weeks to complete the individual course paper and it must be written in English.

• Grading Scale

  Pass/Fail

• Literature

  The literature consists of research articles that will be posted on Leganto in Canvas.

• Retake

  Re-take is offered the semester after the course was offered for students with valid compulsory activities (work requirements). 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")

  Students will have the opportunity to submit a revised version of their work for the re-take assessment. If a revised version of the work is submitted, this must be clearly indicated on the front page.