APPLIES TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2016/2017

GRA 6721 Research Methodology for Logistics, Operations, and Supply Chain Management

Responsible for the course
Marianne Jahre

Department
Department of Accounting - Auditing and Business Analytics

Term
According to study plan

ECTS Credits
6

Language of instruction
English

Introduction
Students participating in this course will be guided towards the completion of a research proposal. The main aim of the course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills in order to successfully complete a master’s thesis.
The course covers the philosophical underpinnings of research in business with focus on logistics, operations and SCM. This includes the fundamentals of research design. The main section of the course covers both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Learning outcome
Acquired knowledge
(i) To understand how to write a research proposal.
(ii) To gain knowledge of concepts and tools to collect and analyse data for research in logistics, operations and SCM.
(iii) To understand and appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of different methodologies and data sources.
(iv) To gain a broader understanding of advanced information search strategies.

Acquired skills
(i) To be able to compare and contrast different research designs.
(ii) To be able to compare and critique different research designs, methodologies and data collection methods.
(iii) To be able to design samples, research questions and research proposals appropriately.
(iv) To be able to use and evaluate advanced methods for information ‘harvesting’ and search techniques, and critically evaluate information sources.
(v) To understand what a critical literature review is and how it can be designed and executed.

Reflection
(i) To understand how research design influences and is influenced by the theme of interest.
(ii) To appreciate how to conduct original research at the MSc level and evaluate the research process.

Prerequisites

All courses in the Masters programme will assume that students have fulfilled the admission requirements for the programme. In addition, courses in second, third and/or fourth semester can have spesific prerequisites and will assume that students have followed normal study progression. For double degree and exchange students, please note that equivalent courses are accepted.

Compulsory reading
Books:
Bryman, Alan, Emma Bell. 2015. Business research methods. 4th ed. Oxford University Press

Other:
During the course there may be hand-outs, articles and other material on additional topics relevant for the course and the examination.


Recommended reading

Course outline
Introduction to the Research Process - philosphy of science, research proposals, research process, research ethics
Research Design - problems, questions, collection and design
Secondary Research and Analysis - literature searching, literature reviews, review articles, database management
Qualitative Research - assumptions, ideas, methodologies and methods
Quantitative Methods: surveys and modelling - assumptions, ideas, methodologies and methods
Database Development, Management and Use

The course provides guidance on writing the thesis registration form and start of developing a thesis proposal.

Computer-based tools


Learning process and workload
A course of 6 ECTS credits corresponds to a workload of 160-180 hours.
Students are expected to participate actively and to be well prepared before attending class.

Please note that while attendance is not compulsory in all courses, it is the student’s own responsibility to obtain any information provided in class that is not included on the course homepage/It's learning or text book.


Examination
Term paper (55%)
Class participation (35%)
A work assignment given by the library (10 %)