Please note - Swinburne University of Technology

must apply for entry into the honours year by the end of
their three-year degree,
Note that entry into the honours year is competitive and the
number of places is subject to a quota.
84405 Research Methodology
No, of hours per week: three hours
Prerequisites: nil
Instruction: seminar
Assessment: seminar participation
Subject aims and description
The Research Methodology unit aims to equip students with
the necessary research skills to conduct research studies for
higher degrees. It is designed to facilitate the development
of independent learning skills. Students will be presented
with research methodologies appropriate to their discipline
as well as those most commonly used in other disciplines.
Throughout this unit students will make extensive use of
library resources.
Research Methodlogy topics normally covered include:
Posing research questions and the measurement of concepts:
theory perspectives and construction;
orienting statements and propositions;
value free research;
nominal and operational definitions;
validity and reliability;
the development of indicators;
the development of an index.
Library research methods:
accessing databases e.g.: bibliographic, CD-ROM;
parliamentary papers and journals;
ABS data;
video and audio e.g.: AUDIODISC;
Gophes and Internet;
evaluate discipline-specific library research methodology
Qualitative research methods:
participant observation;
interviewing;
group discussions;
software for analysing text material e.g.: NUDIST.
Survey research methods:
design options e.g.: personal interview, mail interview,
CATI;
research questions;
sample design;
questionnaire construction;
fieldwork practice;
coding, data entry and data verification;
data analysis.
Experimental research methods:
types of experimental and quasi-experimental design;
validity and threats.
Analysis and interpretation of results:
preparation for analysis;
statistical analysis;
correlation, regression, t-tests;
Chi-squared and ANOVA;
reporting results.
Presenting a project outline and report writing techniques:
the problem or question and its importance;
account of related research;
theoretical perspectives;
sources of data;
analysis of data;
timetabling;
budgets;
word processing, desktop publishing and graphics;
personal presentations and presenting at a conference.
Textbook
Emory, C.W. and Cooper, D.R. Business Research Methods. 4th ed,
Irwin. 1991
BQ504 Quantitative Methods
No. of hours per week: five three-hour seminars
per semester over two semesters
Prerequisites: nil
Instruction: seminars and workshops
Assessment: three syndicate assignments and two
final exams
Subject aims and description
This unit is designed to give students an understanding of
the role of quantitative analysis in the decision-making
process. The skills acquired are used in other units of the
course as well as giving an appreciation of quantitative
techniques via practical applications. User-friendly computer
packages are employed throughout the course wherever
possible, reflecting their importance and usefulness.
The topics included are: linear programming, forecasting,
inventory management, basic statistics, decision theory.
Textbook
Render, 0. and Stair, R.M. Quantitatiw Analysis for Management. 4th
ed, Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 1991
Reference
Anderson, M.Q. and Lievano, K.J. Quantatiw Management - An
Introduction. 2nd ed, Baton: Kent, 1986
84507 Market Modelling 1
No. of hours per week: two hours
Prerequisites: nil
Instruction: lecturekutorial
Assessment: individual and syndicate assignments
Subject aims
This unit aims to introduce students to the concept of
developing models for product demand. Students will be
introduced to a range of predictive techniques that may be
incorporated into demand models. Evaluation of model
outputs will be an important aspect of this unit.
Note that throughout this course, extensive use will be made
of computer software packages.
In this unit, a number of case studies based on a variety of
produd markets will be analysed.
Subject description
Approaches to modelling and forecasting demand.
Forecasting model for stationary and non-stationary data.
Forecast monitoring and aggregation methods.
Autoregressive and moving average processes.
Model identification and evaluation.
Textbooks
Makridakis, S., Wheelwright, S.C. and McCee. V.E. %recasting
Methods and Applications. 2nd ed, N.Y.: John Wiley, 1983
Handout material
8451 1 Research Methodology
No. of hours per week: two hours
Prerequisites: nil
Instruction: lecture/laboratory
Assessment: individual and syndicate assignments
Subject aims and description
This introductory research methodology unit aims to provide
participants with a basic knowledge of the research methods
that are necessary for successful market modelling in today's
business world. As part of this unit, participants are