Business Case Research Project (5 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

The course aims to provide student’s understanding in customer-oriented research project in business. It also provides the students basic knowledge of the quantitative and qualitative research approaches. Additionally, the course emphasizes learning skills in managing a multicultural research project in business case context. Course is preparing students for final thesis working and writing by offering a practical insight into academic research.

After completing the course, the student will be able to:
• plan and execute a customer-oriented research and development project in academically reliable way.
• collect and analyze customer information in a reliable and useful way.

Content (course unit)

The contents include the followings:
• What are the principles of designing academically valid and reliable research for business?
• Which data collecting methods and tools can be applied in quantitative and qualitative research approaches?
• How to analyze research data in business research project?
• How to communicate the results in an academic way?
• How to manage a research and development project successfully?

Prerequisites (course unit)

None.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student has satisfactory knowledge of principles in academic business research. He/she is able to apply the quantitative and qualitative research approaches, including data collecting methods such as survey, interview and observation, in data collecting only partly. Research data analyzing is superficial or theoretical framework is mainly missing. The student has elementary skills in planning and implementing a research project in business case context.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student has advanced knowledge of principles in academic business research. He/she is able to justify and apply the quantitative and qualitative research approaches, including data collection methods such as survey, interview and observation, in data collecting. The student knows the difference between primary and secondary data. Research data analyzing is mainly based on theoretical framework. He/she is able to utilize the research results to improve business processes. The student is skilled in planning and implementing a research project in business case context.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The student has excellent knowledge of principles in academic business research. He/she is able to justify and apply the quantitative and qualitative research approaches, including data collection methods such as survey, interview and observation, in data collecting in excellent manner. The student knows the difference between primary and secondary data. Research data analyzing is based on theoretical framework. He/she is able to utilize the research results to improve business processes by presenting justified recommendations. The student has profound skills in planning and implementing a research project in business case context. The student thoroughly understands how data, analytics, and insights work together in a balanced entity.

Location and time

Study period 1-2, 2025

Exam schedules

No exam

Assessment methods and criteria

Introduction to Research, Qualitative methods, 50%
Quantitative research 50%

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Contact and online teaching/coaching
Exercises
Practical work / research project (COMPULSORY)

NOTE: attending teaching and coaching sessions is extremely important in order to conduct the course project!

Learning materials

Lecture slides and other material presented in Moodle.

Student workload

The total of the course is 5 credits meaning about 135 hours of student work altogether. It should be noticed that a great part of the course work is done outside the class hours both independently and in team meetings, and the students are required to commit to the teamwork.
The detailed course plan will be introduced on the first class.
As deliverables students will produce the following:
- team agreement
- contract with the customer
- project- and research plan
- course topic tasks
- final research report/visual presentation, team self reflection and peer review included

Content scheduling

Study period 1-2, 2025, see schedule in Moodle
Introduction to academic research (S Matala)
Quantitative methods in academic business research (P Albanese)
Qualitative methods in academic business research (S Matala)
R&D Project, coaching (S Matala, P Albanese)
Final report/presentation

Completion alternatives

None

Practical training and working life cooperation

Student teams will find themselves a business company or other organization to be their course task project commissioner/customer in the practical research project and work in close cooperation with it throughout the whole course.

International connections

International student teams and project commissioners

Further information

NOTE: course grade is collective, based on team work outcomes. Each team member receives the same grade.