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363-0305-00L 3 Credits MSC , NDS D-USYS , D-MTEC
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Empirical Methods in Management

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Sebastian Tillmanns
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:36:33

Abstract

In this class, students learn how to understand and conduct empirical research. It will enable them to manage a business based on evident-based decision-making. The class includes group assignments, where students will cover small parts of the lecture content in self-created videos.

Objective

The general objective of the course is to enable students to understand the basic principles of empirical studies. After successfully passing the class, they will be able to formulate research questions, design empirical studies, and analyze data by using basic statistical approaches.

Content

Data has become an important resource in today’s business environment, which can be used to make better management decisions. However, evidence-based decision-making comes along with challenges and requires a basic understand of statistical approaches. Therefore, this class introduces problems and key concepts of empirical research, which might be qualitative or quantitative in its nature. Concerning qualitative research, students learn how to conduct and evaluate interviews. In the area of quantitative research, they learn how to apply measurement and scaling methods and conduct experiments. In addition, basic statistical analyses like a variance analysis and how to conduct it in a standard statistical software package like SPSS are also part of the lecture. The lessons learned from the lecture will empower students to critically assess the quality and outcomes of studies published in the media and scientific journals, which might form a basis auf their decision-making. We recommend the lecture also to students without basic statistical skill, who plan to attend more advanced lectures in the field of artificial intelligence such as Marketing Analytics. The lecture will be taught online this fall semester. Therefore, it involves group work, where students form groups in order to create small learning videos, which cover small parts of the lecture. These videos will be shown and discussed in the online lecture and will make up 30% of the final grade. Part of this assignment will be the evaluation of videos from other students. The preparation of the videos will also prepare students for the final exam. In addition to that, there will be some non-mandatory online exercises as an additional opportunity to prepare for the exam.

Resources

Literature

Literature and readings will be announced. For a basic undertanding we recommend the Handbook of Good Research by Jürgen Brock and Florian von Wangenheim.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC , NDS
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
end-of-semester examination
Digital
The exam takes place on devices provided by ETH Zurich.
Next to the computer-based remote end-of-semester online examination (open-book), which will count for 70 % of the grade, the course includes one group out-of-class assignment (creating a video) and one individual assignment (evaluating other groups’ video assignment) to give students some hands-on experience in conducting empirical research in management (compulsory continuous performance) . Projects will focus on one particular aspect of empirical research, like the formulation of a research question or the design of a study.Students will form groups and create a learning video regarding one specific topic. Assignments will be graded and need to be turned-in on time as they will be shown and discussed in class. Students will also have to evaluate the videos of other student groups.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Empirical Methods in Management
The lecture takes place ONLINE via Zoom (recorded). The lecturers will communicate the exact lesson times of ONLINE courses.
  • Wed 14:00-16:00 (ON LI NE)
2 h weekly

Offered In