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Management Research
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:39:11
Abstract
Students learn how to approach management research from various perspectives, how to evaluate empirical research, and how to develop their own research projects.
Objective
You will learn how to approach management research from various perspectives, how to evaluate empirical research, and how to develop your own research project. The successful completion of the course will help you to: - Think critically and make compelling arguments about the strengths and weaknesses of published management research - Find and review appropriate literature and previous research for your thesis - Develop and frame interesting and relevant research questions and problem statements - Design your research and choose an appropriate methodology for analysis (specific research methods and techniques are not discussed in this course) - Structure your manuscript - Plan and manage your thesis project
Content
Course structure: This course combines lectures, group discussions and individual assignments. Day 1: Course introduction, group analysis exercises and discussions, lectures on main topics. Between course days 1 and 2: Individual and group work on assignments. Day 2: Assignment review and discussion, lectures on main topics, conclusion session. Target audience: The course is designed with two groups of students in mind: first, students who write their master thesis at the SMI chair and second, students who write their master thesis in the field of management at other MTEC chairs. For both groups, the focal topics of this course will arise frequently during the journey of writing their thesis, and the majority of topics are relevant for all students. However, we will provide some specific content (grading guidelines, thesis format) which might not be applicable for students tutored at other MTEC chairs. Course topics: 1. Thesis topic and thesis proposal: - Choice of thesis topic, identification of research gap, formulation of research questions, writing of thesis proposal 2. Literature review: - Search and evaluation of academic literature, use of reference tools, writing of theoretical background chapter of thesis 3. Empirical research design: - Types of empirical research designs, choice of methodology, overview of data collection and analysis methods 4. Research output and report: - Writing of introduction, results and conclusion, thesis format and structure 5. Thesis assessment: - SMI grading criteria, MTEC guidelines References: Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitiative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Sage. Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R., & Jackson, P. (2012). Management research (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Van Aken, J., & Berends, H. (2018). Problem-solving in organizations: A methodological handbook for business students (3rd ed.). Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC , NDS
- Frequency
- Semesterly recurring
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Signup End
- 30.01.2024
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminar |
Management Research
Block course
|
|
14 h semesterly |