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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, Dr. Joseph Brian Ollier
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:30:27

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 assignments related to the lecture content.

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 or R 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 of their managerial decision-making. We recommend the lecture also to students without basic statistical skills, who plan to attend more advanced lectures in the field of artificial intelligence such as Marketing Analytics. The lecture will be taught in presence. There will be individual assignments that students have to solve throughout the lecture. 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 understanding 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
Mode
written 90 minutes
Aids
None
Digital
The exam takes place on devices provided by ETH Zurich.
Next to the online end-of-semester examination, students need to participate in six out-of-class assignments (compulsory continuous performance) during the semester. All assignments will be individually graded. They will account for 30 % of the final grade. Assignments have to be submitted online by the announced deadline. In some semesters, students may also voluntarily participate in small empirical studies, experiments and online questionaires (learning tasks) to receive a bonus of 0.25 points to the final exam. Assignments and bonus of 0.25 points will remain valid for the repetition exam in the same semester. The out-of-class assignments will comprise the following topics:• Conducting an interview• Designing a survey• Designing an experiment• Study set up (scales used etc.)• Data analysis I• Data analysis II

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Empirical Methods in Management
The lecture takes place in presence and will be recorded.
  • Wed 14:15-16:00 (HG E 1.1)
2 h weekly

Offered In