Research Methods PG (9505.3)
Please note these are the 2028 details for this unit
| Available teaching periods | Delivery mode | Location |
|---|---|---|
| View teaching periods | On-campus |
Bruce, Canberra Bhutan Ningbo, China Shanghai, China |
| EFTSL | Credit points | Faculty |
| 0.125 | 3 | Faculty Of Business, Government & Law |
| Discipline | Study level | HECS Bands |
| Canberra Business School | Post Graduate Level | Band 1 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) Band 1 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021) |
This unit prepares you to become new generations of managers, leaders, thinkers, and problem-solvers to succeed in an increasingly competitive, innovative, and changing business world. It captures the growing importance of research and discovery in a knowledge economy that is globalised, smart, disruptive, and uncertain. It builds up your capacity for identifying and solving real-world problems - critically and creatively - in your professions and/or interests. It develops theoretical and methodological approaches to original research and develops hands-on techniques and skills of planning, designing, and implementing a research project. It integrates research, discovery, and impact into forging an intellectual and professional framework for undertaking applied research in national and international contexts. It is centred on steering research to generate knowledge; to inform business strategy, and policy and decision making; and to advance innovation and entrepreneurship.
1. Identify an applied research problem, conduct a comprehensive and critical literature review, and justify the research project's innovation, significance, and practical value;
2. Master and apply advanced quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research methods, techniques, and skills; and
3. Plan, design, manage, implement, and communicate a research project with confidence and professionalism.
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:1. Identify an applied research problem, conduct a comprehensive and critical literature review, and justify the research project's innovation, significance, and practical value;
2. Master and apply advanced quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research methods, techniques, and skills; and
3. Plan, design, manage, implement, and communicate a research project with confidence and professionalism.
Graduate attributes
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
Prerequisites
None.Corequisites
None.Incompatible units
6647 Research Methodology and Research Design B PG, 6649 Qualitative Research Methods B PG, 6648 Quantitative Research Methods B PGEquivalent units
None.Assumed knowledge
None.
Availability for enrolment in 2027, 2028 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 1 | 16 February 2026 | On-campus | Dr Xiaodong Gong |
| 2026 | Bhutan | MBA Trimester 2 | 02 June 2026 | On-campus | Dr Xiaodong Gong |
| 2026 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 10 August 2026 | On-campus | Dr Xiaodong Gong |
| 2026 | Ningbo, China | MBA Trimester 3 | 06 October 2026 | On-campus | Dr Xiaodong Gong |
| 2026 | Shanghai, China | MBA Trimester 3 | 06 October 2026 | On-campus | Dr Xiaodong Gong |
| 2026 | Bhutan | MBA Trimester 3 | 06 October 2026 | On-campus | Dr Xiaodong Gong |
| 2027 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 1 | 15 February 2027 | On-campus | Dr Xiaodong Gong |
| 2027 | Bhutan | MBA Trimester 2 | 01 June 2027 | On-campus | Ms Palmo Thinley |
| 2027 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 09 August 2027 | On-campus | Dr Xiaodong Gong |
| 2027 | Shanghai, China | MBA Trimester 3 | 05 October 2027 | On-campus | Dr Xiaodong Gong |
| 2027 | Ningbo, China | MBA Trimester 3 | 05 October 2027 | On-campus | Dr Xiaodong Gong |
| 2028 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 1 | 14 February 2028 | On-campus | Dr Xiaodong Gong |
| 2028 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 07 August 2028 | On-campus | Dr Xiaodong Gong |
| 2028 | Ningbo, China | MBA Trimester 3 | 03 October 2028 | On-campus | Dr Xiaodong Gong |
| 2028 | Shanghai, China | MBA Trimester 3 | 03 October 2028 | On-campus | Dr Xiaodong Gong |
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit
timetable.
Required texts
Required Texts
1. Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E. (2024). Practical research: Planning and design (13th ed.). Pearson.
2. Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2025). Research methods for business students (8th ed.). Pearson.
1. Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E. (2024). Practical research: Planning and design (13th ed.). Pearson.
2. Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2025). Research methods for business students (8th ed.). Pearson.
Supplementary Readings by Topics
The following are peer-reviewed and widely cited sources, organised by module. Students are strongly encouraged to engage with these materials to deepen their understanding beyond the core textbooks.
Topic 1 — Introduction, Research Fundamentals and Research Philosophy
1. Guba, E. G., & Lincoln, Y. S. (1994). Competing paradigms in qualitative research. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of Qualitative Research (pp. 105–117). Sage. Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/242350537
2. Johnson, R. B., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2004). Mixed methods research: A research paradigm whose time has come. Educational Researcher, 33(7), 14–26. Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.3102/0013189X033007014
Topic 2 — Research Problems, Questions and Hypotheses
1. Alvesson, M., & Sandberg, J. (2011). Generating research questions through problematization. Academy of Management Review, 36(2), 247–271. Link: https://journals.aom.org/doi/10.5465/amr.2009.0188
2. Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2023). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (6th ed.) — Chapter 7. Link: https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/research-design/book255675
The following are peer-reviewed and widely cited sources, organised by module. Students are strongly encouraged to engage with these materials to deepen their understanding beyond the core textbooks.
Topic 1 — Introduction, Research Fundamentals and Research Philosophy
1. Guba, E. G., & Lincoln, Y. S. (1994). Competing paradigms in qualitative research. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of Qualitative Research (pp. 105–117). Sage. Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/242350537
2. Johnson, R. B., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2004). Mixed methods research: A research paradigm whose time has come. Educational Researcher, 33(7), 14–26. Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.3102/0013189X033007014
Topic 2 — Research Problems, Questions and Hypotheses
1. Alvesson, M., & Sandberg, J. (2011). Generating research questions through problematization. Academy of Management Review, 36(2), 247–271. Link: https://journals.aom.org/doi/10.5465/amr.2009.0188
2. Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2023). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (6th ed.) — Chapter 7. Link: https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/research-design/book255675
Topic 3 — Literature Review and Literature Searching
1. Tranfield, D., Denyer, D., & Smart, P. (2003). Towards a methodology for developing evidence-informed management knowledge by means of systematic review. British
Journal of Management, 14(3), 207–222. Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1467-8551.00375
2. Torraco, R. J. (2005). Writing integrative literature reviews: Guidelines and examples.Human Resource Development Review, 4(3), 356–367. Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1534484305278283
Topic 4 — Research Ethics and Integrity
1. Resnik, D. B. (2015). What is ethics in research and why is it important? National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Link: https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/bioethics/whatis
2. American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). APA. Link: https://apastyle.apa.org/products/publication-manual-7th-edition
Topic 5 — Qualitative Research Methods
1. Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). Sage. Link: https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/qualitative-inquiry-and-researchdesign/book246896
2. Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). Sage.Link: https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/case-study-research-andapplications/
book250150
3. Corbin, J., & Strauss, A. (2015). Basics of qualitative research (4th ed.). Sage Link: https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/basics-of-qualitative-research/book235578
Topic 6 — Qualitative Data Analysis
1. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Topic 7 — Quantitative Research Methods
Journal of Management, 14(3), 207–222. Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1467-8551.00375
2. Torraco, R. J. (2005). Writing integrative literature reviews: Guidelines and examples.Human Resource Development Review, 4(3), 356–367. Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1534484305278283
Topic 4 — Research Ethics and Integrity
1. Resnik, D. B. (2015). What is ethics in research and why is it important? National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Link: https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/bioethics/whatis
2. American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). APA. Link: https://apastyle.apa.org/products/publication-manual-7th-edition
Topic 5 — Qualitative Research Methods
1. Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). Sage. Link: https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/qualitative-inquiry-and-researchdesign/book246896
2. Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). Sage.Link: https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/case-study-research-andapplications/
book250150
3. Corbin, J., & Strauss, A. (2015). Basics of qualitative research (4th ed.). Sage Link: https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/basics-of-qualitative-research/book235578
Topic 6 — Qualitative Data Analysis
1. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Topic 7 — Quantitative Research Methods
1. Dillman, D. A., Smyth, J. D., & Christian, L. M. (2014). Internet, phone, mail, and mixedmode surveys: The tailored design method (4th ed.). Wiley. Link: https://www.wiley.com/enus/Internet%2C+Phone%2C+Mail%2C+and+Mixed+Mode+Surveys-p-9781118456149
Topic 8 — Quantitative Data Analysis
1. Field, A. (2024). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics (6th ed.). Sage. Link: https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/discovering-statistics-using-ibm-spssstatistics/
book285130
2. Cohen, J. (1992). A power primer. Psychological Bulletin, 112(1), 155–159. Link: https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/0033-2909.112.1.155
Topic 9 — Mixed-Methods Research Designs
1. Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). Sage.
Link: https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/designing-and-conducting-mixed-methodsresearch/book241842
Topic 10 — Digital & AI-Assisted Methods; Mixed-Methods Analysis; Report Writing
1. Salganik, M. J. (2018). Bit by bit: Social research in the digital age. Princeton University Press. [Open access online] Link: https://www.bitbybitbook.com
2. Bryman, A. (2006). Integrating quantitative and qualitative research: How is it done? Qualitative Research, 6(1), 97–113. Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1468794106058877
3. Lazer, D., et al. (2009). Computational social science. Science, 323(5915), 721–723. Link: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1167742
Open Access Journals for Business and Management Research
• Academy of Management Journal: https://journals.aom.org/journal/amj
• Journal of Mixed Methods Research (Sage): https://journals.sagepub.com/home/mmr
• Organizational Research Methods (Sage): https://journals.sagepub.com/home/orm
• Business Research (Springer — fully open access): https://link.springer.com/journal/40685
Topic 8 — Quantitative Data Analysis
1. Field, A. (2024). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics (6th ed.). Sage. Link: https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/discovering-statistics-using-ibm-spssstatistics/
book285130
2. Cohen, J. (1992). A power primer. Psychological Bulletin, 112(1), 155–159. Link: https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/0033-2909.112.1.155
Topic 9 — Mixed-Methods Research Designs
1. Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). Sage.
Link: https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/designing-and-conducting-mixed-methodsresearch/book241842
Topic 10 — Digital & AI-Assisted Methods; Mixed-Methods Analysis; Report Writing
1. Salganik, M. J. (2018). Bit by bit: Social research in the digital age. Princeton University Press. [Open access online] Link: https://www.bitbybitbook.com
2. Bryman, A. (2006). Integrating quantitative and qualitative research: How is it done? Qualitative Research, 6(1), 97–113. Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1468794106058877
3. Lazer, D., et al. (2009). Computational social science. Science, 323(5915), 721–723. Link: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1167742
Open Access Journals for Business and Management Research
• Academy of Management Journal: https://journals.aom.org/journal/amj
• Journal of Mixed Methods Research (Sage): https://journals.sagepub.com/home/mmr
• Organizational Research Methods (Sage): https://journals.sagepub.com/home/orm
• Business Research (Springer — fully open access): https://link.springer.com/journal/40685
Submission of assessment items
Supplementary assessment
Refer to the Assessment Policy and Assessment Procedures
Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.
Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.
UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).
UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.
Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.
Participation requirements
Students are required to participate in all face-to-face and/or online activities of this unit. Given the intensive block delivery format, attendance at all scheduled sessions is essential. Students are expected to complete all assigned pre-readings before each day's session.
Required IT skills
Students are expected to have basic computer literacy and to be able to study online, including through UCLearn (Canvas) and university computer labs. This unit will involve use of SPSS, NVivo, and reference management tools (Mendeley/Zotero). Students will also be introduced to online databases and digital research tools. No programming experience is required, though introductory exposure to R or Python is an optional extension activity in Module 10.
Work placement, internships or practicums
None
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