Title: Teaching introductory graduate research methods

Authors: James L. Corner

Addresses: Department of Management Systems, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, New Zealand

Abstract: This paper describes a graduate research methods course taught at a business school. The course serves as an introduction to most of the commonly used research methods and methodologies, be they quantitative, qualitative or critical. All of the main research paradigms are covered (functionalist, interpretive and critical/postmodern) at the introductory level. Students studying any aspect of social science find value in the course. Students complete the course with an appreciation of how to develop a literature review, determine a gap in the literature and formulate research questions, specify methods for addressing this gap, and design a study using the identified method(s). This approach differs from the usual (North American) approach to teaching research methods, which in business schools traditionally focuses mainly on positivistic, statistical methods. It further addresses calls in the literature for pluralism and cross-paradigmatic approaches to research.

Keywords: research paradigms; qualitative methods; quantitative methods; research methods course; teaching; graduate research methods; graduate research education; business school; introductory level; social sciences; literature review.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIOME.2005.007445

International Journal of Information and Operations Management Education, 2005 Vol.1 No.1, pp.19 - 31

Published online: 21 Jul 2005 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article