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Unit outline_

BUSS7903: Qualitative Business Research Methods

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit is aimed at introducing Business School HDR students to a broad range of qualitative approaches to business research. Students discover the practical aspects of research design accompanying each of the approaches. Through this unit, students learn how to choose a qualitative method that is appropriate for a particular research enquiry, while keeping in mind the epistemological fit with the research question. The unit also helps students understand the implications of adopting qualitative research methods.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Business School
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ECOF7903
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Daniel Schlagwein, schlagwein@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Raffaele Ciriello, raffaele.ciriello@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Small continuous assessment In-class assignments
In-class group exercises on the weekly topic.
30% Multiple weeks n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Presentation Research ideas
Written task and oral presentation
20% Week 09
Due date: 30 Oct 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 22 Nov 2024
2 pages, 5 minutes, 5 slides
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment Reflective Journal
Individual, continuous, reflective learning journal, stimulated by prompts.
50% Week 13
Due date: 01 Nov 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 22 Nov 2024
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3

Assessment summary

  • In-class assignments: The in-class assignments are group-based exercises designed to help students to internalize and reflect on the various aspects of qualitative research that will be covered as part of this unit. These assignments will be completed and submitted in class, but preparing for these assignments will require students, at the minimum, to read the assigned readings of the week. It would be helpful if students were able to demonstrate knowledge of the topic of each week beyond the assigned readings as well. Due to the “in-class” nature of these assignments, the assignment sheets will only be handed out during the workshops.
  • Research ideas: In the final scheduled lecture for this unit, you will have to develop an idea for a research topic that can be suitably addressed by qualitative research and present your idea in class within 5 minutes. You will also be required to prepare a two A4-page writeup to elaborate on your research idea, including the motivation for your study, the state of existing knowledge surrounding the phenomenon of interest, the research gaps that you are attempting to address and your research questions.
  • Reflective journal: Individual, continuous, reflective journal about the student’s authentic learning experience gleaned from the group project and the in-class activities. The student will draft the reflective journal continuously in Canvas and the teaching team will ask them 4-5 ‘provocative’ questions to prompt their critical reflection throughout the semester. The final deliverable is a written reflective journal of 2000 words (± 10%).

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

5% of total marks allocated to assessment item for every day assignment is submitted late (calculated in 24 hour blocks).

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Unit introduction Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Introduction to qualitative research Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 Case study research: purpose and evaluation criteria Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 06 Collecting qualitative data Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 07 Analyzing qualitative data Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 08 Writing a qualitative research paper Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 09 Research ideas presentation Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance is expected/required unless prevented by accepted reason.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Digital readings will be made available corresponding to lecture topics. There is no textbook.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand the general principles and methods of qualitative research, including the different genres and when and how to apply them
  • LO2. understand and apply the best practices prescribed in the literature in relation to the collection and analysis of qualitative data
  • LO3. identify a research gap within your majoring discipline that can be addressed by qualitative research, and design a qualitative study to fill the gap.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Thank you for the feedback; the course is continuously updated based on such feedback.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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