RSM, Erasmus University
Msc BIM 2021 - 2022
Kathleen Gaillot
BMRM1BIM • 4 EC
BIM T h e s i s C l i n i c
Summary Notes/imagery based on lectures
1
Research methods for business: A skill building approach by Sekaran,
U. and Bougie, R. (2016/2020) ISBN:
, Table of Contents
Module 0: Introduction to the Course .......................... 1 4.1 Variables ........................................................... 13
0.1 Learning Objectives ............................................ 1 4.2 Hypothesis Development ................................. 14
0.2 Structure of the Course ...................................... 1 4.2.1 How to Develop your Hypotheses ............ 14
0.3 Grading ............................................................... 1 4.2.2 Supporting Hypotheses ............................ 14
0.4 Overview of Thesis Chapters .............................. 1 4.3 Conceptual Framework .................................... 15
Module 1: Foundations of Scientific Research ............. 2 4.3.1 Formulating Hypotheses .......................... 15
1.1 Business Research .............................................. 2 4.4 Mediating Variables .......................................... 15
1.1.1 Deduction & Induciton ............................... 2 4.5 Examples ........................................................... 16
1.1.2 Types of Research....................................... 2 4.6 Quiz ................................................................... 17
1.2 Foundations of Scientific Research..................... 2 Module 5: Research Design & Methodology ..............21
1.2.1 Characteristics of Scientific Process ........... 2 5.1 Research Design................................................ 21
1.2.2 Behaving Scientifically ................................ 2 5.1.1 Research Strategy ..................................... 21
1.3 Hallmark of Scientific Research .......................... 2 5.1.2 Researcher Interference ........................... 21
1.4 Choosing a Research Topic ................................. 3 5.1.3 Study Setting............................................. 21
1.4.1 A Broad Problem Area ................................ 3 5.1.4 Unit of Analysis ......................................... 21
1.4.2 Develop a Good Problem Statement ......... 3 5.1.5 Time Horizon ............................................ 22
1.5 Topic Exploration ................................................ 3 5.2 Research Strategies .......................................... 22
1.5.1 Exploration of Practice – Get Inspired........ 3 5.2.1 Surveys / Questionnaires.......................... 22
1.6 Quiz ..................................................................... 4 5.2.1 Case Studies/ Interviews .......................... 22
Module 2: Introduction ................................................. 6 5.2.3 Experiments (Lab/Field) ........................... 22
2.2 Problem .............................................................. 6 5.2.4 Observational Studies............................... 23
2.4 Research Question.............................................. 6 5.3 Methodology Chapter ...................................... 23
2.1 Situation ............................................................. 6 5.3.1 Contents of Methodology Chapter........... 23
2.3 What do we know? ............................................. 6 5.3.2 Past Theses Examples of Methods ........... 23
2.4.1 Formulating Research Questions (RQ) ....... 6 5.4 Quiz ................................................................... 26
2.5 Academic & Managerial Relevance .................... 6 Module 6: Results & Conclusions................................27
2.6 Novelty & Contributions ..................................... 6 6.1 Results Chapter................................................. 27
2.6.1 Issues with Novelty..................................... 6 6.2 Conclusions Chapter ......................................... 28
2.7 Quiz ..................................................................... 7 6.2.1 References ................................................ 29
Module 3: Literature Review ........................................ 9 6.2.2 Appendix................................................... 29
3.2 Theories .............................................................. 9 6.3 Quiz ................................................................... 30
3.4 Methods ............................................................. 9 Module 7: Academic Writing & Thesis Project
3.1 Constructs ........................................................... 9 Management ...............................................................31
3.3 Contexts .............................................................. 9 7.1 Academic Writing: Starts with a Blank Page..... 31
3.5 Literature Review Process .................................. 9 7.1.1 Writing Process......................................... 31
3.5.1 Searching .................................................... 9 7.1.2 Multiple Versions...................................... 31
3.5.2 Assessing .................................................. 10 7.2.3 Receptive to Revisions .............................. 31
3.5.3 Synthesizing .............................................. 10 7.2 Writing Tips....................................................... 31
3.6 Citing & Referencing ......................................... 10 7.2.1 Topic Vs. Stress Position ........................... 31
3.6.1 Common Mistakes .................................... 10 7.2.2 Combat Wordiness ................................... 31
3.6.2 Plagiarism ................................................. 11 7.3 Thesis Management ......................................... 32
3.7 Quiz ................................................................... 12 7.3.1 Thesis Project: Process ............................. 32
Module 4: Conceptual Framework ............................. 13 7.4 Quiz ................................................................... 34
ii
, Module 0: Introduction to the Course
Literature: Field et al. (2021) Ch.2 & 5
0.1 Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Basic understanding of how to write a good thesis Create a rigorous scientific research project
Formulate a sound research question Conduct literature review, organize and
critically evaluate academic literature
Comprehend research methodologies across research objectives Understand foundations of academic writing
Write a sound thesis proposal for an academic study
0.2 Structure of the Course
Online course through Canvas
Online formative tests to complete each
7 modules:
module
.1 Foundation of Scientific Research
Access on following module only after
.2 Introduction
completion of previous one
.3 Literature Review
Online test are adaptive to your performance,
.4 Conceptual Framework & Hypotheses
(questions may vary between 10-16).
Development
Q&A sessions:
.5 Research Design & Methodology
o Discuss questions collected from the student
.6 Results & Conclusions
body
.7 Academic Writing & Thesis Project o Discuss specific topics that may be of interest
Management
0.3 Grading
Completion of modules: Individual thesis proposal:
o Topics covered in module
o Students that pass their thesis proposal get a
o To get a pass, you need to pass all modules
pass for this assessment
o You need to complete the online course within the
o Students who fail to pass their thesis proposal
allocated deadlines
(including re-sit) will need to do the course
o To pass, you need to have 70% of the test answers
again in the following academic year.
correct
o No further re-sit is available
Each component accounts for 50%. To pass this course, you need to pass both components.
0.4 Overview of Thesis Chapters
1) Introduction 1) Conceptual Model & Hypotheses 5) Analysis & Results
2) Theory & Literature Review 2) Methodology 6) Conclusions
1
, Module 1: Foundations of Scientific Research
Module 1 Learning Objectives
Discuss what is scientific research, what are its different types and the foundations of what constitutes
scientific research.
Guide you through the process of identifying a research topic for your thesis.
Understand what distinguishes a promising research topic from one that is not so relevant or interesting.
1.1 Business Research
“A systematic & organized effort to investigate a specific problem, which needs a solution”
1.1.1 Deduction & Induciton
Deductive research Inductive research
Start wit ha general theory (often in form of a hypothesis) Observe specific phenomena and on this basis arrive
and then collect specific data to test this theory at general conclusions
1.1.2 Types of Research
Solve current problem faced by a firm APPLIED RESEARCH
Generate body of knowledge by trying to figure out how certain problems can be solved BASIC,
FUNDAMENTAL, or PURE RESEARCH. Findings can be later applied for problem solving.
A THESIS is often a combination, but the latter type is a necessary condition.
1.2 Foundations of Scientific Research
1.2.1 Characteristics of Scientific Process
o Development of knowledge based on evidence (data);
o Constructing generalizable theories about evidence;
o Theories are open to testing, refinement and falsification.
1.2.2 Behaving Scientifically
Acknowledge & build on research that others have done; Let decisions be guided by rigorously collected
Expose ideas to testing / consider alternative evidence;
explanations; Openly communicate ideas and tests to others.
Ethical code of conduct while conducting research
Scientific integrity pervades each step of research process.
1.3 Hallmark of Scientific Research
Purposiveness Rigor Testability Replicability
Definite aim or A good theoretical base Scientific research Replication by detailed description
purpose. & a sound thesis tests logically of design (sampling, data collection).
methodological design developed hypotheses Replicability is the extent to which
add rigor to a purposive to see whether data replication is possible from what is
study. support them. reported in the research.
Precision & Confidence Objectivity Generalizability Parsimony
Closeness of findings to Conclusions based on the The wider range of applicability Simplicity in
reality. Confidence refers facts of the findings derived of the solutions generated by explaining and in
to probability that our from actual data, and not on research, the more useful the generating
estimations are correct. subjective values. research is to the users. solutions.
2
Msc BIM 2021 - 2022
Kathleen Gaillot
BMRM1BIM • 4 EC
BIM T h e s i s C l i n i c
Summary Notes/imagery based on lectures
1
Research methods for business: A skill building approach by Sekaran,
U. and Bougie, R. (2016/2020) ISBN:
, Table of Contents
Module 0: Introduction to the Course .......................... 1 4.1 Variables ........................................................... 13
0.1 Learning Objectives ............................................ 1 4.2 Hypothesis Development ................................. 14
0.2 Structure of the Course ...................................... 1 4.2.1 How to Develop your Hypotheses ............ 14
0.3 Grading ............................................................... 1 4.2.2 Supporting Hypotheses ............................ 14
0.4 Overview of Thesis Chapters .............................. 1 4.3 Conceptual Framework .................................... 15
Module 1: Foundations of Scientific Research ............. 2 4.3.1 Formulating Hypotheses .......................... 15
1.1 Business Research .............................................. 2 4.4 Mediating Variables .......................................... 15
1.1.1 Deduction & Induciton ............................... 2 4.5 Examples ........................................................... 16
1.1.2 Types of Research....................................... 2 4.6 Quiz ................................................................... 17
1.2 Foundations of Scientific Research..................... 2 Module 5: Research Design & Methodology ..............21
1.2.1 Characteristics of Scientific Process ........... 2 5.1 Research Design................................................ 21
1.2.2 Behaving Scientifically ................................ 2 5.1.1 Research Strategy ..................................... 21
1.3 Hallmark of Scientific Research .......................... 2 5.1.2 Researcher Interference ........................... 21
1.4 Choosing a Research Topic ................................. 3 5.1.3 Study Setting............................................. 21
1.4.1 A Broad Problem Area ................................ 3 5.1.4 Unit of Analysis ......................................... 21
1.4.2 Develop a Good Problem Statement ......... 3 5.1.5 Time Horizon ............................................ 22
1.5 Topic Exploration ................................................ 3 5.2 Research Strategies .......................................... 22
1.5.1 Exploration of Practice – Get Inspired........ 3 5.2.1 Surveys / Questionnaires.......................... 22
1.6 Quiz ..................................................................... 4 5.2.1 Case Studies/ Interviews .......................... 22
Module 2: Introduction ................................................. 6 5.2.3 Experiments (Lab/Field) ........................... 22
2.2 Problem .............................................................. 6 5.2.4 Observational Studies............................... 23
2.4 Research Question.............................................. 6 5.3 Methodology Chapter ...................................... 23
2.1 Situation ............................................................. 6 5.3.1 Contents of Methodology Chapter........... 23
2.3 What do we know? ............................................. 6 5.3.2 Past Theses Examples of Methods ........... 23
2.4.1 Formulating Research Questions (RQ) ....... 6 5.4 Quiz ................................................................... 26
2.5 Academic & Managerial Relevance .................... 6 Module 6: Results & Conclusions................................27
2.6 Novelty & Contributions ..................................... 6 6.1 Results Chapter................................................. 27
2.6.1 Issues with Novelty..................................... 6 6.2 Conclusions Chapter ......................................... 28
2.7 Quiz ..................................................................... 7 6.2.1 References ................................................ 29
Module 3: Literature Review ........................................ 9 6.2.2 Appendix................................................... 29
3.2 Theories .............................................................. 9 6.3 Quiz ................................................................... 30
3.4 Methods ............................................................. 9 Module 7: Academic Writing & Thesis Project
3.1 Constructs ........................................................... 9 Management ...............................................................31
3.3 Contexts .............................................................. 9 7.1 Academic Writing: Starts with a Blank Page..... 31
3.5 Literature Review Process .................................. 9 7.1.1 Writing Process......................................... 31
3.5.1 Searching .................................................... 9 7.1.2 Multiple Versions...................................... 31
3.5.2 Assessing .................................................. 10 7.2.3 Receptive to Revisions .............................. 31
3.5.3 Synthesizing .............................................. 10 7.2 Writing Tips....................................................... 31
3.6 Citing & Referencing ......................................... 10 7.2.1 Topic Vs. Stress Position ........................... 31
3.6.1 Common Mistakes .................................... 10 7.2.2 Combat Wordiness ................................... 31
3.6.2 Plagiarism ................................................. 11 7.3 Thesis Management ......................................... 32
3.7 Quiz ................................................................... 12 7.3.1 Thesis Project: Process ............................. 32
Module 4: Conceptual Framework ............................. 13 7.4 Quiz ................................................................... 34
ii
, Module 0: Introduction to the Course
Literature: Field et al. (2021) Ch.2 & 5
0.1 Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Basic understanding of how to write a good thesis Create a rigorous scientific research project
Formulate a sound research question Conduct literature review, organize and
critically evaluate academic literature
Comprehend research methodologies across research objectives Understand foundations of academic writing
Write a sound thesis proposal for an academic study
0.2 Structure of the Course
Online course through Canvas
Online formative tests to complete each
7 modules:
module
.1 Foundation of Scientific Research
Access on following module only after
.2 Introduction
completion of previous one
.3 Literature Review
Online test are adaptive to your performance,
.4 Conceptual Framework & Hypotheses
(questions may vary between 10-16).
Development
Q&A sessions:
.5 Research Design & Methodology
o Discuss questions collected from the student
.6 Results & Conclusions
body
.7 Academic Writing & Thesis Project o Discuss specific topics that may be of interest
Management
0.3 Grading
Completion of modules: Individual thesis proposal:
o Topics covered in module
o Students that pass their thesis proposal get a
o To get a pass, you need to pass all modules
pass for this assessment
o You need to complete the online course within the
o Students who fail to pass their thesis proposal
allocated deadlines
(including re-sit) will need to do the course
o To pass, you need to have 70% of the test answers
again in the following academic year.
correct
o No further re-sit is available
Each component accounts for 50%. To pass this course, you need to pass both components.
0.4 Overview of Thesis Chapters
1) Introduction 1) Conceptual Model & Hypotheses 5) Analysis & Results
2) Theory & Literature Review 2) Methodology 6) Conclusions
1
, Module 1: Foundations of Scientific Research
Module 1 Learning Objectives
Discuss what is scientific research, what are its different types and the foundations of what constitutes
scientific research.
Guide you through the process of identifying a research topic for your thesis.
Understand what distinguishes a promising research topic from one that is not so relevant or interesting.
1.1 Business Research
“A systematic & organized effort to investigate a specific problem, which needs a solution”
1.1.1 Deduction & Induciton
Deductive research Inductive research
Start wit ha general theory (often in form of a hypothesis) Observe specific phenomena and on this basis arrive
and then collect specific data to test this theory at general conclusions
1.1.2 Types of Research
Solve current problem faced by a firm APPLIED RESEARCH
Generate body of knowledge by trying to figure out how certain problems can be solved BASIC,
FUNDAMENTAL, or PURE RESEARCH. Findings can be later applied for problem solving.
A THESIS is often a combination, but the latter type is a necessary condition.
1.2 Foundations of Scientific Research
1.2.1 Characteristics of Scientific Process
o Development of knowledge based on evidence (data);
o Constructing generalizable theories about evidence;
o Theories are open to testing, refinement and falsification.
1.2.2 Behaving Scientifically
Acknowledge & build on research that others have done; Let decisions be guided by rigorously collected
Expose ideas to testing / consider alternative evidence;
explanations; Openly communicate ideas and tests to others.
Ethical code of conduct while conducting research
Scientific integrity pervades each step of research process.
1.3 Hallmark of Scientific Research
Purposiveness Rigor Testability Replicability
Definite aim or A good theoretical base Scientific research Replication by detailed description
purpose. & a sound thesis tests logically of design (sampling, data collection).
methodological design developed hypotheses Replicability is the extent to which
add rigor to a purposive to see whether data replication is possible from what is
study. support them. reported in the research.
Precision & Confidence Objectivity Generalizability Parsimony
Closeness of findings to Conclusions based on the The wider range of applicability Simplicity in
reality. Confidence refers facts of the findings derived of the solutions generated by explaining and in
to probability that our from actual data, and not on research, the more useful the generating
estimations are correct. subjective values. research is to the users. solutions.
2
