DRL030 Design and Measurement in Business Management (Autumn 2024)

About the course

The choice and execution of a research design is arguably one of the toughest decisions researchers face, as it involves making several trade-offs and coming to terms with the fact that no research design is perfect. This is particularly true for the social sciences and business disciplines, as constructs can be operationalized in many different ways, several concurrent factors/explanations tend to be relevant, and inferences drawn can be subjective. Additionally, knowledge is constantly evolving, with new studies questioning and adding to prior knowledge. Thus, for development as a top researcher, one must have a sound understanding and appreciation of the main tools of the trade.

DR030 will introduce you to a range of empirical research methodologies, allowing you to develop an understanding of how to use these approaches effectively in supply chain management research, and preparing you to evaluate research done by others. Even if some of these tools may not fit your natural inclinations or may take some effort to nurture, such understanding is crucial as you will often be asked to review manuscripts for your peers, conferences, and journals. You will also be exposed to increasingly sophisticated research design in seminars and presentations. Taking this course should at the very minimum help you become an informed and confident evaluator of others’ designs, even if you may very legitimately choose to not apply many of them yourself.

The course will provide a solid foundation in the basic concepts of design, including types of variables, relationships, sampling and measurement. Our focus will be on exploring key concepts of empirical design. You will have the opportunity to apply your insights to your own research questions so that you can gradually develop hands-on skills for crafting, using, refining, writing and reviewing high quality empirical studies in the supply chain management discipline. 

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Philosophiae Doctor in Logistics (PhD)

Recommended requirements

Similar to the requirements for admission to a PhD program in social sciences

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

Knowledge:

At the end of this course, a successful candidate will be able:

• To understand the strengths and limitations of various types of research designs

• To understand internal, external and construct validity;

• To understand the basics of measurement, sampling, and control

To develop a clear understanding of the benefits, limitations, uses and abuses of specific design choices. This is a skill you will refine further as you move forward to more advanced courses in statistical methods

Skills:

At the end of this course, a successful candidate will be able:

• To choose appropriate research design for an empirical study

• To execute an empirical study

To report an empirical study

General competence:

At the end of this course, a successful candidate will develop:

• Research communication skills

• Critical thinking

• Ability to effectively review empirical research

Forms of teaching and learning

The course will involve short lectures and students’ activities. Because this class depends on interactive dialogue and experience sharing, open and confident class contributions are essential, both for your and for your peers' learning. Besides, you will be expected to do a fair amount of reading. While preparing the assigned and recommended materials you should continually ask yourself: Do I fully understand what the authors have tried to accomplish in this paper? Do they explain clearly why they’ve made specific design choices? Would I add anything else? Am I convinced that their design fits their theoretical lens/level of analysis/time lines? Would alternative designs be equally suitable or even better fit for tacking this research question? If I were reviewing this paper, what would I ask about? Would I recommend anything be done differently? Each of you will also be expected to gather additional readings that are pertinent to the topic of the day.

Examination

• Class Participation (15%)

  • Class participation is a very important part of the learning process (as well as an important part of your grade). It is critical not only for your personal learning, but also for the learning of your fellow classmates. Much of the value of the class comes from prepared, thoughtful, and informed dialogue between you and your classmates. You are expected to read all the assigned materials and you should reflect upon and/or apply the material in those readings before class. Examples of good contributions to class discussions include: raising relevant, insightful questions concerning the readings; sharing your own personal insights about the topics; providing reactions and feedback to your peers; and helping others contribute their ideas.

• Course paper (85%): Deadline for submission: 23.12.2023

• Grouping: Individual

• Grading scale: Letter (A - F)