Doctorate in Commerce by Dunster Business School

• Research

a. Scope and Significance

b. Types of Research

c. Research Process

d. Characteristics of Good Research

e. Identifying Research problem

f. Meaning of Sampling Design

g. Steps in sampling

h. Criteria for good sample design

i. Types of Sample Design

j. Probability and non-probability sampling methods

k. Meaning of Measurement

l. Types of scales

 

• Review of Literature

a. Data Collection

b. Types of Data

c. Sources of Data Collection

d. Methods of Data collection

e. Constructing questionnaire

f. Establishing, reliability and validity

g. Data processing

h. Coding, Editing and tabulation of data

i. Meaning of Report writing

j. Types of Report

k. Steps of report writing

i. Precautions for writing report

m. Norms for using Tables

n. Charts and diagram

o. Appendix: - Index, Bibliography

• Meaning and importance of Research
• Types of Research
• Selection and formulation of Research Problem
• Meaning of Research Design
• Need of Research Design
• Features of Research Design
• Inductive, Deductive and Development of models
• Developing a Research Plan
• Exploration, Description, Diagnosis, Experimentation
• Determining Experimental and Sample Designs
• Analysis of Literature Review
• Primary and Secondary Sources
• Web sources
• Critical Literature Review
• Hypothesis
• Different Types of Hypothesis
• Significance
• Development of Working Hypothesis
• Null hypothesis
• Research Methods: Scientific method vs Arbitrary Method
• Logical Scientific Methods: Deductive, Inductive, Deductive-Inductive
• Pattern of Deductive
• Inductive logical process
• Different types of inductive logical methods.

Introduction to Quantitative Research

Part 1:

• Session Overview

• RQ Hypothesis Course Context Video

• What is Quantitative Research?

  • Definition and Scope

  • Importance in Commerce Research

  • Applications in Business and Finance

• Ethics of Quantitative Research

  • Ethical Considerations in Data Collection

  • Avoiding Data Manipulation

  • Ensuring Confidentiality and Compliance

• Session Summary

Part 2:

• Session Overview

• Introduction to the Scientific Method of Research

  • Formulating Hypotheses

  • Testing and Validating Theories

• Comparing Descriptive, Predictive, and Prescriptive Research

  • Application in Business and Economic Forecasting

• Inductive and Deductive Approaches to Quantitative Research

  • Practical Examples in Commerce Research

• Constructing Models

  • Theoretical and Empirical Models in Business Studies

• Session Summary

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Exploring Quantitative Research Design

Part 1:

• Session Overview

• Fundamentals of Research Design

• Components of a Research Design

• Characteristics of a Research Design

• Session Summary

Part 2:

• Session Overview

• Research Design for Experimental Research Studies

• Research Design for Quasi-Experimental Studies

• Research Design for Non-Experimental Research Studies

• Evaluating Quantitative Research Design

• Session Summary

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Data Collection for Quantitative Research

Part 1:

• Session Overview

• Defining Surveys

• Exploring Survey Methods

• Session Summary

Part 2:

• Session Overview

• The Process of Questionnaire Development

• Designing a Questionnaire

• Designing Rating Scales

• The Art of Asking Questions

• Session Summary

Part 3:

• Session Overview

• Tips to Conduct Effective Surveys

• Ethics of Using Technology in Surveys

• Session Summary

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Measurement and Sampling

Part 1:

• Session Overview

• What is Measurement?

• True Score Theory, Estimating Measurement Errors

• Evaluating Validity of Measures

• Evaluating Reliability of Measures

• Session Summary

Part 2:

• Session Overview

• Basic Concepts of Sampling

• Problems and Biases in Sampling

• Probability Sampling

• Non-Probability Sampling

• Session Summary

Part 3:

• Session Overview

• Determining the Sample Size

• Sampling Distribution and Statistical Inference

• Demonstrations on Sampling

• Session Summary

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Constructing Statistical Models

Part 1:

• Session Overview

• Significance of Comparing Means for Analysis

• What is ANOVA?

• Types of ANOVA

• Calculating and Interpreting One-Way ANOVA

• Session Summary

Part 2:

• Session Overview

• Building a Statistical Model

• Effect of Moderating and Mediating Variables

• Demonstration on Mediation and Moderation

• Session Summary

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Enhancing Statistical Models

Part 1:

• Session Overview

• What is Factor Analysis?

• Conducting Factor Analysis

• Demonstration on R: Factor Analysis

• Interpreting Factor Scores

• Session Summary

Part 2:

• Session Overview

• What is Factorial ANOVA?

• Dealing with Interaction Effects in Factorial ANOVA

• Calculating and Interpreting Factorial ANOVA

• Session Summary

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Multivariate Analyses

Part 1:

• Session Overview

• Multivariate Regression

• MANOVA

• Logistic Regression

• Structural Equation Modeling

• Tree-Structured Methods

• Conjoint Analysis

• Session Summary

Part 2:

• Session Overview

• Time Series Analysis

• Cluster Analysis

• Session Summary

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Writing a Quantitative Research Paper

Part 1:

• Session Overview

• Introduction to Formatting the Research Project for Quantitative Research

• Components of a Quantitative Research Paper

• Writing the Summary, Background, and Purpose of Quantitative Research

• Writing the Literature Review

• Detailing Your Research Design/Methodology

• Curating Your Results, Analysis, and Supplementary Findings

• Outlining Your Conclusions and Recommendations

• Making Appendices

• Session Summary

Part 2:

• Session Overview

• Writing Different Types of Quantitative Research Papers

• Guidelines for Fine-Tuning Your Research Presentation

• Session Summary

Introduction to Qualitative Research

a. Key Elements of Qualitative Research

• Definition and importance of qualitative research in commerce

• Differences between qualitative and quantitative research

• Philosophical foundations: constructivism, interpretivism, and pragmatism

• Subjectivity and researcher reflexivity

b. Writing Qualitative Research Questions

• Developing research questions for commerce-related studies

• Characteristics of effective qualitative research questions

• Linking research questions with methodology and framework

c. Qualitative Research: Framework

• Conceptual vs. theoretical frameworks in commerce research

• Grounded theory, case study, ethnography, phenomenology, and narrative research

• Applications of qualitative research in commerce disciplines

d. Steps to Write a Qualitative Research Paper

• Structuring a research paper (Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Findings, Discussion, and Conclusion)

• Developing a strong thesis statement

• Identifying and citing relevant literature in commerce

e. Ethics for Qualitative Research and IRB

• Ethical considerations in commerce research

• Role of Institutional Review Boards (IRB) and obtaining approvals

• Informed consent, confidentiality, and anonymity

f. Introduction to Design Strategies

• Choosing the right qualitative design for commerce research

• Case studies vs. action research in commerce

g. Data Collection and Analysis Strategies

• Observation, in-depth interviews, and focus groups in commerce research

• Coding and thematic analysis

h. Introduction to Research Design

• Components of a strong qualitative research design

• Aligning research design with commerce objectives

i. Major Aspects of Research Design

• Trustworthiness and rigor in qualitative research

• Sampling strategies in commerce research

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Data Collection in Qualitative Research

a. Sources of Evidence: A Comparative Assessment

• Types of data sources (documents, interviews, observations)

• Strengths and weaknesses of different sources

b. Principles of Data Collection

• Techniques for ensuring credibility and reliability

• Strategies for minimizing bias in commerce research

c. Sampling

• Purposeful sampling techniques for commerce studies

• Determining sample size for qualitative research

d. Reliability and Validity

• Ensuring reliability in qualitative commerce research

• Validity in interpretive research

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Interviews and Focus Groups

• Conducting interviews with business professionals, consumers, and stakeholders

• Developing effective interview guides

• Ethical considerations in qualitative interviews

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Introduction to Data Analysis

a. An Introduction to Data Analysis

• Data reduction, coding, and interpretation in commerce research

b. First Cycle Coding (Description + Demo)

• Open coding and initial categorization

c. Second Cycle Coding (Description + Demo)

• Axial and selective coding for commerce research

d. Jottings and Analytic Memoing (Description + Demo)

• Reflective notes and thematic analysis

e. Assertions and Propositions (Description + Demo)

• Formulating business-related insights from data

f. Within-Case and Cross-Case Analysis (Description + Demo)

• Comparative analysis of different business case studies

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Data Display and Exploration

a. Matrix and Networks

• Organizing qualitative data for commerce research

b. Timing, Formatting

• Structuring qualitative findings effectively

c. Extracting Inferences and Conclusions

• Interpreting qualitative data in a business context

d. Exploring Fieldwork in Progress

• Challenges in real-time commerce data collection

e. Exploring Variables

• Identifying key variables and their relationships

f. Exploring Reports in Progress

• Preparing research reports for academic and business audiences

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Data Analysis Process - Next Steps

a. Describing Participants

• Creating detailed participant profiles in commerce studies

b. Describing Variability

• Identifying patterns and variations in business practices

c. Describing Action

• Examining consumer behavior and decision-making processes

d. Ordering by Time and Process

• Chronological and procedural analysis in commerce research

e. Explaining Interrelationship-Change

• Analyzing market trends and organizational changes

f. Explaining Causation

• Establishing cause-effect relationships in commerce

g. Making Predictions

• Using qualitative findings to forecast business trends

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Verifying Conclusions

a. Tactics to Achieve Integration Among Diverse Pieces of Data

• Combining different qualitative data sources

b. Tactics to Sharpen Understanding by Differentiation

• Distinguishing between key themes in commerce research

c. Tactics of Seeing Relationships in Data Abstractly

• Conceptual mapping in qualitative analysis

d. Tactics to Assemble a Coherent Understanding of Data

• Structuring qualitative findings for business implications

e. Tactics for Testing or Confirming Findings

• Triangulation and member checking in commerce research

f. Standards for Quality of Conclusions

• Ensuring credibility and trustworthiness in research outcomes

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Writing Report and New Technologies

a. Other Methods in Qualitative Research

• Digital ethnography and virtual focus groups in commerce research

b. Audiences and Effects

• Adapting qualitative research reports for academia, business, and policy-makers

c. Different Aspects / APA

• APA guidelines for qualitative commerce research

d. An Introduction to Mixed Methods Research

• Integrating qualitative and quantitative approaches in commerce