Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
The applied business disciplines from accounting and information systems through to management and marketing have a long tradition of applying the concepts and methods of social science research to advance discipline-specific knowledge. The course RBUS3900 Business Research Strategy introduces students to research in the social science tradition and puts emphasis on the design, research methods, and research technologies of social science research as they apply to business. Students will develop a thorough understanding of the research process from research conceptualisation and hypothesis development, the design of data generation processes (archival data, experiments, surveys, etc), measurement concepts, and methods of analysis, and software for business research. A goal is to prepare students for research-orientated assessment embedded in fourth year courses within the Bachelor of Advanced Business (Honours) program. The course achieves this goal in part through assessment tasks targeting students' discipline-specific interests.
Conducting effective business research necessitates more than just possessing data and analytical skills; it demands strategic thinking regarding the sources of data, their collection or generation methods, and the ability to translate analytics into valuable insights that are tractable towards changes/optimisation of a business’ processes or offerings. In this course, students will delve into the social science tradition and explore the latest advancements in business research methods. Additionally, they will gain insights into industry best practices concerning the utilisation of data analytics for solving strategic business problems. The assessment for this course entails students undertaking an independent strategic business research project throughout the entire semester, with a strong emphasis on leveraging data and analytical skills to address a significant strategic business problem.
Course requirements
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
RBUS2900
Restrictions
Restricted to students enrolled in the BAdvBus(Hons) program
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Professor Ashish Sinha
Tutor
Professor Ashish Sinha
Ms Rasheda Keane
Mr Sajeeb Saha
Dr David Goyeneche Ramirez
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email business.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full name,
- Student ID, and
- the Course Code
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to provide a strategic framework within which to conduct business research, including the development of research questions and application of methods that are appropriate for generating insights that allow specific objectives to be addressed. This course will help you to critically evaluate the reliability and validity of business research studies conducted by others and apply relevant data analysis techniques in order to make recommendations regarding how to strategically address business objectives using methods of business analytics.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Obtain in-depth knowledge of the principles of business research methods.
LO2.
Prepare written research proposals to articulate a research design in response to a business problem/opportunity.
LO3.
Design research studies that successfully collect information that can be used to support decision making regarding a business problem/opportunity.
LO4.
Critically evaluate research designs.
LO5.
Identify the ethical issues involved in conducting business research and have an awareness of the consequences (social and economic) of unethical behaviour.
LO6.
Apply relevant statistical techniques in order to make recommendations regarding a business problem/opportunity.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Strategic Business Research Proposal | 35% |
5/09/2025 2:00 pm |
| Presentation |
Strategic Business Project Presentation
|
15% |
16/10/2025 10:00 am |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project | Strategic Business Research Project Report | 50% |
31/10/2025 2:00 pm |
Assessment details
Strategic Business Research Proposal
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
5/09/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L05
Task description
As a precursor to the final research project, the strategic business research plan will include a detailed written conceptualisation of the business problem facing a client (building upon feedback received for the initial drafts outlined in the topic scoping piece), hypothesis development, identification of what variables will be measured/investigated and what data generation processes will be used, including what measurement issues might be inherent with the types of variables being assessed (a draft copy of a survey or other data generating instrument should be included in the plan). This assignment should not exceed 3,000 words in length.
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT
AI Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
To be submitted via Blackboard
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Strategic Business Project Presentation
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
16/10/2025 10:00 am
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
Students will be required to make a 6-minute in-person presentation of a strategic business plan based on the results of analysis techniques covered in class. These presentations will take place in the tutorials, in weeks 11, 12 and possibly 13 dependent on the number of students in each tutorial. The presentation should provide a draft of a set of strategic business recommendations for a client that are linked to the analysis conducted.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL Students are required to upload the presentation deck on blackboard by 10am on the 16th October, 2025.
NOTE: THIS IS AN INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT.
AI Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Powerpoint Deck to be submitted via Blackboard. Presentations to be made in the respective tutorials in weeks 11, 12 and 13.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Strategic Business Research Project Report
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
31/10/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
The project report will document the analysis completed on your own data conducted using the analysis techniques covered in class, as well as draft a set of strategic business recommendations for a client that are tractably linked to the analysis conducted. The report must address the original aims outlined in your strategic business plan and by translating analytics into meaningful insights. In-class workshops towards the end of the semester will focus on analysing and interpreting data, as well as ensuring data is used ethically and objectively. NOTE THIS IS AN INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT.
AI Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
To be submitted via Blackboard
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Other course materials
If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.
Required
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Book | Quinlan, Babin, Carr, Griffin and Zikmund (2024), "Business Research Methods," Third Edition, Cengage publishers. | own item needed |
Additional learning resources information
Additional Readings will be provided on LMS
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Lecture |
Course Introduction Chapter 1 Only Lecture Learning outcomes: L05 |
Week 2 |
Lecture |
On the social science tradition Chapters 3 and 4 and Readings for week 2 (Lecture + Tutorial) Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
Workshop |
Introduction to Social Science Tradition and SPSS Introduction to Social Science |
|
Week 3 |
Lecture |
Thinking strategically about business research Linking Business Research to Managerial Decision Making -- Assigned Readings. (Lecture + Tutorial) Learning outcomes: L01 |
Workshop |
Descriptive Statistics & AI Assessment |
|
Week 4 |
Lecture |
Topic scoping and Literature Review Chapter 2, 5 and 6 (Lecture + Tutorial) Learning outcomes: L02 |
Workshop |
Correlations and Cross-tabulations + Assessment A1 Check-in |
|
Week 5 |
Lecture |
The Research Process -1 Chapters 6, 7 and 8 (Lecture + Tutorial) Learning outcomes: L02, L04 |
Workshop |
t-test + Assessment A1 Check in |
|
Week 6 |
Lecture |
The Research Process - II Chapters 10 and 11 (Lecture and Tutorials) Learning outcomes: L02, L04 |
Workshop |
Experimental Designs + ANOVAS |
|
Week 7 |
Lecture |
Data Gathering -- Fieldwork, Observation, Interviews and Focus Group Chapters 12,13 & 14 (Lectures and Tutorials) Learning outcomes: L03 |
Workshop |
Regression |
|
Week 8 |
Lecture |
Data Gathering -- Surveys and Questionnaires and Attitude Measurement + Assessment A2 Briefing Chapters 15 and 16 (Lecture + Tutorial) Learning outcomes: L03 |
Workshop |
Survey Design + Assessment A2 Debriefing |
|
Week 9 |
Lecture |
Dealing with Data -- Part 1+ Research Report (A3) Briefing Chapters 17 and 18 (Lecture and Tutorial) Learning outcomes: L06 |
Workshop |
Convert a Survey into an SPSS file |
|
Mid Sem break |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
In-Semester Break |
Week 10 |
Lecture |
Input Survey Data for Analysis + Assessment A3 Briefing |
Workshop |
Data Analysis Workshop - 1 Workshop Learning outcomes: L06 |
|
Week 11 |
Lecture |
Presentations |
Workshop |
Research Report (A3) Debrief + Data Analysis Workshop -- II In-Class workshop and consultations. Presentations in Tutorials King's Birthday Public Holiday - Monday 7 Oct 2024 - Check Blackboard for announcements about affected classes. Learning outcomes: L04, L06 |
|
Week 12 |
Lecture |
On translating analytics into meaningful insights Recorded Lecture Presentations in Tutorials (Cont'd) Learning outcomes: L03 |
Workshop |
Presentations |
|
Week 13 |
Lecture |
Course Revision and Overview Virtual Lecture Presentation in tutorials (Cont'd) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Workshop |
Presentations |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.