Outline

Overview

The unit provides Business School HDR students with an understanding of research design as the foundation for effective and interesting research. It emphasises a systematic approach to developing rigour in research design, building theoretical and paradigmatic links from a research idea to the design of research methods.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Business School
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Huan Zhang, huan.zhang@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Bo Nielsen, bo.nielsen@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Research proposal Proposal	35%	Formal exam period Due date: 20 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 29 Nov 2025	4000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Presentation of research proposal Oral presentation	15%	Multiple weeks	10 minutes, 10-15 slides	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Research analysis	Research Question Essay Research Question and literature review	30%	Week 08 Due date: 25 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 09 Oct 2025	max 2000 words (excluding references)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Lecture participation Lecture participation and discussion	20%	Weekly	Weekly	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Lecture participation: The lecture attendance and participation is required. The students should actively engage and contribute to the open discussion during the lecture.
Research question essay: In this task, students should provide 1) the context/motivation for your research including a clearly stated research question, and 2) conduct a critical evaluation of the peer-reviewed literature related to a component of your proposed research following guidelines and discussions in class. The essay should reflect the students' own domain of research is consistent with the principles underpinning scientific inquiry.
Research proposal: Students will prepare a preliminary version of your research proposal which will include: 1) Context/motivation for your research, including clearly stated research question; 2) critical literature review identifying the gaps that your research aims to fill; 3) design of your study, including methods you will use (and how you will use them) to answer your research questions, data needs and collection etc.; 4) Project resources you will require and schedule; 5) original contribution to your field of research, including theoretical contribution(s).
Presentation of research proposal: Students will present a presentation summarising their research proposal to lecturing staff and class colleagues. The focus should be on research design - NOT literature review. Discuss data and methodological issues related to how you are going to answer your research question(s).

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy (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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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 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. 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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction: The nature, process, and value of business research	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	Philosophical foundations of business research 1: The art of causation and explanation	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 03	Philosophical foundations of business research 2: Nature of scientific approaches (model and value)	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 04	Purpose of research 1: Developing interesting and valuable research questions	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 05	Purpose of research 2: The role of theory and theoretical contribution	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 06	Research design 1: The role of literature review	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 07	Research design 2: Matching research question to empirics	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 08	Research design 3: Data and methods	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 09	Research design 4: Measurements and Interpretation	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 10	Individual research proposal workshop	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 11	Special Topic on Research Design: Advanced techniques in research design	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 12	Individual research proposal presentations (Cohort 1)	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 13	Individual research proposal presentations (Cohort 2)	Lecture (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance and participation are requried for all of this course.

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

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Develop an appropriate research proposal for a relevant research area and questions within your own disciplinary area of expertise
LO2. Understand the unique characteristics of scientific inquiry and the purpose of research design
LO3. Demonstrate ethical and social awareness and responsibility in personal decision-making and research behaviour within your own disciplinary area of expertise
LO4. Use a range of communications strategies to critique and debate with others about appropriate responses to complex and unfamiliar problems within one or more fields of business practice.
LO5. Identify multiple philosophical approaches to conduct scientific inquiry and inform diverse research designs

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Change to integrate the content of philosophy of business research

Additional information

Consultation hour: Please note that during the semester, each student has the option of 1-hour consultations on PhD projects, including design, theory, and methodological issues. Time slots are available during the week but may also be individually booked. More information can be found on Canvas.

Disclaimer

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

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

BUSS7901: Business Research Design

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links