Research Foundations (MGMT90249)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject introduces students to the fundamental philosophical and theoretical issues underlying different research paradigms in Management and Marketing. Topics include: ontology, epistemology, axiology and methodology; the philosophy of science; the philosophy of social science; the nature of social inquiry; different paradigmatic approaches to understanding reality, including positivism, critical realism, social constructionism, and radical alternatives; and the nature of theory and the theory building process. The focus will be on understanding research as a social process where philosophical and theoretical issues have important implications for how we undertake research and for the legitimacy of our knowledge claims. The subject will also teach students academic writing skills to effectively make a case for their research.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Understand the ontological and epistemological foundations of knowledge
- Understand the diversity of ways of knowing reality and what they mean for research practice
- Appreciate the importance of the philosophy of social science for the practice of research
- Understand nature of theory and the theory building process
- Understand the research process as a contested social process
- Learn effective academic writing skills
Generic skills
On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:
- Problem solving skills, which should be enhanced through the study of research design and research methods
- Writing skills appropriate for the preparation of academic articles and research reports in Management and Marketing, including the doctoral thesis
- Analytical skills, which should be developed through the evaluation of quantitative and qualitative empirical research literature
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into or selection of one of the following:
- MC-COMMGMT Master of Commerce (Management)
- MC-COMMKTG Master of Commerce (Marketing)
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Class participation
| Throughout the semester | 10% |
Individual assignment
| Week 11 | 40% |
End of semester exam
| During the examination period | 50% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Bill Harley Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours (one 3 hour seminar per week) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 1 September 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 September 2025 Assessment period ends 21 November 2025 Semester 2 contact information
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
Last updated: 4 March 2025