Code:

BERM.AMC.005

Study year:

2008 - 2009

Long name:

Experimental Methods in Business Research

ECTS:

5

Language:

English

Lecturer(s):

Dirk Smeesters

Faculty:

RSM Erasmus University

Number of lectures:

Hours per lecture:

Goal:

The goal of this course is to become familiar with experimental research techniques and data analysis. Specifically, we will discuss various experimental designs, how to manipulate independent variables and measure dependent variables, how to control for the influence of extraneous variables, and how to eliminate alternative hypotheses. Further, we will discuss the methods to statistically analyse data obtained from experimental research (e.g., analysis of variance, regression), and the specific problems that can occur when analysing your data.

Course contents:

In this course, we will dig deeper into the different phases of conducting an experimental study, which usually consist of four phases. First, we will discuss how to come up with a specific research idea, ready to be tested in an experimental context, and how to create specific conceptual and statistical hypotheses about the relationship between (an) independent variable(s) and (a) dependent variable(s). Second, we discuss how to design and conduct an experiment in which you manipulate (an) independent variable(s), measure (a) dependent variable(s), and control extraneous variable (s). Third, we discuss how to analyze the results from an experiment, eliminate alternative hypotheses, and design a set of follow-up studies.

The course will consist of a sequence of lectures in which I will discuss all the different phases in experimental research. In addition, students will also conduct a real experimental study, as part of an assignment, in which all the different phases will be discussed.

Examination:

Exam: 70% and an Assignment 30%

Literature:

Keppel & Wickens, “Design and Analysis: A Researcher’s Handbook,” Prentice Hall

Additional information: