Courses
Year One (Fall and Winter) during the first year of the program, students complete five courses.
Compulsory Courses
Module 1: Fundamentals of Research
Assessing Business and Management Evidence
During this course, students are further introduced to the principles of an evidence-based approach to business and management problems in practice. Beginning with the four
sources of evidence (academic research, grey literature and local context, stakeholder perspective, practitioner experience), students develop skills to identify and critically appraise each source of evidence.
Applying Methods
Building on an EBP approach, students practice techniques of asking effective questions, including frameworks about the kinds of questions, the types of methods that fit different questions, and the structure of questions. Students learn to develop a protocol for creating an answerable question.
Diagnosing Problems and Generating Options
Using the focused practice question, students are then introduced to the 6A framework to analyze the problem (ask, acquire, appraise) and to generate options (aggregate, apply, assess). Through discussions, leaders in practice examples, and lab simulations, students are given the opportunity to diagnose problems, generate options and scenarios, and build models.
Module 2: Applied Research Methods & Data Analysis
Making Sense of Data
Using organizational data is an exceptionally valuable input to the decision-making process. Through a series of lectures, online exercises, and practitioner examples, students learn to identify the various sources of data available within an organization. Guidance and criteria are provided to help determine the quality and limitations of data. An introduction to ethical considerations for the use of secondary and primary data sources is covered, to help guide decisions about the use of information in organizations.
Building and Testing Models
Through a series of lectures, online exercises, and practitioner examples, students learn to determine ways to select data, model relationships, conduct analysis, and interpret the output. A refresher is provided of basic statistical analysis techniques (e.g., R, T-tests, regression analysis) and measurement.
Module 3: Research Synthesis and Translation
Synthesizing Research Evidence
This course begins with an introduction to the various types of research synthesis approaches and the differences among them. Students are introduced to and conduct rapid evidence assessments (REAs) or systematic reviews; they will direct and work with research assistants and librarians to complete projects. An overview of more in-depth research synthesis approaches such as systematic reviews, meta-analysis, and meta-synthesis is provided, along with discussions of the outlets that publish and disseminate findings from these reviews used to inform public policy.
Translating Knowledge
This course focuses on the processes and approaches to translate academic research into meaningful insights for practitioners. Students use the projects from the Synthesizing Research Evidence course to develop a knowledge mobilization plan and associated materials. Working with communications specialists, students deliver a public presentation to educate and share knowledge with a community of practice or write an article for a practitioner-oriented publication such as a professional association magazine or journal or publish with a research synthesis organization like the Campbell Collaboration.
Module 4: Practice-oriented Research
Developing an Applied Research Proposal
Students work with an academic advisor to develop a proposal for an applied research project. The proposal requires the defence to a three-person committee, one of whom is SMU external to Sobey School of Business. Proposal submissions include a timeline that aligns with the timing of courses 7609, 7610, and 7611.
Module 5: Applied Research Project
Conducting an Applied Research Project Part 1
Students use the knowledge gained through the program to develop, conduct, and communicate a practice-oriented research project.
Conducting an Applied Research Project Part 2
Students use the knowledge gained through the program to develop, conduct, and communicate a practice-oriented research project.
Disseminating Findings
A final presentation and defence of the project to the committee with an external examiner.