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Research Methods I (IFS)

Research Methods I (IFS)

Module Coordinator/Lecturers
Study Programmes
Bachelor's degree programme in Business Administration
Project Description
This module introduces the foundations of research methodology with a specific emphasis on empirical finance applications. Students learn the fundamental principles of research philosophies, methodological approaches, research design, and the factors influencing methodological decisions. The course covers the development, implementation, and analysis of research projects and highlights how methodological choices affect research outcomes.

Building on these foundations, the lecture provides theoretical training in conducting financial research. Students learn how to collect and manage financial data from various databases, perform descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, and apply linear regression and time-series models for forecasting. They further develop skills in formulating testable hypotheses, selecting appropriate research strategies, and applying suitable data collection and sampling methods. The course includes hands-on work with software tools commonly used in financial data analysis.
Learning Outcomes The students...
Professional Competence
  • know the major methodological approaches and instruments of social sciences and understand their relevance in empirical research
  • understand the drivers of methodological decision-making and can assess the consequences of different methodological choices
  • can describe, compare, and evaluate various research approaches for different problem situations
  • correctly implement methodological tools and research strategies
  • know how to conduct financial research and use financial databases effectively
  • understand descriptive statistics, linear regression, time-series analysis, and their assumptions
  • distinguish between qualitative and quantitative research designs and apply them appropriately
Methodological Competence
  • can reflect on, interpret, and explain different research design types
  • can gather, clean, and analyze empirical data, particularly financial data
  • critically evaluate assumptions underlying statistical models
  • identify suitable methodological approaches for specific research questions
  • can formulate testable hypotheses and choose appropriate data collection and sampling strategies
  • interpret empirical findings prudently and relate them to research objectives
Social Competence
  • understand and engage with different viewpoints within research designs and methodological debates
  • collaborate effectively, support peers, and communicate solutions clearly, especially in challenging quantitative contexts
  • can motivate and help fellow students overcome mathematical or analytical difficulties
Personal Competence
  • critically discuss arguments presented by others and reflect on their own research philosophy
  • tolerate diverse academic perspectives and use them constructively to develop new arguments
  • recognize common pitfalls in research thinking and work toward improving their methodological reasoning
Requirements (formal)
To register for the Research Methods I module, students must have successfully completed the Statistics, Business Mathematics, English I and Scientific Working modules.
Grade
The successfull completion of this module is necessary for registering in the Module Research Methods II.
Module number:
6111770
Semester:
SS 26
ECTS Credits:
3
Courses:
28 L / 21 h
Self-study:
69 h
Language:
English
Scheduled Semester:
4