International Business MSc
Research Methods in International Business MGT5174
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: Adam Smith Business School
- Credits: 10
- Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
- Typically Offered: Semester 2
- Available to Visiting Students: No
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
This course develops students' ability to critically examine research problems in international business and entrepreneurship. It builds core research competencies by introducing key approaches such as conducting literature reviews, alongside both qualitative and quantitative research methods, enabling students to understand how research is conducted and effectively communicated in written form.
Through a structured focus on research design and proposal development, students are guided in translating ideas into coherent research projects. The course integrates research-informed teaching with up-to-date empirical examples, ensuring that learning remains academically grounded and contemporary. In doing so, it is future-focused, equipping students with transferable analytical, methodological, and research communication skills that are highly valued in academic, policy, and professional contexts.
Overall, the course prepares students to successfully undertake MSc dissertation research, while also providing a solid methodological foundation for those pursuing the project route, supporting their broader employability and career development.
Timetable
6 x 2 hour lectures
1 x 3 hour Clinic-style workshop for formative feedback
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
1. Written assignment, including essay; Individual; 1700 words; 100%; ILOs 1-3.
Course Aims
The course aims to:
■ Teach students qualitative and quantitative research methods commonly used in international business and entrepreneurship research, alongside the process of conducting academic literature reviews.
■ Enable students to critically evaluate the contexts in which different research methods are appropriate and how they can be effectively applied.
■ Develop students' skills in designing, conducting, and writing up their own research projects.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Formulate and justify a clear research question in international business and entrepreneurship, drawing on and synthesising relevant academic literature.
2. Explain, compare, and critically evaluate key qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including their strengths, limitations, and implications for data generation and interpretation.
3. Design and develop a coherent research proposal, including the research problem, appropriate methodological approach, and a feasible plan for execution.