Research Methods
Research Methods
Module Coordinator/Lecturers
Study Programmes
Masterstudiengang Innovative Finance (MSc IF 24)
(01.09.2024)
Project Description
Research Methods covers the fundamentals of qualitative and experimental research methods commonly applied in economics and finance. The course focusses on methods to address research questions for which archival data is not available or suitable. Students will be able to differentiate between quantitative and qualitative research approaches and reflect upon respective advantages and disadvantages.
Key topics covered are:
Key topics covered are:
- Behavioural finance, prospect theory, and risk patterns in light of financial decision-making
- Differentiation between qualitative and quantitative methods
- Design of experiments
- Design of surveys
- Design of interviews
- Critical evaluation of causal inferences based on qualitative methods
Teaching Method
The course involves interactive lectures with exercises to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical design and analysis skills.
Learning Results
After successful completion of the course, students will:
Professional competence
Methodological competence
Social competence
Personal competence
Technological competence
Professional competence
- understand qualitative research process in economics and finance.
- be able to critically reflect upon methods and research models with respect to different research questions.
- be able to formulate their own research question and design the respective research process.
- learn to engage with highest quality academic literature using qualitative methods.
Methodological competence
- understand statistical inferences from experiments in view of econometric issues such as omitted variables, unobserved variables, and self-selection.
- apply qualitative methods in explorative academic inquiries.
- construct appropriate research designs in light common statistic biases.
Social competence
- be able to work and collaborate in groups to jointly examine a qualitative research topic
- present research findings clearly and embed them in the academic discourse.
- discuss diverse perspectives in qualitative research and analysis.
Personal competence
- critically reflect on analytical outcomes and present group task findings.
Technological competence
- be able to identify appropriate statistical tools for qualitative data analyses.
Literature
Students are provided with the lecture slides and supplementary material (e.g., selected journal articles)
Assessment Methods
Short paper presentation (30%), Written exam (70%); Attendance is mandatory (80%)