Doctoral Dissertation Section

• GSM DS 906: Fundamentals of Research and the Philosophies of Science (previously MK912)
  This course focuses on the philosophy of science and the practice of business academics. It develops an understanding of where the study of business falls within the philosophy of science. After reviewing the historical underpinnings of scientific theory development and scientific methodology, it compares and contrasts different approaches to business scholarship from empiricism to post modernism and examines what it is that makes some research interesting and important. Although some of the examples will be taken from the marketing literature, the inquiry will be broad enough to accommodate all business disciplines. The second half of the course is devoted to an examination of how theory is developed and can be evaluated, as well as an exploration of the many different approaches to empirical research including the requirements of, and threats to, the various forms of validity inherent in each. A portion of the class includes involvement in research seminars, participation with the Universities seminars on research compliance and participating in ongoing research as a research assistant
• GSM DS 907: Tech Pub Dis Kn
  
• GSM DS 914: Pro Seminar and Advanced Topics (previously OB920)
  This seminar focuses on the art and science of research as acquired through direct involvement in presentations, colloquium, seminars etc. Extending the full year, each semester the Professor assigned will select 3-4 seminars offered at the B.U. School of Management that students are required to attend. Students would be responsible for writing up a position paper on the seminar critiquing the researchable idea presented, the flow of the literature justification, research design, conclusions and application. They would be expected to draw lessons from each seminar relevant to their own research areas of interest. They would then meet on Friday afternoon the week of the seminar in a workshop format to draw and apply the lessons learned. A couple of seminars outside the School of Management may be added in specialized areas. During the first year students would enroll for credit and grading. The position papers and participation would become the basis for the grade. During the second year, students would participate in the seminars and discussions but are not expected to produce the position papers. Instead they are expected to work on and present in a seminar format their curriculum paper. When curriculum papers are presented, advisors and department colleagues will be invited. The intent is that they have the opportunity to present and receive feedback on the curriculum paper. The requirement for the second year is the successful completion, submission and acceptance of their curriculum paper by their respective departments. The responsibility for coordinating seminars, designing the class, setting requirements and leading discussion will be rotated across the three departments so that each department assumes responsibility every third year. Advanced Masters students can also participate with permission.
• GSM DS 915: Pro Seminar 1
  
• GSM DS 916: Pro Seminar II
  For doctoral students in IS, OB, and S&I. Building on DS915, the goals of this seminar are two-fold. First, the seminar discusses the norms, challenges, and experiences associated with management scholarship; included are readings and presentations by visiting faculty experts. Second, we continue building our understanding of leading-edge management scholarship through attendance of and subsequent discussion of research presentations. Students are also expected to discuss and analyze their own ongoing development as practitioners in the field.