MBA 715 – Forensic Research & Analysis

Developing critical thinkers &evidence-based managers through engaged scholarship

Welcome to MFF715!

Dr. Rachel Chung Dr. Enrique Mu

Vision StatementThe course MFF715: Forensic Research & Analysis is designed to develop critical thinkers and evidence-based managers (Pfeffer and Sutton 2006)through a systematic introduction to engaged scholarship (Van de Ven 2007).

For this purpose:Lectures and readings focus on current empirical literature on fraud and forensics (FF). Assignments and projects are designed to promote analytical skills and to sharpen the student’s ability to clearly define research problems.

What this course is about (Objectives):Understand the role and importance of

empirical FF research in organizationsUnderstand the process and methodology

required in conducting scientific FF research

Develop critical thinking skills in formulating FF research problems

Become familiar with the role of research in evidence-based management

The MFF research sequence1. MFF715: Forensic Research & Analysis

Three-credit course in Fall Introduction to the basic concepts of empirical research Deliverable: A tentative research proposal including research

questions and plan

2. MFF720: Forensic Literature Review One-credit course in Spring Writing a critical synthesis of readings Deliverable: A critical review of relevant literature included as

part of a refined research proposal

3. MFF735: Fraud and Forensics Capstone Four-credit course in Summer Collecting, analyzing and reporting your own research data and

findings Deliverable: A complete research report based on an empirical

study

What the research sequence is NOTNOT summarizing Google search resultsNOT book reviewsNOT about conducting forensic

investigationsNOT about forensic lab analysis

Instructional ModelDeveloping the scholar-practitioner

The student’s goal is to be a competent scholar and intelligent consumer of research reports

Agile feedbackFrequent feedback allows you to identify areas to

improve and to adopt learning strategies that are more effective for you

Safe place to learn from failurePractice questions allow students to master core

concepts through repeated practicesLearning by Doing

Frequent and varied exercises facilitate learning through hands-on practices and applications

Course FormatOnline Delivery

Asynchronous meetings through electronic discussions

Synchronous meetings only if needed (e.g. to clarify issues with a specific group/student)

3 credits over 5 weeks =10 hrs of instructions + up to 20 hrs of self study weekly(based on the Carnegie Credit System) Be aware this is a very intensive and fast-paced course

Pre-requisite skills1. Using Carlow’s library and other tools

such as Google Scholar to conduct research effectively

2. Writing effectively with APA style3. Collaborating and doing team work in a

virtual environment

Using the textbookComprehensive Book

Easy to read and understandFocuses on both managerial and research

conceptsExcellent reference for the rest of your studies

Make sure you understand the bold/key terms in the book

Use the end of chapter questions to make sure you understand the concepts – important for your tests

TeamworkWorking in a team is highly recommended

for assignments and the final projectThree students on a team (or maximum

four with instructor permission. Two-student teams are not acceptable)

Also, you are allowed to work individually with instructor permission

Questions?Feel free to contact us any time!(Remember that email is always

preferable to telephone)