Forensic Business Research
Course Objective
This course trains students in investigative research skills essential for consulting, due diligence, corporate strategy, and competitive intelligence. Students will learn how to uncover, validate, and triangulate information using open-source tools, databases, and forensic frameworks. The course emphasizes real-world application through simulation, industry research, and ethical intelligence gathering.
Learning Outcomes
- Conduct secondary research with rigor, creativity, and credibility.
- Use public databases, filings, web tools, and investigative frameworks.
- Build company, industry, and executive profiles for decision-making.
- Validate and triangulate information using forensic research logic.
- Present findings with clarity, sourcing integrity, and strategic insight.
Forensic Business Research Syllabus T30
| Session No. | Topics | Tool/Reading/Activity | Skill Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Forensic Business Research | Research Ethics + Research Scope | Strategic Inquiry |
| 2 | Types of Business Intelligence Projects | Use Cases: Due Diligence, Strategy | Application Mapping |
| 3 | Structuring a Research Project | Scope Document + Hypothesis Grid | Framework Design |
| 4 | Company Profiling Techniques | Screener.in + Tofler Case | Company Analysis |
| 5 | Executive & Leadership Profiling | LinkedIn, ZoomInfo | Influencer Mapping |
| 6 | Industry Landscape Mapping | IBEF, Statista, Tracxn | Market Intelligence |
| 7 | Competitor Benchmarking | Annual Reports + Ratio Analysis | Comparative Insight |
| 8 | Using Government & Regulatory Databases | MCA, SEBI, EDGAR | Compliance Discovery |
| 9 | Financial Forensics & Red Flags | Financial Statement Traps | Fraud Identification |
| 10 | Web Scraping and Digital Footprint Mapping | LinkedIn, Wayback Machine | Tech-enabled Discovery |
| 11 | Forensic Research in M&A Contexts | Dealroom + Case Simulation | Strategic Validation |
| 12 | Triangulation: Cross-Validating Facts | Multiple Source Tracking | Integrity Assurance |
| 13 | Building Research Dossiers and Deliverables | Template Creation | Output Structuring |
| 14 | Investigative Journalism Techniques | Source Deep Dive | Narrative Building |
| 15 | Using OSINT Tools and Search Operators | Google Dorks, WHOIS | Deep Web Research |
| 16 | Primary vs. Secondary Research Balance | Scenario Simulation | Balanced Inquiry |
| 17 | Writing Executive Research Briefs | Briefing Document Design | Insight Packaging |
| 18 | Live Case Simulation – Business Conflict | Group Research War Room | Problem Solving |
| 19 | Final Project: Dossier + Stakeholder Presentation | Student Teams | Applied Consulting |
| 20 | Reflection, Career Applications, and Wrap-Up | Peer Feedback + Ethics | Research Leadership |
Textbook & Resources
Primary Tools:
- OpenCorporates, Screener.in, Tofler, LinkedIn, Statista, Financial Filings, OSINT tools
Reference Materials:
- Research Like a Pro (Genealogy Standards), Consulting Club Dossiers, HBR Case Analysis