Research Methods

This is the ideal companion for those needing guidance when carrying out a research project in a management or a business-related subject. The text is succinct and concise, written with modular courses in mind for the reader to quickly gain an overall perspective of the fundamental areas and identify the key points that need to be addressed. This clear and practical book also covers the requirements of more general areas of business research and consultancy. New to this edition is a chapter devoted to the analysis of qualitative data - an area many students find they want to focus on. A new accompanying student website also gives practical guidance on some of the problems students face: assistance with writing a research proposal; the structure of a dissertation; collecting data - how much is enough; citing references; links to other resources. Dissertations and projects form an integral part of many MBA and degree programmes and this text is invaluable when tackling this area for the first time. The authors approach the research task in a step-by-step manner, covering areas such as data collection, observational methods, and data analysis. * Tailored specifically for the needs of MBA students * Written by experienced academic researchers who are also experienced in supervising students, so know the problems first hand and from all angles. * Practical in approach rather than theoretical

About the Authors	p. ix
Acknowledgements	p. xi
Introduction	p. 1
Background and major themes	p. 1
Using this book	p. 4
Chapter structure/studying each chapter	p. 6
The research/consultancy project	p. 7
Concluding comments	p. 8
Managing Your Development as a Manager	p. 10
Learning outcomes	p. 10
The importance of continued professional development for the manager	p. 11
Approaches to professional development: self-development	p. 12
Action learning: process and principles	p. 14
Working with and learning from others	p. 15
Planning a self-development program	p. 16
Concluding comments	p. 20
References	p. 20
Glossary	p. 20
Introduction to Research in Management	p. 21
Learning outcomes	p. 21
The theoretical antecedents to management research: epistemological versus ontological orientations	p. 22
Deductive versus inductive research	p. 23
Nomothetic versus ideographic research	p. 32
Problems and issues in management consultancy-type research	p. 36
Concluding comments	p. 39
References	p. 39
Glossary	p. 40
Management Consultancy and Research	p. 42
Learning outcomes	p. 42
The consultant and consultancy: development and meaning	p. 43
Why organizations use consultants: advantages and contributions	p. 44
Disadvantages and limitations of management consultants	p. 46
Management consultancy: types, roles, and activities	p. 48
Internal versus external consultants	p. 53
Developments in management consultancy approaches and techniques	p. 54
Professional and ethical issues in management consultancy and research	p. 55
Concluding comments	p. 56
References	p. 56
Glossary	p. 57
The Consultancy Research Process	p. 58
Learning outcomes	p. 58
Management consultancy and research: an overview	p. 59
Initiating the consultancy/research process: meeting/identifying the client	p. 59
The consultancy research project/topic	p. 63
Planning and agreeing the consultancy/research brief	p. 67
Designing and agreeing the research plan	p. 68
Completing the consultancy cycle	p. 69
Concluding comments	p. 70
References	p. 70
Glossary	p. 71
An Overview of Data Collection: Approaches, Methods, and Techniques	p. 72
Learning outcomes	p. 72
Data, information, and decisions	p. 73
Types of data	p. 74
Methods of data collection	p. 77
Issues in data collection	p. 78
Choosing between data collection methods	p. 82
Concluding comments	p. 85
References	p. 86
Glossary	p. 87
Data Collection: Secondary Data	p. 88
Learning outcomes	p. 88
Secondary data: meaning and scope	p. 89
Planning secondary data collection	p. 91
Internal secondary data	p. 95
External secondary data	p. 97
Criteria for evaluating secondary data	p. 102
Concluding comments	p. 104
References	p. 104
Glossary	p. 105
Data Collection: Observational Research	p. 107
Learning outcomes	p. 107
The nature and purpose of observational research	p. 108
Observation approaches and techniques	p. 110
Planning and implementing observational research	p. 116
Other issues in observational research	p. 119
Concluding comments	p. 121
References	p. 121
Glossary	p. 122
Data Collection: Experimental, Quasi-experimental, and Action Research	p. 123
Learning outcomes	p. 123
The nature and purpose of experimentation: classical experimentation	p. 124
Structuring experimental research design: key steps	p. 128
Quasi-experimentation	p. 132
Action research	p. 134
Concluding comments	p. 137
References	p. 138
Glossary	p. 139
Data Collection: Asking Questions	p. 140
Learning outcomes	p. 140
Ethics in research	p. 141
Questioning as a means of data collection	p. 143
Interviews	p. 146
Questionnaires, surveys, and samples	p. 151
Surveys	p. 160
Concluding comments	p. 165
References	p. 166
Glossary	p. 167
Analyzing Data: Nature and Purpose	p. 168
Learning outcomes	p. 168
Using and building models	p. 169
Modeling through equations	p. 170
Building models	p. 172
Analysis: nature and roles	p. 173
The purpose of analysis	p. 176
Quantitative versus qualitative data analysis	p. 177
Concluding comments	p. 180
References	p. 181
Glossary	p. 181
Analyzing Qualitative Data	p. 182
Learning outcomes	p. 182
Qualitative analysis	p. 183
Semiotics	p. 188
Dialectics: an alternative form of argument	p. 192
Steps in analyzing qualitative data	p. 194
Issues in and approaches to analyzing qualitative data	p. 196
Concluding comments	p. 197
References	p. 198
Glossary	p. 199
Actioning Research	p. 200
Learning outcomes	p. 200
Interpreting and diagnosing research findings, making recommendations and taking decisions	p. 201
Designing the implementation and action plans	p. 204
Implementation and follow up	p. 204
Control and evaluation: disengagement	p. 206
Concluding Comments	p. 208
References	p. 209
Glossary	p. 210
Activity Solutions	p. 211
Bibliography	p. 219
Introduction to Management Research	p. 227
Internet Gateways, Research and Databases, Search Engines and Directories for Social Science Researchers	p. 234
Amalgamated Glossary	p. 236
Referencing and Advice on Presentation	p. 241
Resources for Methods in Evaluation and Social Research	p. 287
Index	p. 289
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