Organizational Research Methods : A Guide for

This timely book provides the reader with clear pointers for how to conduct organizational research appropriately, through planning and making informed and systematic research decisions, to understanding the ethical implications of applied organizational research, to implementing, reporting and presenting the findings to the highest possible standards. It provides an overview of a wide variety of research strategies, methods of data collection (both qualitative and quantitative) and analysis in a volume accessible to both an undergraduate, postgraduate and practitioner readership alike.

List of Figures

xi

List of Tables

xii

List of Boxes

xiii

List of Case Studies

xiv

Preface

xv

Introduction

Research in organizations: debunking the myths

1

(1)

Objectives of the book

2

(1)

The role of the researcher

3

(3)

References and further reading

6

(1)

Applying Social Science to the Real World

Introducing the scientist--practitioner model

7

(1)

Tackling the question from a scientific perspective

8

(1)

The practitioner approach

9

(1)

Scientist--practitioners: applying science in a practical environment

10

(1)

Can science be qualitative?

11

(2)

The 'action research' model

13

(1)

References and further reading

14

(2)

Starting off the Research Process

Some common fears and worries about research

16

(3)

Establishing a research framework and getting yourself a supervisor

19

(3)

Project planning

22

(5)

One step on... the project proposal

27

(3)

The internet as a research resource

30

(6)

The literature review

36

(4)

Operationalizing the research question(s)

40

(4)

Obtaining and Using Access to an Organization

Introduction

44

(1)

Obtaining access from 'scratch'

44

(3)

Getting 'buy in' across the organization

47

(1)

Managing' the organization throughout the research process

48

(4)

Project Design

Introduction

52

(1)

The case-study or `now' design

53

(4)

The correlational design

57

(1)

The experimental design

58

(2)

Selecting a research design

60

(1)

Ethical considerations in organizational research

61

(4)

References and further reading

65

(2)

Methods of Data Collection

The research process continues

67

(1)

Criteria for selecting a method

68

(1)

Interviews

69

(6)

Techniques for use in interview contexts

75

(5)

The focus group method

80

(7)

Psychometric research

87

(9)

Observation

96

(3)

Survey and questionnaire design

99

(10)

Diary methods

109

(5)

Sampling Considerations

Introduction and definitions

114

(1)

Probability sampling

115

(2)

Non-probability sampling

117

(1)

Limitations of sampling approach on analysis

118

(2)

Conclusion

120

(1)

References and further reading

120

(2)

Assessing Performance in Organizations

Performance, effectiveness and productivity

122

(1)

The criterion issue

123

(2)

Individual performance

125

(4)

Group performance

129

(6)

Organizational performance

135

(5)

Conclusion

140

(1)

References and further reading

140

(3)

Data Analysis

Introduction

143

(1)

Statistical data analysis: finding a test

144

(3)

Statistical data analysis: the tests

147

(4)

Content analysis

151

(4)

Multi-dimensional scalogram analysis

155

(6)

Meta-analysis

161

(4)

Structural equation modelling

165

(6)

Reporting Research Findings

Introduction

171

(1)

Reporting to an academic audience

171

(3)

Writing up for academic publication

174

(3)

The client report

177

(3)

References and further reading

180

(1)

Presenting research findings

181

(10)

Concluding Words

191

(1)

Glossary

192

(9)

Index

201

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

FREE SHIPPING

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Organizational Research Methods : A Guide for Students and Researchers

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials