Research methods : a concise introduction to research in management and business consultancy

Library	Item Barcode	Call Number	Material Type	Item Category 1	Status
Searching... PSZ JB	30000010214555	HM24 C76 2009	Open Access Book	Book	Searching... Unknown
Searching... PSZ KL	30000010239964	HM24 C76 2009	Open Access Book	Book	Searching... Unknown

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.

About the Authors	p. ix
Acknowledgements	p. xi
1 Introduction	p. 1
1.1 Background and major themes	p. 1
1.2 Using this book	p. 4
1.3 Chapter structure/studying each chapter	p. 6
1.4 The research/consultancy project	p. 7
1.5 Concluding comments	p. 8
2 Managing Your Development as a Manager	p. 10
Learning outcomes	p. 10
2.1 The importance of continued professional development for the manager	p. 11
2.2 Approaches to professional development: self-development	p. 12
2.3 Action learning: process and principles	p. 14
2.4 Working with and learning from others	p. 15
2.5 Planning a self-development program	p. 16
2.6 Concluding comments	p. 20
2.7 References	p. 20
2.8 Glossary	p. 20
3 Introduction to Research in Management	p. 21
Learning outcomes	p. 21
3.1 The theoretical antecedents to management research: epistemological versus ontological orientations	p. 22
3.2 Deductive versus inductive research	p. 23
3.3 Nomothetic versus ideographic research	p. 32
3.4 Problems and issues in management consultancy-type research	p. 36
3.5 Concluding comments	p. 39
3.6 References	p. 39
3.7 Glossary	p. 40
4 Management Consultancy and Research	p. 42
Learning outcomes	p. 42
4.1 The consultant and consultancy: development and meaning	p. 43
4.2 Why organizations use consultants: advantages and contributions	p. 44
4.3 Disadvantages and limitations of management consultants	p. 46
4.4 Management consultancy: types, roles, and activities	p. 48
4.5 Internal versus external consultants	p. 53
4.6 Developments in management consultancy approaches and techniques	p. 54
4.7 Professional and ethical issues in management consultancy and research	p. 55
4.8 Concluding comments	p. 56
4.9 References	p. 56
4.10 Glossary	p. 57
5 The Consultancy Research Process	p. 58
Learning outcomes	p. 58
5.1 Management consultancy and research: an overview	p. 59
5.2 Initiating the consultancy/research process: meeting/identifying the client	p. 59
5.3 The consultancy research project/topic	p. 63
5.4 Planning and agreeing the consultancy/research brief	p. 67
5.5 Designing and agreeing the research plan	p. 68
5.6 Completing the consultancy cycle	p. 69
5.7 Concluding comments	p. 70
5.8 References	p. 70
5.9 Glossary	p. 71
6 An Overview of Data Collection: Approaches, Methods, and Techniques	p. 72
Learning outcomes	p. 72
6.1 Data, information, and decisions	p. 73
6.2 Types of data	p. 74
6.3 Methods of data collection	p. 77
6.4 Issues in data collection	p. 78
6.5 Choosing between data collection methods	p. 82
6.6 Concluding comments	p. 85
6.7 References	p. 86
6.8 Glossary	p. 87
7 Data Collection: Secondary Data	p. 88
Learning outcomes	p. 88
7.1 Secondary data: meaning and scope	p. 89
7.2 Planning secondary data collection	p. 91
7.3 Internal secondary data	p. 95
7.4 External secondary data	p. 97
7.5 Criteria for evaluating secondary data	p. 102
7.6 Concluding comments	p. 104
7.7 References	p. 104
7.8 Glossary	p. 105
8 Data Collection: Observational Research	p. 107
Learning outcomes	p. 107
8.1 The nature and purpose of observational research	p. 108
8.2 Observation approaches and techniques	p. 110
8.3 Planning and implementing observational research	p. 116
8.4 Other issues in observational research	p. 119
8.5 Concluding comments	p. 121
8.6 References	p. 121
8.7 Glossary	p. 122
9 Data Collection: Experimental, Quasi-experimental, and Action Research	p. 123
Learning outcomes	p. 123
9.1 The nature and purpose of experimentation: classical experimentation	p. 124
9.2 Structuring experimental research design: key steps	p. 128
9.3 Quasi-experimentation	p. 132
9.4 Action research	p. 134
9.5 Concluding comments	p. 137
9.6 References	p. 138
9.7 Glossary	p. 139
10 Data Collection: Asking Questions	p. 140
Learning outcomes	p. 140
10.1 Ethics in research	p. 141
10.2 Questioning as a means of data collection	p. 143
10.3 Interviews	p. 146
10.4 Questionnaires, surveys, and samples	p. 151
10.5 Surveys	p. 160
10.6 Concluding comments	p. 165
10.7 References	p. 166
10.8 Glossary	p. 167
11 Analyzing Data: Nature and Purpose	p. 168
Learning outcomes	p. 168
11.1 Using and building models	p. 169
11.2 Modeling through equations	p. 170
11.3 Building models	p. 172
11.4 Analysis: nature and roles	p. 173
11.5 The purpose of analysis	p. 176
11.6 Quantitative versus qualitative data analysis	p. 177
11.7 Concluding comments	p. 180
11.8 References	p. 181
11.9 Glossary	p. 181
12 Analyzing Qualitative Data	p. 182
Learning outcomes	p. 182
12.1 Qualitative analysis	p. 183
12.2 Semiotics	p. 188
12.3 Dialectics: an alternative form of argument	p. 192
12.4 Steps in analyzing qualitative data	p. 194
12.5 Issues in and approaches to analyzing qualitative data	p. 196
12.6 Concluding comments	p. 197
12.7 References	p. 198
12.8 Glossary	p. 199
13 Actioning Research	p. 200
Learning outcomes	p. 200
13.1 Interpreting and diagnosing research findings, making recommendations and taking decisions	p. 201
13.2 Designing the implementation and action plans	p. 204
13.3 Implementation and follow up	p. 204
13.4 Control and evaluation: disengagement	p. 206
13.5 Concluding Comments	p. 208
13.6 References	p. 209
13.7 Glossary	p. 210
Appendix I Activity Solutions	p. 211
Appendix II Bibliography	p. 219
Appendix III Introduction to Management Research	p. 227
Appendix IV Internet Gateways, Research and Databases, Search Engines and Directories for Social Science Researchers	p. 234
Appendix V Amalgamated Glossary	p. 236
Appendix VI Referencing and Advice on Presentation	p. 241
Appendix VII Resources for Methods in Evaluation and Social Research	p. 287
Index	p. 289

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