Research Methods for Business Students

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Edition: 3rd
Format: Paperback
Pub. Date: 2003-01-01
Publisher(s): Prentice Hall
List Price: $75.03

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Summary

Research Methods for Business Students (3rd edition)Mark NK Saunders, Oxford Brookes University Business SchoolPhilip Lewis, Gloucestershire Business School, University of GloucestershireAdrian Thornhill, Gloucestershire Business School, University of GloucestershireThis revised and fully-updated edition continues to provide students with the knowledge, understanding and necessary skills to complete a piece of business research. The content is academically rigorous with an engaging and accessible style. Written in a manner which greatly facilitates self-study, the reader is taken step-by-step through the research process, while numerous worked examples, real-life case studies and student activities bring to life the realities of undertaking business research. New features: Discussion of a range of web based approaches for collecting data Internet addresses for selected on-line Government datasets from throughout the world Advice on undertaking research in international settings Section on presenting research findings orally New case studies with discussion questions Additional international worked examples and diagrams Enhanced Website with separate student and lecturer sections Extensive glossary with over 300 definitions of key terms Classic features: The best selling Business and Management research methods text book Application of appropriate information technology as an integral part of the text Wide variety of worked examples from across business and management Self check questions with answers for each chapter Help with progressing the student's research project Research Methods for Business Students is suitable for final year undergraduate and masters students.

Table of Contents

How to use this book xi
Preface to the third edition xv
Contributors xvii
1 The nature of business and management research and structure of this book 1(12)
Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill
1.1 The aims of this book
1(1)
1.2 The nature of research
2(1)
1.3 The nature of business and management research
3(2)
1.4 The research process,
5(1)
1.5 The purpose and structure of this book
6(4)
1.6 Summary
10(1)
Self-check questions
11(1)
References
11(1)
Further reading
11(1)
Self-check answers
12(1)
2 Formulating and clarifying the research topic 13(30)
Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill
2.1 Introduction
13(1)
2.2 Attributes of a good research topic
14(2)
2.3 Generating and refining research ideas
16(7)
2.4 Turning research ideas into research projects
23(5)
2.5 Writing your research proposal
28(8)
2.6 Summary
36(1)
Self-check questions
37(1)
Progressing your research project: From research ideas to a research proposal
37(1)
References
38(1)
Further reading
38(3)
Case 2: Strategic issues in the UK brewing industry
39(39)
Mike Blee, Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill
Self-check answers
41(2)
3 Critically reviewing the literature 43(39)
Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis, Adrian Thornhill aid Martin Jenkins
3.1 Introduction
43(1)
3.2 The critical review
44(6)
3.3 Literature sources available
50(5)
3.4 Planning the literature search
55(4)
3.5 Conducting the literature search
59(11)
3.6 Obtaining and evaluating the literature
70(3)
3.7 Recording the literature
73(2)
3.8 Summary
75(1)
Self-check questions
76(1)
Progressing your research project: Critically reviewing the literature
77(1)
References
77(1)
Further reading
78(2)
Case 3: The problems of valuing intellectual capital
78(30)
Laura Spira, Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill
Self-check answers
80(2)
4 Deciding on the research approach and choosing a research strategy 82(31)
Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill
4.1 Differing approaches to research
82(8)
4.2 The need for a clear research strategy
90(9)
4.3 Using multi-methods
99(1)
4.4 The credibility of research findings
100(4)
4.5 The ethics of research design
104(1)
4.6 Summary
105(1)
Self-check questions
106(1)
Progressing your research project: Deciding on your research design
107(1)
References
107(1)
Further reading
108(3)
Case 4: Embedded quality at Zarlink Semiconductor
109(36)
Mick Church, Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill
Self-check answers
111(2)
5 Negotiating access and research ethics 113(37)
Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill
5.1 Introduction
113(1)
5.2 Problems associated with access
114(3)
5.3 Strategies to gain access
117(12)
5.4 Research ethics
129(14)
5.5 Summary
143(1)
Self-check questions
143(1)
Progressing your research project: Negotiating access and addressing ethical issues
144(1)
References
144(1)
Further reading
145(2)
Case 5: Getting in, getting on ...? Misreading issues related to access and ethics in a small-scale enterprise
145(36)
Teresa Smallbone, Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill
Self-check answers
147(3)
6 Selecting samples 150(38)
Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill
6.1 Introduction
150(3)
6.2 Probability sampling
153(17)
6.3 Non-probability sampling
170(7)
6.4 Summary
177(1)
Self-check questions
178(2)
Progressing your research project: Using sampling as part of your research
180(1)
References
181(1)
Further reading
181(3)
Case 6: Employment networking in the Hollywood film industry
182(34)
Keith Randle, Nigel Culkin, Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill
Self-check answers
184(4)
7 Using secondary data 188(33)
Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill
7.1 Introduction
188(1)
7.2 Types of secondary data and uses in research
189(5)
7.3 Locating secondary data
194(6)
7.4 Advantages and disadvantages of secondary data
200(4)
7.5 Evaluating secondary data sources
204(8)
7.6 Summary
212(1)
Self-check questions
213(1)
Progressing your research project: Assessing the suitability of secondary data for your research
214(1)
References
214(2)
Further reading
216(3)
Case 7: Research and development in the UK pharmaceutical industry in the 1960's
216(24)
Judy Slinn, Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill
Self-check answers
219(2)
8 Collecting primary data through observation 221(24)
Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill
8.1 Introduction
221(1)
8.2 Participant observation: an introduction
222(2)
8.3 Participant observation: researcher roles
224(3)
8.4 Participant observation: data collection and analysis
227(4)
8.5 Structured observation: an introduction
231(3)
8.6 Structured observation: data collection and analysis
234(4)
8.7 Summary
238(1)
Self-check questions
238(1)
Progressing your research project: Deciding on the appropriateness of observation
239(1)
References
239(1)
Further reading
240(3)
Case 8: Customer satisfaction on a long-haul tour holiday
240(35)
David Bowen, Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis aid Adrian Thornhill
Self-check answers
243(2)
9 Collecting primary data using semi-structured and in-depth interviews 245(35)
Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill
9.1 Introduction
245(1)
9.2 Types of interview and their link to the purposes of research and research strategy
246(3)
9.3 Situations favouring qualitative research interviews
249(3)
9.4 Data quality issues and how to overcome them
252(9)
9.5 The researcher's interviewing competence
261(3)
9.6 Logistical and resource issues and how to manage these
264(2)
9.7 A checklist for using semi-structured and in-depth interviews
266(3)
9.8 A final word about telephone and group interviews
269(3)
9.9 Summary
272(1)
Self-check questions
273(1)
Progressing your research project: Using semi-structured or in-depth interviews in your research
274(1)
References
274(1)
Further reading
275(3)
Case 9: Students' use of work-based learning in their studies
Jim Keane, Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill
275(3)
Self-check answers
278(2)
10 Collecting primary data using questionnaires 280(47)
Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill
10.1 Introduction
280(1)
10.2 An overview of questionnaire techniques
281(5)
10.3 Deciding what data need to be collected
286(5)
10.4 Designing the questionnaire
291(19)
10.5 Administering the questionnaire
310(5)
10.6 Summary
315(1)
Self-check questions
316(2)
Progressing your research project: Using questionnaires in your research
318(1)
References
319(1)
Further reading
320(3)
Case 10: Job satisfaction in an Australian organisation
320(52)
Ian Firns, Tony Travaglione, Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill
Self-check answers
323(4)
11 Analysing quantitative data 327(50)
Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis, Adrian Thornhill and Andrew Guppy
11.1 Introduction
327(1)
11.2 Preparing data for analysis
328(10)
11.3 Exploring and presenting data
338(13)
11.4 Describing data using statistics
351(5)
11.5 Examining relationships, differences and trends using statistics
356(12)
11.6 Summary
368(1)
Self-check questions
369(1)
Progressing your research project: Analysing your data quantitatively
370(1)
References
371(1)
Further reading
372(2)
Case 11: Marketing a golf course
372(37)
Christine Williams, Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill
Self-check answers
374(3)
12 Analysing qualitative data 377(37)
Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill
12.1 Introduction
377(1)
12.2 Understanding qualitative data
378(1)
12.3 An overview of qualitative analysis
379(9)
12.4 Strategies for qualitative analysis
388(2)
12.5 Deductively based analytical strategies and procedures
390(3)
12.6 Inductively based analytical strategies and procedures
393(9)
12.7 A note on quantifying your qualitative data
402(1)
12.8 Using a computer for qualitative analysis
402(4)
12.9 Summary
406(1)
Self-check questions
407(1)
Progressing your research project: Analysing your data qualitatively
407(1)
References
408(1)
Further reading
409(2)
Case 12: Paying for competence at Investco?
409(2)
Self-check answers
411(3)
13 Writing and presenting your project report 414(58)
Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill
13.1 Introduction
414(1)
13.2 Getting started with writing
415(3)
13.3 Structuring your project report
418(7)
13.4 Organising the project report's content
425(4)
13.5 Developing an appropriate writing style
429(5)
13.6 Meeting the assessment criteria
434(1)
13.7 Oral presentation of the report
435(3)
13.8 Summary
438(1)
Self-check questions
438(1)
Progressing your research project: Writing your project report
439(1)
References
439(1)
Further reading
440(2)
Case 13: Amina's story
440(2)
Self-check answers
442(1)
Bibliography
443(9)
Appendices
1 Example research project titles
452(7)
2 Systems of referencing
459(7)
3 Calculating the minimum sample size
466(2)
4 Random sampling numbers
468(1)
5 Guidelines for non-discriminatory language
469(3)
Glossary 472(22)
Index 494

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