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Despite the existence of very strong research methods textbooks, students still struggle with undertaking a research project. The quality of their research is often poor, research questions are badly thought out and their final work can be poorly written. Cameron and Price believe that this is because students struggle to relate the content in research methods textbooks to their own situations. Texts are written from an academic perspective which can be difficult to relate to a practical research project.
Business Research Methods takes a real-world, practical approach, making the research process more relevant, meaningful and effective for students.
List of contents
PART 1: INVESTIGATING ORGANISATIONAL ISSUES Organisational Inquiry: challenges and opportunities
The investigative process
The importance on context: stakeholders, power and ethics
Starting to think seriously about a project
PART 2: THE ACADEMIC RESEARCH PROCESSExploring `the literature
Refining a research question
Seeking evidence
Choosing a research method
Drawing valid conclusions
PART 3: METHODS AND APPROACHESDesk research
Action research
Interviews and focus groups
Questionnaires
Case research
Using qualitative data
Descriptive statistical methods
Inferential statistical methods
PART 4: PRACTICAL RESEARCH MANAGEMENTManaging the project
Managing clients
Managing your learning
Managing to communicate
Glossary of terms
About the author
Sheila Cameron is a senior lecturer at the Open University Business School (OUBS), UK.
Deborah Price is a lecturer in Management at the Open University Business School (OUBS), UK.
Summary
Make your research more meaningful, effective and relevant to the business world with this handbook that demystifies the research process.
