Research Methods for Business Students

1 Research Methodsfor BusinessStudentsFifth editionMark SaundersPhilip LewisAdrian Thornhillirlow, England London New York Boston San Francisco Toronto Sydney Sii5eoul Taipei New Delhi Cape Town Madrid Mexico City - Amsterdam ? , ;,.Brief ContentsHow to use this book 'lGuided tourPreface Contributors ,Publisher's acknowledgements -1 The nature of Business and management researchand structure of this book2 Formulating and clarifying the Research topic3 Critically reviewing the literature4 Understanding Research philosophies and approaches5 Formulating the Research design6 Negotiating access and Research ethics7 Selecting samples8 Using secondary data9 Collecting primary data through observation *10 Collecting primary data using semi- structured , in-depthand group interviews11 Collecting primary data using questionnaires ^.

2 12 Analysing quantitative data -' ' " ' 13 Analysing qualitative data14 Writing and presenting your project reportBibliographyAppendicesGlossaryInde x 23 Tu. hi!ip 'xviixxiiXXVxxviixxix1061361682102562883 183604144805265CT573587604320131eHow to use this bookGuided tourPrefaceContributorsPublisher's 0 > nature of Business and managementresearch and structure of this bookMark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill f-ELearning outcomes ' nature of researchThe nature of Business and management researchThe Research processThe purpose and structure of this bookSummarySelf-check questionsReview and discussion questionsReferencesFurther readingCase 1: Isabelle's Research dilemmaMichael SavvasSelf-check answers.

3 Irinu^lFormulating and clarifyingthe Research topic *2 Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian ThornhillLearning outcomesIntroductionAttributes of a good Research topicGenerating and refining Research ideasTurning Research ideas into Research Writing your Research proposal Summary , 48 Self-check questions 49 Review and discussion questions 49 Progressing your Research project: from Research ideasto a Research proposal 50 References 50 Further reading.

4 51. - : Case 2: Media climate change reporting and environmentalMy* disclosure patterns in the low-cost airline industryi s$ ,..-, .., .,,..,. in the twenty-first century 52"Ivv '*"'"' J""J'Ji';;' Richard Slack " - . - -- -ijvxx Self-check answers . 55xixx3 Critically reviewing the literature 58tfl8i .. Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill Learning outcomes Introduction 58 The critical review 61S Literature sources available.

5 \ 68t Planning your literature search strategy 75g, Conducting your literature search , 80Of Obtaining and evaluating the literature 92Of Recording the literature 942t Plagiarism 97gf Summary 98-5f Self-check questions 99^r.

6 Review and discussion questions 1003t Progressing your Research project: critically reviewing^ the literature 100 References 100g : Further reading 102 _,- Case 3: Complexity theory and emergent change 102 Mike Wallace and Alison WraySelf-check answers 104m4 Understanding Research philosophiesand approaches 106 Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian ThornhillLearning outcomes Introduction Understanding your Research philosophy.

7 Why researchphilosophy is important Research approaches Summary 128 Self-check questions 129 Review and discussion questions 129 Progressing your Research project: diagnosing yourresearch philosophy 130 References 131 Further reading 131 Case 4.

8 Consultancy Research for a not-for-profit organisation 132 Karen HandleySelf-check answers 1345 Formulating the Research design 136 Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian ThornhillLearning outcomes Introduction The purpose of your Research /-^ The need for a clear Research strategy Multiple Methods choices - combining data collection 3mrtechniques and analysis procedures Time horizons s?

9 The credibility of Research findings The ethics of Research design ' , Summary 160 Self-check questions 161 Review and discussion questions jp|Progressing your Research project: deciding on yourresearch design 162 References ic 162 Further reading 164 Case 5: Managing the acquisition from the middle 164 David CoghlanSelf-check answers.

10 , 166 rviews ^.~6 Negotiating access and Research ethics 16810 ' Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian ThornhillLearning outcomes ^.g Introduction ^ g Issues associated with gaining access Strategies to gain access Research ethics and why you should act ethically Ethical issues at specific stages of the Research process Summary 101 Self-check questions 202 Review and discussion questions 202 Progressing your Research project.