Research Methods for Business Students

by Saunders, Mark N.K.; Thornhill, Adrian; Lewis, Philip

• ISBN13: 9780273701484
• ISBN10: 0273701487
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-01-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

";I think this is a great book and so do my students. I asked them to review a book of their choice and everyone who read this book said they liked it and that it really helped them to succeed in their project."; Professor Veronica Liljander, Swedish School of Economics and Business Administration, Finland. ";What makes this book useful is that it is written from the viewpoint of the active student researcher. It addresses the problems that students will meet, as they meet them, giving concrete examples based on the work of student researchers."; Helen Batley, Harrow Business School, University of Westminster. Through a unique blend of practicality and rigour, the Saunders author team provide business and management students with the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary to complete a successful research project. The fourth edition of Research Methods for Business Students is the market-leading text which brings the theory, philosophy and techniques of research to life and enables students to understand the practical relevance of the research methods. A highly accessible style, logical structure, numerous examples and useful checklists provide step-by-step guidance through the entire research process. Use this book to: bull; bull;Understand both the practical application and underlying philosophy of research methods in business. bull;Learn from worked examples and case studies based on real student research, illustrating clearly what to do and what not to do in your project. bull;Gain rapid understanding and confidence in using the tools and techniques for analysis to undertake successful research. Log on to www.pearsoned.co.uk/saundersto: bull; bull;Get ahead with tutorials on software packages such as SPSS and NVivo; bull;Make the most of the Internet as an efficient and effective research tool by using the Smarter Online Searching Guide; bull;Test your understanding with the multiple choice questions for each chapter. Professor Mark Saunders is Head of Research at Oxford Brookes University Business School. Dr Philip Lewis is Principal Lecturer, Gloucestershire Business School, University of Gloucestershire. Dr Adrian Thornhill is Head of the Department of Human Resource Management, Gloucestershire Business School, University of Gloucestershire. Additional student support at www.pearsoned.co.uk/saunders

Table of Contents

How to use this book

Guided tour

Preface

Contributors

Publisher ''s acknowledgements

The nature of business and management research and structure of this book

Learning outcomes

Introduction

The nature of research

The nature of business and management research

The research process

The purpose and structure of this book

Summary

Self-check questions

Review and discuss questions

References

Further reading

Self-check answers

Formulating and clarifying the research topic

Learning outcomes

Introduction

Attributes of a good research topic

Generating and refining research ideas

Turning research ideas into research projects

Writing your research proposal

Summary

Self-check questions

Review and discuss questions

Progressing your research project: From research ideas to a research proposal

References

Further reading

Catherine Chang and women in management

Self-check answers

Critically reviewing the literature

Learning outcomes

Introduction

The critical review

Literature sources available

Planning your literature search strategy

Conducting your literature search

Obtaining and evaluating the literature

Recording the literature

Summary

Self-check questions

Review and discuss questions

Progressing your research project: Critically reviewing the literature

References

Further reading

National cultures and management styles

Self-check answers

Understanding research philosophies and approaches

Learning outcomes

Introduction

Understanding your research philosophy

Research approaches

Summary

Self-check questions

Review and discuss questions

Progressing your research project: Diagnosing your research philosophy

References

Further reading

Marketing music products alongside emerging digital music channels

Self-check answers

Formulating the research design

Learning outcomes

Introduction

The purpose of your research

The need for a clear research strategy

Multiple methods choices - combining quantitative and qualitative techniques and procedures

Time horizons

The credibility of research findings

Summary

Self-check questions

Review and discuss questions

Progressing your research project: deciding on your research design

References

Further reading

The international marketing management decisions of UK ski tour operators

Self-check answers

Negotiating access and research ethics

Learning outcomes

Introduction

Problems associated with access

Strategies to gain access

Research ethics

Summary

Self-check questions

Review and discuss questions

Progressing your research project: Negotiating access and addressingethical issues

References

Further reading

Mystery customer research in restaurant chains

Self-check answers

Selecting samples

Learning outcomes

Introduction

Probability sampling

Non-probability sampling

Summary

Self-check questions

Review and discuss questions

Progressing your research project: Using sampling as part of your research

References

Further reading

Auditor independenceand integrity in accounting firms

Self-check answers

Using secondary data

Introduction

Types of secondary data and uses in research

Locating secondary data

Advantages and disadvantages of secondary data

Evaluating secondary data sources

Summary

Self-check questions

Review and discuss questions

Progress

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