Research Methods For Business Students 6th Edition Mark Saunders - Solutions

able to describe and evaluate reasons for quantifying qualitative data as a means of analysis;
able to identify the common functions of CAQDAS and describe the issues associated with its use.
What types of data will you need to retain and file while you are undertaking qualitative research?
What are the main implications of using a deductive analytical approach for the way in which you conduct the process of qualitative analysis?
What are the main implications of using an inductive analytical approach for the way in which you conduct the process of qualitative analysis?
With a friend, obtain a transcript of an interview that has already been undertaken. If your university subscribes to online newspapers such as ft.com, these are a good source of business-related transcripts. Alternatively, typing ‘interview transcript’ into a search engine such as Google will
Visit one of the CAQDAS websites listed in Table 13.3. Find and download a demonstration version of the CAQDAS package and explore its features. How useful do you think this will be for analysing your research data?
Find out whether your university provides you with access to the NVivo™ CAQDAS. If it does, visit this book’s companion website and download the self-teach package and associated data sets. Work through this to explore the features of NVivo™.
Did Stephanie organise her template analysis to make best use of her data? Could she have organised the template analysis differently?Stephanie is a part-time student conducting a masters in management at a UK university.Stephanie’s research project is focused upon how organisations can make
We know that Stephanie conducted research in her own organisation and that she is a committed green activist. Should she have taken these issues into account as part of the analytic process and if so, in what ways?Stephanie is a part-time student conducting a masters in management at a UK
What other forms of qualitative data analysis could Stephanie have used and how would these have enabled her to address her research questions?Stephanie is a part-time student conducting a masters in management at a UK university.Stephanie’s research project is focused upon how organisations can
Jessica has already obtained statistical, visual and textual material including visual images of employees, and recruitment adverts (combining text and imagery). What other secondary data could she use for her research?’First of all, she thought about researching how theme parks manage the
Undertake your own search using online databases discussed in Chapter 8 and search engines such as Google or Bing for possible data to answer Jessica’s research question.Make notes about each secondary data source you find. Don’t forget to include the full reference including the URL and data
What methods of data analysis could Jessica use for each of these types of data you have identified?First of all, she thought about researching how theme parks manage the emotions of their employees. But this still requires an ‘insider’ perspective, which she doesn’t have. So she thought more
There are a number of reasons why we may describe qualitative analysis as an ‘interactive process’. Analysis needs to occur during the collection of data as well as after it.This helps to shape the direction of data collection, especially where you are following a grounded theory approach. The
You will generate three broad types of data that you will need to retain and file as the result of undertaking qualitative research.The first of these may be referred to as raw data files. These are your original notes and audio-recordings made during the conduct of interviews or observations, or
A deductive analytical approach is one where you will seek to use existing theory to shape the approach that you adopt to the qualitative research process and to aspects of data analysis. An inductive analytical approach is one where you will seek to build up a theory that is adequately grounded in
There are a number of implications of using a deductive analytical approach for the way in which you conduct the process of qualitative analysis:• You will be in a position to commence your data collection with a well-defined research question and objectives and a clear framework and
The main implications of using an inductive analytical approach for the process of qualitative analysis are likely to be related to:• managing and categorising a large number of code labels, which will probably emerge from the data that you collect;• working with smaller rather than larger
view the writing of your project report as an exciting prospect;
write in such a way that you can reflect on all you have learned while conducting the research;
write a final project report that presents an authoritative account of your research;
adopt an appropriate format, structure and style for the final project report;
differentiate between a project report and a consultancy report;
ensure that your report meets the necessary assessment criteria;
plan and design an oral presentation of your report.
Look again at the quote from Wright Mills cited early in Section 14.5 . Rewrite this so that his idea is communicated to the reader in the clearest way possible.
There are other problems that must be avoided when repositioning sections of your report in the redrafting processes. What are they?
Share pieces of your writing with a group of your friends. Look at the example in Box 14.13and subject all the pieces to the ‘write clearer sentences’ test.
In what way did starting with the eight boxes limit or help Clare’s planning of her presentation?
What advice would you give Clare in relation to interacting with her audience more effectively?
In what ways might ‘telling them what you’re going to say, saying it, and then telling them what you’ve just said’ have helped Clare’s audience?
Even if you think you aren’t nervous, why is practising a presentation in front of a critical friend a good idea?
This is easier said than done. Start by going through your results chapter, continually asking yourself ‘Did I find this out?’ You will probably weed out a lot of things that you have thought about that are related to points you found out. These belong in the conclusions(or discussion)
It will demonstrate good practice in two respects. First it will demonstrate that you have evaluated your research design. Second it will help you to evaluate how you would alter this design if you were going to repeat your research, or if you were going to undertake further research. Remember that
Academic writing is often difficult to understand. This is not usually because the subject matter is complex or the thoughts profound. It is because the writer thinks it necessary to write in an ‘academic’ way.
The ‘road map’ you announced in the introduction may not now be correct. The previews and summaries at the beginning and end of the relevant chapters may need changing. A more serious potential problem is that the storyline may be altered. This should not be the case. Nonetheless, it would
You may emphasise the general point that preparation is very important, not least because this will help to overcome any nervousness that your friend will feel when he or she makes the presentation. You may also emphasise that she or he should think about the audience and what is it that he or she
be able to outline the purpose and distinct focus of business and management research?
be able to place your research project on a basic–applied research continuum according to its purpose and context;?
understand the utility and importance of keeping a reflective diary;?
understand the stages you will need to complete (and revisit) as part of your research process;
have an overview of this book’s purpose, structure and features;?
be aware of some of the ways you can use this book.?
Examine Figure 1.2 What does this suggest about the need to plan and to reflect on and revise your ideas?
Revisit Table 1.2and look at the differences in management researcher and practitioner orientations for foci of interest, methodological imperatives, key outcomes and how each views the other. For each of the continua implied by this table, where would you place yourself? To what extent do you
If Katie is correct, and evidence doesn’t necessarily tell managers the best way to take action, do we still need evidence?
Can Katie’s decision to submit a report she thinks is misleading be justified on ethical grounds?
In what ways are the kinds of research projects that most managers want to read likely to be different from the kinds of research projects that get high marks at university?
The features you outline are likely to include:•the transdisciplinary nature of business and management research;•the development of ideas that are related to practice and in particular the requirement for the research to have some practical consequence;•the need for research to complete the
The key differences between basic and applied research relate to both the purpose and the context in which it is undertaken. They are summarised in Figure 1.1.
Figure 1.2emphasises the importance of planning during your research project. Forward planning needs to occur at all stages up to submission. In addition, you will need to reflect on and to revise your work throughout the life of the research project. This reflection needs to have a wide focus. You
identify the attributes of a good research topic?
generate ideas and explore sources that will help you to choose a suitable research topic?
refine your ideas to clarify your research topic?
turn research ideas into a research project that has a clear research question(s) and objectives?
draft a written research proposal?
For the workplace project for her professional course, Karen had decided to undertake a study of the effectiveness of the joint consultative committee in her NHS Trust. Her title was ‘An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Joint Consultative Committee in Anyshire’s Hospitals NHS Foundation
Together with your colleagues, decide on the extent to which a set of research ideas constitute a ‘good research topic’ according to the checklist in Box
The set of topics you choose may be past ones obtained from your tutor that relate to your course.Alternatively, they may be those which have been written by you and your colleagues as preparation for your project(s).
Look through several of the academic journals which relate to your subject area. Choose an article which is based upon primary research. Assuming that the research question and objectives are not made explicit, infer from the content of the article what the research question and objectives may have
Watch the news on television. Most bulletins will contain stories on research which has been carried out to report the current state of affairs in a particular field. Spend some time investigating news sites on the Internet (e.g. http://www.news.google.com ) in order to learn more about the
a Why is it important that George’s research draws upon existing theory?b At what point in the process should he identify a relevant model, theory or framework to guide his work?
George has identified the need for qualitative rather than quantitative methods in order to understand the phenomena that constitute co-production, co-creation and value. What ways of collecting data might he consider using and why?
George plans to collect his data from his fellow university students.a Is this a good idea?b What issues should George consider before commencing and why?
These may include:• To identify the management and trade union objectives for the Joint Consultative Committee and use this to establish suitable effectiveness criteria.• To review key literature on the use of joint consultative committees.• To carry out primary research in the organisation
One starting point would be to ask your project tutor for suggestions of possible recent review articles or articles containing recommendations for further work that he or she has read. Another would be to browse recent editions of operations management journals such as the International Journal of
From the description given, it would appear that your colleague has considered only rational thinking techniques. It would therefore seem sensible to suggest two creative thinking techniques, as these would hopefully generate an idea that would appeal to him.One technique that you could suggest is
Your answer will probably differ from that below. However, the sorts of things you could be considering include:• How do business organisations benefit from their liaison with schools?• Why do business organisations undertake school liaison activities?• To what extent do business
Let us go back to the example used in the chapter of the supermarket marketing manager who theorises that the introduction of a loyalty card will mean that regular customers are less likely to shop at competitor supermarkets. This could be the research proposal’s starting point, i.e., a
Try including a subsection in the background section that is headed ‘How the previous published research has informed my research questions and objectives’. Then show how, say, a gap in the previous research that is there because nobody has pursued a particular approach before has led to you
understand the importance and purpose of the critical literature review to your research project?
be able to adopt a critical perspective in your reading?
know what you need to include when writing your critical review?
be aware of the range of primary, secondary and tertiary literature sources available?
be able to identify search terms and to undertake online literature searches?
be able to evaluate the relevance, value and sufficiency of the literature found?
be able to reference the literature found accurately?
understand what is meant by plagiarism?
be able to apply the knowledge, skills and understanding gained to your own research project.
Generating an initial list of 25 keywords based on Meier’s prior experience, which were combined using Boolean operators to create search strings and discussed with a review panel of experts.
Identifying 83 high-quality peer-reviewed journals and subsequently searching their abstracts and titles using either the online databases Business Source Complete and Science Direct or, where this was not possible, manually.
Evaluating the title and abstract of the 365 articles retrieved against clear inclusion/exclusion criteria to establish their suitability, resulting in 71 relevant articles.
Using the reference lists from the 10 most frequently cited articles to identify further references.These further 684 articles were subject to the same inclusion/exclusion criteria, resulting in an additional 10 relevant articles.
The following extract and associated references are taken from the first draft of a critical literature review. The research project was concerned with the impact of direct insurers on the traditional motor insurer.List the problems with this extract in terms of its:a content;b structure.Jackson
You are having considerable problems with finding relevant material for your research when searching online databases. Suggest possible reasons why this might be so.
Rewrite the following passage as part of a critical literature review using the Harvard system of referencing:Social Media is a new form of media that uses the Internet to facilitate conversations 1 .Social Media sources enable consumers to create, edit, contribute and share ‘content’ 2 , 3 , 4
Agree with a friend to each review the same article from a refereed academic journal which contains a clear literature review section. Evaluate independently the literature review in your chosen article with regard to its content, critical nature and structure using the checklists in Boxes 3.2, 3.3
a. Why is it important to apply inclusion and exclusion criteria when deciding which publications to include in a Systematic Review?b. What other quality criteria might you use?
What are the advantages and disadvantages in using an expert panel of stakeholders to assist in determining a review question?
Emily has decided to collect her primary data by interviewing human resource managers in the finance sector. How can she use the findings of her Systematic Review to inform her subsequent data collection?Additional case studies relating to material covered in this chapter are available via the
There are numerous problems with the content and structure of this extract. Some of the more obvious include:• The content consists of predominantly trade magazines, in particular Post Magazine , and there are no references of academic substance. Some of the references to individual authors have
This is a difficult one without knowing her research question! However, you could still advise her on the general principles. Your advice will probably include:• Define the parameters of the research, considering language, subject area, business sector, geographical area, publication period and
There are no incorrect answers with brainstorming! However, you might like to check your search terms for suitability prior to using them to search an appropriate database.We suggest that you follow the approach outlined in Section 3.5 under ‘searching using the tertiary literature’.
There is a variety of possible reasons, including:• One or more of the parameters of your search are defined too narrowly.•The keywords you have chosen do not appear in the controlled index language.•Your spelling of the search term is incorrect.•The terminology you are using is
There are two parts to this answer: rewriting the text and using the Harvard system of referencing.Your text will inevitably differ from the answer given below owing to your personal writing style. Don’t worry about this too much as it is discussed in far more detail in Section 14.5 . The
define the key terms ontology, epistemology and axiology and explain their relevance to business research;
explain the relevance for business research of philosophical perspectives such as positivism, realism, pragmatism and interpretivism;
understand the main research paradigms which are significant for business research;
distinguish between deductive, inductive and abductive research approaches;

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Research Methods For Business Students 6th Edition Mark Saunders - Solutions

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