Doing Research in the Business World

David Gray was Professor of Leadership and Organisational Behaviour at the University of Greenwich. His research interests, and publication record, included research methods, management learning (particularly coaching and mentoring), professional identity, action learning, reflective learning, management learning in SMEs and the factors that contribute to SME success. He published books and articles on research methods, organizational learning, and coaching and mentoring. David led a number of EU-funded research programmes including one examining the impact of coaching on the resilience of unemployed managers in their job-searching behaviours and another on how action learning can sustain unemployed managers in starting their own business. He also completed a global survey into the professional identity of coaches.

• Chapter 1: IntroductionPart A: Principles and Planning for ResearchChapter 2: Theoretical Perspectives and Research Methodologies in BusinessChapter 3: Selecting and Planning Business Research Proposals and ProjectsChapter 4: Business Research EthicsChapter 5: Searching, Critically Reviewing and Using the Literature in BusinessPart B: Research Methodology and DesignChapter 6: Quantitative Research DesignChapter 7: Qualitative Research DesignChapter 8: Mixed Methods Research DesignChapter 9: Sampling Strategies in BusinessChapter 10: Designing Descriptive and Analytical Surveys for BusinessChapter 11: Designing Case Studies for BusinessChapter 12: Designing Evaluations in BusinessChapter 13: Action Research and Change in BusinessPart C: Data Collection MethodsChapter 14: QuestionnairesChapter 15: InterviewingChapter 16: Non-participant ObservationChapter 17: Ethnography and Participant ObservationChapter 18: Focus GroupsChapter 19: Unobtrusive MeasuresChapter 20: Visual MethodsChapter 21: Digital MethodsChapter 22: Secondary Data AnalysisPart D: Analysis and Report WritingChapter 23: Getting Started with SPSSChapter 24: Analysing and Presenting Quantitative DataChapter 25: Getting Started with NVivoChapter 26: Analysing and Presenting Qualitative DataChapter 27: Writing up the Research in a Business ReportChapter 28: Preparing for Business Presentations and for Vivas

From the introduction to the conclusion there is a systematic strand throughout this readable text. The focus on process and application provides the reader with insight into approaches and techniques to plan and successfully undertake a business research project with confidence!