Researching Power, Elites and Leadership

Chris Williams works at the Centre for International Education and Research, University of Birmingham, and was previously with the United Nations University Leadership Academy.

• PART ONE: INTRODUCTION Why Research Powerful People?Who the Book Is forKey ConceptsHow the Book Was ResearchedA Quick Guide to the BookThe ChaptersPART TWO: UNDERSTANDINGOrigins AnthropologyHistoryPhilosophyUp-System ResearchTheory PowerElitesLeadershipPopulaceCritiquePART THREE: DOINGLiterature SearchingReviewingTopics Planning DesignFocusProblematizationDefinitionsAccessIntegrityFrameworks DirectIndirectNetworks and Systems Data SourcesSelection TestingPART FOUR: USING Analysis ComparisonCausationConsistencyContra-ArgumentsCommon SenseCritical Process AnalysisConceptualizationOutcomesReportingPresentationInfluencing ChangeAppendices - Tools and Templates for Research PlanningMapping a case study within a conceptual framework Linking the elements of a research study A basic research designA basic Gantt chartAchieving focus at, or across, specific levelsSystematic links from topic to data collectionMaking distinctions between elite and leadership rolesExplaining the focus of a studyStandard research frameworksRelating basic questions to frameworks and information sourcesComparing journalistic and academic approaches to accessInstruments to implement powerThe structure of a press releaseGlossary Internet SourcesReferences

This is an excellent and timely addition to the literature on elites and I would strongly recommend this book to those who are new to this field and are looking for a thorough overview of elites as well as practical guidance on researching, analysing and publishing on this groupWilliam HarveyThe University of Sydney Business School