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Designing and Managing a Research Project
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Designing and Managing a Research Project
A Business Student's Guide

Fourth Edition


October 2018 | 360 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Designing and Managing a Research Project: A Business Student’s Guide is a practical, step-by-step guide that shows business students how to successfully conduct a research project, from choosing the topic to presenting the results. The authors have applied their many years of experience in supervising student projects to provide examples of actual research problems and to offer practical solutions. The inclusion of topics such as supervision, group work and ethics, and both qualitative and quantitative data analysis, along with examples from real student research provide a unique perspective.

The new Fourth Edition includes broader types of student project examples, such as an Economics thesis, additional international business cases, increased coverage of Questionnaire Design and Institutional Review Boards, and an integrated case throughout the book on “High Performance Shoes” with supporting materials and data.

Additional resources including case studies, PowerPoint slides, and test bank are available on the authors’ website at http://polonskywaller.com!

 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
PART I. THE FOUNDATIONS
 
CHAPTER 1. Introduction
What Is Research?

 
How a Research Project Fits Within Your Business Education

 
Overview of the Book

 
Online Support Materials

 
Case Study

 
Chapter Questions

 
References

 
 
CHAPTER 2. Choosing a Topic
Has the Topic Been Assigned?

 
Steps in Choosing a Topic

 
Project Checklist

 
Case Study

 
Chapter Questions

 
References

 
 
CHAPTER 3. The Role of the Supervisor
Understanding Your Supervisor

 
What Is the Role of a Supervisor?

 
Selecting a Supervisor

 
Other Supervisor Arrangements

 
Ground Rules and Expectations

 
Conclusion

 
Project Checklist

 
Case Study

 
Chapter Questions

 
References

 
 
CHAPTER 4. Group Work, Group Dynamics, and the Role of Conflict
The Group Work Process

 
Why Assignments Use Groups

 
The Complexity of Group Work

 
Group Work and Conflict

 
Positive and Negative Conflict

 
General Causes of Conflict

 
Conflict Stimulation

 
Managing Conflict

 
Conclusion

 
Project Checklist

 
Case Study

 
Chapter Questions

 
References

 
 
CHAPTER 5. Ethical Considerations
What Is Human Intervention?

 
Codes of Ethical Conduct/Practice

 
Ethical Philosophies

 
Ethical Issues to Consider

 
Technology Issues

 
Conclusion

 
Project Checklist

 
Case Study

 
Chapter Questions

 
References

 
 
PART II. UNDERTAKING THE RESEARCH
 
CHAPTER 6. Planning the Research Project
Importance of Planning

 
The Research Process

 
The Research Proposal

 
Managing the Research Process

 
Budgeting

 
Conclusion

 
Project Checklist

 
Case Study

 
Chapter Questions

 
References

 
 
CHAPTER 7. Literature Review
What Is a Literature Review?

 
How Can Literature Be Used?

 
Where to Obtain Literature

 
How to Write a Literature Review

 
Referencing

 
Managing Your References

 
Project Checklist

 
Case Study

 
Chapter Questions

 
References

 
 
CHAPTER 8. Data Gathering
Factors to Evaluate Data-Gathering Methods

 
Types of Research Data

 
Secondary Data

 
Primary Data

 
Sampling Methods

 
Research Errors

 
Conclusion

 
Project Checklist

 
Case Study

 
Chapter Questions

 
Appendix 8.1: Statistical Agencies that Provide for Up-to-date Demographics and Country Data

 
References

 
 
CHAPTER 9. Qualitative Data Collection and Issues in Analysis
Qualitative Data Collection Methods

 
Implementation

 
Analysis and Interpretation

 
Conclusion

 
Project Checklist

 
Case Study

 
Chapter Questions

 
References

 
Further Reading

 
 
CHAPTER 10. Quantitative Data Analysis
Hypotheses, Errors, and Significance

 
Basic Analysis

 
Basic Associations

 
Basic Causal Relationship

 
Introducing Advanced Techniques

 
Conclusion

 
Project Checklist

 
Glossary

 
Case Study

 
Chapter Questions

 
References

 
Further Reading

 
 
PART III. COMMUNICATING THE RESULTS
 
CHAPTER 11. Presenting the Results
Ways to Present Research Findings

 
Numerical Tables

 
APA Style

 
Charts and Graphs

 
Pictures

 
Maps

 
Quotations

 
Reporting Statistical Results

 
Conclusion

 
Project Checklist

 
Case Study

 
Chapter Questions

 
References

 
 
CHAPTER 12. Identifying the Implications and Establishing Recommendations
Describing the Results

 
Discussion and Interpretation

 
Research Implications

 
Recommendation Guidelines

 
Limitations

 
Future Research

 
Project Checklist

 
Case Study

 
Chapter Questions

 
References

 
 
CHAPTER 13. Writing the Report
Written Communication

 
When to Write?

 
Types of Reports

 
Structure of a Project Report

 
Conclusion

 
Project Checklist

 
Case Study

 
Chapter Questions

 
References

 
 
CHAPTER 14. Oral Presentations
Before the Presentation

 
The Presentation

 
Wrapping Up

 
Groups and Group Members in Presentations

 
Conclusion

 
Project Checklist

 
Case Study

 
Chapter Questions

 
References

 
 
CHAPTER 15. Concluding Remarks
Some Final Hints for Those Undertaking a Project

 
Case Study (Epilogue)

 
 
About the Authors
 
Index
Key features

NEW TO THIS EDITION:

  • An integrated case throughout on “High Performance Shoes” with supporting materials and data gets students thinking about the research process to answer a potential real world question.
  • Robust coverage of Questionnaire Design on topics such as question creation and steps for obtaining the specific information needed for a successful questionnaire. 
  • Increased exposure of Institutional Review Boards for students facilitating human subjects research to ensure the rights and welfare of human subjects during their participation.


KEY FEATURES:  

  • A full range of activities allow students to solve practical issues and apply the methods they’ve learned.
  • Important topics rarely discussed such as student research ethics, working in groups, working with supervisors, and the literature review and how literature is used in writing are included.
  • Online examples of real student assignments on polonskywaller.com are supplemented with video interviews and web-based materials and allow students to see how other students have addressed various issues within their research projects.
  • Unique case studies allows students to work through a project and identify the issues they will need to consider in their own research.
  • End-of-chapter checklists assist students in progressing though the research management stages to completion of project.
  • End-of-chapter questions encourage students to consider various issues, and the advantages and disadvantages of a particular approach to their project issues.

Sage College Publishing

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Go To College Site

This title is also available on SAGE Research Methods, the ultimate digital methods library. If your library doesn’t have access, ask your librarian to start a trial.