Research Methods For Business, 8th Edition explains the principles and practices of using a systematic, organized method for solving problematic issues in business organizations. Designed to help students view research from the perspective of management, this popular textbook guides students through the entire business research process. Organized into six main themes—Introduction, Defining the Management and the Research Problem, Theory, Collecting Information, Drawing Conclusions, and Writing and Presenting the Research Report—the text enables students to develop the skills and knowledge required to successfully create, conduct, and analyze a research project. Now in its eighth edition, this popular textbook has been thoroughly updated to incorporate substantial new and expanded content, and reflect current research methods and practices. The text uses a unique blended learning approach, allowing instructors the flexibility to custom-tailor their courses to fit their specific needs. This innovative approach combines the face-to-face classroom methods of the instructor with internet-based activities that enable students to study what they want, when they want, at their own pace.

Table of Contents:
About the Authors xxi Preface xxiii Acknowledgements xxv 1 Introduction to Research 1 Introduction 1 Types of Business Research: Applied and Basic 4 Managers and Research 7 Internal Versus External Consultants/Researchers 9 Knowledge about Research and Managerial Effectiveness 11 Ethics and Business Research 11 Summary 12 Discussion Questions 13 Case: The Laroche Candy Company 14 Case Questions 15 2 The Scientific Approach and Alternative Approaches to Investigation 16 Introduction 16 The Hallmarks of Scientific Research 17 The Hypothetico-Deductive Method 20 Alternative Approaches to Research 22 A Pragmatic Approach to Research 24 Summary 32 Discussion Questions 32 3 Defining the Management Problem 34 Introduction 34 Looking for Decision Opportunities or Areas for Improvement 35 Fixing Situations that are Broken 37 Providing Feedback to the Client Organization 46 Managerial Implications 46 Summary 47 Discussion Questions 48 Appendix: Background Information on the Organization 49 4 Defining the Research Problem 51 Introduction 51 The Management Problem 51 Defining the Research Problem 51 The Research Proposal 58 Managerial Implications 60 Ethical Issues in the Preliminary Stages of Investigation 61 Summary 62 Discussion Questions 62 5 The Critical Literature Review 64 Introduction 64 How to Approach the Literature Review 66 Ethical Issues 71 Summary 73 Discussion Questions 73 Practice Project 74 Appendix: Some Online Resources Useful for Business Research 75 6 Theoretical Framework and Hypothesis Development 83 Introduction 83 The Need for a Theoretical Framework 84 Variables 85 How Theory is Generated 92 7 Elements of Research Design 103 Introduction 103 The Research Design 103 Elements of Research Design 104 Mixed Methods 113 Trade-offs and Compromises 114 Managerial Implications 115 Summary 115 Discussion Questions 116 8 Interviews 117 Introduction 117 Primary Data Collection Methods 117 Interviews 118 Advantages and Disadvantages of Interviews 126 Summary 127 Discussion Questions 128 9 Observation 129 Introduction 129 Definition and Purpose of Observation 130 Four Key Dimensions that Characterize the Type of Observation 130 Two Important Approaches to Observation 132 Advantages and Disadvantages of Observation 139 Summary 141 Discussion Questions 141 10 Administering Questionnaires 143 Introduction 143 Types of Questionnaires 143 Guidelines for Questionnaire Design 146 International Dimensions of Surveys 155 Review of the Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Data Collection Methods and When to Use Each 157 Multimethods of Data Collection 157 Managerial Implications 158 Ethics in Data Collection 158 Summary 159 Discussion Questions 160 11 Experimental Designs 164 Introduction 164 The Lab Experiment 166 The Field Experiment 170 External and Internal Validity in Experiments 170 Types of Experimental Design and Validity 177 Simulation 182 Ethical Issues in Experimental Design Research 182 Managerial Implications 183 Summary 184 Discussion Questions 185 Appendix: Further Experimental Designs 187 12 Measurement of Variables: Operational Definition 190 Introduction 190 How Variables are Measured 190 Operational Definition (Operationalization) 192 International Dimensions of Operationalization 196 Summary 196 Discussion Questions 197 13 Measurement of Variables: Scaling, Reliability and Validity 198 Introduction 198 Four Types of Scales 198 Rating Scales 202 Ranking Scales 207 International Dimensions of Scaling 208 Goodness of Measures 208 Reflective Versus Formative Measurement Scales 212 Summary 213 Discussion Questions 214 Appendix: Examples of Some Measures 216 14 Sampling 221 Introduction 221 Population, Element, Sample, Sampling Unit and Subject 222 Sample Data and Population Values 224 The Sampling Process 225 Probability Sampling 228 Non-Probability Sampling 232 Intermezzo: Examples of When Certain Sampling Designs Would Be Appropriate 236 Issues of Precision and Confidence in Determining Sample Size 241 Sample Data and Hypothesis Testing 244 The Sample Size 246 Sampling as Related to Qualitative Studies 249 Managerial Implications 250 Summary 250 Discussion Questions 252 15 Quantitative Data Analysis 254 Introduction 254 Getting the Data Ready for Analysis 255 Getting a Feel for the Data 260 Excelsior Enterprises: Descriptive Statistics Part 1 269 Testing the Goodness of Measures 270 Excelsior Enterprises: Descriptive Statistics Part 2 273 Summary 276 Discussion Questions 276 16 Quantitative Data Analysis: Hypothesis Testing 279 Introduction 279 Type I Errors, Type II Errors and Statistical Power 279 Choosing the Appropriate Statistical Technique 280 Excelsior Enterprises: Hypothesis Testing 300 Big Data Mining and Operations Research 302 Some Software Packages Useful for Data Analysis 303 Summary 304 Discussion Questions 304 17 Qualitative Data Analysis 307 Introduction 307 Three Important Steps in Qualitative Data Analysis 307 Reliability and Validity in Qualitative Research 319 Some Other Methods of Gathering and Analysing Qualitative Data 320 Big Data 321 Summary 321 Discussion Questions 322 18 Conclusions 323 Introduction 323 Conclusions and Recommendations: Where Your Journey as a Researcher Ends 324 Incorrect or Flawed Forms of Reasoning 332 Summary 334 Discussion Questions 335 19 The Research Report 337 Introduction 337 The Written Report 337 Contents of the Research Report 340 Oral Presentation 346 Summary 349 Discussion Questions 349 Appendix: Examples 350 Report 1: Sample of a Report Involving a Descriptive Study 350 Report 2: Sample of a Report offering Alternative Solutions and Explaining the Pros and Cons of Each Alternative 353 Report 3: Example of an Abridged Basic Research Report 355 A Final Note to Students 359 Statistical Tables 361 Glossary 371 Bibliography 381 Index 389