Workshop 1: The Essentials
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Chapter 1:
• Be able to explain the nature of research
• Be able to outline the features 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 usefulness 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 the book’s purpose, structure and features
• Be aware of the ways you can use the book
This book is designed to help you undertake your research project, whether you are an
undergraduate or postgraduate student of business and management or a practising
manager. It is designed as an introductory textbook and to support you through the entire
research process.
Business and management research involves undertaking systematic research to find out
things. It is transcapillary and engages with both theory and practice.
All business and management research projects can be places on a basic-applied continuum
according to their purpose and context
Wherever your research project lies on this continuum, you should undertake your research
with rigour. To do this you will need to pay careful attention to the entire research process.
In order to enhance your leaning during your research we recommend you keep a reflective
diary or notebook.
In this book, research is presented as a multi-stage process; however, this process is rarely
straightforward and will involve both reflecting on and revising stages already undertaken as
well as forward planning.
The text of each chapter is supporting through series of boxed examples. These include
focus on student research, focus on management research and focus on research in the
news. In addition, there are checklists, self-check questions and review and discussion
questions, an assignment and a case study with questions. Answers to all self-check
questions are at the end of the appropriate chapter.
Answering the questions in the section ‘progressing your research project’ for chapter 1-13
will enable you to generate all the material that you will need to include in your project report
and reflect on what you have learnt. When you have also answered the question1s in this
section for chapter 14, you will have written your research project.
,Chapter 2:
• Identify the characteristics of a good research topic
• Generate and refine ideas to choose a suitable research topic
• Express your research topic as a clear research question and as an aim and
objectives
• Understand the relationship between the research question, research aim and
research objectives
• Develop a written research proposal that outlines your proposed research project
Choosing a research topic and developing your research proposal are key parts of your
research project.
Characteristics of a good research topic include appropriateness, capability and fulfilment.
However, the most important is that it will meet the requirements of the examining body.
Generating and refining research ideas makes use of a variety of techniques. It is important
that you use a variety of techniques, including those involving rational thinking and those
involving creative thinking.
Further refinement of research ideas may be achieved through using a Delphi technique,
conducting a preliminary inquiry and integrating ideas by working these up and narrowing
them down.
A clearly defined research question expresses what your research is about and will become
the focal point of your research project.
A research aim is a brief statement of the purpose of the research project. It is often written
as a sentence stating what you intend to achieve through your research.
Well-formulated research objectives operationalise how you intend to conduct your research
by providing a set of coherent and connected steps to answer your research question.
It will be important to use academic theory to inform your research topic irrespective of the
approach you will use to conduct your research project.
A research proposal is a structured plan of your proposed research project.
A well-thought-out and well-written research proposal has the potential to provide you with a
clear specification of the what, why, how, when and where of your research project.
, Chapter 3
Critically reviewing the literature is necessary to help you to develop a thorough
understanding of, and insight into, previous work that relates to your research question(s)
and objectives.
Your written review will set your research in context by critically discussing and referencing
work that has already been undertaken, drawing out key points and presenting them in a
logically argued way, and highlighting those areas where you will provide fresh insights. It will
lead the reader into subsequent sections of your project report.
There is no one correct structure for a critical review, although it is helpful to think of it as
funnel in which you start at a more general level prior to narrowing down to your specific
research question(s) and objectives.
You are most likely to make use of formally published items (secondary literature) and those
not controlled by commercial publishers (grey literature). Your use of these resources will
depend on your research question(s) and objectives. Some may use only secondary
literature. For others, you may need to locate grey literature as well.
When planning your literature search you need to:
• have a clearly defined research question(s) and research objectives;
• define the parameters of your search;
• generate search terms and phrases;
• discuss your ideas as widely as possible.
Techniques to help you in this include brainstorming and relevance trees.
Your literature search is likely to be undertaken using a variety of approaches in tandem.
These will include:
• searching using online databases and search engines;
• following up references in articles you have already read;
• scanning and browsing books and journals in your university library.
Don’t forget to make precise notes of the search process you have used and their results.
Once obtained, the literature must be evaluated for its relevance and value to your research
question(s) and objectives. Each item must be read and noted. Bibliographic details, a brief
description of the content and appropriate supplementary information should also be
recorded.
For literature reviews focusing on policy or practice questions in particular, you may decide to
use a Systematic Review.
Care should be taken when drafting and redrafting your literature review not to plagiarise the
work of others.
