1. MB 450 Choosing a Research Strategy - 1
The Research Process
Choosing a Topic
Writing the Proposal
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2. The Purpose of Business & Management Research
involves undertaking systematic research to find out things about B&M
‘systematic’ suggests research based on logical relationships and not just beliefs
‘finding out’ suggest a multiplicity of possible purposes:
describing
explaining
understanding
criticising
analysing
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3. Three Distinctive Characteristics
The way in which managers (& researchers) draw on knowledge developed by other disciplines
Managers tend to be powerful and busy people - unlikely to allow research access unless personal or commercial advantages
Management requires both thought & action - research needs to incorporate this
(Easterby-Smith et al, 1991)
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4. The Purpose of Academic Vs. Applied Research
expand knowledge of processes of B&M
results in universal principles relating to the process & its relationship to outcomes
findings of significance & value to society in general
improve understanding of particular B&M problem
results in solution to problem
new knowledge limited to problem
findings of practical relevance & value to managers in organisations
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5. The Research Sequence IDENTIFY BROAD AREA SELECT TOPIC DECIDE APPROACH
FORMULATE PLAN
COLLECT INFORMATION
ANALYSE DATA
PRESENT FINDINGS
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6. Attributes of a Good Research Topic
to satisfy assessment criteria
your capability
research skills
genuine interest
resources: financial/time
access to data
relation to theory / fresh insights
clearly defined research question & objectives
symmetry of potential outcomes
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7. Checklist of Attributes of a Good Research Topic
Does the topic fit criteria for examining institution?
Does the topic really fascinate you?
Does it contain issues that have strong links to theory?
Can you develop the research skills?
Is it achievable within the available time& resources?
Can you get access to the data?
Can you state your research question & objectives clearly?
Will it provide fresh insights on this topic?
Are the findings likely to be symmetrical?

8. Generating Research Topics
Rational Thinking
Creative Thinking
Examining own strengths & interests
Looking at past research projects
Discussion
Searching the literature
Keeping a notebook of ideas
Exploring personal preferences using past research projects
Relevance trees
Brainstorming
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9. Research-Focusing Techniques
identifying your research questions or hypotheses
who, how, what, when or why?
defining the key concepts, issues and contexts
concepts label ideas ie management decision making, gender, organisational development
issues are broad underlying questions ie relation of pay to staff motivation
contexts comprise the background of existing research & knowledge
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10. Research-Focusing Techniques
balancing the topic & the broader field
a detailed study should be set within the context of the broader field of study
sketching a research outline or proposal
note of sections/chapters with subheadings & details
explaining to a non-specialist
informal piloting
interviews with friends, observation studies
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11. Research Idea & Derived Questions
Research Question
The sponsorship of county cricket clubs by commercial orgs.
The adoption by manufacturing cos of flexible workforces
The loss of mutuality status by building societies & the effect on the future of the industry
The future of trade unions
What benefit do commercial orgs derive form their sponsorship of cricket clubs?
Why do manufacturing cos divide their workforces into core and peripheral workers?
Will the loss of mutuality status by building socs lead to them offering less attractive terms to borrowers & savers than mutual socs
What are the strategies that trade unions should adopt to ensure their future into the next century?

12. Research Proposal Title Background Research Questions and Objectives
Methodology
research design
data collection
Timescale
Resources
References
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13. The Research Process Hypothesis/ Research Question Concepts Evidence
(Literature) (Fieldwork)
Evaluation
Discussion
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14. A Typical Dissertation Structure
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15. Outlines Models Mind Mapping -1 Mind Mapping -2
Getting Started
Outlines
Models
Mind Mapping -1
Mind Mapping -2
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