A workbook on the process of writing research and the journey a dissertation researcher has to take. Underlying themes are scholarship, thinking and writing.

Aimed at students completing Master's degrees, doctoral candidates and also supervisors of research.

For many years Research at grass roots: for the social sciences and human services professions supported social sciences researchers and human services professionals with a comprehensive, local and easy-to-use research guide. The work in this updated and expanded edition continues to assist novice researchers as well as more experienced researchers, postgraduate students and academics with a range of methodological decisions required in planning, designing, executing and reporting on their research endeavours.

Although many salient features of the previous four successful editions have been retained, exciting new features have been added, including material to support lecturers who teach research courses. The unique structure of the book, consisting of different sections highlighting methodological decisions common to both the qualitative and quantitative approaches, those unique to qualitative and quantitative research and those which combine these approaches, have been developed from decades of work with postgraduate students and practitioner-researchers. New content includes a focus on the growing impetus of ethical conduct in research with human participants; debates and developments in the field of big data sets; and the latest trends in thematic and narrative inquiry, as well as contemporary data collection methods.

Social science researchers in the global South, and in South Africa particularly, utilise research methods in innovative ways in order to respond to contexts characterised by diversity, racial and political tensions, socioeconomic disparities and gender inequalities. These methods often remain undocumented – a gap that this book starts to address.

Written by experts from various methodological fields, Transforming Research Methods in the Social Sciences is a comprehensive collation of original essays and cutting-edge research that demonstrates the variety of novel techniques and research methods available to researchers responding to these context-bound issues. It is particularly relevant for study and research in the fields of applied psychology, sociology, ethnography, biography and anthropology. In addition to their unique combination of conceptual and application issues, the chapters also include discussions on ethical considerations relevant to the method in similar global South contexts.

Transforming Research Methods in the Social Sciences has much to offer to researchers, professionals and others involved in social science research both locally and internationally.

Research matters is an introductory research title aimed at undergraduate students. In an accessible and comprehensive manner, it explains research in its entirety to the novice researcher.

The book aims at equipping the inexperienced researcher with the necessary skills and confidence to tackle the research process. The chapters provide a theoretical underpinning and an overview of the three most common research paradigms and how these paradigms impact on the way in which researchers conduct their research.

Qualitative and quantitative methods are covered in detail as are the practicalities of referencing, proposal and report writing, and determining the limitations of research. The important topic of ethics in research is also included.

In the Fourth Edition of this bestselling book, John W Creswell and new co-author Cheryl N Poth explore the philosophical underpinnings, history and key elements of each of five qualitative inquiry traditions: narrative research, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography and case study - putting them side by side, so that we can see the differences. They relate research designs to each of the traditions of enquiry and provide strategies for writing introductions to studies, collecting data, analyzing data, writing a narrative and verifying results.

It is critical that the wellbeing of society is systematically tracked by indicators that not only give an accurate picture of human life today but also provide a window into the future for all of us. This book presents impactful findings from international longitudinal studies that respond to the United Nations' Agenda 2030 commitment to "leave no-one behind". Contributors explore a wide range and complexity of pressing global issues, with emphasis given to excluded and vulnerable populations and gender inequality. Importantly, it sets out actionable strategies for policymakers and practitioners to help strengthen the global Sustainable Development Goals framework, accelerate their implementation and improve the construction of effective public policy.

Research methods can be a daunting topic - Researching Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality for your Dissertation is a unique text that takes away the stress, worry and confusion by providing a step-by-step, user friendly guide to all you need to know to successfully research and compile your dissertation. Researching Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality for your Dissertation provides a discussion of quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods approaches, looking at key differences and similarities. A critical evaluation of these different research approaches is provided and, importantly, a discussion on selecting the appropriate approach(es) for your dissertation, including a discussion and evaluation of mixed methods research. It takes the reader from the initial idea and topics, through to lit reviews, methodology, presenting and analysing results and successfully making conclusions. Unlike other texts available, the text includes case studies based on the author's own research to demonstrate different research approaches and techniques, providing an opportunity for criticism and a discussion on 'learning from mistakes.' Divided into 7 chapters Researching Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality for your Dissertation discusses: * Developing your research topic - including the ethics statement; * Literature review - how to do it and how to get the most from it; * Methodology - which approach (es) are most suitable, with clear links between ontology, epistemology and methodology and how these concepts relate to the actual dissertation; * Presenting Results - how this can be done clearly and coherently * Analysing and Discussing Results - whether they are qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods; * Conclusions: your findings, your limitations and your recommendations. A must-have text for all students on how best to conduct research, compile your findings and to present them in the resulting dissertation. Peter Mason is Professor of Tourism Management, Bedfordshire University, Visiting Professor of Tourism, London South Bank University and has a fractional position as Lecturer, London Metropolitan University.

Taking a multidisciplinary approach, this comprehensive Handbook comprises contributions from international researchers of diverse educational and research backgrounds. Chapters present methodological issues within marketing research, sharing the researchers' experiences of what does and does not work, as well as discussing challenges and avenues for innovation. Divided into four parts covering quantitative and qualitative research approaches, mixed-methods approaches, and critical issues regarding how research is conducted, the Handbook offers guidance for all marketing researchers. This guidance includes insights on scale development, necessary condition analysis, experimental design, visual research methods, phenomenology and mobile ethnography. Chapters also consider recent advances in marketing research methods, legal aspects of marketing research, research ethics and how a forensic science framework can be used in marketing research. Generating wider methodological debates, this Handbook will be a valuable resource for researchers and students of marketing, as well as scholars interested in research methods in the business and management field. Its practical recommendations will also be beneficial for marketing practitioners interested in research.

This innovative Handbook explores the complexity of cultural, conceptual and definitional issues surrounding research into organisational culture, outlining the varied frameworks and theories that underpin the field. International contributors present a broad range of qualitative and quantitative research methods that can be used in organisational culture measurement. They explore topics of special contemporary interest, such as high performance cultures, corporate entrepreneurship, organisational culture in nonprofits and safety culture, unpacking the textured relationships between leadership style, organisational culture and organisational outcomes. Highlighting key implications for organisational values and ethical climate, the Handbook provides practical guidance on how to move from culture assessment to action and improvement. Offering a critical outline for measurement approaches and tools, this Handbook is crucial reading for researchers and students of organisation studies, particularly those focusing on culture and leadership of organisations. It also provides practical insights for business consultants and senior management teams, proposing methods and frameworks for developing positive organisational cultures to improve the productivity, performance and quality of businesses.

Good writing skills and habits are critical for scholarly success. Every article is a story, and employing the techniques of effective storytelling enhances scholars' abilities to share their insights and ideas, increasing the impact of their research. This book draws on the tools and techniques of storytelling employed in fiction and non-fiction writing to help academic writers enhance the clarity, presentation, and flow of their scholarly work. Timothy Pollock describes the structure, techniques and tools of storytelling, and shows the reader how to apply them in writing the Introduction, Theory and Hypotheses, Methods and Results, and Discussion sections of an article. He also describes how these sections differ for qualitative and theory papers, and addresses how to manage the writing, coauthoring and review processes. In addition, he explains how to use storytelling when writing grant proposals, research statements and cover letters. This book is an invaluable tool for academics at all levels across the business and social science disciplines. 'If you want your scholarly work to be read, admired, and remembered, you should dive into this book. Tim Pollock has done us an immense service. By integrating classical concepts from the narrative and dramatic arts, along with numerous juicy examples from the world of academic writing, Pollock provides us a fun, valuable story about storytelling.' - Donald C. Hambrick, The Pennsylvania State University, US

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. Herbert Kritzer presents a clear introduction to the history, methods and substance of empirical legal research (ELR). Quantitative methods dominate in empirical legal research, but an important segment of the field draws on qualitative methods, such as semi-structured interviews and observation. In this book both methodologies are explored alongside systematic data analysis. Offering an overview of the broad ELR literature, the institutions of the law, the central actors of the law, and the subjects of the law are each addressed in this highly readable account that will be essential reading for legal researchers. Key features include: Summaries of the history of empirical legal research A clear introduction to methods in empirical legal research Coverage of both quantitative and qualitative methods and research A readable guide to the impact and rationale of different methodologies. This relatively short book provides an invaluable quick introduction for students, scholars, legal professionals and policy professionals.

This stimulating and challenging book provides a guide to reflexivity and reflexive practice, explaining its relevance to research in management, organisation studies and the social sciences. Rooted in the latest research, case studies and the author's personal experience, the book builds a new perspective on reflexive practice involving bodily, emotional, rational and relational insights. Paul Hibbert draws on personal experience, using the examples of his doctoral research and an advanced collaborative research project as case studies, to demonstrate how reflexive practice plays out in a range of research contexts. Each chapter includes dialogue points to encourage the reader to form their own opinions in response to the author's point of view. Offering prospects for research that incorporates personal learning, growth and development, How to be a Reflexive Researcher also explores avenues of future research on reflexivity and reflexive practice. The book concludes that reflexive practice is not simply a research skill but is instead integral to the scholarly way of life. Providing a comprehensive treatment of reflexive practice, this book will be a useful guide for scholars and students of business and management and the social sciences more broadly, especially those with an interest in qualitative and interpretive research approaches.

Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary. With contributions from global leading scholars, this Research Agenda offers an interdisciplinary collection of ideas investigating gender and leadership; where we are today and where we are going. Using critical perspectives, chapters challenge the way we think about gender and leadership by questioning the status quo. Providing cutting edge discussion from authors of diverse genders, races, ages, ethnicities, and religions, this book provides analysis of the key issues and methodologies in modern leadership research. Forward thinking, it examines current guidelines and provides insight towards an equitable and positive change in leadership. Leadership scholars and graduate students interested in business leadership as well as gender and management more broadly will find this not only an informative but an illuminating read.

Providing an authoritative assessment of the current landscape of spatial analysis in the social sciences, this cutting-edge Handbook covers the full range of standard and emerging methods across the social science domain areas in which these methods are typically applied. Accessible and comprehensive, it expertly answers the key questions regarding the dynamic intersection of spatial analysis and the social sciences. The chapters are split into insightful sections dedicated to foundational background material, methods, social science applications and the challenges on the horizon, using state-of-the-art coverage of the traditional and novel spatial methods. Leading scholars in the field use a range of applications to illustrate the diverse ways in which spatial analysis methods can inform research in the field of social sciences. Furthermore, the Handbook discusses the key challenges to that research including uncertainty, reproducibility and replicability. This Handbook of Spatial Analysis in the Social Sciences will be an excellent informative resource for scholars in the fields of geography, social sciences and public health. Established and early career researchers of the social sciences alike will appreciate the detailed overview of the methods and applications as well as the ability to expand their methodological knowledge.

A handbook designed to help the appraiser in selecting phrases and words that accurately describe a broad range of critical rating factors.

Capturing years of innovation within contemporary action research, Hilary Bradbury highlights where action research for transformations (ART) is directed: towards responding to climate change and achieving global sustainability goals. Paying particular attention to social justice, the book brings together the human and social sciences, exploring the impact action research can make. Chapters introduce a metamodel and quality choicepoints around which pioneering techniques are displayed. Illustrated with rich personal cases throughout, the book examines agents of change who are also subjects of change. With a strong relational focus, the book also utilizes these cases to show how a broad uptake of ART for policy, health and social care, education, and management looks in practice. This book will be a vital tool for social science researchers looking to better understand social science as a participatory practice, as well as the methods and importance of action research. Community organizers, policy makers and activists seeking to become more active in realizing a more sustainable world will also find this to be an invigorating read.

How can an organisation, public or private, ensure that it always operates in top form and, at the very least, meets the objectives for which it was established? The answer lies in the availability of factually correct, dependable and appropriate data. Obtaining such data is what this publication is about. Introduction to research offers a step-by-step approach to the fundamentals of research. Introduction to research guides the novice researcher through the research process, including how to choose the appropriate research methodology and how to adhere to the standards for conducting ethical research. It provides a synopsis of the entire research process, including the formulation of a research proposal. Introduction to research is aimed at all students and researchers, across a variety of disciplines.

This innovative Handbook explores the complexity of cultural, conceptual and definitional issues surrounding research into organisational culture, outlining the varied frameworks and theories that underpin the field. International contributors present a broad range of qualitative and quantitative research methods that can be used in organisational culture measurement. They explore topics of special contemporary interest, such as high performance cultures, corporate entrepreneurship, organisational culture in nonprofits and safety culture, unpacking the textured relationships between leadership style, organisational culture and organisational outcomes. Highlighting key implications for organisational values and ethical climate, the Handbook provides practical guidance on how to move from culture assessment to action and improvement. Offering a critical outline for measurement approaches and tools, this Handbook is crucial reading for researchers and students of organisation studies, particularly those focusing on culture and leadership of organisations. It also provides practical insights for business consultants and senior management teams, proposing methods and frameworks for developing positive organisational cultures to improve the productivity, performance and quality of businesses.

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. Drawing on historical, normative, theoretical, and economic methodologies, Pier Giuseppe Monateri offers a fresh critical analysis of various dimensions of comparative law methods. Comprehensive and engaging with a multidisciplinary approach, this Advanced Introduction spans the fields of comparative legal studies, law and finance and global law. Key features include: uses analysis of current issues to offer a genuinely advanced perspective use of theory for evaluating methods and approaches in comparative law a comprehensive treatment of the main themes and approaches in comparative law discussions. This insightful Advanced Introduction will be an excellent resource for both law students and scholars alike. It will also be a useful guide for those working in international law, as well as law clerks and legal advisors. Professor Emeritus, Kent Law School, UK

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. In this carefully drafted work, Ernst Hirsch Ballin uncovers the foundations of legal research methods, an area of legal scholarship distinctly lacking in standardisation. Offering a critical overview of the theories underlying methodological research, as well as the methods themselves, the book explores how such methods differ along critical, empirical, and fundamental lines, and how, by building on these approaches, legal research may contribute to well-considered developments in the law. Such explorative research, the author argues, is crucial in overcoming crises and restoring trust in the law. Key features include: an exploration of the common object of legal research: law in the sense of legal rules, decisions, principles and values special emphasis on the legal-grammatical category of personhood and on constitutional foundations a consideration of law as a normative language intended to guide behaviour a consideration of the theoretical underpinnings of legal research methods. This Advanced Introduction will greatly benefit legal scholars who seek to understand the object and methods of their work, as well as law and philosophy students looking to grasp the theoretical and methodological foundations of law and legal development.

Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary. Leveraging the knowledge gained from knowledge management and from the growing fields of Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI), this Research Agenda highlights the research gaps, issues, applications, challenges and opportunities related to Knowledge Management (KM). Exploring synergies between KM and emerging technologies, leading international scholars and practitioners examine KM from a multidisciplinary perspective, demonstrating the ways in which knowledge sharing worldwide can be enhanced in order to better society and improve organisational performance. Chapters investigate KM as it applies to business, library and information science, enterprise-wide strategies, innovation, privacy and data, measurement, Analytics, and AI, before summarising the lessons learned and best practices for future research. A Research Agenda for Knowledge Management and Analytics will be a key resource for students, academics and practitioners working in the fields of KM and Analytics, helping the academics of the future to build on existing successes and identify ways to further develop the field.

Organisations across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors require active Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) policies and programs, and are increasingly subject to meeting legislative standards around the DEI principles of equal opportunity, anti-discrimination, and human rights. Bringing together more than 20 insightful contributions from a diverse range of researchers, this dynamic Field Guide examines the theories, practices, and policies of diversity management. Reflective of its purpose to illustrate the breadth of DEI research, the Field Guide features a diversity of perspectives from early career and postgraduate researchers through to established scholars. Chapters cover a broad spectrum of personal demographics linked to DEI, exploring age, gender, disability, sexuality, and migrant status throughout both advanced and emerging economies, as well as analysing how the intersectionality of individual factors may reinforce advantage and disadvantage. Expansive and innovative, the book expertly integrates empirical case studies with cutting-edge research processes. The broad scope of research field approaches, methods, and tips featured in this Field Guide will be of significant interest to undergraduate and postgraduate students of human resources management and development. Researchers from business, NGOs, and the public sector will also receive critical insights on diversity management in a range of national and micro-organisational contexts.

Although there are many books about research and research methods in education and the social sciences, very few focus specifically on critically reading research that has been completed by others. When reading and thinking about published research, it is useful to understand the complexity of what is involved in the process of research and how it is presented. Understanding research: an introduction to reading research aims to introduce key concepts through the use of simple language to promote better understanding, build on South African as well as international examples and case studies, and develop the conceptual knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate research carefully and critically. Understanding research is an indispensable guide for all students in the social sciences and education who want to learn more about reading and understanding research.

This Handbook comprehensively explores research methods in public administration, management and policy. Exploring the richness of both traditional and contemporary methods and strategies for making progress in the field, it provides an advanced toolkit for understanding the science of public administration and management in the 21st century. Bringing together leading international academics and experts, contributors focus on innovative research architectures, useful research techniques and best practices for the study of modern bureaucracy and the behaviour of its agents and stakeholders. Chapters look for new frontiers of the discipline with quantitative and qualitative tools and explore empirical studies to support theoretical insights. Each chapter of the Handbook provides specific examples of how these methods are used, enabling a practical understanding of a variety of intellectual paths and techniques for improving the study of modern governance. Comprehensive and enlightening, this Handbook will be essential for academics of public policy and administration looking to enhance their research methods, as well as students learning the basics of research in this field. It will also benefit government experts, civil servants and policymakers who need to better understand how the public sector can benefit from public administration methodologies.