Designing and managing a research project : a business student's guide / Michael Jay Polonsky, David S. Waller.

Revised edition of the authors' Designing and managing a research project published in 2005.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part I. The Foundations : -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Choosing a Topic -- 3. The Role of the Supervisor -- 4. Group Dynamics and the Role of Conflict -- 5. Ethical Considerations -- Part II. Undertaking the Research : -- 6. Planning the Research Project -- 7. Literature Review -- 8. Data Gathering -- 9. Qualitative Data Collection and Issues in Analysis -- 10. Quantitative Data Analysis -- 11. Identifying the Implications Establishing Recommendations -- Part III. Communicating the Results : -- 12. Presenting the Results -- 13. Writing the Report -- 14. Oral Presentations -- 15. Concluding Remarks. -- --

Part I. The Foundations : -- -- 1. Introduction -- What Is Research? -- How a Research Project Fits Within Your Business Education -- Overview of the Book -- Online Support Materials -- Real World Examples -- Case Study -- -- 2. Choosing a Topic -- Has the Topic Been Assigned? -- Steps in Choosing a Topic -- Project Checklist -- Case Study -- -- 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 -- -- 4. Group Dynamics and the Role of Conflict -- Group Work and Conflict -- Positive and Negative Conflict -- General Causes of Conflict -- Conflict Stimulation -- Managing Conflict -- Conclusion -- Project Checklist -- Case Study -- Further Reading -- -- 5. Ethical Considerations -- What Is Human Intervention? -- Codes of Ethical Conduct/Practice -- Ethical Philosophies -- Ethical Issues to Consider -- Plagiarism, Academic Fraud and Misrepresenting the Results -- Technology Issues -- Conclusion -- Project Checklist -- Case Study -- -- Part II. Undertaking the Research : -- -- 6. Planning the Research Project -- Importance of Planning -- The Research Process -- The Research Proposal -- Managing the Research Process -- Budgeting -- Conclusion -- Project Checklist -- Case Study -- -- 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 -- -- 8. Data Gathering -- Factors to Evaluate Data-Gathering Methods -- Types of Research Data -- Secondary Data -- Primary Data -- Mixed Methods -- Sampling Methods -- Research Errors -- Conclusion -- Project Checklist -- Case Study -- Appendix 8.1. Statistical Agencies -- -- 9. Qualitative Data Analysis -- Qualitative Data Collection Methods -- Implementation -- Analysis and Interpretation -- Conclusion -- Project Checklist -- Case Study -- -- 10. Quantitative Data Analysis -- Hypotheses, Errors, and Significance -- Empirically Examining Data -- Basic Analysis -- Basic Associations -- Basic Causal Relationships -- Introducing Advanced Techniques -- Conclusion -- Project Checklist -- Glossary -- Case Study -- Further Reading -- -- 11. Establishing Recommendations -- Describing the Results -- Discussion and Interpretation -- Research Implications -- Recommendation Guidelines -- Limitations -- Future Research -- Project Checklist -- Case Study -- -- Part III. Communicating the Results : -- -- 12. Presenting the Results -- Ways to Present Research Findings -- Numerical Tables -- APA Style -- Charts and Graphs -- Pictures -- Maps -- Quotations -- Conclusion -- Project Checklist -- Case Study -- -- 13. Writing the Report -- Written Communication -- When to Write? -- Types of Reports -- Structure of a Project Report -- APA Standards -- Conclusion -- Project Checklist -- Case Study -- -- 14. Oral Presentations -- Before the Presentation -- The Presentation -- Wrapping Up -- Groups and Group Members in Presentations -- Video Presentations -- Conclusion -- Project Checklist -- Case Study -- -- 15. Concluding Remarks -- Some Final Hints for Those Undertaking a Project -- Case Study (Epilogue).

"Designing and Managing a Research Project: A Business Student's Guide, Third Edition 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. Unique to this book is the inclusion of chapters on topics such as supervision, group work and ethics, and both qualitative and quantitative data analysis, with links provided to a range of online resources, as well as examples from student projects."--Publisher's website.