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Management Research: Full Notes Taken from Postgraduate Course
Researching and Writing a Literature Review
Research paper or dissertation structure:
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Introduction/background
Literature review/theoretical framework
Methodology/methods
Results/data
Discussion
Conclusion

Reasons for reviewing the literature:
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To conduct a 'preliminary' search of existing materials
To organise valuable ideas and findings
To identify other research that may be in progress
To generate research ideas
To develop a critical perspective

Short list a paper by reading the abstract and then the conclusion if you have access
In the proposal you don't have any outcome
How to focus your literature review
Your role as a detective:
Your job is to narrow down the range of your search for relevant literature
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2
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4
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To investigate analyses
To critical
What is the impact
To look at the affect
Tourism is responsible

SMART Objectives:

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Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time

Other aspects:
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Durarion
Methodology
Activity plan
Analysis of data
How to report the results - format etc
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Not just something that occurs at the beginning of a research project/prior fieldwork
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Major Approaches to ethics
Deontological - use as a universal code when making ethical decisions
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when the end justifies the means'
Rule - 'codes of conduct'
Situation - 'each case on relative merits'
If using a survey make sure you out all of the details of yourself, the supervisor and the
project on the front page
The nature of participant consent
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Lack of consent
Inferred consent
Informed consent

What is Qualitative Research
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Qualitative researchers study things in their natural settings, trying to make sense of
phenomena in terms of the meanings people bring to them
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The intention is to gather (more) rich, in depth data about fewer subjects than with
quantative approaches
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Data gathered tends to be presented in the respondents own words - quotes
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Individuals
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Certain experiences
Experiences in particular settings
Identities such as student disabilities, ex-con

Some key qualitative research methods
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Interviews
Focus groups
Ethnography
Content analysis
Visual analysis

Qualitative versus quantitative sampling
Quantitative sampling
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Select elements representative of target population
Generalise from sample population
Make claims about the population

Sampling
Make choices that narrow or deli it research focus and activities to a level that:
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Researchers brain can handle
Can be done in a reseat able amount of time
Is within a reasonable budget
Seek exposure to topics related information

Focus only on information directly relevant to the subject
Data
Text is generally collected from or in the form of:
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Field notes stories
Interviews
Focus groups

Analysing Qualitative Data
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Research themes

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Coding
Content analysis
Using quotes

Quantitative Paradigm
'An inquiry into a social or human problem based in testing a theory composed of variables,
measured with numbers, and analysed with statistical procedures, in order to determine
whether the predictive generalisations of theory hold true
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We
measure them and construct statistical models to explain what we observed
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Goal: prediction, control, conformation test hypotheses

Types:
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Description
Exploration
Analysis
Prediction
Problem solving

Descriptive Research: Seeks to accurately describe current or past phenomena
Analytical/casual research: seeking to explain the reasons behind a particular occurrence by
discovering casual relationships
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The volume of data makes analysis and interpretation time consuming
Issues of anonymity and confidentially can present problems when presenting
findings
Cannot be replicated

How do we do it?

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Create an observational protocol
Gaining an entry the group
Developing and maintaining rapport
Developing a method for taking field notes
Integrating data collection and data analysis
Conduct multiple observations
Summarise at end of each observation

Participant observation
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Participant observation is where 'the researcher attempts to participate fully in the
lives and activities of subjects and thus become a member of the group
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Practicalities of Interviewing
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Informed consent
Location
Recording
Fact sheet

Focus group interviews
Data analysis
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Record data, develop ideas and feelings
Code data, tag items with same meaning using a unique code
Search and extract instances of codes
Indentify patterns among codes
Create figures, tables, or descriptions of patterns

Coding
Strategies for optimising validity
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Triangulation
Thick description
Member checks
Clear audit trail

Research Proposal: An idea of research that you are going to sell
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The process:
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Identify prospective supervisors and discuss your ideas with them
Avoid blanket general emails to several prospective supervisors
Allow plenty of time
Get feedback from your prospective supervisor
Stick to the guidelines and remember the dealine

10 potential pitfalls:
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Too broad

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Lack of constructive alignment
I'll defined objectives
Lack of focus/vagueness
Research design not clear
Poorly conceptualised project
Be unrealistic
Ignore word limits
Prejudge outcomes
Don't have theoretical underpinning

Create a contingency plan
Knowing your audience:
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Layperson
Managerial
Expert

(Muraki, 2009)
Writers determine their audience types by considering:
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Who
What level of information
The context

Writing styles:
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Formal
Informal

Will the audience expect outside sources to be cited?
Will the audience expect personal experience to be used?
Will the audience expect the text to be written in the first person ('I') or in the third person?
Will the audience understand technical term?
Will they expect long explanations or definitions of key terms?
What does the audience know and believe?
What language and tone will my audience respond to?
Is my audience likely to agree or disagree with my point of view?
The answer to this will affect the language you select, the amount of evidence you use, and
the tone you use
What does critical reflection involve?
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Analysing (not simply describing) the design and execution of research

Getting started with writing

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Create time for your writing
Write when your mind is fresh
Find a regular writing place
Set goals and achieve them
Use word processing
Generate a plan
Finish the writing session on a high point
Get friends to read your work

Structuring your research dissertation:
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Introduction
Literature review
Research strategy and methods
Research findings
Discussion
conclusions
Limitation and future research agenda
References

Developing an appropriate writing style:
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Write simple sentences
Avoid jargon
Beware of using large numbers of quotations from the literature
Check your spelling and grammar
Avoid common grammatical errors
Preserve anonymity
Need for continual revision



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