Week 1.1 CBEB /2011 CBEB Week 1 Introduction to the course and business and management research – Chapter 1

Week 1.2 CBEB /2011 Introduction to CBEB 2105 Lecturer E-learning at or / / Course content Assessment Online student resources

Week 1.3 CBEB /2011 Introduction to the research process Things to consider Realities and pitfalls of research Approaches, strategies and methods Techniques and procedures for data collection and analysis Appropriate use of information technology

Week 1.4 CBEB /2011 Terminology Methods - The techniques and procedures used to obtain data Methodology - The theory of how research should be undertaken Saunders et al. (2009)

Week 1.5 CBEB /2011 The nature of research Definition: ‘Something that people undertake in order to find things out in a systematic way, thereby increasing their knowledge’ Saunders et al. (2009) Characteristics: Data are collected systematically Data are interpreted systematically There is a clear purpose to find things out

Week 1.6 CBEB /2011 Features of business and management research (1) Managers draw on knowledge from other disciplines Managers are more likely to allow access if they see commercial or personal advantage Managers now tend to be as educated as the researchers Managers require research to have some practical consequence Easterby-Smith et al. (2008)

Week 1.7 CBEB /2011 Features of business and management research (1) Key debates Knowledge production – (Modes 1, 2 and 3 knowledge) The ‘relevance gap’ ‘Evidence based’ management Basic and applied research

Week 1.8 CBEB /2011 Features of business and management research (2) Basic and applied research Sources: authors’ experience; Easterby-Smith et al. (2008); Hedrick et al. (1993) Figure 1.1 Basic and applied research

Week 1.9 CBEB /2011 The research process (1) Stages of the research process Formulating and clarifying a topic Reviewing the literature Designing the research Collecting data Analysing data Writing up Based on Figure 1.2: Saunders et al. (2009)

Week 1.10 CBEB /2011 The research process (2) Factors to consider The impact of your personal feelings and beliefs Access to data Time and other resources Validity and reliability of the data Ethical issues

Week 1.11 CBEB /2011 Purpose of the book To help you undertake research by being Clear about what you are doing Why you are doing it The associated implications of what you are about to do

Week 1.12 CBEB /2011 Overview of the Chapters (1) Tutorials for data analysis software Smarter Online Searching Guide Terminology that is defined and explained Examples of research projects Checklists for focused guidance

Week 1.13 CBEB /2011 Overview of the Chapters (2) Each Chapter contains: A summary of key points Self- check questions – and answers Review and discussion questions References and further reading A case study that highlights real research issues

Week 1.14 CBEB /2011 Final Sections Bibliography Appendices Glossary Index

Week 1.15 CBEB /2011 Summary: Chapter 1 Business and management research Is transdisciplinary Engages with both theory and practice Involves undertaking systematic research Should be undertaken with rigour

Week 1.16 CBEB /2011 Summary: Chapter 1 The book acts as a guide to the research process by providing: a series of research examples checklists to help you acquire relevant knowledge review and discussion questions self-check questions - and answers guidance as you generate material for your project report

Week 1.17 CBEB /2011 And finally…….. “there is no one best way for undertaking all research” Saunders et al. (2009)

Week 1.18 CBEB /2011 Formulating and clarifying the research topic – Chapter 2

Week 1.19 CBEB /2011 Cat & Alice… ‘Would you tell me please, which way I ought to walk from here?’ ‘That depends a good deal on where you want to get to’, said the Cat. ‘I don’t much care where’, said Alice. ‘Then it doesn’t matter which way you walk’, said the Cat.

Week 1.20 CBEB /2011 Formulating and clarifying your research topic The important steps Identifying the attributes of a good research topic Generating ideas that help you select a suitable topic Turning ideas into clear research questions and objectives Writing your research proposal

Week 1.21 CBEB /2011 Attributes of a good research topic (1) Capability: is it feasible? Are you fascinated by the topic? Do you have the necessary research skills? Can you complete the project in the time available? Will the research still be current when you finish? Do you have sufficient financial and other resources? Will you be able to gain access to data?

Week 1.22 CBEB /2011 Attributes of a good research topic (2) Appropriateness: is it worthwhile? Will the examining institute's standards be met? Does the the topic contain issues with clear links to theory? Are the research questions and objectives clearly stated? Will the proposed research provide fresh insights into the topic? Are the findings likely to be symmetrical? Does the research topic match your career goals?

Week 1.23 CBEB /2011 Attributes of a good research topic (3) And - (if relevant) Does the topic relate clearly to an idea you were given - possibly by your organisation/lecturer?

Week 1.24 CBEB /2011 Generating research ideas Useful Techniques Rational thinking Creative thinking Searching the literature Scanning the media BrainstormingRelevance Trees Exploring past projects Discussion Keeping an ideas notebook

Week 1.25 CBEB /2011 Refining research ideas Using the Delphi Technique Conducting a preliminary study Continually testing out your ideas Integrating ideas Refining topics given to you by your organisation

Week 1.26 CBEB /2011 Writing research questions Write research questions that are Consistent with expected standards Able to produce clear conclusions At the right level ( not too difficult ) Not too descriptive Use the ‘Goldilocks Test’ (too big, too small, too hot, just right) Clough and Nutbrown (2002)

Week 1.27 CBEB /2011 Turning ideas into research projects (1) Examples of research ideas and their derived focus questions Table 2.2 Examples of research ideas and their derived focus research questions

Week 1.28 CBEB /2011 Turning ideas into research projects (2) Other research idea examples? Online learning and students’ self-efficacy – In what ways the e-learning has facilitated students to enhance their learning capabilities? The use of social online communities – What effect has the growth of online communities had on the traditional ways of communication among students?

Week 1.29 CBEB /2011 Turning ideas into research projects (2) Useful techniques Start with a general focus question Use the ‘Russian Doll’ principle to reach the essence of the question Discuss areas of interest with your tutor

Week 1.30 CBEB /2011 Turning ideas into research projects (3) Writing clear research objectives Check your examining body’s preferences for stated objectives Use a general focus question to achieve precise objectives Saunders et al. (2009)

Week 1.31 CBEB /2011 Research Qs vs Research Objectives Why students use online communities networking eg. Facebook, Myspace, Twitter? To identify the objectives for students to use online communities. How effective are these communities in promoting discussion among students? To identify the features of the online communities that enable communication among students. How the effectiveness of online communities be explained? To determine the factors associated with the effectiveness of online communities for students discussions

Week 1.32 CBEB /2011 Turning ideas into research projects (4) Include SMART Personal objectives S pecific M easurable A chievable R ealistic T imely

Week 1.33 CBEB /2011 The importance of theory Asking for opinions and gathering facts – 'what' questions (descriptive research) Using questions that go beyond description and require analysis – 'why' questions Phillips and Pugh (2005) In order to: Explain phenomenaAnalyse relationships Predict outcomesCompare and generalise

Week 1.34 CBEB /2011 Threefold typology of theories Grand, middle range and substantive theories Creswell (2002) Figure 2.1 Grand, middle-range and substantive theories

Week 1.35 CBEB /2011 Writing your research proposal Purposes of the research proposal To organise your ideas To convince your audience To contract with your client (your tutor) To meet ethical requirements

Week 1.36 CBEB /2011 Content of your research proposal (1) Title - likely to change during the process Background - context within the literature Research questions and objectives - what you seek to achieve

Week 1.37 CBEB /2011 Content of your research proposal (2) Method - can be in two parts: research design and data collection Timescale and Resources - (finance, data access, equipment) References - include some key literature sources

Week 1.38 CBEB /2011 Evaluating research proposals How the components of the proposal fit together Viability of the proposal Absence of preconceived ideas

Week 1.39 CBEB /2011 Summary: Chapter 2 The best research topics Formulate and clarify the topic Meet the requirements of the examining body Use a variety of techniques when generating research ideas Are focused on clear questions based on relevant literature

Week 1.40 CBEB /2011 Summary: Chapter 2 The best research topics Are theory dependent Have a proposal containing organised ideas Tell the reader: What will be done and why How it will be achieved

Week 1.41 CBEB /2011 What you need to do… Get the recommended text Prepare for Week 2 lecture – read Chapter 3 Prepare for Tutorial – form groups, research idea, research topic, questions and objective Download and read the following articles: Starkey, K. and Madan, P. (2001). ‘Bridging the relevance gap: aligning stakeholders in the future of management research’. British Journal of Management, Vol. 12, Special Issue, pp. 3–26. Sutton, R. and Staw, B. (1995). ‘What theory is not’. Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol. 40, Issue 3, pp