1. Management Research: Philosophy and Design
BAM Doctoral Conference
9th September 2013
Professor Mark Easterby-Smith

2. Aims of the Session
To build up a model for looking at research philosophies.
To consider how philosophies can effect the design and conduct of research projects.

3. Research Philosophies: A Grid
Detached
Realism
Conventionalism
Involved

4. Ontology and Epistemology
Realism
Internal Realism
Relativism
Nominalism
Single truth
Truth is obscure
Many truths
No truth
Facts exist to be revealed
Facts exist but are hard to uncover
Facts depend on view of observer
Facts are all created
Epistemology
Positivism
Constructionism

5. Epistemology and Methodology
Strong Positivism
Positivism
Con-
structionism
Strong Construction-ism
Aims
Discovery
Exposure
Convergence
Invention
Starting points
Hypotheses
Propositions
Questions
Critique
Designs
Experiments
Large surveys
Cases and small surveys
Engagement
Data types
Numbers & data
Numbers and words
Words and numbers
Words; experiences
Analysis
Verification & falsification
Correlation
Triangulation
Sense making; understanding
Outcomes
Confirm theories
Test and generate theories
Theory generation
Insights and actions

6. Bibliography
Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R. and Jackson, P. (2012, 4th Edn) Management Research. London: Sage.
Reason, P and Bradbury, H. (2000) Handbook of Action Research: Participative Inquiry and Practice. London: Sage.
Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2009, 5th Edn) Research Methods for Business Students. London: Prentice Hall
Strauss, A.L. and Corbin, J. (1998, 2nd Edn) Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory. London: Sage.
Yin, R.E.(2002, 3rd Edn) Case Study Research: Design and Methods. London: Sage.