The recent growth of interest in the systematic study of management has transformed a once neglected area of research into one that now attracts a huge number of postgraduate students. Despite this, there has been a distinct lack of research guides tailored specifically for management studies.

Designed as a comprehensive introduction to the main phases of a research project, this textbook fills that void. It leads students from the very first stage of initiation through to final publication, considering the nature of research skills and the fundamental elements of the research process, whilst exploring the institutional context in which management research is carried out.

Taking current debates and the surrounding philosophical and strategic issues in hand, this book combines the key theories with the best practical advice to offer a completely rounded introduction to the topic. It includes guidance and specific reference to real management research projects, as well as case examples, activities and further reading lists, and is essential reading for anyone undertaking a management studies research project.

Alan Berkeley Thomas

1. Research Skills and How to Acquire Them 2. What is Research? 3. Ways of Knowing 4. Problem Fields 5. Problem Identification 6. Research Ethics 7. Research Strategies: The Experiment and Survey 8. Research Strategies: The Case Study, Ethnography and Action Research 9. Data Construction by Asking Questions 10. Data Construction by Making Observations 11. Data Construction by Using Documents and Records 12. Data Analysis and Interpretation 13. Writing and Publication