Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This fully revised and expanded edition of Doing Research in the Real World introduces readers to all the essential aspects of the research process and will be an essential guide to any student on a research methods course.

David Gray′s clear and accessible introduction starts by setting out best approaches to the design of appropriate research tools, and leads the reader in to issues of data collection, analysis and writing up. Practically focused throughout, this book encourages the reader to develop an awareness of the real nature of research, and the many means by which data can be collected, validated and interpreted.

Gray′s book will help students with the full research process and covers:

- How to select appropriate projects and research questions

- How to decide on the most effective research design strategies

- How to select and use appropriate data and literature sources

- How to choose and implement methods of data collection

- How to analyse and present data in a coherent and effective manner.

This new edition provides five new chapters on:

- Research Ethics

- Searching, Reviewing and Using the Literature

- Research Design using Qualitative Methods

- Mixed Methods research designs,

- Planning presentations and passing vivas.

In addition a wide variety of case studies and activities and new practical ′Top Tips′ for the discerning researcher have been incorporated.

Written in a lively and accessible way Doing Research in the Real World can be used as a set text on an introductory methods course and can be used as an essential resource for students and researchers completing research projects across the Social Sciences, Education and Business Studies.

The book will be accompanied by a companion website, featuring tutor′s notes, powerpoint slides, downloadable additional readings and weblinks.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Introduction
• Part 1 Principles And Planning For Research
• Theoretical Perspectives and Research Methodologies
• Selecting and Planning Research Proposals and Projects
• Research Ethics
• Searching, Reviewing and Using the Literature
• Part 2 Research Methodology
• Research Design: Quantitative Methods
• Research Design: Qualitative Methods
• Research Design: Mixed Methods
• Designing Descriptive and Analytical Surveys
• Designing Case Studies
• Designing Evaluations
• Action Research and Change
• Part 3 Data Collection Methods
• Collecting Primary Data: Questionnaires
• Collecting Primary Data: Interviewing
• Collecting Primary Data: Observation
• Collecting Primary Data: Unobtrusive Measures
• Part 4 Analysis And Report Writing
• Analysing and Presenting Quantitative Data
• Analysing and Presenting Qualitative Data
• Writing up the Research
• Preparing for Presentations and Vivas

Author notes provided by Syndetics

David Gray was Professor of Leadership and Organisational Behaviour at the University of Greenwich. His research interests, and publication record, included research methods, management learning (particularly coaching and mentoring), professional identity, action learning, reflective learning, management learning in SMEs and the factors that contribute to SME success. He published books and articles on research methods, organizational learning, and coaching and mentoring. David led a number of EU-funded research programmes including one examining the impact of coaching on the resilience of unemployed managers in their job-searching behaviours and another on how action learning can sustain unemployed managers in starting their own business. He also completed a global survey into the professional identity of coaches.