Lecture 1: Business and

management research
Prof. Laila Al Taweel
Reference
RESEARCH METHODS FOR
BUSINESS STUDENTS,
Eighth edition published
2019, Pearson
MARK N.K. SAUNDERS,
PHILIP LEWIS and ADRIAN
THORNHILL
Learning outcomes
• explain the nature of research;
• outline the features of business and management
research;
• place your research project on a basic–applied research
continuum according to its purpose and context;
• understand the stages you will need to complete (and
revisit) as part of your research process;
The nature of research
Research has a number of characteristics:

The purpose, to find out things, is stated clearly

The data are collected systematically

The data are interpreted systematically

 Research as a process that is undertaken in a
systematic way with a clear purpose, to find things out

‘To find out things’

Systematic way’ suggests
suggests there are a
that research is based on
multiplicity of possible
logical relationships and
purposes for your
not just beliefs
research
Business and management
research
 Business and management
research:
as undertaking systematic
research to find out things about
business and management
 Two features are:

the transdisciplinary management research also draws

nature of such research
on knowledge from other
disciplines such as sociology,
psychology and economics which
have differing underlying
assumptions
All business and management research projects can be placed on
a continuum according to their purpose and context

At one extreme of the continuum basic, fundamental or

is research that is undertaken pure research
purely to understand the
processes of business and
management and their outcomes

At the other end is research that is

impactful for practitioner applied research
communities
The research process
 Begin to think
about research

Choose a research topic and

develop
your research proposal

Critically review the

literature
Understand your philosophy
and approach

Formulate your research

design

Negotiate access and address

ethical issues
 Plan your data collection and collect data considering one or more of:
Sampling Secondary Observation Interviews and
Questionnaires
data research diaries

Analyse your data either or both:

Quantitatively Qualitatively

Write your project report

and prepare your presentation

Submit your project report

and give your presentation