Doing Research in the Real World

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

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.

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.