Research Methods forBusiness Students全套教案課件

ResearchMethodsforBusinessStudents主講：蔡晴云廈門(mén)大學(xué)國(guó)際學(xué)院廈門(mén)大學(xué)國(guó)際學(xué)院Contact:Email:caiqy@Office:B506-3，Block2,KunLuanBuildingConsultationHours:Tuesdays:9:40–11:40Wednesdays:9:40–11:40廈門(mén)大學(xué)國(guó)際學(xué)院InformationTextbooks:“ResearchMethodsforBusinessStudents”Fifthedition,byMarkSaunders,PhilipLewis,AdrianThornhill,PrenticeHall,2009References:廈門(mén)大學(xué)國(guó)際學(xué)院MaterialsClassparticipationPresence,presentation,performanceHomeworkAssignment,Tutorial,TestProject廈門(mén)大學(xué)國(guó)際學(xué)院Assessment廈門(mén)大學(xué)國(guó)際學(xué)院Chapter1

ThenatureofbusinessandmanagementresearchandthestructureofthisbookBytheendofthischapteryouwillbeableBeabletooutlinethepurposeanddistinctfocusofmanagementresearch;Beabletoplaceyourresearchprojectonabasic-appliedresearchcontinuumaccordingtoitspurposeandcontext;Understandthestagesyouwillneedtocomplete(andrevisit)aspartofyourresearchprocess;Haveaninterviewofthisbook’spurposeandstructure;Beawareofsomeofthewaysyoucanusethisbook,IntroductiontotheresearchprocessThingstoconsiderRealitiesandpitfallsofresearchApproaches,strategiesandmethodsTechniquesandproceduresfordatacollectionandanalysisAppropriateuseofinformationtechnologyTerminologyMethods-

ThetechniquesandproceduresusedtoobtaindataMethodology-Thetheoryofhowresearchshouldbeundertaken

Saundersetal.(2009)Somewaysinwhichtheterm“research”isusedwronglyJustcollectingfactsorinformationwithnoclearpurpose;ReassemblingandreorderingfactsorinformationwithoutinterpretationAsatermtogetyourproductorideanoticedandrespected.ThenatureofresearchDefinition:‘Somethingthatpeopleundertakeinordertofindthingsoutinasystematicway,therebyincreasingtheirknowledge’Saundersetal.(2009)Characteristics:DataarecollectedsystematicallyDataareinterpretedsystematicallyThereisaclearpurposetofindthingsoutWhatdoesitsuggest“systemically”andto“tofindoutthings”“systematic”suggeststhatresearchisbasedonlogicalrelationshipsandnotjustbeliefs.“tofindoutthings”suggeststhereareamultiplicityofpossiblepurposesofyourresearch.Thesemayincludedescribing,explaining,understanding,criticizing,andanalyzing.Featuresofbusinessandmanagementresearch(1)ManagersdrawonknowledgefromotherdisciplinesManagersaremorelikelytoallowaccessiftheysee commercialorpersonaladvantageManagersnowtendtobeaseducatedastheresearchersManagersrequireresearchtohavesomepracticalconsequenceEasterby-Smithetal.(2008)

Featuresofbusinessandmanagementresearch(1)

KeydebatesKnowledgeproduction– (Modes1and2knowledge)The‘relevancegap’‘Evidencebased’managementBasicandappliedresearchModeoneModeoneknowledgecreationemphasizesresearchinwhichthequestionsaresetandsolvedbytheacademicinterests,emphasizingafundamentalratherthanappliednature,wherethereislittleifanyfocusonutilizationoftheresearchbypractitioners.modetwoModetwoemphasizesacontextforresearchgovernedbytheworldofpractice,highlightsofcollaborationbothwithandbetweenpractitioners.Baseduponthisithasbeenarguedthatresearchwithinthemodetwooffersawayofbringingthesupplysideofknowledgerepresentedbyuniversitiestogetherwiththedemandsidesrepresentedbythebusiness.Featuresofbusinessandmanagementresearch(2)BasicandappliedresearchSources:authors’experience;Easterby-Smithetal.

(2008);Hedricketal.(1993)Figure1.1BasicandappliedresearchTheresearchprocess(1)StagesoftheresearchprocessFormulatingandclarifyingatopicReviewingtheliteratureDesigningtheresearchCollectingdataAnalysingdataWritingupBasedonFigure1.2:Saundersetal.

(2009)Theresearchprocess(2)FactorstoconsiderTheimpactofyourpersonalfeelingsandbeliefsAccesstodataTimeandotherresourcesValidityandreliabilityofthedataEthicalissuesPurposeofthebookTohelpyouundertakeresearchbybeingClearaboutwhatyouaredoingWhyyouaredoingitTheassociatedimplicationsofwhatyouareabout

todoOverviewoftheChapters(1)TutorialsfordataanalysissoftwareSmarterOnlineSearchingGuideTerminologythatisdefinedandexplainedExamplesofresearchprojectsChecklistsforfocusedguidanceOverviewoftheChapters(2)EachChaptercontains:AsummaryofkeypointsSelf-checkquestions–andanswersReviewanddiscussionquestionsReferencesandfurtherreadingAcasestudythathighlightsrealresearchissuesFinalSectionsBibliographyAppendicesGlossaryIndexSummary:Chapter1BusinessandmanagementresearchIstransdisciplinaryEngageswithboththeoryandpracticeInvolvesundertakingsystematicresearchShouldbeundertakenwithrigourSummary:Chapter1Thebookactsasaguidetotheresearchprocessbyproviding:

aseriesofresearchexamplescheckliststohelpyouacquirerelevantknowledgereviewanddiscussionquestionsself-checkquestions-andanswersguidanceasyougeneratematerialforyourprojectreportAndfinally……..“thereisnoonebestwayforundertakingallresearch”Saundersetal.

(2009)Chapter2

FormulatingandclarifyingtheresearchtopicLearningoutcomesBytheendofthischapteryoushouldbeableto:Generateideasthatwillhelpinthechoiceofasuitableresearchtopic;Identifytheattributesofagoodresearchtopic;Turnresearchideasintoaresearchprojectthathasclearresearchquestion(s)andobjectives;DraftaresearchproposalFormulatingandclarifyingyourresearchtopicTheimportantstepsIdentifyingtheattributesofagoodresearchtopicGeneratingideasthathelpyouselectasuitabletopicTurningideasintoclearresearchquestionsandobjectivesWritingyourresearchproposalAttributesofagoodresearchtopic(1)Capability:isitfeasible?Areyoufascinatedbythetopic?Doyouhavethenecessaryresearchskills?Canyoucompletetheprojectinthetimeavailable?Willtheresearchstillbecurrentwhenyoufinish?Doyouhavesufficientfinancialandotherresources?Willyoubeabletogainaccesstodata?Attributesofagoodresearchtopic(2)Appropriateness:isitworthwhile?Willtheexamininginstitute'sstandardsbemet?Doesthethetopiccontainissueswithclearlinkstotheory?Aretheresearchquestionsandobjectivesclearlystated?Willtheproposedresearchprovidefreshinsightsintothetopic?Arethefindingslikelytobesymmetrical?Doestheresearchtopicmatchyourcareergoals?Attributesofagoodresearchtopic(3)And-(ifrelevant)Doesthetopicrelateclearlytoanideayouweregiven-possiblybyyourorganisation?GeneratingresearchideasUsefulTechniquesRationalthinking CreativethinkingSearchingtheliterature Scanningthemedia

Brainstorming RelevanceTrees

Exploringpastprojects DiscussionKeepinganideasnotebook

RationalthinkingExaminingyourownstrengthsandinterestsLookingatpastprojecttitlesDiscussionSearchingtheliteratureScanningthemediaCreativethinkingKeepinganotebookofideasExploringpersonalpreferencesusingpastprojectsRelevancetreesBrainstormingRationalthinkingandcreativethinkingThesetechniqueswillgeneratepossibleprojectoneoftwooutcomes:Oneormorepossibleprojectideasthatyoumightundertake;Absolutepanicbecausenothinginwhichyouareinterestedorwhichseemssuitablehascometomind.ExaminingownstrengthsandinterestsHavingsomeacademicknowledgeLookatthoseassignmentsforwhichyouhavereceivedgoodgrade.Youmay,aspartofyourreading,beabletofocusmorepreciselyonthesortofideasaboutwhichyouwishtoconductyourresearchThereisaneedtothinkaboutyourfutureLookingatpastprojecttitleDissertations;Theses.Scanyouruniversity’slistofpastprojecttitlesforanythingthatcapturesyourimaginationScanningactualresearchprojects.Youneedtobeware.Thefactthataprojectisinyourlibraryisnoguaranteeofthequalityoftheargumentsandobservationsitcontains.DiscussionColleagues,friends,universitytutors,practitionerandprofessionalgroupsSearchingtheliteratureAspartofyourdiscussions,relevantliteraturemayalsobesuggested.Sharpetal,(2002)discusstypesofliteraturethatareofparticularuseforgeneratingresearchideas.Theseinclude:Articleinacademicandprofessionaljournals;Reports;Books.ScanningthemediaKeepinguptodatewithitemsinthenewscanbeaveryrichsourceofideasKeepinganotebookofideasOneofthemorecreativetechniquesthatwealluseistokeepanotebookofideas.Allthisinvolvesissimplynotingdownanyinterestingresearchideasasyouthinkofthemand,ofequalimportance,whatsparkedoffyourthought.Youcanthenpursuetheideausingmorerationalthinkingtechniquelater.ExploringpersonalpreferencesusingpastprojectSelectsixprojectsthatyoulikeForeachofthesesixprojects,notedownyourfirstthoughtsinresponsetothreequestions(ifresponsesfordifferentprojectsarethesamethisdoesnotmatter);Whatappealstoyouabouttheproject?Whatisgoodabouttheproject?Whyistheprojectgood?

Exploringpersonalpreferencesusingpastproject3.Selectthreeprojectsyoudonotlike.4.Foreachofthesethreeprojectsthatyoudonotlike.Whatdoyoudislikeabouttheproject?Whatisbadabouttheproject?Whyistheprojectbad?RelevancetreeYoustartwithabroadconceptfromwhichyougeneratefurther(usuallymorespecific)topics.Eachofthesetopicsformsaseparatebranchfromwhichyoucangeneratefurther,moredetailedsubbranches.Asyouproceeddownthesubbranchesmoreideasaregeneratedandrecorded.ThesecanthenbeexaminedandanumberselectedandcombinedtoprovidearesearchideaBrainstormingDefineyourproblem–thatis,thesortsofideasyouareinterestedin–aspreciselyaspossible.Askforsuggestions,relatingtotheproblemRecordallsuggestions,observingthefollowingrules:Nosuggestionshouldbecriticizedorevaluatedinanywaybeforeallideashavebeenconsidered;Allsuggestions,howeverwild,shouldberecordedandconsideredAsmanysuggestionsaspossibleshouldberecorded.Reviewallthesuggestionsandexplorewhatismeantbyeach.Analyzethelistofsuggestionsanddecidewhichappealtotoyoumostasresearchideaswhy.RefiningresearchideasUsingtheDelphiTechniqueConductingapreliminarystudyContinuallytestingoutyourideasIntegratingideasRefiningtopicsgiventoyoubyyourorganisation

TheDelphitechniqueThisinvolvesusingagroupofpeoplewhoareeitherinvolvedorinterestedintheresearchideatogenerateandchooseamorespecificresearchidea.Tousethistechniqueyouneed:Tobriefthemembersofthegroupabouttheresearchidea;Attheendofthebriefingtoencouragegroupmemberstoseekclarificationandmoreinformationasappropriate;Toaskeachmemberofthegroupincludingtheoriginatoroftheresearchideasbasedontheideathathasbeendescribed(justification)TheDelphitechniqueTocollecttheresearchideasinuneditedandnon-attributableformandtodistributethemtoallmembersofthegroup;Asecondcycleoftheprocess(steps2to4)inwhichcommentontheresearchideasandrevisetheirowncontributionsinthelightofwhatothershavesaid;Subsequencecyclesoftheprocessuntilaconsensusisreached.Theseeitherfollowasimilarpattern(steps2to4)inorusediscussion.Votingorsomeothermethod.WritingresearchquestionsWriteresearchquestionsthatare

Consistentwithexpectedstandards

Abletoproduceclearconclusions

Attherightlevel(nottoodifficult)Nottoodescriptive

Usethe‘GoldilocksTest’

CloughandNutbrown(2002)GoldilockstestCloughandNutbrownusewhattheycalltheGoldilockstesttodecideifresearchquestionsareeithertoobigtwosmalltoohotorjustright/ToobigneedsignificantfundingToosmallarelikelytobeinsufficientsubstanceToohotmaybesobecausesensitivitiesthatmaybearousedasaresultofdoingtheresearch.Thismaybebecauseofthetimingoftheresearchorthemanyotherreasonsthatmaybeupsetkeypeoplewhohavearoletoplay.JustrightarethosejustrightforinvestigationatthistimebythisresearchinthissettingTurningideasintoresearchprojects(1)ExamplesofresearchideasandtheirderivedfocusquestionsTable2.2ExamplesofresearchideasandtheirderivedfocusresearchquestionsTurningideasintoresearchprojects(2)UsefultechniquesStartwithageneralfocusquestionDiscussareasofinterestwithyourtutorTurningideasintoresearchprojects(3)WritingclearresearchobjectivesCheckyourexaminingbody’spreferencesforstatedobjectivesUseageneralfocusquestiontoachievepreciseobjectivesSaundersetal.(2009)Turningideasintoresearchprojects(4)IncludeSMARTPersonalobjectivesSpecific:Whatpreciselydoyouhopetoachievefromundertakingtheresearch?Measurable:Whatmeasureswillyouusetodeterminewhetheryouhaveachievedyourobjectives?(Securedacareer-levelfirstjobinsoftwaredesign)Achievable:Arethetargetsyouhavesetforyourselfachievablegivenallthepossibleconstraints?Realistic:Givenallotherdemandsuponyourtime,willyouhavethetimeandenergytocompletetheresearchontime?Timely:Willyouhavetimetoaccomplishallyourobjectives?

TheimportanceoftheoryAskingforopinionsandgatheringfacts–'what'

questions(descriptiveresearch)Usingquestionsthatgobeyonddescriptionandrequireanalysis–'why'

questionsPhillipsandPugh(2005)Inorderto:Explainphenomena AnalyserelationshipsPredictoutcomes CompareandgeneraliseTheory“Aformulationregardingthecauseandeffectrelationshipbetweentwoormorevariables,whichmayormaynothavebeentested”ThreefoldtypologyoftheoriesGrand,middlerangeandsubstantivetheoriesCreswell(2002)Figure2.1Grand,middle-rangeandsubstantivetheoriesThreefoldtypologyoftheoriesGrandtheories:Usuallythoughttobeprovinceofnaturalscientists.(thatwillleadtoawholenewwayofthinkingaboutmanagement)Middlerangetheories:whichlackthecapacitytochangethewayinwhichwethinkabouttheworldbutarenonethelessofsignificance.(someofthetheoriesofhumanmotivationwellknowntomanagerwouldbeinthiscategory.Substantivetheories:thatarerestrictedtoaparticulartime,researchsetting,grouporpopulationorproblem

DeductiveapproachandinductiveapproachThisdiscussionoftheorydoseassumethatacleartheoreticalpositionisdevelopedpriortothecollectionofdata(thedeductiveapproach).Thiswillnotalwaysbethecase.Itmaybethatyourstudyisbasedontheprincipleofdevelopingtheoryafterdatahavebeencollected(theinductiveapproach)WritingyourresearchproposalPurposesoftheresearchproposalToorganiseyourideasToconvinceyouraudienceTocontractwithyourclient(yourtutor)TomeetethicalrequirementsContentofyourresearchproposal(1)Title-likelytochangeduringtheprocessBackground-contextwithintheliteratureResearchquestionsandobjectives-whatyouseektoachieveContentofyourresearchproposal(2)Method-canbeintwoparts:researchdesignanddatacollectionTimescaleandResources-(finance,dataaccess,equipment)References- includesomekeyliteraturesourcesEvaluatingresearchproposalsHowthecomponentsoftheproposalfittogetherViabilityoftheproposalAbsenceofpreconceivedideas

Summary:Chapter2ThebestresearchtopicsFormulateandclarifythetopicMeettherequirementsoftheexaminingbody

UseavarietyoftechniqueswhengeneratingresearchideasArefocusedonclearquestionsbasedonrelevantliteratureSummary:Chapter2

ThebestresearchtopicsAretheorydependent

Haveaproposalcontainingorganisedideas

Tellthereader:

Whatwillbedoneandwhy

Howitwillbeachieved

Chapter3

CriticallyreviewingtheliteratureLearningoutcomesBytheendofthischapteryoushould:Understandtheimportanceandpurposeofthecriticalliteraturereviewtoyourresearchproject;Tobeabletoadoptacriticalperspectiveinyourreading;Knowwhatyouneedtoincludewhenwritingyourcriticalreview;Beawareoftherangeofprimary,secondaryandtertiaryliteraturesourcesavailable;Beabletoidentifykeywordsandtoundertakealiteraturesearchusingarangeofmethods;LearningoutcomesBeabletoevaluatetherelevance,valueandsufficiencyoftheliteraturefound;Beabletoreferencetheliteraturefoundaccurately;Understandwhatismeantbyplagiarism;Beabletoapplytheknowledge,skillsandunderstandinggainedtoyourownresearchproject.ReasonsforreviewingtheliteratureToconducta‘preliminary’searchofexistingmaterialToorganisevaluableideasandfindingsToidentifyotherresearchthatmaybeinprogressTogenerateresearchideasTodevelopacriticalperspectiveTheliteraturereviewprocessSource:Saundersetal.(2003)Figure3.1TheliteraturereviewprocessTheCriticalReview(1)ApproachesusedDeductive-DevelopsaconceptualframeworkfromtheliteraturewhichisthentestedusingthedataInductive-ExploresthedatatodeveloptheorieswhicharethentestedagainsttheliteratureTheCriticalReview(2)KeypurposesTofurtherrefineresearchquestionsandobjectivesTodiscoverrecommendationsforfurtherresearchToavoidrepeatingworkalreadyundertakenToprovideinsightsintostrategiesandtechniquesappropriatetoyourresearchobjectivesBasedonGalletal.(2006)Adoptingacriticalperspective(1)SkillsforeffectivereadingPreviewing

whichislookingaroundthetextbeforeyoustartreadinginordertoestablishpreciselyitspurposeandhowitmayinformyouliteraturesearchAnnotatingthatisconductingadialoguewithyourself,theauthorandtheissuesandtheideasatstakeSummarisingthebestwaytodeterminethatyou’vereallygotthepointistobeabletostateitinyourwords.Outliningtheargumentoftextisaversionofannotating,andcanbedonequiteinformallyinthemarginsofthetextComparingandcontrasting:askyourselfhowyouthinkinghasbeenalteredbythisreadingorhowhasitaffectedyourresponsetotheissueandthemesyourresearchHarvardCollegeLibrary(2006)Adoptingacriticalperspective(2)ThemostimportantskillsareThecapacitytoevaluatewhatyoureadThecapacitytorelatewhatyoureadtootherinformationWallaceandWray(2006)Adoptingacriticalperspective(3)QuestionstoaskyourselfWhyamIreadingthis?Whatistheauthortryingtodoinwritingthis?Howconvincingisthis?WhatusecanImakeofthisreading?AdaptedfromWallaceandWray(2006)ContentofthecriticalreviewYouwillneedtoIncludekeyacademictheoriesDemonstratecurrentknowledgeoftheareaUseclearreferencingforthereadertofindtheoriginalcitedpublicationsAcknowledgetheresearchofothersIsyourliteraturereviewcritical?ChecklistsBox3.2andBox3.3CompletethecheckliststoevaluateyourliteraturereviewSaundersetal.(2009)StructureoftheliteraturereviewThreecommonstructuresAsinglechapterAseriesofchaptersThroughoutthereportThekeytoacriticalliteraturereviewDemonstratethatyouhaveread,understoodandevaluatedyourmaterialLinkthedifferentideastoformacohesiveandcoherentargumentMakeclearconnectionstoyourresearchobjectivesandthesubsequentempiricalmaterialSaundersetal.(2009)CategoriesofLiteratureSourcesPrimary(publishedandunpublished)SecondaryTertiaryDetailedinTables3.1and3.2

Saundersetal.(2009)Literaturesourcesavailable LiteraturesourcesavailableSaundersetal.(2009)Figure3.2LiteraturesourcesavailableJournalsJournalsarealsoknownas‘periodical’‘serials’and‘magazines’andarepublishedonaregularbasis.Journalsareavitalliteraturesourceforanyresearch.Theyarewellcoveredbytertiaryliterature,andgoodselectioncanbeaccessedfrommostuniversitylibraries(printedoronline)RefereedacademicJournalsArticlesinrefereedacademicjournals(suchasJournalofmanagementstudies)areevaluatedbypeersacademicpriortopublication,toassesstheirqualityandsuitability,theyareusuallywrittenbyexpertsinthefield.Therewillbeusuallybedetailedfootnotes,anextensivebibliography,rigorousattentiontodetailandverificationofinformation.Sucharticlesarewrittenforamorenarrowaudienceofscholarswithaparticularinterestinthefield.Thelanguageusedmaybetechnicalorhighlyspecializedasapriorknowledgeofthetopicwillbeassumed.ProfessionalJournalsProfessionalJournals(suchasPeopleManagement)theyareproducedfortheirmembersbyorganizationsuchasthecharteredInstituteofpersonalanddevelopment(CIPD).Theycontainamixofnewsrelateditemsandarticlesthataremoredetailed.HoweveryouhavetoexercisecautionTradeJournalsTheyfulfillasimilarfunctiontoprofessionaljournals.Theyarepublishedbytradeorganizationsoraimedatparticularindustriesortradessuchascartingormining.Oftentheyfocusinnewproductsorservicesandnewsitems,theyrarelycontainarticlesbasedonempiricalresearch,althoughsomeprovidesummariesofresearch,Youshouldthereforeusethesewithconsiderationcautionforyouresearchproject.BooksBooksandmonographsarewrittenforspecificaudiences.Someareaimedattheacademic,withatheoreticalslant.Others,aimedatpracticingprofessionals,maybemoreappliedintheircontent.Thematerialinbooksisusuallypresentedinamoreorderedandaccessiblemannerthaninjournals,pollingtogetherawiderrangeoftopics,theyaretherefore,practicallyusefulasintroductorysourcestohelpclarifyyourresearchquestion(s)andobjectivesorresearchmethodsyouintendtouse.Someacademictextbookssuchasthisonearenowsupportedbywebpagesprovidingadditionalinformation.NewspaperNewspaperaregoodsourceoftopicalevents,developmentswithinbusinessandgovernment,aswellasrecentstatisticalinformationsuchasshareprices,theyalsosometimesreviewrecentresearchreport.Againyoushouldbecarfulwhenyouusenewspaperinyourresearchprojectasnewspapermaycontainbiasintheircoverage,beitpoliticalgeographicalorpersonal.ReportingcanalsobeinaccurateandyoumaynotpickupanysubsequentamendmentsReportsReportsincludemarketresearchreportssuchasthoseproducedbyMintelandkeynotegovernmentreportsandacademicreports.Itisnoteasytogetaccessforthesereportsastheyarenotaswidelyavailableasbooks.Itisimportanttotrytoassesstheauthorityoftheauthor,andtobewareofpersonalbiasConferenceproceedingsConferenceproceedingssometimesreferredtoassymposia,asoftenpublishedasuniquetitleswithinjournalsorasbooks.Mostconferenceshaveathemethatisveryspecific,butsomehaveawide-rangeoverview.Manyconferenceshaveassociatedwebpagesprovidingabstractandoccasionallythefullpaperspresentedattheconference.ThesesThesesareuniqueandsofaramajorresearchprojectcanbeagoodsourceoffurtherreferences.Unfortunately,theycanbedifficulttolocateand,whenfound,difficulttoaccessastheremaybeonlyonecopyattheawardinginstitution.PlanningyoursearchstrategyAllourstudentshavefoundtheirliteraturesearchatimeconsumingprocess,whichtakefarlongerthanexpected.Fortunately,timespentplanningwillberapidintimesavedwhensearchingtheliterature.Asyoustarttoplanyoursearch,youneedtobewareofinformationoverload!Oneoftheeasiestwaystoavoidthisistostartthemainsearchforyourcriticalreviewwithaclearlydefinedresearchquestion(s),objectivesandoutlineproposal.

Theliteraturesearchstrategy(1)WritedownparametersofyoursearchkeywordsandsearchtermstobeuseddatabasesandsearchenginestobeusedcriteriaforselectionofrelevantandusefulstudiesAndDiscussthesewithatutor(ifpossible)Theliteraturesearchstrategy(2)DefinetheresearchparametersGeneratekeywordsDiscussyourresearchBrainstormideasConstructRelevancetrees-usecomputersoftwareDefiningtheparametersofyoursearchFormostresearchquestionsandobjectivesyouwillhaveagoodideaofwhichsubjectmatterisgoingtoberelevant.Youwill,however,belessclearabouttheparameterswithinwhichyouneedtosearch.Inparticular,youneedtobeclearaboutthefollowing(Bell2005):Languageofpublication(e.g.English);Subjectarea(e.g.accountancy);Businesssector(e.g.manufacturing);Geographicalarea(e.g.Europe);Publicationperiod(e.g.thelast10years);Literaturetype(e.g.refereedjournalsandbooks).

Generatingyourkeywords

Itisimportantatthisstagetoreadbotharticlesbykeyauthorsandrecentreviewarticlesinareaofyourresearch.Thiswillhelpyoutodefineyoursubjectmatterandtosuggestappropriatekeywords.Recentreviewarticlesinyourresearchareaareoftenhelpfulhereastheydiscussthecurrentstateofresearchforaparticulartopicandcanhelpyoutorefineyourkeywords.Inaddition,theywillprobablycontainreferencestootherworkthatispertinenttoyourresearchquestion(s)andobjectives.(Box3.8)Ifyouareunsureaboutreviewarticles,yourprojecttutorshouldbeabletopointyouintherightdirection.Anotherpotentiallyusefulsourceofreferencesisdissertationsandthesesinyouruniversity'slibrary.GeneratingyourkeywordsAfterre-readingyourlecturenotesandtextbooksandundertakingthislimitedreadingyouwillhavealistofsubjectsthatappearrelevanttoyourresearchproject.Younowneedtodefinepreciselywhatisrelevanttoyourresearchintermsofkeywords.Theidentificationofkeywordsor‘research'termsisthemostimportantpartofplanningyoursearchforrelevantliterature(Bell2005).Keywordsarethebasictermsthatdescribeyourresearchquestions(s)andobjectives,andwillbeusedtosearchthetertiaryliterature.Keywords(whichcanincludeauthors’surnamesid