Instructor’s Manual
Chapter One - Introducing Business Research
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this chapter the student should be able to:
Outline the model of the research process.
Outline and briefly explain each of the stages in the research process.
Outline and apply the model of the four frameworks approach to the research
project.
Understand how research contributes to business success.
Know how to define business research
Research Skills:
At the end of this chapter the student should be able to:
Differentiate between a research idea and a research statement or question.
Outline the steps in the research process.
Trace the elements of the research process in a given sample project.
Chapter Summary
This chapter is the introductory chapter in the textbook. As such it provides some
basic information on social research and business research. The two models
around which the textbook is structured are introduced and explained in this
chapter. The two models are the model of the research process and the model of
the four frameworks approach to undertaking research. It would be useful to
spend some time at this stage developing a thorough understanding of these
models, as they are central to the learning experience provided by the textbook.
The model of the research process is a simple and very useful way of helping
students become familiar with each element of the research process. It is often
simply the terminology, and the newness and perhaps the strangeness of the
terminology that puts students off research from the start. If they can be
encouraged to become familiar with the basic terminology very early on, they will
be more confident in their approach to research methods, and in their approach
to their own research project.
The four frameworks approach to the research project is a model developed by
Christina Quinlan specifically for students. It is invaluable in terms of providing
1
,researchers and student researchers with a framework with which they can quite
easily develop appropriately focused research projects. The four frameworks
approach to the research project is introduced and clearly explained in this first
chapter. It is applied to every step of the research process throughout the
textbook. Once again, it is a very simple model. It is worth spending a little time
on this chapter in order to become familiar with this model and in order to
become comfortable in applying the model to the process of developing a
research project.
The first framework in the four frameworks approach to the research project is
the conceptual framework. The conceptual framework is contained in the
properly articulated research statement or question. The research statement or
question contains all of the key concepts in the research project. This conceptual
framework for the research project is the framework on which the other three
frameworks, the theoretical framework, the methodological framework and the
analytical framework, rest. It is a good idea to provide some examples of
research statements/questions and to explain how they are in fact conceptual
frameworks. It is helpful to explain to students that the key concepts in the
conceptual framework are the key words and phrases, the important words and
phrases, the big words, in the research statement/question. This exercise
demonstrates the simplicity and the utility of the four frameworks approach, and it
gives students confidence in their already growing abilities in the field of research
methods.
There is an introduction to business research and business research is simply
defined as the application of social science research methods in the process of
examining business phenomena. Applied business research and basic business
research are differentiated and defined. Applied business research, as the
chapter explains, is conducted to address a specific business decision for a
specific firm or organization. Basic business research (sometimes referred to as
pure research) is conducted without a specific decision in mind, and it usually
does not address the needs of a specific organization. It attempts to expand the
limits of knowledge in general, and as such it is not aimed at solving a particular
pragmatic problem.
There is a discussion in the chapter of business research in the twenty-first
century, a discussion of communication technologies and their use in business
research, and there is a discussion of global business research.
The ways through which a proposed research project can be said to be
researchable, ‘the test of researchability’ is explained. This is a very simple very
useful test for students to learn and use in order to determine whether or not their
proposed research project is in fact researchable. A project is researchable if the
researcher has the time needed to carry out the research, the money needed (if
2
,any money is needed) to carry out the research, and access to the data
necessary for the research.
The chapter provides an introduction to the structure of a research project, the
structure of a thesis. The student will find the simple and comprehensive guide
provided extremely useful.
The chapter provides a very brief introduction to the subject of ethics in research.
This is useful. It is a simple and easy introduction to research ethics. The issues
highlighted in the brief introduction, issues such as researcher integrity and the
protection of research participants, can be used a good discussion points in
seminars and they can be used as starting points in students’ reflections on
business research generally and on the ethics of their own research or their
proposed research.
There is a brief introduction to research methodology and to data collection
methods. These topics are covered in detail in Chapter Eight, while subsequent
chapters focus on the data collection methods of observation, interviews and
focus groups, and questionnaires and scales. One of the key strengths of this
textbook is the breath of the range of methodologies and data collection methods
it details, explains and illustrates. The sample research projects presented
throughout the textbook provide imaginative, interesting and engaging examples
of the application of the broadest range of methodologies and methods in
business research projects. The hope is that these will encourage business
students to devise and develop excellent research projects through the creative
application of these methodologies and methods.
The article at the end of Chapter One is a good example of the kind of sample
research projects presented in every chapter of the textbook. This article
explores an interesting outline of the use of a social media strategy in the
marketing of a Bollywood movie. The journal article is a good example of a
research project that has a well-structured and well-written literature review. The
research was developed using an interesting research methodology, case study
methodology, and the data collection methods used in the research project are
clearly detailed, as are the data analysis methods used. The conclusions drawn
from the research are clearly and simply outlined and explained. How theory
influences research In the article examined here (Nanda, Pattnaik and Lu, 2018,
‘Innovation in social media strategy for movie success: A study of the Bollywood
movie industry’, Management Decision, 56(1): 233–251), the authors develop an
in-depth and comprehensive case study to examine the promotional strategies
adopted through YouTube, Facebook and X (formally Twitter) throughout the life
cycle of a Bollywood movie and its impact on the box office success of the movie.
Social media is a key concept in this research. It is interesting to note how the
authors use this key concept to facilitate the development of the structure for the
entire research project.
3
, Answers to End of Chapter Questions
1. Detail the steps in the research process.
ANS
The Research Process
Begin with an idea State research question/statement specific aim Literature
Refine that idea state it in one sentence and objectives Review
Complete writing-up of thesis/report
Select
Methodology
Draw conclusions
Analyse Gather Devise data
data data collection methods
2. Outline and explain the use of the four frameworks approach in the research
project.
ANS
The Four Frameworks Approach to the Research Project
The
Conceptual
Framework
The The The
Theoretical Methodological Analytical
Framework Framework Framework
4
Chapter One - Introducing Business Research
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this chapter the student should be able to:
Outline the model of the research process.
Outline and briefly explain each of the stages in the research process.
Outline and apply the model of the four frameworks approach to the research
project.
Understand how research contributes to business success.
Know how to define business research
Research Skills:
At the end of this chapter the student should be able to:
Differentiate between a research idea and a research statement or question.
Outline the steps in the research process.
Trace the elements of the research process in a given sample project.
Chapter Summary
This chapter is the introductory chapter in the textbook. As such it provides some
basic information on social research and business research. The two models
around which the textbook is structured are introduced and explained in this
chapter. The two models are the model of the research process and the model of
the four frameworks approach to undertaking research. It would be useful to
spend some time at this stage developing a thorough understanding of these
models, as they are central to the learning experience provided by the textbook.
The model of the research process is a simple and very useful way of helping
students become familiar with each element of the research process. It is often
simply the terminology, and the newness and perhaps the strangeness of the
terminology that puts students off research from the start. If they can be
encouraged to become familiar with the basic terminology very early on, they will
be more confident in their approach to research methods, and in their approach
to their own research project.
The four frameworks approach to the research project is a model developed by
Christina Quinlan specifically for students. It is invaluable in terms of providing
1
,researchers and student researchers with a framework with which they can quite
easily develop appropriately focused research projects. The four frameworks
approach to the research project is introduced and clearly explained in this first
chapter. It is applied to every step of the research process throughout the
textbook. Once again, it is a very simple model. It is worth spending a little time
on this chapter in order to become familiar with this model and in order to
become comfortable in applying the model to the process of developing a
research project.
The first framework in the four frameworks approach to the research project is
the conceptual framework. The conceptual framework is contained in the
properly articulated research statement or question. The research statement or
question contains all of the key concepts in the research project. This conceptual
framework for the research project is the framework on which the other three
frameworks, the theoretical framework, the methodological framework and the
analytical framework, rest. It is a good idea to provide some examples of
research statements/questions and to explain how they are in fact conceptual
frameworks. It is helpful to explain to students that the key concepts in the
conceptual framework are the key words and phrases, the important words and
phrases, the big words, in the research statement/question. This exercise
demonstrates the simplicity and the utility of the four frameworks approach, and it
gives students confidence in their already growing abilities in the field of research
methods.
There is an introduction to business research and business research is simply
defined as the application of social science research methods in the process of
examining business phenomena. Applied business research and basic business
research are differentiated and defined. Applied business research, as the
chapter explains, is conducted to address a specific business decision for a
specific firm or organization. Basic business research (sometimes referred to as
pure research) is conducted without a specific decision in mind, and it usually
does not address the needs of a specific organization. It attempts to expand the
limits of knowledge in general, and as such it is not aimed at solving a particular
pragmatic problem.
There is a discussion in the chapter of business research in the twenty-first
century, a discussion of communication technologies and their use in business
research, and there is a discussion of global business research.
The ways through which a proposed research project can be said to be
researchable, ‘the test of researchability’ is explained. This is a very simple very
useful test for students to learn and use in order to determine whether or not their
proposed research project is in fact researchable. A project is researchable if the
researcher has the time needed to carry out the research, the money needed (if
2
,any money is needed) to carry out the research, and access to the data
necessary for the research.
The chapter provides an introduction to the structure of a research project, the
structure of a thesis. The student will find the simple and comprehensive guide
provided extremely useful.
The chapter provides a very brief introduction to the subject of ethics in research.
This is useful. It is a simple and easy introduction to research ethics. The issues
highlighted in the brief introduction, issues such as researcher integrity and the
protection of research participants, can be used a good discussion points in
seminars and they can be used as starting points in students’ reflections on
business research generally and on the ethics of their own research or their
proposed research.
There is a brief introduction to research methodology and to data collection
methods. These topics are covered in detail in Chapter Eight, while subsequent
chapters focus on the data collection methods of observation, interviews and
focus groups, and questionnaires and scales. One of the key strengths of this
textbook is the breath of the range of methodologies and data collection methods
it details, explains and illustrates. The sample research projects presented
throughout the textbook provide imaginative, interesting and engaging examples
of the application of the broadest range of methodologies and methods in
business research projects. The hope is that these will encourage business
students to devise and develop excellent research projects through the creative
application of these methodologies and methods.
The article at the end of Chapter One is a good example of the kind of sample
research projects presented in every chapter of the textbook. This article
explores an interesting outline of the use of a social media strategy in the
marketing of a Bollywood movie. The journal article is a good example of a
research project that has a well-structured and well-written literature review. The
research was developed using an interesting research methodology, case study
methodology, and the data collection methods used in the research project are
clearly detailed, as are the data analysis methods used. The conclusions drawn
from the research are clearly and simply outlined and explained. How theory
influences research In the article examined here (Nanda, Pattnaik and Lu, 2018,
‘Innovation in social media strategy for movie success: A study of the Bollywood
movie industry’, Management Decision, 56(1): 233–251), the authors develop an
in-depth and comprehensive case study to examine the promotional strategies
adopted through YouTube, Facebook and X (formally Twitter) throughout the life
cycle of a Bollywood movie and its impact on the box office success of the movie.
Social media is a key concept in this research. It is interesting to note how the
authors use this key concept to facilitate the development of the structure for the
entire research project.
3
, Answers to End of Chapter Questions
1. Detail the steps in the research process.
ANS
The Research Process
Begin with an idea State research question/statement specific aim Literature
Refine that idea state it in one sentence and objectives Review
Complete writing-up of thesis/report
Select
Methodology
Draw conclusions
Analyse Gather Devise data
data data collection methods
2. Outline and explain the use of the four frameworks approach in the research
project.
ANS
The Four Frameworks Approach to the Research Project
The
Conceptual
Framework
The The The
Theoretical Methodological Analytical
Framework Framework Framework
4
