@PROFDOCDIGITALLIBRARIES
SOLUTION MANUAL
Research Methods for Business Students, 8th Edition
Adrian Thornhill / Philip Lewis / Mark N. K. Saunders
,@PROFDOCDIGITALLIBRARIES
Contents
Chapters Pages
Introduction 5
1 Business and management research, reflective diaries and the purpose
of this book 15
2 Choosing a research topic and developing your research proposal 19
3 Critically reviewing the literature 23
4 Understanding research philosophy and approaches to theory development 27
5 Formulating the research design 32
6 Negotiating access and research ethics 36
7 Selecting samples 40
8 Utilising secondary data 44
9 Collecting data through observation 48
10 Collecting primary data using research interviews and research diaries 54
11 Collecting primary data using questionnaires 59
12 Analysing data quantitatively 63
13 Analysing data qualitatively 68
14 Writing and presenting your project report 72
Appendix 75
1 Research project assignment 75
2 Group poster research project assignment 80
3 Research proposal assignment 84
4 Additional cases on the companion website 89
,@PROFDOCDIGITALLIBRARIES
, @PROFDOCDIGITALLIBRARIES
INTRODUCTION
An overview of the instructors’ manual
This instructors’ manual provides commentary for the eighth edition of the textbook Research
Methods for Business Students. The commentary is on a chapter by chapter basis and includes:
• chapter learning outcomes;
• summary of the content;
• comments on likely student reactions and possible use of materials;
• ideas for students’ preparatory work;
• suggestions for delivery in the classroom;
• ideas for students’ follow-up work.
In addition, we have included a copy of a research project assignment, a group research project
poster assignment and a copy of a dissertation proposal assignment as appendices.
Research Methods for Business – an overview of the eighth edition
Pedagogic features
The over-riding purpose of Research Methods for Business Students is to help undergraduate and
postgraduate students and students on professional courses to undertake research. Each chapter
deals with a part of the research process and discusses the ideas, techniques and methods using as
little jargon as is possible. Tables, checklists and diagrams are used to aid this discussion. Where
new terms are introduced for the first time, they are shown in bold, and a definition or explanation
follows shortly afterwards. They are also listed with a brief definition in the glossary. The
application of appropriate information technology is considered, in most instances as an integral
part of the text. Chapters have been cross-referenced as appropriate, and an index is provided to
help students find their way around the book.
Focus on student research boxes are included within the text of each chapter. These are based
on actual research projects, undertaken by students, in which points made in the text are
illustrated. In many instances, these worked examples illustrate possible pitfalls students may
come across while undertaking their research. Where a pitfall has been illustrated, it will, it is
hoped, help your students avoid making the same mistake. Further illustrations are provided by
focus on management research and research in the news boxes.
Focus on management research boxes discuss recent research in business and management.
These are normally derived from refereed academic journal articles, and students are likely to be
able to download the actual articles from online databases at their university.
Focus on research in the news boxes provide topical news articles that illustrate pertinent
research-related issues. All these will help students to understand the technique or idea and to
assess its suitability or appropriateness to their research. Boxed checklists provide students with
further focussed guidance for their own research.
SOLUTION MANUAL
Research Methods for Business Students, 8th Edition
Adrian Thornhill / Philip Lewis / Mark N. K. Saunders
,@PROFDOCDIGITALLIBRARIES
Contents
Chapters Pages
Introduction 5
1 Business and management research, reflective diaries and the purpose
of this book 15
2 Choosing a research topic and developing your research proposal 19
3 Critically reviewing the literature 23
4 Understanding research philosophy and approaches to theory development 27
5 Formulating the research design 32
6 Negotiating access and research ethics 36
7 Selecting samples 40
8 Utilising secondary data 44
9 Collecting data through observation 48
10 Collecting primary data using research interviews and research diaries 54
11 Collecting primary data using questionnaires 59
12 Analysing data quantitatively 63
13 Analysing data qualitatively 68
14 Writing and presenting your project report 72
Appendix 75
1 Research project assignment 75
2 Group poster research project assignment 80
3 Research proposal assignment 84
4 Additional cases on the companion website 89
,@PROFDOCDIGITALLIBRARIES
, @PROFDOCDIGITALLIBRARIES
INTRODUCTION
An overview of the instructors’ manual
This instructors’ manual provides commentary for the eighth edition of the textbook Research
Methods for Business Students. The commentary is on a chapter by chapter basis and includes:
• chapter learning outcomes;
• summary of the content;
• comments on likely student reactions and possible use of materials;
• ideas for students’ preparatory work;
• suggestions for delivery in the classroom;
• ideas for students’ follow-up work.
In addition, we have included a copy of a research project assignment, a group research project
poster assignment and a copy of a dissertation proposal assignment as appendices.
Research Methods for Business – an overview of the eighth edition
Pedagogic features
The over-riding purpose of Research Methods for Business Students is to help undergraduate and
postgraduate students and students on professional courses to undertake research. Each chapter
deals with a part of the research process and discusses the ideas, techniques and methods using as
little jargon as is possible. Tables, checklists and diagrams are used to aid this discussion. Where
new terms are introduced for the first time, they are shown in bold, and a definition or explanation
follows shortly afterwards. They are also listed with a brief definition in the glossary. The
application of appropriate information technology is considered, in most instances as an integral
part of the text. Chapters have been cross-referenced as appropriate, and an index is provided to
help students find their way around the book.
Focus on student research boxes are included within the text of each chapter. These are based
on actual research projects, undertaken by students, in which points made in the text are
illustrated. In many instances, these worked examples illustrate possible pitfalls students may
come across while undertaking their research. Where a pitfall has been illustrated, it will, it is
hoped, help your students avoid making the same mistake. Further illustrations are provided by
focus on management research and research in the news boxes.
Focus on management research boxes discuss recent research in business and management.
These are normally derived from refereed academic journal articles, and students are likely to be
able to download the actual articles from online databases at their university.
Focus on research in the news boxes provide topical news articles that illustrate pertinent
research-related issues. All these will help students to understand the technique or idea and to
assess its suitability or appropriateness to their research. Boxed checklists provide students with
further focussed guidance for their own research.
