Doing Research in the Real World

Chapter 1. Introduction
Part A. Principles and Planning for Research
Chapter 2. Theoretical Perspectives and Research Methodologies
Chapter 3. Selecting and Planning Research Proposals and Projects
Chapter 4. Research Ethics
Chapter 5. Searching, Critically Reviewing and Using the Literature
Part B. Research Methodology
Chapter 6. Research Design: Quantitative Methods
Chapter 7. Research Design: Qualitative Methods
Chapter 8. Research Design: Mixed Methods
Chapter 9. Sampling Strategies
Chapter 10. Designing Descriptive and Analytical Surveys
Chapter 11. Designing Case Studies
Chapter 12. Designing Evaluations
Chapter 13. Action Research and Change
Part C. Data Collection Methods
Chapter 14. Questionnaires and Surveys
Chapter 15. Interviewing
Chapter 16. Non-Participant Observation
Chapter 17. Ethnography and Participant Observation
Chapter 18. Focus Groups
Chapter 19. Unobtrusive Measures
Chapter 20. Visual Research Methods
Chapter 21. Digital Research Methods
Chapter 22. Secondary Data and Research
Part D. Analysis and Report Writing
Chapter 23. Getting Started Using SPSS
Chapter 24. Analysing and Presenting Quantitative Data
Chapter 25. Getting Started Using NVivo
Chapter 26. Analysing and Presenting Qualitative Data
Chapter 27. Writing Up the Research
Chapter 28. Preparing for Presentations and Vivas

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.