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Doing Research in the Real World
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Doing Research in the Real World

Fifth Edition
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November 2021 | 896 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

From first planning to writing up your research, this complete guide will help you push your project forward. 

Walking you through every step you need to take, it helps you build your knowledge of theory and methods and offers straightforward guidance to empower you to make good research decisions and learn best practice.

This fifth edition:

  • Draws on over 70 case studies of research in action to demonstrate potential pitfalls – and how to avoid them.
  • Adds a new chapter on data management, providing how-to guidance on storing your research data.
  • Provides more than 150 activities to help you develop your understanding of key concepts and advance your research methods knowledge.
  • Illustrates how research methods skills transfer to the workplace, helping you boost your employability.

Accompanied by online resources including videos, case studies and further reading that bring methods to life, this accessible book is still the definitive research companion for any student doing a research project. 

 
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: Quantitative Research Design
 
Chapter 7: Qualitative Research Design
 
Chapter 8: Mixed Methods Research Design
 
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: Data Management
 
Chapter 24: Getting Started Using SPSS
 
Chapter 25: Analysing and Presenting Quantitative Data
 
Chapter 26: Getting Started Using NVivo
 
Chapter 27: Analysing and Presenting Qualitative Data
 
Chapter 28: Writing Up the Research
 
Chapter 29: Preparing for Presentations and Vivas

Supplements

Click for Online Resources

Student Resources (Free to access)

The David Gray Online Library contains a wealth of handpicked tools and resources for every chapter:

  • Journal articles and SAGE book chapters to help you delve deeper and support your assignments
  • Weblinks to online articles and blog posts to expand your understanding of each topic
  • Case studies of real research give you a deeper insight into practice and theory
  • Author videos from David Gray introducing each chapter, providing valuable top tips and showcasing best practice
  • Weblinks to online videos from YouTube and SAGE Research Methods to improve your understanding of key concepts
  • Weblinks that help you develop your employability skills
  • Datasets that give you hands-on experience with data analysis
  • Templates and checklists to help you keep your project on track

Instructor Resources (Log-in needed)

  •  A test bank of multiple choice questions, for directed learning or assessment purposes
  • PowerPoint slides, featuring figures and tables from the book
  • A free resource pack allowing you to upload all the lecturer and student resources into your institution’s virtual learning environment (i.e. Blackboard or Moodle), and customise the content to suit your teaching needs

This is an outstanding text that allows students to develop their knowledge in a systematic way, reinforcing learning.

Mr Stuart Agnew
Criminology, University of Suffolk
October 7, 2022

This book give a comprehensive overview of the research process. For HRM students it is vital that their research is undertaken in a real life setting so this is particularly relevant. I liked the range of case studies and real life examples helping students to make the links between theory and practice

Mrs Janet Chettle
Lancashire Business School, University of Central Lancashire
February 21, 2022

Accessible well structured text which will assist social work researchers linking research with practice.

Dr Stephan Lund
School of Social Work, University of Western Australia
February 21, 2022

It is essential for challenge based research.

Professor João Carlos Oliveira Matias
Accounting, Universidade de Aveiro
March 29, 2023

David Gray provides a comprehensive and easy to read book that makes the complex and, potentially, overwhelming concept of research methods much more engaging.
The book is suitable for Undergraduate level student’s embarking on their first experiences of research as well as Postgraduate students who are formulating and designing their masters level research dissertations.
The end of chapter resources, via the “Online Library”, that is available with this text are very effective to reinforce learning at all stages of the research process.

Mr Andrew Clark
Faculty of Business and Law, Sunderland University
April 9, 2022

It is a text that is regarded as a student companion for contemporary research.

Dr Omololu Fagbadebo
Faculty of Management Sciences, Durban University of Technology
June 2, 2023

Welcomed by dissertation students undertaking empirical studies

Mrs Gail Sheppard
Faculty of Health & Wellbeing (Canterbury), Canterbury Christ Church University
February 21, 2022

This is an excellent text, clearly presenting the research process. This publication has been invaluable for many students on our degree programmes, enabling them to link the case studies, theory and their own research studies. This title has been added to the reading list as an essential text.

Miss Tracey Canham
Education, New College Swindon
May 28, 2022

Excellent overview of the field presented in in an accessible manner.

Mr Gareth Dart
Institute of Education, Worcester University
October 27, 2022

Really useful book, I've used previous editions and can't recommend it enough to my students, both undergrad and post grad.

Mr Daniel Clarke
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Plymouth University
January 6, 2022

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