Research Design in Business and Management: A Practical Guide for Students and Researchers, Second Edition
Stefan Hunziker and Michael Blankenagel
Contents
1 Introducing Research Designs 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.1 Why Research Designs Matter 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.2 Understanding the Purpose of Research 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.3 Define Research Design Properly 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.4 Check the Validity of Your Research6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.5 Embrace Challenges to Implementation and Execution 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.6 Make the Most of this Textbook 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
References16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2 Understanding Intellectual Contributions19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.1 Introduction19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.2 Normative and Empirical Research21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.3 Types of Intellectual Contributions23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.3.1 Theories and the Body of Knowledge24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.3.2 Adding to the Body of Knowledge26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.4 Value of Intellectual Contributions 32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
References34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Setting-Up the Research Process37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.1 Introduction to the Research Process37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.2 Step 1: Start with the Conclusion you Would Like to Draw38 . . . . . . . . . .
3.3 Step 2: Defend your Conclusion with Arguments42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.4 Step 3: Produce Results for Good Arguments45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.5 Step 4: Choose the Proper Analysis Method(s)47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.6 Step 5: Collect Proper Data that Fit the Analysis Method(s)47 . . . . . . . . . .
3.7 Step 6: Specify a Proper Preliminary Research Question49 . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.8 Step 7: Check the Consistency of Your Research Design49 . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.9 Step 8: Check the Feasibility of Your Research Project50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.10 Step 9: Conduct Your Research Project51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
References52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Writing up a Research Report53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.1 Introduction to Writing a Research Report 53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.2 General Remarks on Scientific Writing 54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.3 Overview of the Sections56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.4 Sections of the Research Report in Detail58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.4.1 Management Summary58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.4.2 Introduction60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.4.3 Theoretical Background61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.4.4 Literature Review62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.4.5 Research Design 68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.4.6 Results78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.4.7 Discussion79 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.4.8 Conclusion82 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
References84 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Comparing Types of Research Designs85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.1 Recapitulation of Purpose and Content of Research Designs86 . . . . . . . . .
5.2 Mixed Methods and Staggered Research Designs87 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.3 Overview of the Most Important Research Designs 89 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
References96 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Design Science Research Design 97 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.1 General Description of Design Science Research98 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.2 Peculiarities of Design Science Research Design102 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.2.1 Characteristics of Design Science Research102 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.2.2 Issues to Address in Design Science Research103 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.2.3 Major Fallacies in Conducting Design Science Research105 . . . . .
6.3 Writing a Design Science Research Paper108 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.4 Related Research Designs112 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
References115 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7 Action Research Design117 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.1 General Description of Action Research118 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.2 Particularities of Action Research121 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.2.1 Characteristics of Action Research122 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.2.2 Issues to Address in Action Research 124 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.2.3 Major Fallacies in Conducting Action Research126 . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.3 Writing an Action Research Paper129 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.4 Related Research Designs134 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
References137 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 Single Case Research Design141 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.1 General Description of Single Case Research Design142 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.2 Particularities of Single Case Research Design 147 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.2.1 Characteristics of Single Case Research148 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.2.2 Issues to Address in Sinlge Case Research149 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.2.3 Major Fallacies in Conducting Single Case Research156 . . . . . . . .
8.3 Writing a Single Case Research Paper 159 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.4 Related Research Designs 164 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
References168 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Multiple Case Research Design171 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.1 General Description of Multiple Case Research Design172 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.2 Particularities of Multiple Case Research Design173 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.2.1 Characteristics of Multiple Case Research173 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.2.2 Issues to Address in Multiple Case Research 174 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.2.3 Major Fallacies in Conducting Multiple Case Research176 . . . . . .
9.3 Writing a Multiple Case Research Paper 177 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.4 Related Research Designs 181 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
References186 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 Cross-Sectional Research Design187 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10.1 General Description of Cross-Sectional Research 187 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10.2 Particularities of Cross-Sectional Research 189 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10.2.1 Characteristics of Cross-Sectional Research189 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10.2.2 Issues to Address in Cross-Sectional Research190 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10.2.3 Major Fallacies in Conducting Cross-Sectional Research193 . . . . .
10.3 Writing a Cross-Sectional Research Paper 194 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10.4 Related Research Designs 196 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
References199 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 Longitudinal Research Design201 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11.1 General Description of Longitudinal Research202 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11.2 Particularities of Longitudinal Research Design203 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11.2.1 Characteristics of Longitudinal Research Design203 . . . . . . . . . . .
11.2.2 Issues to Address204 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11.2.3 Major Fallacies in Conducting Longitudinal Studies 211 . . . . . . . .
11.3 Writing a Longitudinal Research Paper213 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11.4 Related Research Designs216 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
References219 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12 Experimental Research Design221 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12.1 General Description of Experimental Research Designs222 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12.2 Particularities of Experimental Research 223 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12.2.1 Characteristics of Experimental Research Design223 . . . . . . . . . . .
12.2.2 Issues to Address in Experimental Research224 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12.2.3 Major Fallacies in Conducting Experimental Research 228 . . . . . .
12.3 Writing an Experimental Research Paper 229 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12.4 Related Research Designs 231 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
References233 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13 Literature Review Research Design 235 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13.1 General Description of Literature Review Design236 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13.2 Particularities of Literature Review Research Design237 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13.2.1 Characteristics of Literature Review Research Design237 . . . . . . .
13.2.2 Issues to Address238 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13.2.3 Major Fallacies in Conducting Literature Review Research242 . . .
13.3 Writing a Literature Review Research Paper242 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13.4 Related Research Designs245 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
References250 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .