Uma Sekaran - Research Methods for Business: A Skill Building Approach

Preface

I have used this book in my research methods course with great success for more than ten years. Over these years the book has helped thousands of my own students, as well as many more around the world, to carry out their research projects. The great strength of Research Methods for Business is that students find it clear, informal, and nonintimidating. I have tried to maintain these strengths and Uma's style in the fifth edition.

Changes in the fifth edition

The chapters on scientific investigation, the broad problem area and defining the problem statement, measurement of variables, experimental designs, sampling, and quantitative data analysis have all been substantially revised. A second chapter on quantitative data analysis and a chapter on qualitative data analysis have been added to the book. Additional real-life cases and examples are presented to introduce students to the world of business research.

As in previous editions, the simple and informal style of presenting information has been maintained and the focus on practical skill building preserved. The book provides numerous examples to illustrate the concepts and points presented. Users will also note the variety of examples from different areas of the world Europe, Asia, and America as well as different areas of business human resources management, production, operations management, business policy and strategy, organizational behavior, marketing, information systems, accounting, and finance. It is hoped that students will find research interesting, nonintimidating, and of practical use.

Data analysis is illustrated through the current SPSS Version 16.0 in the data analysis chapter.

Most chapters in the book include managerial implications of the contents discussed, emphasizing the need for managers to understand research. The ethical considerations involved in conducting research are also clearly brought out. The dynamics of cross-cultural research in terms of instrument development, surveys, and sampling are discussed, which, in the context of today's global economy, will be useful to students.

I expect that students and instructors alike will enjoy this edition. Students should become effective researchers, helped by the requisite knowledge and skills acquired by the study of this book.

Companion websites

Lecturers and students have a dedicated companion website available from www.wileyeurope.com/college/sekaran

Lecturers will find an extensive Test Bank, PowerPoint slides, and an Instructor's Manual, which offers a valuable additional teaching aid. Students will find an online glossary, quizzes, and walkthrough videos explaining how to use SPSS.

Acknowledgments

The Marketing Department of Tilburg University has been a very pleasant and inspiring working environment. I would like to thank all my colleagues for their feedback on earlier versions of this book. Thank you Rik Pieters and Marcel Zeelenberg for teaching me most of what I know about research.

Several people have been extremely helpful in writing this book. I want to thank Deborah Egleton for giving me the opportunity to revise the book and for being very supportive and patient throughout the process of writing this revised edition. Finally, I would like to thank the reviewers for their insightful comments on earlier drafts of the chapters.

Roger Bougie

The first edition of this book Research Methods for Business was published in 1984. I am pleased that it has served the needs of students during the last 25 years in three continentsNorth America, Europe and Asia. Roger Bougie has been instrumental in changes in the Fifth Edition, and with his contributions, we hope that the book will serve the needs of students during the next 25 years.