Series:

Open Up Study Skills

3 total works

Cover of The Good Research Guide

The Good Research Guide

by Martyn Denscombe and Denscombe

Published 16 September 1998
This text is written for undergraduate, postgraduate and professional students in business studies, social sciences, health studies and education who need to undertake research projects as part of their studies. It offers a pragmatic approach which is particularly suitable for those who are interested in how to use research methods for a specific piece of small-scale research and for whom time is extremely limited. Such "project" researchers can avoid elementary errors in the design and execution of their research by using the "checklists" which highlight crucial factors associated with the production of good social research. Features includes: identification of the range of methods and their respective advantages and disadvantages; practical guidance on how to use the methods; checklists to help researchers evaluate their methods and avoid fundamental errors; and presentation with lists and summaries, text boxes and key points.

Cover of Research Proposals: A Practical Guide
"This indispensable guide to writing research proposals takes the reader on a carefully planned journey, which is clearly sign-posted from the outset to the destination of the final proposal ... Denscombe demystifies the academic jargon inherent in proposal writing, instilling confidence in all those writing proposals, from undergraduate to doctoral level."
Dr Kate Adams, Reader in Education, Bishop Grosseteste University College, Lincoln, UK

"This much-needed handbook provides a guide for any researcher to turn a research idea into a successful research proposal ... Denscombe offers both a clear framework for organising the research thought process and plentiful hints for crafting a persuasive case for why a research proposal deserves financial support for getting it done."
Dr Alberto Asquer, Lecturer of Business Strategy and Policy, Faculty of Economics, University of Cagliari, Italy

"This is a clear and unambiguous guide covering all the essentials needed to build strong research proposals. It will prove to be invaluable not only to those new to writing research proposals but as a fast reference point for those already familiar with the requirements."
Jennifer Grant, PhD researcher, University of Sunderland, UK

"This how-to guide is 'a candle in the dark' for many who want to start writing research proposals. It is ... brimming with straightforward strategies which anyone can use to overcome the key fears associated with 'keeping on track' and 'selling your' research to convince funders and even your professors!"
Hosea Handoyo, Boehringer - Ingelheim Fonds Research Fellow, Germany

Whether you are an undergraduate student doing your final year project, a masters student writing your dissertation, or a PhD student applying for acceptance onto a doctoral programme, this practical book will help you to produce a successful and persuasive research proposal.

Written by an experienced and best-selling author, this handbook uniquely draws a parallel between a research proposal and a sales pitch. The book provides guidance on what to include and what to omit from your proposal and demonstrates how to 'sell' your research idea. Denscombe ably guides you through each stage of the process:

  • Choosing a research topic
  • Reviewing the literature
  • Formulating the research question
  • Explaining the research methods
  • Estimating the costs and planning the time involved
  • Obtaining research ethics approval
With top tips throughout, this book provides an insight to the logic behind research proposals and the way that good proposals address 7 basic questions that readers will ask when they evaluate any proposal.

Cover of Ground Rules for Social Research
Ground Rules for Social Research is a user-friendly resource for people doing small-scale social research projects. It focuses on the key ideas and practices that underlie good research and provides clear guidelines to newcomers and experienced researchers alike. The book is written for undergraduate, postgraduate and professional students in the social sciences, business studies, health studies, media studies and education who need to undertake research projects as part of their studies. Key features of the book include: The identification of 12 ground rules for good social research Checklists to help researchers evaluate their approach and avoid fundamental errors A clear and jargon-free style This new edition of the book builds on the features that made the first edition so successful, adding: New chapters on research design and research philosophy An increased focus on mixed methods research More examples and illustrations Updated material relating to the internet and online research