Business Research Methods for Chinese Students

Huiping Xian, PhD, is a lecturer in Work, Employment, People and Organisation Division at Sheffield University Management School. She received her doctorate from Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom. At Sheffield, Huiping is Programme Director for both BA Business Management (with Sino British College) and MSc Human Resource Management. Previously Huiping also lectured at Manchester Metropolitan University and Bournemouth University. Huiping has contributed to teaching research methods and supervising dissertations in these universities. Huiping is also an active researcher and has published a number of academic papers in international journals. Her research interests include women′s careers, HRM issues in Chinese organisations, qualitative research methods, cross-cultural research and translation issues in international research. Her recent projects include ‘Developing Women’s Careers in Japan’ which is funded by the British AcademyYue Meng-Lewis PhD, is a senior lecturer in Marketing & Sport Marketing at Coventry University Business School.  She completed her Doctoral Studies at Leeds University Business School, and has previously worked as a Lecturer in Marketing at Henley Business School, University of Reading, and as a Senior Lecturer in Marketing Communications at the Media School, Bournemouth University. Her research interests focus on consumer psychology, sponsorship, ambush marketing, organisational behaviour and quantitative methods. Her work has been published in leading marketing and management journals, and has contributed to book chapters and case studies in key marketing textbooks. Yue teaches research methods at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

With translations of key terms and practical, relevant examples for Chinese students, Huiping Xian and Yue Meng-Lewis’ book very clearly explains the mechanics of how to do research but also delves into important issues affecting researching in context. The straightforward descriptions, templates, figures of key concepts, and section specifically examining culture and language make this book both an extremely valuable resource and an enjoyable read for students and researchers.

• 1. Introduction2. Developing a Research Topic3. Research Philosophy and Approaches4. Research Design5. Sampling6. Data Collection7. Analysing Qualitative Data8. Analysing Quantitative Data9. Culture, Language and Translation10. Writing Up