Business Research Methods and Statistics Using SPSS

About the Book

- Use SPSS confidently

Table of Contents:
PART ONE: GENERAL ORIENTATION TO RESEARCH IN BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT Research, Statistics and Business Decisions Contrasting Philosophies and Approaches to Research Ethical Issues in Research Selecting the Topic and Conducting a Literature Review Theory, Problem Definition, Frameworks and Research Design PART TWO: ENTERING, DESCRIBING AND OBTAINING DATA How To Enter Data into SPSS and Undertake Initial Screening Describing and Presenting your Data Normal Distribution, Probability and Statistical Significance Sampling Issues Hypothesis Formation, Types of Error and Estimation Power and Effect Size PART THREE: STATISTICALLY ANALYSING DATA Hypothesis Testing for Differences between Means and Proportions Analysis of Variance Techniques (ANOVA) Chi Square Methods of Correlation Testing Hypotheses of Relationships Prediction and Regression Reliability and Validity Factor Analysis PART FOUR: SURVEY METHODS FOR RESEARCH IN BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT Attitude Questionnaires and Measurement Structured Interview and Questionnaires Surveys PART FIVE: REPORTING AND PRESENTING RESEARCH Writing Up and Communicating Research

About the Author :
Robert B. Burns is a retired professor who spent 40 years teaching research methods and statistics in universities around the world, including Head of Department of the Postgraduate School of Education at Bradford University and Professor of Applied Psychology at Cape Town University. He still works part-time in the Business Faculty of the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.′

Richard A. Burns has several years experience teaching psychology, including Research Methods courses, at university and college levels in Australia, Norway and the UK. Currently he works within the Ageing Research Unit, at the Australian National University′s Centre for Mental Health Research in Canberra, Australia.

Review :
It seemed like a good book but our students have some problems with it. I am still looking around to find a text that is appropriate for undergraduate students.
The content of Burns is fine but the examples of how to run SPSS are lacking. This text is very useful for students wrestling with quantitative data. The chapter on Factor Analysis is particularly useful! Very well written. Contains and explains simply and comprehensively all the statistical issues that need to be disscussed during the module. The book is simplistic, geared for undergraduate studies, based on older version of SPSS, while version 17 is presently used. Clear and concise
Practical examples are very useful Book covers the three topics of our course: research methods, statistics and SPSS. This is rare in these kind of books. Good book As promised in the introduction of the book, this book is really ideal for those with a minimum of mathematical and statistical knowledge, like nursing students. However, the examples used in this book are related to the business reseach they can be easily adopted for health care and nursing research. The basic principles of statistical methods are explained very well, also, how to proceed the analysis in SPSS is described well. Thank you! The module that this book is to used for is basic business research methods offered to 3rd year (level 9) Business Studies students. In this module students do not necessarily need to go as indepth as the content in this book.

Therefore, I will be recommending it to students who need to learn abit of Quantititative methods and use of SPSS - for dissertation purposes later in their Honours year
The books seems to have found a useful niche in that it combines helpful, straightforward guidance on research design relating to business research with a clear and accessible approach to how statistical methods can be used meaningfully in the analysis of the data to emerge from such research. The book is particularly useful because it tackles the analysis, through statistical techniques, of subjective, qualitative data. The book is comprehensive and detailed in its approach but is very easy to follow.

It will be recommended as supplemental reading only because it will not be relevant to all our students (given the broad span of research areas in which they are engaged), but I will recommend that all our students refer to it in establishing a broad knowledge of methodological and analytical techniques, in order that they can make an informed decision in establishing the most appropriate approach for their research. A good supplemental text book with applications.
A good suplemental text book with SPSS applications.
A good supplemental text book for the course. It will be recommended to students in the syllabus. The main issue I concern is the SPSS version not this textbook. This is down to earth text that has been very suitable for students without or with very little statistics background. The online databases and the exercises have been very much aprpreciated by the students. Producing lectures based on the text has been fantastic and easy. Highly recommended text for students This is a very good book for students who use SPSS in their research. Set out well with clear text and images, the book takes students through the many ways in which statistics can help in understanding which test to run and how to interpret the results. The companion website gives access to the .SAV files and includes other material and tests. Text was considered against Field (2014) and it was deemed that Burns and Burns was a little more difficult to follow for the students and much initial research methods understanding was assumed. Will be considered as a reference guide for post-graduate students however in the future Really liked this book, it has a good mix of both methods and stats. Found this to be essential for the students in class moving forward who wanted to focus on quantitative rather than qualitative research. language is clear and easy to understand - easy to follow approach; sufficient discussion of the business context - could be further developed; the concluding section, part 5, could be further expanded - I have noticed that my students quite often seek advice on how to compile their reports; plenty of of prompts for practice The book is very well written and it is on the right level for business students who don t have an extensive experience on empirical analysis. Students found it very useful for their dissertations. The combination of Research Essentials, Statistics and SPSS put this book on the top of our shortlist to support the bachelor lectures on research methods and statistics.
Figures and tables describing SPSS input and output look a bit outdated. SPSS in business has a real value and this book helps students understand the application of SPSS A very useful text book which will deepen understanding of research within the field of business and management.

The first few chapters offer some very interesting arguments for and against both qualitative and quantitative research.

Subsequent chapters offer a deep understanding of SPSS and all the tests a business student would need are included.

Accessible text which is both easy to understand but comprehensive.
The book is very well structured with clear instructions with a clear progression throughout the book. It provides comprehensive examples and putting in screenshots is an excellent idea which allows for a deeper understanding. The book is recommended for all BA Hons students who are looking to carry out their dissertation.

The companion website has some excellent resources and will be used to deliver some lessons.
A comprehensive text which provides ample assistance to students approaching the use of SPSS Contains appropriate level of detail for MBA students with explanations of SPSS analysis procedures This text offers clear explanations of the different quantitative research methods using SPSS. Clearly written with good examples and advice on how to structure data for analysis.