Qualitative Research in Business & Management (Second Edition) | Qualitative Research in Business & Management

A Clear Guide to Qualitative Inquiry in Management Research

Qualitative Research in Business & Management offers a structured route through the decisions that shape qualitative research, from choosing a topic and framing a theoretical perspective to collecting, analysing, and interpreting data. Michael D. Myers writes for researchers who need both a conceptual foundation and a practical sense of how qualitative projects actually unfold in business and management settings.

This second edition, published in 2013, organises the material into five parts: introduction, fundamental concepts of research, qualitative research methods, data collection techniques, and analysing qualitative data. That structure makes it useful as a course text, a reference for early-career researchers, and a companion for more experienced scholars who want to revisit core methodological debates.

Research Design, Philosophy, and Ethics

Early chapters address why qualitative research matters, how it differs from quantitative approaches, and how triangulation can strengthen a study. Readers encounter key questions about research design: choosing a topic, developing a theoretical framework, writing and defending a research proposal, and recognising how philosophical assumptions shape inquiry. The book examines positivist, interpretive, and critical perspectives, then turns to ethics and the principles that guide responsible research practice.

Methods and Data Collection

The methods section explores established qualitative approaches in depth, including action research, case study research, ethnographic research, and grounded theory. Each method is presented with attention to its underlying logic, practical application, and critical appraisal. Later chapters cover interviews, participant observation and fieldwork, and the use of documents, helping researchers match data collection techniques to their research questions and contexts.

Analysis and Interpretation

In the final part, the book provides an overview of qualitative data analysis and considers how researchers choose among analytical approaches. It also introduces hermeneutics and semiotics as interpretive traditions, showing how each can be used to make sense of textual, symbolic, and social material. Throughout, examples and critiques help readers see where methods are strong, where they are contested, and what careful practice looks like.

Who Will Find This Book Useful

This edition is aimed at students, academics, and practitioners conducting qualitative research in business, management, and organisation studies. It is especially relevant for those designing a thesis or research project, teaching qualitative methods, or seeking a grounded overview of how qualitative research is planned, executed, and evaluated. The second edition remains a substantial reference for anyone working with qualitative approaches in applied management research.