Doing Academic Research: A Practical Guide to Research Methods and Analysis

Doing Academic Research is an accessible guide to research focusing on the social sciences, humanities, and business. It approaches research as a process, steering readers through the beginnings of topic choice through choosing methods, samples, and then sharing their results.

The book guides readers through six methods in detail (interviews, focus groups, surveys, textual analysis, content analysis, and critical discourse analysis), providing enough information to successfully choose and conduct each method. It also covers observational methods like ethnography, experiments, and meta-synthesis, explaining when and why a researcher might choose those methods. It then shows readers how to analyze both qualitative and quantitative data, with tips and tricks to make the process more intuitive, and concludes with a discussion of how to effectively write, present, and publish research. The chapters also include additional material, ranging from discussions of ethics connected to specific methods, suggestions on how to work effectively with libraries, and ways to use artificial intelligence tools in the process. A selection of online resources are also available with websites, videos, selected bibliographies, and other guides to deepen understanding of the content.

This book is perfect for both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professional academics and researchers looking to expand into additional methods or refine their understanding and approach to the ones they currently use.

Ted Gournelos is an Associate Professor of Communication and Theatre Arts at Old Dominion University, USA. He specializes in marketing, media studies, and cultural studies. His marketing and consulting firm Story Strategy specializes in market research, strategy, and strategic communications campaigns.

Gary Beck is an Associate Professor of Communication and Theatre Arts at Old Dominion University, USA. He studies resilience and other forms of social positivity at the intersection of interpersonal, family, and health communication.

Tim Hackman is Dean of Libraries at Old Dominion University, USA. He has spent more than two decades in academic research libraries and has published and presented on leadership and change management, project management, perceptions and use of e-books, open access, and faculty outreach.