One of the best guides on planning and implementing research! O'Leary's book will be an essential part of my future courses to make sure that students really grasp the different phases of a (small) research project. -- Martin Senn 20131017 This book is very accessible and provides a useful overview of the range of research approaches. It adopts a very practical approach to undertaking research, providing students with clear guidance at each stage of the process. -- Michelle Butler 20131017 An excellent introduction for undergraduate students looking to delve into the world of research. This book will help guide them through the process of planning research, collecting and analysing data, as well as writing the whole thing up. It is an essential guide that really is essential. -- Tom Clark 20131017 This latest work from Zina O'Leary continues and extends her valuable contribution to the research methodology literature. The book is clear, logically laid out and comprehensive, covering everything research students require. Once again, the writing is inviting and accessible. The result is a book which will be of great use to research students, and to those who teach them. Zina O'Leary's experience in working with research students shines through. -- Keith Punch, Emeritus Professor, University of Western Australia Keith Punch, Emeritus Professor, University of Western Australia 20131022

Dr Zina O'Leary is an internationally recognised leader in research methodologies and has a keen interest in the application of research to evidence based decision making in both the private and public sector. She designs and coordinates research units at the University of Sydney (Business School and Graduate School of Government) and the Australia and New Zealand School of Government. Zina also has an extensive history as a consultant and research coordinator for the Centre for Environmental Health Development at the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre. She is the author of Researching Real World Problems, and The Social Science Jargon Buster.

Taking the Leap into the Research World Setting Up and Getting Started Developing Your Research Question Undertaking Credible and Ethical Research Crafting a Research Proposal Reviewing Literature Designing a Research Plan Understanding Methodologies: Quantitative, Qualitative and Mixed Approaches Understanding Methodologies: Evaluative, Action-Oriented and Emancipatory Strategies Seeking 'Respondents' Primary Data: Surveys, Interviews and Observation Secondary Data: Documents, Datasets and Online Data Analysing Quantitative Data Analysing Qualitative Data The Challenge of Writing Up