One of the most challenging tasks in the research design process is choosing the most appropriate data collection and analysis technique. This Handbook provides a detailed introduction to five qualitative data collection and analysis techniques pertinent to exploring entrepreneurial phenomena. Techniques for collecting and analyzing data are rarely addressed in detail in published articles. In addition, the constant development of new tools and refinement of existing ones has meant that researchers often face a confusing range from which to choose. The experienced and expert group of contributors to this book provide detailed, practical accounts of how to conduct research employing focus groups, critical incident technique, repertory grids, metaphors, the constant comparative method and grounded theory. This Handbook will become the starting point for any research project.Scholars new to entrepreneurship and doctoral students as well as established academics keen to extend their research scope will find this book an invaluable and timely resource.
Contents:Introduction PART 1 AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CONSTANT COMPARATIVE TECHNIQUEAlistair R. Anderson and Sarah L. Jack1. Using the Constant Comparative Technique to Consider Network Change and EvolutionSarah Jack, Alistair R. Anderson, Sarah Drakopoulou Dodd and Susan Moult2. Using Constant Comparison as a Method of Analysis in Entrepreneurship ResearchSusan M Smith and Edward McKeever3. Grounded Theory Analysis in Entrepreneurship ResearchAnne Bollingtoft4. The Future for the Constant Comparative TechniqueAlistair R. Anderson and Sarah L. JackPART II METAPHOR METHODOLOGIES: EXPLORING ENTREPRENEURSHIP RESEARCH, PEDAGOGY AND RESEARCHERSSarah Drakopoulou Dodd and Alice de Koning 5. Enacting, Experimenting and Exploring Metaphor Methodologies in Entrepreneurship Sarah Drakopoulou Dodd and Alice de Koning6. Con'text'ualising Images of Enterprise: An Examination of 'Visual Metaphors' used to Represent Entrepreneurship in Text BooksRobert Smith7. Metaphors in Communication of Scholarly WorkCecilia Bjursell8. Metaphor Methodologies in Entrepreneurship ResearchSarah Drakopoulou Dodd and Alice de KoningSECTION III THE CRITICAL INCIDENT TECHNIQUE: AN OVERVIEWClaire Leitch9. Researching the Entrepreneurial Process using the Critical Incident Technique Elizabeth Chell10. The Efficacy of the Qualitative Variant of the Critical Incident Technique (cit) in Entrepreneurship ResearchClaire M Leitch and Frances M Hill11. A Critical Incident Technique Approach to Entrepreneurship Research using Phenomenological Explicative Data CollectionRichard T Harrison12. Critical Incident Technique: Some ConclusionsClaire M LeitchPART IV PROVENANCE AND USE OF FOCUS GROUPSJohn Watson and Rick Newby13. Conducting a Traditional Focus GroupJohn Watson, Rick Newby, Helle Neergaard and Robert Smith14. Conducting a Focus Group using Group Support System (GSS) SoftwareGeoff Soutar, Rick Newby, and John Watson15. Conducting an On-line Focus GroupRick Newby and John Watson16. Focus Groups: What have we Learned?John Watson and Rick NewbyPART V REPERTORY GRIDS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP: PRACTICAL EXAMPLES FROM RESEARCHRita G. Klapper17. Using Repertory Grid Technique to Explore the Relationship between Business Founders and Support AgentsAnja Hagedorn18. Using Repertory Grid to Assess Intangibles: Uncertainty Reduction for Lean Start-ups in EntrepreneurshipEnrique Diaz de Leon and Paul Guild19. Repertory Grid Technique: An Ideographic and Nomothetic Approach to KnowledgeCarmen Dima 20. Concluding Thoughts on Repertory GridsRita G. KlapperIndex
