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Handbook of Qualitative Research Techniques and Analysis in Entrepreneurship
This insightful Handbook introduces a variety of qualitative data collection methods and analysis techniques pertinent in exploring the complex phenomenon of entrepreneurship. Detailed and practical accounts of how to conduct research employing verbal protocol analysis, critical incident technique, repertory grids, metaphors, and the constant comparative method are provided. Scholars new to the area, doctoral students, as well as established academics keen to extend their research scope, will find this book an invaluable and timely resource.
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Critical Acclaim
Contributors
Contents
More Information
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 analysing 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.
Techniques for collecting and analysing 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.
Critical Acclaim
‘This book will appeal to all researchers interested in qualitative research within the entrepreneurship field. The editors, Neergaard and Leitch, have put together a great group of experts who provide a fantastic overview on a wide range of known and lesser-known techniques. There is much to be discovered even for the experienced researcher. A great “how to” guide and a must-read for all qualitative entrepreneurship researchers, be they novices or experienced researchers.’
– Friederike Welter, Institut für Mittelstandsforschung (IfM) Bonn and University of Siegen, Germany
‘This is a much-needed addition to research methods in entrepreneurship. This book champions valuable practices for studying entrepreneurial phenomena in rigorous ways. Five qualitative interview methods (constant comparative technique, metaphor methodologies, critical incident technique, focus groups and repertory grids) are grounded in prior theory and research, and demonstrated in specific research situations in ways that offer scholars insightful and important approaches to exploring entrepreneurship. This is a “must buy” for scholars who want to utilize better and more insightful methods for exploring the ideas, context and praxis of entrepreneurship.’
– William B. Gartner, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark and California Lutheran University, US
– Friederike Welter, Institut für Mittelstandsforschung (IfM) Bonn and University of Siegen, Germany
‘This is a much-needed addition to research methods in entrepreneurship. This book champions valuable practices for studying entrepreneurial phenomena in rigorous ways. Five qualitative interview methods (constant comparative technique, metaphor methodologies, critical incident technique, focus groups and repertory grids) are grounded in prior theory and research, and demonstrated in specific research situations in ways that offer scholars insightful and important approaches to exploring entrepreneurship. This is a “must buy” for scholars who want to utilize better and more insightful methods for exploring the ideas, context and praxis of entrepreneurship.’
– William B. Gartner, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark and California Lutheran University, US
Contributors
Contributors: A.R. Anderson, C. Bjursell, A. Bøllingtoft, E. Chell, A. de Koning, E. Díaz de León, C. Dima, S. Drakopoulou Dodd, P. Guild, A. Hagedorn, R.T. Harrison, F.M. Hill, S.L. Jack, R.G. Klapper, C.M. Leitch, E. McKeever, S. Moult, H. Neergaard, R. Newby, R. Smith, S.M. Smith, G. Soutar, J. Watson
Contents
Contents:
Introduction
PART 1 AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CONSTANT COMPARATIVE TECHNIQUE
Alistair R. Anderson and Sarah L. Jack
1. Using the Constant Comparative Technique to Consider Network Change and Evolution
Sarah L. Jack, Alistair R. Anderson, Sarah Drakopoulou Dodd and Susan Moult
2. Using Constant Comparison as a Method of Analysis in Entrepreneurship Research
Susan M. Smith and Edward McKeever
3. Grounded Theory Analysis in Entrepreneurship Research
Anne Bøllingtoft
The Future for the Constant Comparative Technique
Alistair R. Anderson and Sarah L. Jack
PART II METAPHOR METHODOLOGIES: EXPLORING ENTREPRENEURSHIP RESEARCH, PEDAGOGY AND RESEARCHERS
Sarah Drakopoulou Dodd and Alice de Koning
4. Enacting, Experimenting and Exploring Metaphor Methodologies in Entrepreneurship
Sarah Drakopoulou Dodd and Alice de Koning
5. Con’text’ualising Images of Enterprise: An Examination of ‘Visual Metaphors’ used to Represent Entrepreneurship in Textbooks
Robert Smith
6. Metaphors in Communication of Scholarly Work
Cecilia Bjursell
Metaphor Methodologies in Entrepreneurship Research
Sarah Drakopoulou Dodd and Alice de Koning
SECTION III THE CRITICAL INCIDENT TECHNIQUE: AN OVERVIEW
Claire M. Leitch
7. Researching the Entrepreneurial Process using the Critical Incident Technique
Elizabeth Chell
8. The Efficacy of the Qualitative Variant of the Critical Incident Technique (CIT) in Entrepreneurship Research
Claire M. Leitch and Frances M. Hill
9. A Critical Incident Technique Approach to Entrepreneurship Research using Phenomenological Explicative Data Collection
Richard T. Harrison
Critical Incident Technique: Some Conclusions
Claire M. Leitch
PART IV PROVENANCE AND USE OF FOCUS GROUPS
John Watson and Rick Newby
10. Conducting a Traditional Focus Group
John Watson, Rick Newby, Helle Neergaard and Robert Smith
11. Conducting a Focus Group using Group Support System (GSS) Software
Geoff Soutar, Rick Newby and John Watson
12. Conducting an On-line Focus Group
Rick Newby and John Watson
Focus Groups: What have we Learned?
John Watson and Rick Newby
PART V REPERTORY GRIDS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP: PRACTICAL EXAMPLES FROM RESEARCH
Rita G. Klapper
17. Using Repertory Grid Technique to Explore the Relationship between Business Founders and Support Agents
Anja Hagedorn
18. Using Repertory Grid to Assess Intangibles: Uncertainty Reduction for Lean Start-ups in Entrepreneurship
Enrique Díaz de León and Paul Guild
19. Repertory Grid Technique: An Ideographic and Nomothetic Approach to Knowledge
Carmen Dima
20. Concluding Thoughts on Repertory Grids
Rita G. Klapper
Index
Introduction
PART 1 AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CONSTANT COMPARATIVE TECHNIQUE
Alistair R. Anderson and Sarah L. Jack
1. Using the Constant Comparative Technique to Consider Network Change and Evolution
Sarah L. Jack, Alistair R. Anderson, Sarah Drakopoulou Dodd and Susan Moult
2. Using Constant Comparison as a Method of Analysis in Entrepreneurship Research
Susan M. Smith and Edward McKeever
3. Grounded Theory Analysis in Entrepreneurship Research
Anne Bøllingtoft
The Future for the Constant Comparative Technique
Alistair R. Anderson and Sarah L. Jack
PART II METAPHOR METHODOLOGIES: EXPLORING ENTREPRENEURSHIP RESEARCH, PEDAGOGY AND RESEARCHERS
Sarah Drakopoulou Dodd and Alice de Koning
4. Enacting, Experimenting and Exploring Metaphor Methodologies in Entrepreneurship
Sarah Drakopoulou Dodd and Alice de Koning
5. Con’text’ualising Images of Enterprise: An Examination of ‘Visual Metaphors’ used to Represent Entrepreneurship in Textbooks
Robert Smith
6. Metaphors in Communication of Scholarly Work
Cecilia Bjursell
Metaphor Methodologies in Entrepreneurship Research
Sarah Drakopoulou Dodd and Alice de Koning
SECTION III THE CRITICAL INCIDENT TECHNIQUE: AN OVERVIEW
Claire M. Leitch
7. Researching the Entrepreneurial Process using the Critical Incident Technique
Elizabeth Chell
8. The Efficacy of the Qualitative Variant of the Critical Incident Technique (CIT) in Entrepreneurship Research
Claire M. Leitch and Frances M. Hill
9. A Critical Incident Technique Approach to Entrepreneurship Research using Phenomenological Explicative Data Collection
Richard T. Harrison
Critical Incident Technique: Some Conclusions
Claire M. Leitch
PART IV PROVENANCE AND USE OF FOCUS GROUPS
John Watson and Rick Newby
10. Conducting a Traditional Focus Group
John Watson, Rick Newby, Helle Neergaard and Robert Smith
11. Conducting a Focus Group using Group Support System (GSS) Software
Geoff Soutar, Rick Newby and John Watson
12. Conducting an On-line Focus Group
Rick Newby and John Watson
Focus Groups: What have we Learned?
John Watson and Rick Newby
PART V REPERTORY GRIDS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP: PRACTICAL EXAMPLES FROM RESEARCH
Rita G. Klapper
17. Using Repertory Grid Technique to Explore the Relationship between Business Founders and Support Agents
Anja Hagedorn
18. Using Repertory Grid to Assess Intangibles: Uncertainty Reduction for Lean Start-ups in Entrepreneurship
Enrique Díaz de León and Paul Guild
19. Repertory Grid Technique: An Ideographic and Nomothetic Approach to Knowledge
Carmen Dima
20. Concluding Thoughts on Repertory Grids
Rita G. Klapper
Index
