In her detailed and down-to-earth style, Zina O'Leary sets out how to approach each stage of your research project; from choosing a research design and methodology to collecting and analysing data, then communicating your results - while showcasing best practice along the way.

Chapter 1: Taking the Leap into the Research World
Chapter 2: Setting Up and Getting Started
Chapter 3: Developing Your Research Question
Chapter 4: Undertaking Credible and Ethical Research
Chapter 5: Crafting a Research Proposal
Chapter 6: Reviewing Literature
Chapter 7: Designing a Research Plan
Chapter 8: Understanding Methodologies: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches
Chapter 9: Understanding Methodologies: Mixed Approaches
Chapter 10: Understanding Methodologies: Evaluative, Action-Oriented and Emancipatory Strategies
Chapter 11: Identifying and Selecting Samples, Informants and Cases
Chapter 12: Primary Data: Surveys, Interviews and Observation
Chapter 13: Secondary Data
Chapter 14: Online Generated Data
Chapter 15: Analysing Quantitative Data
Chapter 16: Analysing Qualitative Data
Chapter 17: The Challenge of Writing Up
Chapter 18: Final Hurdles

Zina O'Leary is an internationally recognized leader in research methodologies and has a keen interest in the application of research to evidence-based decision-making. Zina is an Adjunct Professor at the Joseph R. Biden Jr, School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Delaware as well as a Senior ­Fellow at the Australia and New Zealand School of Government where she coordinates research and project units for their Executive Masters and Executive Education Programmes. Zina also has an extensive history as a consultant to both government and the private sector and was the research coordinator for the Centre for Environmental Health Development at the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre. She is the author of Researching Real World Problems, The Social Science Jargon Buster, Workplace Research and three books in Sage's Little Quick Fix Series: Research Questions; Research Proposals; and Presenting Your Research.