I never promised you a rose garden: when research questions ought to change

MacIntosh, R., Bartunek, J. M., Bhatt, M. and MacLean, D. (2016) I never promised you a rose garden: when research questions ought to change. In: Noumair, D. A. and Shani, A. B. (R.) (eds.) Research in Organizational Change and Development. Emerald Group Publishing Limited, pp. 47-82. ISBN 9781786353603 (doi: 10.1108/S0897-301620160000024003)

Abstract

This chapter addresses the common assumption that research questions are fixed at the outset of a study and should remain stable thereafter. We consider field-based organizational research and ask whether and when research questions can legitimately change. We suggest that change can, does, and indeed should occur in response to changes in the context within which the research is being conducted. Using an illustrative example, we identify refinement and reframing as two distinct types of research question development. We conclude that greater transparency over research question evolution would be a healthy development for the field.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: MacLean, Professor Donald
• Authors: MacIntosh, R., Bartunek, J. M., Bhatt, M., and MacLean, D.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
• Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• ISSN: 0897-3016
• ISBN: 9781786353603
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher