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Researching Power, Elites and Leadership
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Researching Power, Elites and Leadership


June 2012 | 336 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

This exciting new text consolidates the how's and why's of researching powerful people.

Written by a leading authority in the field, this book introduces the reader to a significant area of methodology, and provides a research-based contribution to elite and leadership studies. It offers a truly international perspective that will appeal to those studying and working with elites in a variety of contexts.

Useful features include:

  • A variety of case studies and examples linked to over 1000 sources and resources
  • Extensive use of figures throughout the text to illustrate key points
  • Templates and models for planning and presentations

The book promotes a practical future-oriented approach to support and inspire academic, professional and civil society researchers at all levels. It introduces new research frameworks and facilitates critical techniques through Critical Process Analysis.

This is a must-have resource and an excellent new addition to the field of elite and leadership studies.


 
PART ONE: INTRODUCTION
 
Why Research Powerful People?
 
Who the Book Is for
 
Key Concepts
 
How the Book Was Researched
 
A Quick Guide to the Book
 
The Chapters
 
PART TWO: UNDERSTANDING
 
Origins
Anthropology

 
History

 
Philosophy

 
Up-System Research

 
 
Theory
Power

 
Elites

 
Leadership

 
Populace

 
Critique

 
 
PART THREE: DOING
 
Literature
Searching

 
Reviewing

 
Topics

 
 
Planning
Design

 
Focus

 
Problematization

 
Definitions

 
Access

 
Integrity

 
 
Frameworks
Direct

 
Indirect

 
Networks and Systems

 
 
Data
Sources

 
Selection

 
Testing

 
 
PART FOUR: USING
 
Analysis
Comparison

 
Causation

 
Consistency

 
Contra-Arguments

 
Common Sense

 
Critical Process Analysis

 
Conceptualization

 
Outcomes

 
Reporting

 
Presentation

 
Influencing Change

 
 
Appendices - Tools and Templates for Research Planning
Mapping a case study within a conceptual framework

 
Linking the elements of a research study

 
A basic research design

 
A basic Gantt chart

 
Achieving focus at, or across, specific levels

 
Systematic links from topic to data collection

 
Making distinctions between elite and leadership roles

 
Explaining the focus of a study

 
Standard research frameworks

 
Relating basic questions to frameworks and information sources

 
Comparing journalistic and academic approaches to access

 
Instruments to implement power

 
The structure of a press release

 
Glossary

 
Internet Sources

 
References

 

This is an excellent and timely addition to the literature on elites and I would strongly recommend this book to those who are new to this field and are looking for a thorough overview of elites as well as practical guidance on researching, analysing and publishing on this group
William Harvey
The University of Sydney Business School


Sample Materials & Chapters

Introduction


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ISBN: 9781446292488

Hardcover
ISBN: 9780857024282
$226.00

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ISBN: 9780857024299
$70.00

This title is also available on SAGE Research Methods, the ultimate digital methods library. If your library doesn’t have access, ask your librarian to start a trial.