Diversity, equity and inclusion in Research Methods for Business Students
Pearson’s author webinar series “Changing Perspectives”
Best-selling author and Professor Mark Saunders spoke about how he incorporated the themes of diversity, equity and inclusion into the latest edition of this market-leading textbook, 'Research Methods for Business Students'.
Mark Saunders (Professor of Business Research Methods, University of Birmingham) challenges the students' way of thinking and encourages them to apply these fundamental themes into their research, as future academics and leaders who want to produce outstanding and impactful written work that will make a difference.
The YouTube video of the webinar is available, along with the full presentation.
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Research Methods for Business Students, 9th edition: available in Print, eTextbook and Revel® formats.
Weaving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion into Research Methods
How DE&I could become a natural part of the teaching process
As a result of working along with the students and academics, Mark has included various reader-friendly and accessibility features in the textbook. The features include a range of opening vignettes, case studies and boxed examples, to help students better understand the research process.
Additionally, the appendices make the content more accessible to those needing visual aid for the printed version. The digital formats (eTextbook and Revel) have also followed a similar approach to accessibility.
How can one teach the concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion in research methods in business?
Partnering with the students in the learning process
The use of “we” in the initial definition of research as presented in the book, avoids gender-specific language. At the same time, it pulls the student to partner with the lecturers in this process. For example:
“Based upon this brief discussion we can already see that research has several characteristics…”
An additional accessibility element is the intentionally simplified use of language to facilitate students who may not have English as their first language, although the terminology remains intact and in keeping with the academic requirements.
Opening vignettes and the example of decolonisation
Introducing alternative beliefs in the research methods
The opening chapter for research philosophy starts with the “Opening Vignette” – one of the most distinguishable features of the book.
One of the examples the vignettes introduce is the one of decolonisation, which relates to the stages of creating philosophical assumptions as part of the research process, and further introduces alternative beliefs and suggestions about how the world operates.
Touching upon this topic in more detail, especially towards the end of his presentation, Mark demonstrated how contrasting perspectives in the narrative could affect the data gathering, interpretation and reporting, depending on whether they originate from the dominant, Western-European colonists or the Aboriginals.
End-of-chapter case study: internationalising strategy and the development of small firms
Each edition introduces new case studies at the end of each chapter, keeping the content relevant and up to date with the elements of diversity and inclusion.
Furthermore, boxes focusing on management research, student research and research in the news depict social and topical issues that took place at the time of writing. The boxes demonstrate useful insights into the research process, leading to a collection of data that students find exciting and engaging but also diverse and inclusive. Examples include LGBTQI-related themes or work on gathering data based in the representation of girls on Disney animations.
Advice on writing: why the use of non-discriminatory language is important
Top Tip: gender-neutral language is important when writing.
Gender-specific language could exclude a portion of readers from reading the ideas expressed in the written work.
To avoid errors, the best practice would be to use the textbook's guidance on non-discriminatory language in the appendix, including the non-binary (gender-neutral) terminology.
Accessibility in the digital formats
The latest eTextbook edition features accessibility guidelines, which include closed captions in video players and allow auto replay. Furthermore, additional features present downloadable transcripts, whereas the videos link to discussions and questions in the text.
The Revel, interactive version of the book includes screen readers relating to literature reviews, as well as alternative texts for those partially sighted. Revel therefore provides not only text but audio content as well, giving students the full description. Additional Revel features include diverse and inclusive imagery, along with audio and video presenting diverse accents, genders, ethnicities and experiences.