TOOLS FOR POLICY RESEARCH

About the Book

This book is designed as a thesis research manual for students pursuing policy research at a Masters level. It is also intended for students pursuing Masters in Business Administration (MBA) thesis and dissertation research projects. The book is structured in a simple format that takes the student through the entire research process. It assumes a deductive research logic as a strategy to make business managers and policy implementers apply scientific thinking to solving business and policy problems. The authors strongly believe that the book will make a big difference in the research lives of Masters students in Africa and beyond. The complicated treatise of research found in many research methods books usually puts off average students. This book, thus, fills a big gap in readily available, affordable and easily accessible simple research methods books to Masters students in the developing world such as Africa and beyond.

About the Author

BONARD MWAPE Bonard Mwape is a Professor of Public Sector Management. He is currently the Director General of the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI) with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. Previously, Prof. Mwape was dean of students at the University of Zambia (UNZA) where he taught and conducted research for many years. He has more than 25 years of International experience and an extensive practical experience in public service delivery, quick wins, strategic planning, institutional strengthening, capacity building, organisational system analysis and development planning. Prof. Mwape has strong knowledge and experience in managing international and multidisciplinary projects, particularly in the area of service delivery improvement, functional analysis and Institutional roles. At the ESAMI Business School, Prof. Mwape supervises Masters and Doctoral research students, and teaches many courses such as Policy Analysis, Strategic Management, Leading Change in Organizations, General Management, Organizational Behavior, and Business Research Methods. Prof. Mwape holds a PhD in Public and International Affairs from Pittsburgh University, USA, and an MSc. Degree in Public Administration and Policy Analysis from University London, UK. Prof. Mwape was born in Zambia and he now lives with his family in Arusha. Arusha is a tourist hub perched on the slopes of Mount Meru in the northern tourist region of Tanzania, a few miles from Mount Kilimanjaro- the tallest mountain in Africa. JOSEPH MUMBA Joseph Mumba is an Asssociate Professor in Management. He is currently the Director of the ESAMI Business School at the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute, Arusha, Tanzania. Previously, Prof. Mumba taught and researched Physics and Environmental Technology at the University of Malawi for many years. He has more than 20 years of international experience in capacity building and consultancy in the areas of Industrial Environmental Management, Environmental Assessment and Audit, and in Energy Management. At the ESAMI Business School, Prof. Mumba supervises Masters and Doctoral research students, and teaches many courses such as Business Research Methods, Business Mathematics and Statistics, Corporate Environmental Management, and Operations Management. Prof. Mumba holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Strathclyde University, Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and an MBA Degree (Strategic Management) from Prifysgol Cymru (University of Wales), Cardiff, Wales, UK. Prof. Mumba was born in Malawi and he now lives with his family in Arusha, Tanzania.