Full Description
Revised and updated in its sixth edition, Social Research: Approachs and Fundamentals is a rigorous yet clear and engaging introduction to research methods. Covering all of the fundamentals in a straightforward, student-friendly manner, it is ideal for undergraduate- and graduate-level courses across the social sciences and also serves as an indispensable guide for researchers. Striking a balance between specific techniques and the underlying logic of scientific inquiry, this book provides a lucid treatment of the four major approaches to research: experimentation, survey research, field research, and the use of available data. Richly developed examples of empirical research and an emphasis on the research process enable students to better understand the real-world application of research methods. The authors also offer a unique chapter (13) advocating a multiple-methods strategy.
Contents
PrefaceChapter 1: IntroductionWhy Study Research Methods?Methodological Approaches to the Social WorldChapter 2: The Nature of Science The Aim of Science Science as Product Science as Process Critiques of Scientific Inquiry SummaryPART I: RESEARCH DESIGN Chapter 3: Elements of Research Design Origins of Research Topics Units of Analysis Variables Relationships Formulating Questions and Hypotheses Research Purposes and Research Design Stages of Social Research SummaryChapter 4: Measurement The Measurement Process Operational Definitions in Social Research Levels of Measurement Reliability and Validity Reliability Assessment Validity Assessment A Final Note on Reliability and Validity SummaryChapter 5: Sampling Why Sample? Population Definition Sampling Designs Probability Sampling Nonprobability Sampling Other Sampling Designs Factors Affecting Choice of Sampling Design Factors Determining Sample Size Final Notes on Sampling Errors and Generalizability SummaryPART II: METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION Chapter 6: Experimentation The Logic of Experimentation Staging Experiments The Experiment as a Social Occasion Experimentation Outside the Laboratory SummaryChapter 7: Experimental Designs Threats to Internal Validity Pre-experimental Designs True Experimental Designs Factorial Experimental Designs Quasi-experimental Designs SummaryChapter 8: Survey Research General Features of Survey Research Survey Research Designs Steps in Survey Research: Planning Face-to-Face and Telephone Interviewing Paper-and-Pencil Questionnaires Computer-Assisted Self-Interviews Mixed-Mode Surveys Field Administration Strengths and Limitations of SurveysSummaryChapter 9: Survey Instrumentation The Survey as a Social Occasion Materials Available to the Survey Designer "Sketches" or Preliminaries Filling in the Sketch: Writing the Items Pretesting SummaryChapter 10: Field Research General Features of Field Research Stages of Field Research Strengths and Limitations of Field ResearchSummaryChapter 11: Research Using Available Data Sources of Available Data General Methodological Issues in Available-Data Research Historical Analysis Content Analysis Strengths and Limitations of Research Using Available DataSummaryChapter 12: Multiple Methods Triangulation Multiple Measures of Concepts within the Same Study Multiple Tests of Hypotheses across Different Studies A Comparison of the Four Basic Approaches to Social Research Meta-Analysis SummaryChapter 13: Evaluation Research Framework and Sample Studies Types of Evaluation Research Methodological Issues in Evaluation Research The Social and Political Context of Evaluation Research SummaryPART III: DATA PROCESSING, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATIONChapter 14: Data Processing and Elementary Data Analysis Preview of Analysis Steps Data Processing Data Matrices and Documentation The Functions of Statistics in Social Research Inspecting and Modifying the Data Preliminary Hypothesis Testing SummaryChapter 15: Multivariate Analysis Modeling Relationships Elaboration: Tables and Beyond Multiple-Regression Analysis Other Modeling Techniques SummaryChapter 16: Research Ethics Data Collection and Analysis Treatment of Human Subjects Making Ethical Decisions Values in Social Research: Science and Society SummaryChapter 17: Writing Research Reports Searching the Literature Outlining and Preparing to Write Major Headings Revision and Other Considerations Publishing a Research PaperSummaryGlossary References Name Index Subject Index
