Full Description
This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the study and implementation of social research methods. It gives students an assessment of the contexts within which different methods can be used, explaining how social research is carried out and offering advice for independent social research study. All the major research methods and designs are covered, with theoretical discussions illustrated by practical examples to aid understanding. Both quantitative and qualitative research are explored in depth, with an assessment of how these are distinguished alongside discussions of the ways in which these two research strategies can be usefully combined. This balanced approach encourages an appreciation of the variety inherent in social research methods, and offers students a diversity of transferable skills. Illustrated throughout with a wide range of examples, this book provides a practical approach and is the essential introduction to social research methods for all students of this subject.
ACCOMPANYING WEB SITE: A web site to work alongside the book, featuring powerpoint slides providing an entire lecture course (can be used in any order), revision questions, additional examples, and lecturer material.
Contents
Guide to the Book; PART ONE; 1. Social Research Strategies; 2. Research Designs; PART TWO; 3. The Nature of Quantitative Research; 4. Sampling; 5. Structured Interviewing; 6. Self-completion Questionnaires; 7. Asking Questions; 8. Structured Observation; 9. Content Analysis; 10. Secondary Analysis and Official Statistics; 11. Quantitative Data Analysis; 12. Using SPSS for Windows; PART THREE; 13. The Nature of Qualitative Research; 14. Ethnography and Participant Observation; 15. Interviewing in Qualitative Research; 16. Focus Groups; 17. Language in Qualitative Research; 18. Documents as Sources of Data; 19. Qualitative Data Analysis; 20. Computer-assisted Qualitative Data Analysis: Using NVivo; PART FOUR; 21. Breaking Down the Quantitative-Qualitative Divide; 22. Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Research; 23. Writing Up Social Research; 24. Ethics in Social Research; 25. Conducting a Small-Scale Project; Glossary; Bibliography; Name Index; Subject Index
