Full Description
Doing Social Research is an easy-to-understand guidebook for readers who have little or no knowledge of the social research process. Written in a clear, straightforward style, this book presents the various topics of social research in the outline form of all sociological research articles: starting with an introduction to the problem being researched, why the problem was chosen, and the theoretical premises of the chosen topic, then progressing to the methods utilized to collect the data, the analysis of the data, and the presentation of the material. By following the research outline, the book provides a concise overview of the most important elements of social research, and as an added bonus, synopses of classical studies introduce readers to the early pioneers of social research.
Contents
Part 1 1. The Scientific Method Chapter 2 Introduction: Taking the Course Chapter 3 Doing Social Research Chapter 4 The Range of Questions Chapter 5 Types of Inquiry Chapter 6 Research Techniques Chapter 7 Conclusions: The Text Chapter 8 Questions Chapter 9 Exercises Part 10 2. Designing the Research Project Chapter 11 Introduction: Establishing the Purpose of the Study Chapter 12 The Literature Review Chapter 13 The Design of the Study Chapter 14 Conclusions: Reviewing the Process Chapter 15 Questions Chapter 16 Exercises Part 17 3. The Conceptual Framework Chapter 18 Introduction: The Function of the Framework Chapter 19 The Theory Chapter 20 The Role of the Hypothesis Chapter 21 The Components of the Hypothesis: Variables and Concepts Chapter 22 The Question of Causality Chapter 23 Conclusions: The Contributions of the Conceptual Framework Chapter 24 Questions Chapter 25 Exercises Part 26 4. The Research Process Chapter 27 Introduction: The Research Proposal Chapter 28 Types of Research Chapter 29 Common Research Methods Chapter 30 Conclusions: The Terminology Chapter 31 Questions Chapter 32 Exercises Part 33 5. Collecting the Data Chapter 34 Introduction: Measurement Chapter 35 Method Classifications Chapter 36 Obtrusive Methods Chapter 37 Unobtrusive Methods: Using Available Data Chapter 38 Conclusions: Advantages and Disadvantages of These Methods Chapter 38 Conclusions: Advantages and Disadvantages of These Methods Chapter 39 Questions Chapter 39 Questions Chapter 40 Exercises Chapter 40 Exercises Part 41 The Classic Studies: Chapter 42 Classic Example Using Available Government Statistics: Suicide: A Study in Sociology Chapter 43 Classic Example Using Content Analysis of Available Documents: The Polish Peasant in Europe and America Part 44 6. Collecting the Data: Utilizing the Survey Chapter 45 Introduction: The History of the Survey Chapter 46 The Self-Administered Questionnaire: Tasks of Construction and Development Chapter 47 Different Techniques for Conducting a Survey Chapter 48 The Interview: Tasks of Construction Chapter 49 Special Interviewing Techniques Chapter 50 Conclusions: Advantages and Disadvantages Chapter 51 Questions Chapter 52 Exercises Part 53 The Classic Studies: Chapter 54 Classic Example Using the Survey Questionnaire: The American Soldier: Adjustment During Army Life Chapter 55 Classic Example Using the Survey Interview: An American Dilemma: The Negro Problem and Modern Democracy Chapter 56 Classic Example Using the Depth Interview Survey: Sexual Behavior in the Human Male and Sexual Behavior in the Human Female Part 57 7. Collecting the Data: Making Scientific Observations Chapter 58 Introduction: Scientific Observation Chapter 59 Advantages and Disadvantages of Scientific Observation Chapter 60 Types of Scientific Observation Chapter 61 Conclusions: Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Type of Scientific Observation Chapter 62 Student Projects Part 63 The Classic Studies: Chapter 64 Classic Example Using Detached Observation: Interaction Process Analysis: A Method for the Study of Small Groups Chapter 65 Classic Example Using Participant Observation: Street Corner Society: The Social Structure of an Italian Slum Chapter 66 Classic Example Using Participant as Observer: We the Tikopia: A Sociological Study of Kinship in Primitive Polynesia Part 67 8. Collecting the Data: Conducting an Experiment Chapter 68 Introduction: Types of Experiments Chapter 69 The Settings for Experiments Chapter 70 The Techniques for Conducting Experiments Chapter 71 Conclusions: The Decisions Chapter 72 Questions Chapter 73 Exercises Part 74 The Classic Studies: Chapter 75 Classic Example Using a Laboratory Experiment: Management and the Worker Chapter 76 Classic Example Using a Field Experiment: Inter-group Conflict and Cooperation: The Robbers Cave Experiment Part 77 9. Collecting the Data: Some Special Designs Chapter 78 Introduction: Different Designs for Special Needs Chapter 79 The Case Study Chapter 80 The Community Study Chapter 81 The Longitudinal Analysis Chapter 82 Conclusions: Current Use of These Special Designs Chapter 83 Questions Chapter 84 Exercises Part 85 The Classic Studies: Chapter 86 Classic Example Using the Case Study: Union Democracy: The Internal Politics of the International Typographical Union Chapter 87 Classic Example Using the Community Study: Middletown: A Study in American Culture and Middletown in Transition Chapter 88 Classic Example Using the Panel Analysis: The People's Choice: How the Voter Makes Up His Mind in a Presidential Campaign Part 89 10. Analyzing the Data: Some Important Questions Chapter 90 Introduction: Analysis and the Research Question Chapter 91 Problems of Measurement: Validity and Reliability Chapter 92 Problems of Measurement: Sampling Chapter 93 Problems of Measurement: Scales Chapter 94 Conclusions: Needs Chapter 95 Student Projects Part 96 11. Analyzing the Data: Some Important Tools Chapter 97 Introduction: Tools of Analysis Chapter 98 The Need for Coding Chapter 102 Conclusions: The Need for Verification Chapter 103 Questions Chapter 104 Exercises Part 105 12. Concluding the Study Chapter 106 Introduction: Presenting the Material Chapter 107 Writing the Report Chapter 108 The Abstract Chapter 109 Conclusions: Other Possible Needs Chapter 110 Questions Chapter 111 Exercises Part 112 Appendixes Chapter 113 A. Basic Outline for the Design of a Social Research Problem Chapter 114 B. The Research Grant: Proposal/Budget/ Funding Sources Chapter 115 C. A Guide to Sociological Journals Chapter 116 D. A List of Web Sites Chapter 117 E. Job Titles for Sociology Trainees Chapter 118 F. Statistical Tables: Random Numbers, Chi Square Numbers, Normal Curve Percentages Chapter 119 Glossary Chapter 120 References: The Classic Studies Chapter 121 References Chapter 122 Index Chapter 123 About the Author
