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Key Concepts in Social Research
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Key Concepts in Social Research

First Edition


May 2004 | 248 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
`This clearly written and user-friendly book is ideal for students or researchers who wish to get a basic, but solid grasp of a topic and see how it fits with other topics. By following the links a student can easily and efficiently build up a clear conceptual map of social research' - Malcolm Williams, Reader in Sociology, University of Plymouth

`This is a really useful book, written in an accessible manner for students beginning their study of social research methods. It is helpful both as an introductory text and as a reference guide for more advanced students. Most of the key topics in methods and methodology are covered and it will be suitable as a recommended text on a wide variety of courses' - Clive Seale, Goldsmiths College, University of London

At last, an authoritative, crystal-clear introduction to research methods which really takes account of the needs of students for accessible, focused information to help with undergraduate essays and exams. The key concepts discussed here are based on a review of teaching syllabi and the authors' experience of many years of teaching. Topics range over qualitative and quantitative approaches and combine practical considerations with philosophical issues. They include several new topics, like internet and phone polling, internet searches, and visual methods. Each section is free-standing, can be tackled in order, but with links to other sections to enable students to cross-reference and build up a wider understanding of central research methods.

To facilitate comprehension and aid study, each section begins with a definition. It is followed by a summary of key points with key words and guides to further reading and up-to-date examples.

The book is a major addition to undergraduate reading lists. It is reliable, allows for easy transference to essays and exams and easy to use, and exceptionally clearly written for student consumption. The book answers the needs of all those who find research methods daunting, and for those who have dreamt of an ideal introduction to the subject.


 
Action Research
 
Association and Causation
 
Attitude Scales
 
Auto/Biography and Life Histories
 
Bias
 
Case Study
 
Coding Qualitative Data
 
Community Profiles
 
Community Studies
 
Content Analysis
 
Contingency Tables
 
Documentary Methods
 
Ethical Practice
 
Ethnography
 
Ethnomethodology and Conversational Analysis
 
Evaluation Studies
 
Experiments
 
Feminist Research
 
Fieldwork
 
Grounded Theory
 
Group Discussions/Focus Groups
 
Hawthorne Effect
 
Hypothesis
 
Indicators and Operationalisations
 
Internet and Other Searches
 
Internet Polling
 
Interviewing
 
Key Informants
 
Levels of Measurement
 
Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Studies
 
Methods and Methodologies
 
Objectivity
 
Observation
 
Official Statistics
 
Participant Observation
 
Positivism and Realism
 
Qualitative Methods
 
Quantitative Methods
 
Questionnaires
 
Reflexivity
 
Reliability
 
Sampling
Estimates and Size

 
 
Sampling
Questions of Size

 
 
Sampling
Types

 
 
Secondary Analysis
 
Social Surveys
 
Telephone and Computer-Assisted Polling
 
Unobstrusive Methods and Triangulation
 
Validity
 
Visual Methods

Great book - just loving it and definitely recommending it.

Dr Hanna Eichmann
Gesundheits- u. Pflegewissenschaften, West Saxon University of Applied Sci's of Zwickau
May 7, 2012

This book lays out in clear simple terms the main concepts and language used in research. This is useful for the complete beginner, however, someone writing an assignment or dissertation would not fully benefit from it.

Ms Denise Elliott
primary education, Stranmillis University College
July 26, 2011

For instructors

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ISBN: 9781446233894

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