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The A-Z of Social Research
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The A-Z of Social Research
A Dictionary of Key Social Science Research Concepts

First Edition
Edited by:

April 2003 | 346 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

`A detailed and valuable addition to the literature that will be a very useful resource for lecturers, as well as having a wide appeal among students' - Tim May, University of Salford

Have you ever wondered what a concise, comprehensive book providing critical guidance to the whole expanse of social science research methods and issues might look like? The A-Z is a collection of 94 entries ranging from qualitative research techniques to statistical testing and the practicalities of using the Internet as a research tool. Alphabetically arranged in accessible, reader-friendly formats, the shortest entries are 800 words long and the longest are 3000. Most entries are approximately 1500 words in length and are supported by suggestions for further reading. The book:

- Answers the demand for a practical, fast and concise introduction to the key concepts and methods in social research

- Supplies students with impeccable information that can be used in essays, exams and research projects

- Demystifies a field that students often find daunting

This is a refreshing book on social research methods, which understands the pressures that modern students face in their work-load and seeks to supply an authoritative study guide to the field. It should fulfil a long-standing need in undergraduate research methods courses for an unpatronising, utterly reliable aid to making sense of research methods.


 
Abduction and Retroduction
 
Action Research
A Case Study

 
 
Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
 
Attitudes
 
Biographical Method
 
CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing)
 
Case Study
 
Causation
 
Central Tendency
 
Child Research
 
Comparative Analysis
 
Computer Simulation of Social Processes
 
Constructionism, Social
 
Content Analysis
 
Contingency Tables
 
Conversation Analysis
 
Correlation and Regression
 
Critical Theory
 
Cultural Analysis
 
Data Archives
 
Deduction
 
Diaries, Self-Completion
 
Discourse Analysis
 
Dispersion and the Normal Distribution
 
Documentary Sources
 
Ecological Fallacy
 
E-Mail as a Research Tool
 
Empiricism, Abstracted Empiricism
 
Epistemology
 
Ethics
 
Ethnography
 
Ethnomethodology
 
Exploratory Data Analysis
 
Factor Analysis
 
Feminist Epistemology
 
Feminist Methodology
 
Focus Groups
 
Gender Identity Dysphoria Assessment
 
Generalization
 
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
 
Grounded Theory
 
Hawthorne Effect
 
Hermeneutics
 
Historical Methods
 
Hypothesis Testing
 
Ideal Type
 
Impact Assessment
 
Induction
 
Intellectual Property Rights
 
Internet
 
Interpretation
 
Interviews
 
Literature Searching
 
Loglinear Analysis
 
Longitudinal Research
 
Measurement, Level of
 
Meaning
 
Methodology
 
`Micro' Sampling Techniques
 
Modernity
 
Multilevel Models
 
Narrative Approach
 
Naturalism
 
Observation, Overt and Covert
 
Online Methods
 
Paradigm
 
Participant Observation
 
Participatory Action Research
 
Phenomenology
 
Philosophy of Social Research
 
Policy Research
 
Positivism
 
Qualitative Research
 
Qualitative Research Data, Archiving
 
Queer Research
 
Questionnaire and Structured Interview Schedule Design
 
Questionnaires and Structured Interview Schedules
 
Realism
 
Reflexivity
 
Research Design
 
Sampling, Probability
 
Sampling, Quota
 
Sampling, Snowball
Assessing Hidden and Hard-to-Reach Populations

 
 
Secondary Analysis Qualitative
 
Secondary Data Analysis
 
Sensitive Research
 
Sex Surveys
 
Social Fact
 
Social Indicators
 
Social Statistics
 
Social Survey
 
Standardisation
 
Statistical Interaction
 
Structuralism/Poststructuralism
 
Systematic Review
 
Telephone Methods for Social Surveys
 
Theory
 
Triangulation
 
Unobtrusive Measures
 
Verbal Protocol Analysis
 
Verstehen
 
Vignette
 
Visual Research Methods

`I think the book is likely to appeal to a wider audience than students, as medical colleagues and those less familiar with social research attempt to find out more about the terms and concepts they encounter' - Medical Sociology News


An innovative and engage approach to social research

Mrs Susan Ramsdale
Nursing , Univ. of Central Lancashire
September 20, 2014

I like this book. There are some interesting sections e.g. Grounded theory. However the layout is not easy yo navigate - topics are not necessarily where you would expect to find them.

Mrs Mary Huntley
health, university of northampton
April 7, 2014

This text provides concise definitions of terminology encountered by students undertaking research. The text would benefit from updating some of the suggestions for further reading.

Mr Don Hall
Faculty of Education (London), University of Cumbria
November 21, 2013

this book is not up to date in my opinion...needs a revised edition

Professor Stephen Dobson
insitute of education, Hedmark University College
May 14, 2013

A very useful reference point for students and novice researchers.

Professor DENNIS DZANSI
PROJECT MANAGEMENT, Central Univ of Tech, Free State
July 11, 2012

This is fantastic. If a student feels lost, confused, bemused this clear A-Z of social science research methods and issues will stop the terrified tremors of 'I just don't understand'. Practical and demystifying.

Ms Therese Lewis
Faculty of Health, Social Work & Educ, Northumbria University
January 11, 2012

Terminology that ALL researchers need!

Mrs Maryke Mihai
Faculty of Education, University of Pretoria
September 2, 2011

Sage College Publishing

You can purchase or sample this product on our Sage College Publishing site:

Go To College Site

This title is also available on SAGE Research Methods, the ultimate digital methods library. If your library doesn’t have access, ask your librarian to start a trial.