Social Research:An Evolving ProcessDescription |
A shorter, less intimidating research methods text that discusses research not as a cut-and-dried set of procedures, but rather as an evolving inquiry process within real social settings. Social Research: An Evolving Process covers quantitative and qualitative approaches and issues related to the research process in a straightforward, easily understood format. It takes a unique sociological orientation to the research process by emphasizing the social aspects of serious research, the flaws that can result, and ways to detect and correct those flaws.  |
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Features |
- Shows how actual research rarely meets the standards for an ideal design and is more like an evolving inquiry process.
- An integrated approach treats certain research issues, such as ethics, throughout the book and connects different parts of the process, rather than isolating topics in a single chapter.
- Boxes in each chapter give needed background material, add depth and historic insight, and help with terminology.
- Includes a glossary of key research terminology, a table of random digits, and a random number appendix with explanations of ways to create random digits for special research purposes.
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New to this Edition |
- New paperback format, lower price.
- Cartoons have been added to the text.
- New Research examples in hot areas.
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Table of Contents |
1. The Social Setting of Social Research.
Examples of Studies.Is it Research?Who Does Social Research and Why?Social Factors in Research.Ethical Concerns in Social Science Research.Schematic Outline of Research Methods.SECTION 1. THE BASIC PLAN. 2. Conceptualization: What to Measure and Why?
Forming Research Questions.Facts and Hypotheses.Theory and Its Value for Research.The Relationship Between Basic and Applied Research Objectives.3. Finding and Developing Measures.
Principles of Measuring.Measurement Techniques.Measurement Issues.4. Study Design: Basic Contrasts and Plans.
The Basic Logic of Valid Comparison.The Role of Time in Research Design.Design Options: Decision Patterns and Tradeoffs.Issues in the Choice of Research Design.5. Sampling and Inference.
Terminology.Why Sample?The Logic of Inference.Random Selection.Other Sampling Considerations.Other Types of Random Samples.Nonrandom Samples.Sample Size.SECTION II. THE PRINCIPAL RESEARCH METHODS. 6. Experimental Research.
Principles.Techniques and Examples.Issues in Experimental Research.7. Survey Research.
Principles.Techniques of Survey Research.Issues in Survey Research.8. Case Study Research.
Principles.Techniques.Issues in Case Study Research.9. Secondary Data Research.
Principles of Secondary Data Research.Using Quantitative Data.Using Qualitative Data.Content Analysis.SECTION III. PROCESSING DATA. 10. Approaches to Data Analysis.
Steps in Data Analysis.Statistical Analysis.Levels of Statistical Analysis.11. Reporting the Results.
Reporting Options.Writing the Research Report.Other Issues Related to Reporting.12. The Organization of Research.
The Research Tasks.Individual versus Team Research.Research as a Social Activity.Factors Favoring Team Research.Problems of Team Research.Task-Team Interdependence.The Education Factor.13. Resource Considerations.
Projecting Costs.Sources of Funding.Grants versus Contracts.The Research Proposal.Problems of Constraints.Other Issues.14. Developments and Prospects.
Themes.Uses of Research.The Point of it All.The Process of Knowing.Scientific Contributions.Developing the Process of Inquiry.Social Process of Inquiry.Appendix 1. Outline of Student Materials.
Appendix 2. How to Create Random Numbers for Research.
Appendix 3. Glossary.
Appendix 4. Additional Research References.
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