Evaluating Information: A Guide for Users of Social Science Research
4th Edition
Published on 16. September 1997
Book
Paperback/Softback
320 pages
978-0-07-034309-2 (ISBN)
Description
This book introduces students to social science research from the consumer's point of view. The authors believe that while social science may not require that every student of the discipline will have to conduct research studies, it is still essential for students to successfully read, understand and evaluate the research published in their field. To that end, the authors of this text have streamlined their narrative, omitting the burden of technical jargon, and focusing on the broad elements common to all kinds of social science research, such as experimental, survey, and case study. Questions to Ask, found at the end of each chapter, highlight the specific criteria to consider when evaluating research and offer a clear and accessible presentation of the general principles in social science research.
More details
Edition
4th edition
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
McGraw-Hill Education - Europe
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 163 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
406 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-07-034309-2 (9780070343092)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Jeffrey Katzer is a Professor in the School of Informational Studies at Syracuse University. He received his Ph.D. at Michigan State University.
Kenneth H. Cook received his Ph.D at Syracuse University. Currently, he is a member of the Worldwide Technical Education Services organization at 3Com Corporation in Marlborough, Massachusetts.
Wayne W. Crouch is Principal at Crouch Associates, a management consulting firm in Amherst, Massachusetts. He received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University.
Kenneth H. Cook received his Ph.D at Syracuse University. Currently, he is a member of the Worldwide Technical Education Services organization at 3Com Corporation in Marlborough, Massachusetts.
Wayne W. Crouch is Principal at Crouch Associates, a management consulting firm in Amherst, Massachusetts. He received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University.
Content
SECTION ONEINTRODUCTION: HOW DOES ANYBODY KNOW ANYTHINGChapter 1Purpose: What Are We Trying to DOChapter 2Assumptions: What We Believe About How We KnowSECTION 2DISCOVERY AND COMMUNICATION OF RESEARCH FINDING: WHERE DO ERRORS COME FROM?Chapter 3Observation: Seeing is not BelievingChapter 4Communication: Writing Adds Other ProblemsChapter 5Interpretation:...And Then You Read ItSECTION 3THE NATURE OF ERROR: WHAT KINDS ARE THEREChapter 6Bias: A Systematic ErrorChapter 7Noise: The other Type of ErrorSECTION 4FACTUALLY ACCURATE INFORMATION: CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?Chapter 8Subject Matter: What is Being Studied?Chapter 9Measurement: How does it Size Up?Chapter 10Description: Are the Results Summarized Fairly?Chapter 11Relationships: More Informative, But More Difficult to UnderstandChapter 12Control: Rival Explanations...Is Something Else at Work?Chapter 13Inference: Are the Results Real...Or could they have Been Caused By Noise?SECTION 5USEFULL INFORMATION: SHOULD YOU APPLY IT?Chapter 14Generality: Do the Results Apply to You?Chapter 15Being Practical: Going Beyond ErrorSECTION 6APPLICATIONS: HOW TO DO EVALUATIONSChapter 16A Step-by-Step Guide for EvaluationChapter 17Questions to AskChapter 18Practicing Chapter 19Sample EvaluationsChapter 20Practice Articles