Basics of Social Research
Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches Plus MySearchLab with eText -- Access Card Package
3rd Edition
Published on 28. October 2012
Book
Mixed media product
432 pages
978-0-205-86367-9 (ISBN)
Description
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--Preparing students to do research and understand what research can do.
Basics of Social Research helps students understand what research can and cannot do, become better consumers of research, and learn why properly conducted research is important.
This text teaches students to be better consumers of research results and understand how the research enterprise works, preparing them to conduct small research projects. Upon completing this text, students will gain an awareness of the capabilities and restrictions of research, and learn why properly conducted research is important. Using clear, accessible language and examples from real research, this text discusses both qualitative and quantitative approaches to social research, emphasizing the benefits of combining various approaches.
Learning Goals
Upon completing this book, readers should be able to:
Recognize that social research is simultaneously a very important enterprise and one that is not beyond you - you can understand it
Become better consumers and understand what research can and cannot do
Learn how to properly conducted research
Acquire a foundation for further learning about doing research and understand that this activity requires dedication, creativity, and mature judgment
Note: MySearchLab does not come automatically packaged with this text. To purchase MySearchLab, please visit: www.mysearchlab.com or you can purchase a ValuePack of the text + MySearchLab with Pearson eText (at no additional cost). ValuePack ISBN-10: 0205863671/ ValuePack ISBN-13: 9780205863679
Packages
Access codes for Pearson's MyLab & Mastering products may not be included when purchasing or renting from companies other than Pearson; check with the seller before completing your purchase.
Used or rental books
If you rent or purchase a used book with an access code, the access code may have been redeemed previously and you may have to purchase a new access code.
Access codes
Access codes that are purchased from sellers other than Pearson carry a higher risk of being either the wrong ISBN or a previously redeemed code. Check with the seller prior to purchase.
--Preparing students to do research and understand what research can do.
Basics of Social Research helps students understand what research can and cannot do, become better consumers of research, and learn why properly conducted research is important.
This text teaches students to be better consumers of research results and understand how the research enterprise works, preparing them to conduct small research projects. Upon completing this text, students will gain an awareness of the capabilities and restrictions of research, and learn why properly conducted research is important. Using clear, accessible language and examples from real research, this text discusses both qualitative and quantitative approaches to social research, emphasizing the benefits of combining various approaches.
Learning Goals
Upon completing this book, readers should be able to:
Recognize that social research is simultaneously a very important enterprise and one that is not beyond you - you can understand it
Become better consumers and understand what research can and cannot do
Learn how to properly conducted research
Acquire a foundation for further learning about doing research and understand that this activity requires dedication, creativity, and mature judgment
Note: MySearchLab does not come automatically packaged with this text. To purchase MySearchLab, please visit: www.mysearchlab.com or you can purchase a ValuePack of the text + MySearchLab with Pearson eText (at no additional cost). ValuePack ISBN-10: 0205863671/ ValuePack ISBN-13: 9780205863679
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Other editions
New editions
Book
03/2014
4th Edition
Pearson
€97.98
Article is exhausted; no reprint
Person
W. Lawrence Neuman James is professor of sociology and Asian Studies coordinator at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. His M.A. and Ph.D. were earned at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has authored seven books and published 35 articles and book chapters, which have appeared in Social Problems, Sociological Inquiry, Social Science Quarterly, American Sociological Review, Critical Asian Studies, Teaching Sociology, The Journal of Contemporary Asia, Sociological Quarterly, and other journals . He is a former president of the Wisconsin Sociological Association. Neuman has received his university's highest award for research, the Chancellor's Award for service to students with disabilities, as well as the the Wisconsin Sociological Association's Outstanding Service Award, and the College of Letters and Sciences awards for outstanding teaching, excellence in research, and outstanding service.
Content
IN THIS SECTION:
1.) BRIEF
2.) COMPREHENSIVE
BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Part I: Foundations
Chapter 1: Doing Social Research
Chapter 2: Theory and Social Research
Chapter 3: Ethics in Social Research
Chapter 4: Reviewing the Scholarly Literature and Planning a Study
Chapter 5: Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement
Chapter 6: Qualitative and Quantitative Sampling
Part II: Conducting Quantitative Research
Chapter 7: Survey Research
Chapter 8: Experimental Research
Chapter 9: Nonreactive Research and Secondary Analysis
Chapter 10: Analysis of Quantitative Data
Part III: Conducting Qualitative Research
Chapter 11: Field Research and Focus Group Research
Chapter 12: Historical-Comparative Research
Chapter 13: Analysis of Qualitative Data
Part IV: Research Reports
Chapter 14: Writing the Research Report
COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Part I: Foundations
Chapter 1: Doing Social Research
Introduction
Alternatives to Social Research
How Science Works
Steps in the Research Process
Dimensions of Research
Chapter 2: Theory and Social Research
What Is Social Theory?
The Parts of Theory
The Aspects of Theory
The Three Major Approaches to Social Science
The Dynamic Duo
Chapter 3: Ethics in Social Research
What are Research Ethics?
Why Be Ethical?
Power Relations
Ethical Issues Involving Research Participants
Ethics and the Scientific Community
Ethics and the Sponsors of Research
Politics of Research
Value-Free and Objective Research
Chapter 4: Reviewing the Scholarly Literature and Planning a Study
Literature Review
Using the Internet for Social Research
Qualitative and Quantitative Orientations toward Research
Qualitative Design Issues
Quantitative Design Issues
Chapter 5: Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement
Why Measure?
Quantitative and Qualitative Measurement
Parts of the Measurement Process
Reliability and Validity
A Guide to Quantitative Measurement
Chapter 6: Qualitative and Quantitative Sampling
Nonprobability Sampling
Probability Sampling
Part II: Conducting Quantitative Research
Chapter 7: Survey Research
When to use a Survey
The Logic of Survey Research
Constructing the Questionnaire
Types of Surveys: Advantages and Disadvantages
Interviewing
The Ethical Survey
Chapter 8: Experimental Research
Research Questions Appropriate for an Experiment
Random Assignment
Experimental Design Logic
Internal and External Validity
Practical Considerations
Results of Experimental Research: Making Comparisons
A Word on Ethics
Chapter 9: Nonreactive Research and Secondary Analysis
Nonreactive Measurement
Unobtrusive Observation
Content Analysis
Existing Statistics/Documents and Secondary Analysis
Issues of Inference and Theory Testing
Ethical Concerns
Chapter 10: Analysis of Quantitative Data
Dealing with Data
Results with One Variable
Results with Two Variables
More Than Two Variables
Inferential Statistics
Part III: Conducting Qualitative Research
Chapter 11: Field Research and Focus Group Research
Introduction to Field Research
Conducting a Field Research Study
The Field Research Interview
Data Quality
Ethical Dilemmas of Field Research
Focus Group Research
Chapter 12: Historical-Comparative Research
The Logic of Historical-Comparative Research
Steps in a Historical-Comparative Research Project
Data and Evidence in Historical Context
Comparative Research
Equivalence in Historical-Comparative Research
Ethics
Chapter 13: Analysis of Qualitative Data
Comparing Methods of Data Analysis
Coding and Concept Formation
Analytic Strategies for Qualitative Data
Other Techniques
Software for Qualitative Data
Part IV: Research Reports
Chapter 14: Writing the Research Report
Reasons for Writing
The Writing Process
Steps in Writing
The Quantitative Research Report
The Qualitative Research Report
The Research Proposal
1.) BRIEF
2.) COMPREHENSIVE
BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Part I: Foundations
Chapter 1: Doing Social Research
Chapter 2: Theory and Social Research
Chapter 3: Ethics in Social Research
Chapter 4: Reviewing the Scholarly Literature and Planning a Study
Chapter 5: Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement
Chapter 6: Qualitative and Quantitative Sampling
Part II: Conducting Quantitative Research
Chapter 7: Survey Research
Chapter 8: Experimental Research
Chapter 9: Nonreactive Research and Secondary Analysis
Chapter 10: Analysis of Quantitative Data
Part III: Conducting Qualitative Research
Chapter 11: Field Research and Focus Group Research
Chapter 12: Historical-Comparative Research
Chapter 13: Analysis of Qualitative Data
Part IV: Research Reports
Chapter 14: Writing the Research Report
COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Part I: Foundations
Chapter 1: Doing Social Research
Introduction
Alternatives to Social Research
How Science Works
Steps in the Research Process
Dimensions of Research
Chapter 2: Theory and Social Research
What Is Social Theory?
The Parts of Theory
The Aspects of Theory
The Three Major Approaches to Social Science
The Dynamic Duo
Chapter 3: Ethics in Social Research
What are Research Ethics?
Why Be Ethical?
Power Relations
Ethical Issues Involving Research Participants
Ethics and the Scientific Community
Ethics and the Sponsors of Research
Politics of Research
Value-Free and Objective Research
Chapter 4: Reviewing the Scholarly Literature and Planning a Study
Literature Review
Using the Internet for Social Research
Qualitative and Quantitative Orientations toward Research
Qualitative Design Issues
Quantitative Design Issues
Chapter 5: Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement
Why Measure?
Quantitative and Qualitative Measurement
Parts of the Measurement Process
Reliability and Validity
A Guide to Quantitative Measurement
Chapter 6: Qualitative and Quantitative Sampling
Nonprobability Sampling
Probability Sampling
Part II: Conducting Quantitative Research
Chapter 7: Survey Research
When to use a Survey
The Logic of Survey Research
Constructing the Questionnaire
Types of Surveys: Advantages and Disadvantages
Interviewing
The Ethical Survey
Chapter 8: Experimental Research
Research Questions Appropriate for an Experiment
Random Assignment
Experimental Design Logic
Internal and External Validity
Practical Considerations
Results of Experimental Research: Making Comparisons
A Word on Ethics
Chapter 9: Nonreactive Research and Secondary Analysis
Nonreactive Measurement
Unobtrusive Observation
Content Analysis
Existing Statistics/Documents and Secondary Analysis
Issues of Inference and Theory Testing
Ethical Concerns
Chapter 10: Analysis of Quantitative Data
Dealing with Data
Results with One Variable
Results with Two Variables
More Than Two Variables
Inferential Statistics
Part III: Conducting Qualitative Research
Chapter 11: Field Research and Focus Group Research
Introduction to Field Research
Conducting a Field Research Study
The Field Research Interview
Data Quality
Ethical Dilemmas of Field Research
Focus Group Research
Chapter 12: Historical-Comparative Research
The Logic of Historical-Comparative Research
Steps in a Historical-Comparative Research Project
Data and Evidence in Historical Context
Comparative Research
Equivalence in Historical-Comparative Research
Ethics
Chapter 13: Analysis of Qualitative Data
Comparing Methods of Data Analysis
Coding and Concept Formation
Analytic Strategies for Qualitative Data
Other Techniques
Software for Qualitative Data
Part IV: Research Reports
Chapter 14: Writing the Research Report
Reasons for Writing
The Writing Process
Steps in Writing
The Quantitative Research Report
The Qualitative Research Report
The Research Proposal