
How to Do Your Research Project
A Guide for Students
Gary Thomas(Author)
SAGE Publications Ltd (Publisher)
5th Edition
Published on 21. November 2025
Book
Hardback
336 pages
978-1-0362-1534-7 (ISBN)
Description
Clear, coherent and readable, this bestselling guide is now in its fifth edition, providing easy to follow advice for anyone undertaking a research project. Covering each stage of the process, from choosing a research question to collecting and analysing data, and finally writing up findings, this book equips students with the essential tools for success.
This new edition features:
* Case studies weaved throughout giving real-life examples of the issues and/or methods being discussed.
* Practical activities, seminar tasks and checklists.
* Updated content with the latest research methods and ethical considerations.
* Details on new AI research tools and how they can be used.
Designed for students in the applied social sciences, this book aligns with assessment criteria and provides the essential support you need to complete a research project successfully.
This new edition features:
* Case studies weaved throughout giving real-life examples of the issues and/or methods being discussed.
* Practical activities, seminar tasks and checklists.
* Updated content with the latest research methods and ethical considerations.
* Details on new AI research tools and how they can be used.
Designed for students in the applied social sciences, this book aligns with assessment criteria and provides the essential support you need to complete a research project successfully.
More details
Edition
5th Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Edition type
Revised edition
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 246 mm
Width: 189 mm
Weight
513 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-0362-1534-7 (9781036215347)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
11/2025
5th Edition
Sage Publications Ltd (Digital)
€108.99
Available for download

E-Book
11/2025
5th Edition
Sage Publications Ltd (Digital)
€108.99
Available for download

Book
approx. 11/2025
5th Edition
SAGE Publications Ltd
€39.47
Not yet published
Previous edition

Book
11/2022
4th Edition
SAGE Publications Ltd
€138.16
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Gary Thomas is an emeritus professor of education at the University of Birmingham. His teaching and research have focused on inclusion, special education, and research methodology in education, with a particular focus on case study. He has conducted research funded by the AHRC, the ESRC, the Nuffield Foundation, the Leverhulme Trust, the Department for Education, Barnardos, local authorities, and a range of other organisations. He has coedited the British Educational Research Journal and is currently an executive editor of Educational Review. He is author of many books, most recently Education: A Very Short Introduction published by Oxford University Press.
Content
1 Your Introduction
2 Project Management, Ethics and Getting Clearance
3 The Literature Review, Part 1: Searching
4 The Literature Review, Part 2: Developing a Narrative
5 Methodology, Part 1: Deciding on an Approach
6 Methodology, Part 2: Designing your Research
7 Methodology, Part 3: The Design Frames
8 Data Gathering
9 How to Analyse and Discuss the Information you Gather
10 Concluding and Writing Up
2 Project Management, Ethics and Getting Clearance
3 The Literature Review, Part 1: Searching
4 The Literature Review, Part 2: Developing a Narrative
5 Methodology, Part 1: Deciding on an Approach
6 Methodology, Part 2: Designing your Research
7 Methodology, Part 3: The Design Frames
8 Data Gathering
9 How to Analyse and Discuss the Information you Gather
10 Concluding and Writing Up