Social research methodology : a critical introduction

Today's students of social science must understand a variety of research methods. This new edition fully explores the logic of research, whilst aiding a critical understanding of practical, evidence based work. With new chapters, an original framework and updated examples, this book continues to be a primary resource for undergraduates.

• List of Figures p. vii
• List of Tables p. ix
• List of Panels p. xii
• List of Transcripts p. xiv
• List of Activities p. xv
• Preface to the Second Edition p. xvii
• Acknowledgements p. xix
• List of Abbreviations p. xx
• 1 Overview of the Book: Summarizing the main themes running though the book p. 1
• 2 Instruments and Instrument Design: Criteria for constructing data collecting instruments p. 24
• 3 Controlled Experiments: Introducing the logic of control as exemplified in controlled experiments p. 59
• 4 More Naturalism in Experiments: Considering the merits and the problems of relaxing experimental control in order to make a controlled experiment more naturalistic p. 85
• 5 Computer Simulations and Complexity Theory: Outlining the role of computer simulations in social research with particular reference to the simulation of complex phenomena p. 111
• 6 Sample Surveys and Statistical Representativeness: Introducing surveys, sampling and statistical representativeness as the basis for empirical generalization p. 129
• 7 Natural Experiments: Introducing and illustrating the ideas of natural experiments and statistical control p. 158
• 8 Controlling for Time in Natural Experiments: Considering the importance of establishing time sequence in natural experiments and the use of longitudinal research p. 183
• 9 Using Administrative Data in Research: Outlining the problems of using administrative data in social research p. 196
• 10 Questions and Answers: Comparing questioning for social surveys with questioning in qualitative interviews and the data arising p. 208
• 11 Analysing the Results of Qualitative Interviews: Demonstrating three different ways of analysing qualitative interview data p. 239
• 12 Observing Naturally Occurring Events: Considering the strategies of naturalistic observation p. 268
• 13 Analysing Written Documents: Explaining some techniques for analysing written documents both as topics and as resources p. 295
• 14 Evaluative and Emancipatory Research: Considering the role of values in research and the differences between value-neutral and value-led research p. 322
• 15 Systematic Reviews, Meta-Analysis and Syntheses from Diverse Sources: Explaining the various strategies adopted to synthesize the results of different pieces of research p. 344
• 16 Research Ethics: Outlining different views on the proper moral conduct for social researchers p. 365
• References p. 391
• Index p. 419