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Data Collection
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Data Collection
Key Debates and Methods in Social Research



November 2011 | 248 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
This innovative book provides students and researchers alike with an indispensible introduction to the key theoretical issues and practical methods needed for data collection.

It uses clear definitions, relevant interdisciplinary examples from around the world and up-to-date suggestions for further reading to demonstrate how to usefully gather and use qualitative, quantitative, and mixed data sets.

The book is divided into seven critical parts:

• Data Collection: An Introduction to Research Practices

• Collecting Qualitative Data

• Observation and Informed Methods

• Experimental and Systematic Data Collection

• Survey Methods for Data Collection

• The Case Study Method of Data Collection

• Concluding Suggestions for Data Collection Groups

A stimulating, practical guide which can be read as individual concepts or as a whole this will be an important resource for students and research professionals.

Wendy Olsen is Senior Lecturer at Manchester University, Institute for Development Policy & Management and Cathie Marsh Centre for Census & Survey Research

 
PART ONE: DATA COLLECTION: AN INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH PRACTICES
 
Research and Data Collection
 
Findings
 
Data
 
Causes
 
Sampling
Further Reading for Part One

 
 
PART TWO: COLLECTING QUALITATIVE DATA
 
Interviews
 
Transcripts
 
Coding
 
Meaning
 
Interpretation
 
Observer Bias
 
Representations
 
Focus Groups
 
Document Analysis
 
Accuracy
 
Ethical Clearance
Further Reading for Part Two

 
 
PART THREE: OBSERVATION AND INVOLVED METHODS
 
Participation
 
Praxis
 
Action Research
 
Observation Methods
 
Online Data Collection
Further Reading for Part Three

 
 
PART FOUR: EXPERIMENTAL AND SYSTEMATIC DATA COLLECTION
 
Questionnaire Design
 
Handling Treatment Data
 
The Ethics of Volunteers
 
Market-Research Techniques
 
Creating Systematic Case Study Data
Further Reading for Part Four

 
 
PART FIVE: SURVEY METHODS FOR DATA COLLECTION
 
Operationalisation
 
Measurement
 
Causality
 
Data Cleaning
 
Data Extraction
 
Outliers
 
Subsetting of Data
 
Survey Weights
Further Reading for Part Five

 
 
PART SIX: THE CASE STUDY METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION
 
Case Study Research
 
Comparative Research
 
Configurations
 
Contingency
 
Causal Mechanisms
Further Reading for Part Six

 
 
PART SEVEN: CONCLUDING SUGGESTIONS ABOUT DATA COLLECTION CONCEPTS
 
Facts
 
Reality
 
Retroduction
 
Further Reading for Part Seven

This sets out the key aspects of data collection. The text presents the options for research students in a sufficiently non-technical manner to provide an overview for students.

Dr David Lawlor
Child and Family, Tavistock Centre
January 17, 2012

What I find particularly compelling about this book is the that research is mapped against key issues of social and organisational settings

Dr Elaine Ball
School of Health Care Professions, Salford University
December 5, 2011
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Sample Materials & Chapters

Part One


For instructors

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Paperback
ISBN: 9781847872562
£39.99

Hardcover
ISBN: 9781847872555
£117.00

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