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Social Research Methods
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Social Research Methods
Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches

Second Edition


May 2012 | 824 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
A companion website is available for this text

This book explains and demonstrates to students when to use and how to apply the quantitative and qualitative techniques that they'll need to do their own social research. Using actual examples from psychology, sociology, anthropology, health and education, the book provides readers with both a conceptual understanding of each technique as well as showing them how to use the technique.

 
Part I: Background to Research
 
Chapter 1. About Social Science
 
Chapter 2. The Foundations of Social Research
 
Chapter 3. Preparing for Research
 
Part II: Research Design
 
Chapter 4. Research Design: Experiments and Experimental Thinking
 
Chapter 5. Sampling: The Basics
 
Chapter 6. Sampling Theory
 
Chapter 7. Nonprobability Sampling
 
Part III: Data Collection
 
Chapter 8. Interviewing I: Unstructured and Semistructured
 
Chapter 9. Interviewing II: Questionnaires
 
Chapter 10. Interviewing III: Relational Data - Domains and Networks
 
Chapter 11. Scales and Scaling
 
Chapter 12: Participant Observation
 
Chapter 13. Field Notes and Database Management
 
Chapter 14: Direct and Indirect Observation
 
Part IV Data Analysis
 
Chapter 15: Introduction to Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis
 
Chapter 16: Analyzing Cultural Domains and Proximity Matrices
 
Chapter 17. Analyzing Qualitative Data I: Applying Logic to Text
 
Chapter 18. Analyzing Qualitative Data II: Grammar Beyond the Sentence
 
Chapter 19. Analyzing Qualitative Data III: Grounded Theory and Content Analysis
 
Chapter 20. Univariate Analysis
 
Chapter 21. Bivariate Analysis: Testing Relations
 
Chapter 22. Multivariate Analysis
 
Appendix A: Table of Areas under a Normal Curve
 
Appendix B: Student’s t Distribution
 
Appendix C: Chi-Square Distribution Table
 
Appendix D: F Table for the .05 Level of Significance
 
Appendix E: Resources for Social Researchers

A clearly-written, concise book which I will recommend to my undergraduates.

Miss Christine Hatcher
Health, Care and Early Years, Yeovil College
November 13, 2014

This book provides an excellent and practical introduction to the undergraduate reader.

Dr Robert Mooney
Applied Research Centre, University College Dublin
October 21, 2013

Good book. I liket it and I recommended a all my students

Professor Alexandra Costa
Departamento organização e Gestão, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto
October 21, 2013

Very useful for our Dissertation students.

Mr Timothy Brown
Business School, Chester University
September 13, 2013

A thorough and very readable text. Just what I was looking for.

Mr Donald Kelly
School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, Arizona State University - Tempe
September 8, 2013

good book. easy to use and accessible to undergraduate students.
good explanation of scientific methodology. excellent for consultation

Professor Antonio Abrantes
CENTRO DE ESTUDOS EM SOCIOLOGIA DA UNIVERSIDADE NOVA DE LISBOA, CESNOVA
August 28, 2013

This text was extremely useful in providing a single source of information for first-time research students trying to understanding the structure of qualitative methods and approaches.

Mr Scott Ellis
School of Health and Bioscience, University of East London
July 3, 2013

The writing style is quite difficult to grasp for first year (non-native English speaking) undergraduate students.

The book contains a great bundle of knowledge in both quantitative and qualitative research designs. It is very much suited for more advanced level students, but very much to cope for beginners.

The book can very well be compared with one of the Handbooks on Research Methods and we are thinking of using it in one of our more advanced courses in research methods.

Mr Peter Ruijten
Human Technology Interaction, Eindhoven University of Technology
May 3, 2013

Am teaching research methods this spring but book already chosen for course. Will consider for next time.

Dr Stephen Thompson
Social Science , National-Louis University
February 14, 2013

Good clear structure. Guides the reader to understand differences between qualitative and quantitative approaches to research and also considers mixed methods. The detailed descriptions and explanations contribute to a wider understanding of the subject overall.

Ms Michelle Evans
Faculty of Health and Social Care, London South Bank University
January 21, 2013
Key features

KEY FEATURES

  • Boxed features emphasize important material, explain theory, expand on key points, or highlight challenges or ethical issues.
  • Numbered steps for each method make it easier for students to follow along.
  • A number of study aids in each chapter include new terms appearing in bold, a review of key concepts, research exercises, and recommendations for further reading.
  • Research stories—selected for their pedagogical value—illustrate major concepts and principles.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS

 

A password-protected instructor site at https://studysites.sagepub.com/bernard2e/ includes an instructor's manual, PowerPoint slides, and a test bank.

Sample Materials & Chapters

TOC

Chapter 1

Chapter 3


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