Social research methods : qualitative and quantitative approaches
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Bibliographic Information
Social research methods : qualitative and quantitative approaches
Allyn and Bacon, c2003
5th ed
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Note
Includes bibliographical references (p. 548-576) and indexes
Description and Table of Contents
Description
Designed for undergraduate and graduate research methods courses offered by departments of sociology, criminal justice, social work, political science, public policy, communication, and family studies. This highly regarded text presents a comprehensive and balanced introduction to both qualitative and quantitative approaches to social research, emphasizing the benefits of combining various approaches. - New appendix on Evaluation Research help students see how to apply research in practical settings. - Chapter on Survey Research (Ch. 10) has been expanded to cover the latest cutting-edge techniques of carrying out Web surveys and Internet survey research. - Chapter 3, "Theory and Research," has been revised to help students with no prior coursework in social theory understand the importance of theory and its connection to research. - The politics of research is now discussed in the context of writing a literature report (Ch. 16). - Examples and diagrams have been updated throughout. - Presents a more balanced coverage of qualitative and quantitative methods than any other book on the market, and illustrates how the greatest benefit often comes from combining various approaches.
- Discusses the social and historical context of research, and teaches students to recognize ethnocentric perspectives and the assumptions, values, and beliefs of their own society. - Contains many explanatory diagrams and interesting examples drawn from scholarly literature. - Incorporates feminist and postmodernist theories in the "Meaning of Methodologies" chapter (Ch. 4). - Covers Writing a literature review and ethics early in Chapter 5. - Concludes with a chapter on writing a research report. - Optional student workbook provides additional research exercises. Student workbook can be packaged with the book at a considerable discount! The value pack ISBN for ordering this text plus the discounted student workbook is 0-205-36885-9.
Table of Contents
Each chapter contains "Introduction" and "Conclusion."
Preface.
PART I. FOUNDATIONS.
1. Science and Research.
Alternatives to Social Research.
How Science Works.
Steps of the Research Process.
Qualitative and Quantitative Social Research.
Why Conduct Social Research.
2. Dimensions of Research.
Dimensions of Research.
Data Collection Techniques Used.
3. Theory and Research.
What Is Theory?
Social Theory versus Ideology.
The Parts of Theory.
Aspects of Theory.
The Dynamic Duo.
4. The Meanings of Methodology.
The Three Approaches.
Positivist Social Science.
Interpretative Social Science.
Critical Social Science.
Feminist and Postmodern Research.
5. The Literature Review and Ethical Concerns.
The Literature Review.
Ethics in Social Research.
PART II. PLANNING AND PREPARATION.
6. Qualitative and Quantitative Research Designs.
Triangulation.
Qualitative and Quantitative Orientations Toward Research.
Qualitative Design Issues.
Quantitative Design Issues.
7. Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement.
Why Measure?
Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement.
Parts of the Measurement Process.
Reliability and Validity.
A Guide to Quantitative Measurement.
Index Construction.
Scales.
8. Qualitative and Quantitative Sampling.
Nonprobability Sampling.
Probability Sampling.
PART III. QUANTITATIVE DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS.
9. Experimental Research.
Random Assignment.
Experimental Design Logic.
Internal and External Validity.
Practical Considerations.
Results of Experimental Research: Making Comparisons.
A Word on Ethics.
10. Survey Research.
The Logic of Survey Research.
Constructing the Questionnaire.
Types of Surveys: Advantages and Disadvantages.
Interviewing.
The Ethical Survey.
11. Nonreactive Research and Secondary Analysis.
Nonreactive Measurement.
Content Analysis.
Existing Statistics/Documents and Secondary Analysis.
Issues of Inference and Theory Testing.
12. Analysis of Quantitative Data.
Dealing with Data.
Results with One Variable.
Results with Two Variables.
More than Two Variables.
Inferential Statistics.
PART IV. QUALITATIVE DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS.
13. Field Research.
The Logic of Field Research.
Choosing a Site and Gaining Access.
Relations in the Field.
Observing and Collecting Data.
The Field Research Interview.
Leaving the Field.
Ethical Dilemmas of Field Research.
14. 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.
15. Analysis of Qualitative Data.
Comparing Methods of Data Analysis.
Coding and Concept Formation.
Analytic Strategies for Qualitative Data.
What Is Not Seen.
Other Tools.
PART V. COMMUNICATING WITH OTHERS.
16. Writing the Research Report and the Politics of Social Research.
Introduction.
The Research Report.
The Politics of Social Research.
Objectivity and Value Freedom.
Conclusion.
Appendices.
Appendix A: American Sociological Association Code of Ethics.
Appendix B: Table of Randomly Selected Five Digit Numbers.
Appendix C: Sample of Data Archives and Resources.
Appendix D: Measurement Theory.
Appendix E: Evaluation Research.
Glossary.
Bibliography.
Name Index.
Subject Index.
by "Nielsen BookData"