Title:
Social research methodology : a critical introduction
Personal Author:
Edition:
2nd ed.
Publication Information:
Basingstoke [England] ; New York : Palgrave Macmillan, 2008
Physical Description:
xx, 428 p. : ill. ; 25 cm.
ISBN:
9780230224759
Abstract:
"The second edition of this popular book continues to support students through each and every step of their research projects. Drawing on a much-praised critical approach, Social Research Methodology 2e helps students to gain a full understanding of social research tools and theory, and explains the methods of putting them into practice." "Introducing and exploring all the key quantitative and qualitative methods, Roger Gomm helps students understand how to choose the right data collection technique to get the results they want. This practical book is invaluable reading for all those studying across education, health and social sciences."--BOOK JACKET.
Available:*
Library | Item Barcode | Call Number | Material Type | Item Category 1 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Searching... | 30000010250224 | H61 G556 2008 | Open Access Book | Book | Searching... |
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Summary
Summary
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.
Author Notes
Roger Gomm is author of Key Concepts in Research Methods, co-author of Constructing Educational Inequality, and co-editor of Evaluating Research in Health and Social Care and Case Study Method: Key Issues, Key Texts
Table of Contents
| 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 |
