Social Research

Social Research: Theory, Methods and Techniques presents an understanding of social research practice through appreciation of its foundations and methods. Stretching from the philosophy of science to detailed descriptions of both qualitative and quantitative techniques, it illustrates not only how' to do social research, but also why' particular techniques are used today.

The book is divided into three parts:

Part One: Illustrates the two basic paradigms - quantitative and qualitative - of social research, describing their origins in philosophical thought and outlining their current interpretations.

Part Two: Devoted to quantitative research, and discusses the relationship between theory and research practice. It also presents a discussion of key quantitative research techniques.

Part Three: Examines qualitative research. Topics range from classical qualitative techniques such as participant observation, to more recent developments such as ethnomethodological studies.

Overall, the author offers an engaging contribution to the field of social research and this book is a reminder of the solid foundations upon which most social research is conducted today. As a consequence it will be required reading for students throughout the social sciences, and at various levels.

Informationen zum Autor Born in Milan, 11, January, 1941.Full professor of Methodology of Social Research in the Department of Sciences of Education, University of Bologna.Main research interests include methodology of social research, statistics applied to social research, political participation and electoral studies Klappentext This is an impressively detailed, clearly written book.... It is a book that I would like students to read' - Clive Seale, Goldsmiths College, London Social Research: Theory, Methods and Techniques presents an understanding of social research practice through appreciation of its foundations and methods. Stretching from the philosophy of science to detailed descriptions of both qualitative and quantitative techniques, it illustrates not only how' to do social research, but also `why' particular techniques are used today. The book is divided into three parts: Part One: Illustrates the two basic paradigms - quantitative and qualitative - of social research, describing their origins in philosophical thought and outlining their current interpretations. Part Two: Devoted to quantitative research, and discusses the relationship between theory and research practice. It also presents a discussion of key quantitative research techniques. Part Three: Examines qualitative research. Topics range from classical qualitative techniques such as participant observation, to more recent developments such as ethnomethodological studies. Overall, the author offers an engaging contribution to the field of social research and this book is a reminder of the solid foundations upon which most social research is conducted today. As a consequence it will be required reading for students throughout the social sciences, and at various levels. Zusammenfassung Presents an understanding of social research practice through the appreciation of its foundations and methods. This book provides descriptions of qualitative and quantitative techniques and illustrates 'how' to do social research! and 'why' particular techniques are used. Inhaltsverzeichnis Introduction PART ONE: THE LOGIC OF SOCIAL RESEARCH Paradigms of Social Research Quantitative and Qualitative Research PART TWO: QUANTITATIVE TECHNIQUES From Theory to Empirical Research Causality and Experimentation The Survey Scaling Official Statistics Sampling PART THREE: QUALITATIVE TECHNIQUES Participant Observation The Qualitative Interview The Use of Documents ...

Autorentext
Born in Milan, 11, January, 1941.Full professor of Methodology of Social Research in the Department of Sciences of Education, University of Bologna.Main research interests include methodology of social research, statistics applied to social research, political participation and electoral studies

Klappentext

`This is an impressively detailed, clearly written book.... It is a book that I would like students to read' - Clive Seale, Goldsmiths College, London

Social Research: Theory, Methods and Techniques presents an understanding of social research practice through appreciation of its foundations and methods. Stretching from the philosophy of science to detailed descriptions of both qualitative and quantitative techniques, it illustrates not only how' to do social research, but also why' particular techniques are used today.

The book is divided into three parts:

Part One: Illustrates the two basic paradigms - quantitative and qualitative - of social research, describing their origins in philosophical thought and outlining their current interpretations.

Part Two: Devoted to quantitative research, and discusses the relationship between theory and research practice. It also presents a discussion of key quantitative research techniques.

Part Three: Examines qualitative research. Topics range from classical qualitative techniques such as participant observation, to more recent developments such as ethnomethodological studies.

Overall, the author offers an engaging contribution to the field of social research and this book is a reminder of the solid foundations upon which most social research is conducted today. As a consequence it will be required reading for students throughout the social sciences, and at various levels.

Zusammenfassung
Presents an understanding of social research practice through the appreciation of its foundations and methods. This book provides descriptions of qualitative and quantitative techniques and illustrates 'how' to do social research, and 'why' particular techniques are used.

Inhalt

Introduction
PART ONE: THE LOGIC OF SOCIAL RESEARCH
Paradigms of Social Research
Quantitative and Qualitative Research
PART TWO: QUANTITATIVE TECHNIQUES
From Theory to Empirical Research
Causality and Experimentation
The Survey
Scaling
Official Statistics
Sampling
PART THREE: QUALITATIVE TECHNIQUES
Participant Observation
The Qualitative Interview
The Use of Documents