`This book offers an excellent description of quantitative and qualitative design and analysis taught in the context of three inquiry pathways: knowledge development, social inquiry, and social research. Furthermore, it provides an excellent overview of both quantitative and qualitative methods with regard to their different epistemologies, methods and techniques. Additionally, Punch provides (a) information guiding students in the use of computers for quantitative and qualitative analysis and (b) a wide range of illustrative examples to give the book a practical flavour.... I would not hesitate to recommend it to my undergraduate students' - Forum: Qualitative Social Research (www.qualitative-research.net) `A carefully crafted introduction to social research methodology. The author guides the reader through the research process in a comprehensive and logical way which is particularly helpful for the new researcher. A great resource for anyone involved in social research - novice or experienced' - Dr Mary Kellett, Open University Building on the success of An Introduction to Social Research, this Second Edition has been fully revised and updated to provide a broader coverage of a range of methodological approaches for third year and postgraduate students across the social sciences. New features include: - Wider coverage of qualitative research methods, including sections on action research and discourse analysis. - More pedagogical features such as student exercises and illustrative examples to ensure this is a practical, student-friendly guide. - More in-depth examination of the ethical issues involved in social research. A comprehensive and accessible introduction to qualitative, quantitative and mixed empirical methods, An Introduction to Social Research is an ideal starting point for all students and researchers in the social sciences.

The present book of basics for the social researcher provides a sound and well-structured framework for the pursuit of serious and result-oriented research. It reiterates, in ordered and logical sequence, the steps that are required to be taken by the researcher so that he successfully plans, conducts, implements and concludes a plan of action for the study he decides on. From a discussion of the key concepts, the book guides the reader into the intricacies of the sociological methods, and subsequently the hypothesis, the research design, and the sociological data. It explains in clear terms the methods of data collection, namely, the questionnaire, the interview, the sample poll, etc. The author has not merely collected them from various sources and arranged them systematically but has also enlivened them with his interesting style of writing. The book is intended for the research scholar and academician in social sciences and will prove to be of great assistance in the methodology of research.

Introduction to Social Research explores the fundamentals of social research with a Caribbean Focus. Boxill, Chambers and Wint draw on similar works in the long line of literature by Caribbean social scientists to provide an essential guide to students of social research. The areas covered include the research process and conceptual issues in social research; the structure of the enquiry process; different methods of observation; techniques for analysing and presenting data; ethical and political issues in social research.

This book introduces students and researchers to the key ideas and issues that inform research practice. Authors Matt Henn, Mark Weinstein, and Nick Foard provide a clear and easy-to-understand roadmap to help the reader plan their research project from beginning to end. This book is perfect for use on introductory methods courses and is also an invaluable guide for the first time researcher embarking on their own small-scale research project. It is the intention of this book to prepare students and new researchers for their research project. Brilliantly written throughout, this is your essential guide to the theory of research, the practice of research and the best ways to plan and manage your research.

A Critical Introduction to Social Research is the new, updated and improved edition of A Short Introduction to Social Research. This book introduces students and researchers to the key ideas and issues that inform research practice. In it, Henn, Weinstein and Foard provide a clear and easy-to-understand route-map to help the reader plan their research project from beginning to end. A Critical Introduction is perfect for use on introductory methods courses and is also an invaluable guide for the first time researcher embarking on their own small-scale research project. This new second edition now features updated chapters which reflect recent debates and developments in the field, including: - New coverage of emancipatory and feminist approaches; - Comparative research methods, evaluation research, and action research; - Online research; - Glossary of key terms; - Revised further reading sections at the end of each chapter which include peer-reviewed research articles. This book aims to prepare students and new researchers for their research project. Brilliantly written throughout, this is your essential guide to the theory of research, the practice of research and the best ways to plan and manage your research.

This is an accessible introduction to the philosophy of social research which relates philosophical ideas to actual research practice. The book makes effective use of illustrations from the UK, US and Europe to examine specific problems and broader issues. The book is intended for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in social research methods within sociology, social policy, politics, social psychology, human geography; philosophy of social science and social theory courses; and as a personal reference for professional researchers.

A succinct and engaging introduction to social research, this book outlines how to study social and cultural phenomena, explains the difference between qualitative and quantitative analysis, and examines the relationship between social research and society. By comparing the work of the academic researcher to that of the detective in terms of how they gather clues, weigh up the facts and present them as evidence, this book takes the mystery out of social science research. By contextualizing the historical and intellectual development of the `sociological imagination', the book enables students to integrate their knowledge of social theory, social history and social structure into a coherent conception of contemporary social

May examines the research process in general and aspects of its practice in particular, in order to bridge the gap between theory and methods. This expanded edition incorporates the latest developments in social research.

'Introduction to Social Research' presents the essential elements of both qualitative and quantitative approaches for conducting empirical research in the social sciences.

Vols. for 1980- issued in three parts: Series, Authors, and Titles.