Paul Stoneman and Nigel Gilbert breathe new energy into this classic bestselling textbook providing clear, relevant advice and extensive coverage of all the research methods you need to understand today's society.
Packed full of examples from across the social sciences, Researching Social Life sets out all of the challenges and opportunities of interpreting and conducting research with qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods.
The book follows the chronology of a typical research project, from initial conception through to the collection, management and analysis of data; it also includes material on how best to write up and disseminate your research. This pragmatic approach mirrors the reality of conducting research and allows the handpicked, internationally renowned contributors to embed real case studies from their own research in each chapter.
The student-oriented pedagogy is carefully woven throughout the book and further supported by a cutting-edge website. Key tools include:
In-depth worked examples
Case studies
Discussion questions
Checklists
Annotated further reading
Practical top tips for doing research.
With unparalleled breadth and depth this trusted and respected textbook is an essential guide for anyone engaging with social research.
FOUNDATIONS AND FIRST STEPS
Conceptualising Social Life - Geoff Cooper and Robert Meadows
Research, Theory and Method - Nigel Gilbert
Formulating and Refining a Research Question - Nicola Green and Paul Stoneman
Conducting Systematic Reviews in the Social Sciences - Karen Bullock and Daniel McCarthy
CHOOSING YOUR RESEARCH STRATEGY
Quantitative Research - Paul Stoneman and Ian Brunton-Smith
Grounded Theory and Inductive Research - Paul Hodkinson
Mixed Methods - Victoria D. Alexander, Hilary Thomas, Ann Cronin, Jane Fielding and Jo Moran-Ellis
Participatory Approaches to Social Research - Christina Silver
Evaluation Research - Mike McGuire
International Comparative Research - Linda Hantrais
The Ethics of Social Research - Janet Boddy
COLLECTING DATA
Designing and Collecting Survey Samples - Patrick Sturgis
Questionnaire Design - Charles Leddy-Owen
Measuring Attitudes - Thomas J. Scotto
Qualitative Interviewing - Nigel Fielding and Hilary Thomas
Focus Groups - Ann Cronin
Ethnography - Nigel Fielding
The Internet and Research Methods - Christine Hine
ANALYSING DATA
Coding and Managing Data - Jane Fielding
Analysing Survey Data - Paul Stoneman
Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis (CAQDAS) - Ann Lewins
Thematic Analysis - Alexander Seal
Narrative Analysis - Sarah Earthy, Alexandra Cuncev and Ann Cronin
Applying Conversation Analysis and Membership Categorisation Analysis to Qualitative Data - Andrew King and Lorraine Locke
Analysing Visual Materials - Victoria D. Alexander
Digital Social Research - Christine Hine
WRITING ABOUT SOCIAL RESEARCH AND ITS IMPACT
Writing about Social Research - Nigel Gilbert
The Impact of Social Research - Paul Stoneman and Nigel Gilbert
