Summary
Contents
Subject index
‘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.
The Survey
The Survey
- Surveys in social research 117
- Standarization, or the invariance of the stimulus 120
- The reliability of verbal behaviour 123
- Question form and substance 125
- Formulation of the questions 129
- Item batteries 139
- Types of questionnaire administration 142
- Organizing data collection 148
- Secondary analyses and surveys repeated over time 150
- Data sets and archives in the US and the UK 154
- A final note: some emerging risks 158
The survey – the most widespread quantitative social research technique – is the object of this chapter, which discusses its theoretical and practical features. First we examine the basic issues one faces when collecting data by asking questions (standardization of procedures and reliability of verbal behaviour); then we address practical problems which occur when conducting a survey: question wording, questionnaire administration, data entry and so on. The ...
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