Social Research provides a general and integrated introduction to qualitative and quantitative research design, data collection and analysis and includes comprehensive and practical instruction (including screenshots) on the use of analysis software (SPSS v11 and QSR NVivo 2.0/N6). The authors emphasize the application in the real world of social research, while outlining the intellectual debates which frame practical concerns. The book: is structured to allow the researcher to use it as a textbook or as a handbook; builds upon detailed examples; is accessible enough to be read by those with no prior knowledge or experience; is comprehensive enough to allow the user to design, conduct and analyze research; provides a complete foundation and a framework for a novice researcher to design, conduct and analyze research; will enable the reader to reach a level of theoretical and practical understanding that will allow them to comprehend and apply otherwise inaccessible specialist texts; has an associated website by the authors; includes a glossary of over 300 terms. This student-friendly book covers social research at a level sufficient to successfully support the reader through a final year social science undergraduate dissertation project.

Table of Contents

PART ONE: STARTING YOUR RESEARCH Getting Started Being Ethical Data and Data Collection The Qualitative and the Quantitative in Social Research What Is Social Research? Examples from the Field PART TWO: RESEARCH DESIGN AND DATA COLLECTION Introduction to the Process of Qualitative Research Qualitative Interviewing One-to-One and Focus Groups Ethnography and Case Study Research Collecting Textual Data Ethnomethodology and Conversation Analysis Introduction to Quantitative Research Design Hypotheses, Operationalization and Variables Sampling Survey Design Collecting and Coding Data PART THREE: DATA ANALYSIS Introduction to Qualitative Data Analysis Coding Qualitative Data (Qualitative Content Analysis) Semiotic and Narrative Forms of Discourse Analysis and Doing Conversation Analysis Using Computer Software Working with NVivo/N6 Introduction to Quantitative Data Analysis Describing Single Variables Describing and Exploring Relationships Inferential Statistics and Hypothesis Testing Data Manipulation PART FOUR: PRESENTING RESEARCH FINDINGS Producing a Written Report Presenting Research Findings to an Audience