Social Research: Approaches and Fundamentals

Revised and updated in its sixth edition, Social Research: Approachs and Fundamentals is a rigorous yet clear and engaging introduction to research methods. Covering all of the fundamentals in a straightforward, student-friendly manner, it is ideal for undergraduate- and graduate-level courses across the social sciences and also serves as an indispensable guide for researchers. Striking a balance between specific techniques and the underlying logic of scientific inquiry, this book provides a lucid treatment of the four major approaches to research: experimentation, survey research, field research, and the use of available data. Richly developed examples of empirical research and an emphasis on the research process enable students to better understand the real-world application of research methods. The authors also offer a unique chapter (13) advocating a multiple-methods strategy.

Table of Contents:
Preface Chapter 1: Introduction Why Study Research Methods? Methodological Approaches to the Social World Chapter 2: The Nature of Science  The Aim of Science  Science as Product  Science as Process  Critiques of Scientific Inquiry  Summary PART I: RESEARCH DESIGN  Chapter 3: Elements of Research Design  Origins of Research Topics  Units of Analysis  Variables  Relationships  Formulating Questions and Hypotheses  Research Purposes and Research Design  Stages of Social Research Summary Chapter 4: Measurement  The Measurement Process  Operational Definitions in Social Research  Levels of Measurement  Reliability and Validity  Reliability Assessment  Validity Assessment  A Final Note on Reliability and Validity  Summary Chapter 5: Sampling  Why Sample?  Population Definition  Sampling Designs  Probability Sampling  Nonprobability Sampling  Other Sampling Designs  Factors Affecting Choice of Sampling Design  Factors Determining Sample Size  Final Notes on Sampling Errors and Generalizability  Summary PART II: METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION  Chapter 6: Experimentation  The Logic of Experimentation  Staging Experiments  The Experiment as a Social Occasion  Experimentation Outside the Laboratory  Summary Chapter 7: Experimental Designs  Threats to Internal Validity  Pre-experimental Designs  True Experimental Designs  Factorial Experimental Designs  Quasi-experimental Designs  Summary Chapter 8: Survey Research  General Features of Survey Research  Survey Research Designs  Steps in Survey Research: Planning  Face-to-Face and Telephone Interviewing  Paper-and-Pencil Questionnaires  Computer-Assisted Self-Interviews  Mixed-Mode Surveys  Field Administration  Strengths and Limitations of Surveys Summary Chapter 9: Survey Instrumentation  The Survey as a Social Occasion  Materials Available to the Survey Designer  "Sketches" or Preliminaries  Filling in the Sketch: Writing the Items  Pretesting  Summary Chapter 10: Field Research  General Features of Field Research  Stages of Field Research  Strengths and Limitations of Field Research Summary Chapter 11: Research Using Available Data  Sources of Available Data  General Methodological Issues in Available-Data Research  Historical Analysis  Content Analysis  Strengths and Limitations of Research Using Available Data Summary Chapter 12: Multiple Methods  Triangulation  Multiple Measures of Concepts within the Same Study  Multiple Tests of Hypotheses across Different Studies  A Comparison of the Four Basic Approaches to Social Research  Meta-Analysis  Summary Chapter 13: Evaluation Research  Framework and Sample Studies  Types of Evaluation Research  Methodological Issues in Evaluation Research  The Social and Political Context of Evaluation Research  Summary PART III: DATA PROCESSING, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION Chapter 14: Data Processing and Elementary Data Analysis  Preview of Analysis Steps  Data Processing  Data Matrices and Documentation  The Functions of Statistics in Social Research  Inspecting and Modifying the Data  Preliminary Hypothesis Testing  Summary Chapter 15: Multivariate Analysis Modeling Relationships  Elaboration: Tables and Beyond  Multiple-Regression Analysis  Other Modeling Techniques  Summary Chapter 16: Research Ethics  Data Collection and Analysis  Treatment of Human Subjects  Making Ethical Decisions  Values in Social Research: Science and Society  Summary Chapter 17: Writing Research Reports Searching the Literature  Outlining and Preparing to Write  Major Headings  Revision and Other Considerations  Publishing a Research Paper Summary Glossary  References  Name Index  Subject Index

About the Author :
Bruce C. Straits is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Royce A. Singleton, Jr., is Professor of Sociology at the College of the Holy Cross.