Gary’s book, never more than a metre away, has been my indispensable research companion. With its easy layout, my well-worn copy, stripy with florescent marker and pencilled notes, has been my go-to, on-hand supervisor throughout my degree; taking the distance out of distance learning. Replace daunting and impossible with clarity and entertainment. I wouldn’t be where I am today without it; it has been my gateway to achievement' - Ellie Davies Moore, distance learner in Multi-Sensory Impairment at the University of Birmingham
With more advice on concluding, writing up and presenting research, using social media and digital methods, and understanding what supervisors want and how to work with them, the third edition of this bestselling title continues to lead the way as an essential guide for anyone undertaking a research project in the applied social sciences. Setting out a clear and detailed road map, Gary Thomas guides the reader through the different stages of a research project, explaining key steps and processes at each level in refreshingly jargon-free terms.
It covers:
- How to choose your research question
- Project management and study skills
- Effective literature reviews
- Methodology, theory and research design frames
- Ethics and access
- Data collection tools
- Effective data analysis
- Discussing findings, concluding and writing up
Packed with engaging anecdotal evidence and practical advice and supported by an interactive website featuring worksheets, videos, SAGE Journal articles and more, this new edition is a user-friendly, one-stop-shop for guidance on research principles.
Table of Contents:
Starting Points: Your Introduction
Preparing: Project Management, Ethics and Getting Clearance
The Literature Review
Decide on Your Question - Again
Methodology Part 1: Deciding on an Approach
Methodology Part 2: The Design Frame
The Right Tools for the Job: Data Gathering
How to Analyse and Discuss the Information You Gather
Concluding and Writing Up
About the Author :
Gary Thomas is an emeritus professor of education at the University of Birmingham. His teaching and research have focused on inclusion, special education, and research methodology in education, with a particular focus on case study. He has conducted research funded by the AHRC, the ESRC, the Nuffield Foundation, the Leverhulme Trust, the Department for Education, Barnardos, local authorities, and a range of other organisations. He has coedited the British Educational Research Journal and is currently an executive editor of Educational Review. He is author of many books, most recently Education: A Very Short Introduction published by Oxford University Press.
Review :
Gary’s book, never more than a metre away, has been my indispensable research companion. With its easy layout, my well-worn copy, stripy with florescent marker and pencilled notes, has been my go-to, on-hand supervisor throughout my degree and has taken the distance out of distance learning. It replaces daunting and impossible with clarity and entertainment. I wouldn’t be where I am today without it; it has been my gateway to achievement.
This book is in my view the best around on doing educational and social science research. It is refreshingly different from other research methods books; it is very readable, engaging and accessible for those without a social science background--rigorous and scholarly and full of helpful advice and guidance, and the updated interactive website is a real bonus. A joy to engage with, and I recommend it highly.
It is a great delight that Gary Thomas has now updated this book for its third edition. Of the many books that seek to support students in undertaking their projects, this is the most accessible and clearest, whilst maintaining the highest standards of scholarly rigour - and it is also the funniest! Thomas really does show how undertaking research in education and social sciences can be a real pleasure.
This excellent resource builds on the many strengths of previous editions and is accessible, comprehensive and extremely practical. Offering fresh information and useful advice and guidance, it demystifies the world of research. Highly recommended for new and experienced researchers alike!
I use this book for undergraduate and postgraduate students projects, but even seasoned researchers can find some useful tips in this book. Gary Thomas demystifies research and makes its various components easy to understand. From identifying the research topic, through practical advice on writing the literature review, choosing the right design, analysing data and writing up the research report – the book makes research easy. The students like the textbook because the concepts are presented in accessible way and with some dose of humour.
