Doing Excellent Small-Scale Research

About the Book

How do you conduct a small-scale research project? And how do you make it excellent?

In this inspiring and engaging book, readers are presented with the key principles and practices of small-scale research. In addition, the book provides a peerless introduction to the key features involved in the process of research design and practice. Written in a clear, accessible way and drawing on exciting up-to-date examples, this book makes for a crucial companion on the way to research excellence.

Based on Layder's solid background as a researcher, supervisor and teacher, Doing Excellent Small-Scale Research:

- Leads the researcher through the actual process of doing a research project from start to finish

- Offers a comprehensive outline of general areas and issues such as preparation and planning, developing research questions, interviewing and sampling

- Reflects upon research as a social and human process

- Provides systematic guidelines and advice above and beyond technical essentials.

This book will be invaluable to both students and researchers interested in social interaction - informing, guiding and inspiring them towards excellent small-scale research.

Table of Contents:
Overview of the Adaptive Approach Finding a Research Topic and a Research Problem Developing Questions from Research Problems Preparation and Project Design Qualitative Data and Mixed Strategies Quantitative Data and Mixed Strategies Imaginative Sampling Data Analysis: Concepts and Coding Writing the Research Report: Arguments and Explanations Guidelines and Checklist for Adaptive Research

About the Author :
Derek Layder is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Leicester and Honorary Professor of Health and Life Sciences and De Montfort University. He was awarded a doctorate by the London School of Economics in 1976. Appointed Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Leicester in 1974 and promoted to Reader in 1995, he became Professor in 1997 and Emeritus Professor from 2002. He has held several visiting academic positions and has also held honorary visiting appointments at The Australian National University (as a Humanities Research Fellow) and the University of Western Sydney (as Eminent Research Visitor). He taught in areas of social theory, social psychology, social research methods and the philosophy of social sciences. He has published numerous academic articles and 12 books. Among his books, in the area of the philosophy of social science, he is the author of The Realist Image in Social Science (1990); in social theory, he has written Understanding Social Theory (second edition, 2006), as well as Modern Social Theory (1997). On research strategies and methods, he has authored New Strategies in Social Research (1993), Sociological Practice (1998), and Doing Excellent Small-Scale Research (2013). He has also written on intimacy, emotion and self-identity, including Emotion in Social Life (2004), Social & Personal Identity (2004) and Intimacy & Power (2009). 

Review :
Layder′s adaptive approach answers the question that many social science researchers (particularly students) grapple with-how do I conduct (and justify) research grounded in both local-level data and pre-existing theory!
Dr Laurie Field
Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Human Sciences , Macquarie University, Sydney

This book will be ideal for provoking ideas in undergraduate and foundation degree childhood studies and research.

It is particularly useful for my students to select relevant questions from data they have read. A useful resource in a small size book. As with Layder′s other work - this is a very accessible, well-written text that is extremely useful for undergraduate and even MSc students studying social sciences.

It offers smething slightly different from the rather overwhelming number of publications on the market because of the focus on small-scale research makes it a more ′realistic′ proposition for undergraduate students than many other research methods texts. This is a really good text that I would certainly recommend to my third year undergraduate dissertation students and also my masters students. It is written in a friendly, down to earth format that students can engage with and it contains lots of concrete examples; which are useful and contribute to very practical and accessible handbook Some good pointers for students embarking on small research projects. This book is of the same high standard as other Layder texts, and the focus on small-scale projects is extremely valuable to post-graduate students. A good, to the point guide for Bachelor students who write their dissertations on a primary research study. Good overview - recommended! Even though this would be a usable book for our students, it would a bit too expensive for them since we have several other books on the course - in Sweden, it costs £60.
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This might have been a lesser obstacle if the book had been clearer in some areas, but I find one of the central distinctions argued for in the book to be somewhat hard to grasp for the students - thus, it might confuse them rather than bringing clarifying insights.
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I′m really sad to turn down this book since the overall approach seemed a promising one. This is an excellent guide to small scale research which is ideal for those conducting qualitative research at a post graduate level but not social scientists by background. I will recommend this to those conducting design research. An essential text to our MSc students doing their dissertation Easy, chunked steps to follow. Fantastic outline of problem-questions for students to take and run with. Final comments section very useful in plenary activities This is a useful text for undergraduates new to social research. It provides a structure for engaging with research, and may provide a basis for greater understanding and critical evaluation of social research. An interesting book for research projects An excellent introduction to the world of social research. An outstanding resource for any student undertaking reseach, clear and well laid out allowing the reader to find their areas of concern easily.

This should be read by all students undertaking research for the first or 100th time. Essential for first time researchers and smaller research projects. The book surprised me with its energetic interpretation of the value of small-scale research.
The specific methodological choices associated with this type of study is clearly highlighted. This is a good resource to have on your book shelve for first time researchers still finding their way and also for seasoned researcher to reaffirm their convictions. Supporting students undertaking small scale real research projects This book provides a good access route into small scale research. This is a clear and accessible text for students of all levels undertaking research.

The writing style is explanatory and in plain English which encourages the reader. There is a logical and clear organisation to the book which will be very helpful to small-scale researchers. This is an eminently readable text which clearly presents the important principles of successful, small-scale research. There are excellent examples to support the approaches discussed. I will be recommending this very highly to students preparing their research propsals and moving into their Independent Study/Dissertation. This is a really useful book which answers many of the questions from both undergrad and post grad students. It is well laid out, logically presented and written in a clear user-friendly style. I will be recommending this for Level 5, 6 and 7 students and also to members of staff who are starting out on or in the early stages of their research career A usefull book for students who have to do their research within a limited time frame. Clear and easy understandable text A very helpful book for students doing their research within companies. This is a book which will provide much food for thought for students who are at a stage of considering research methods and, more particularly, beginning their own small scale research project. It has an accessible feel to it but without dodging the complexities involved when embarking upon research. The style is readable and creative, and provides an initial level introduction for qualitative research, but the book lacks rigour and clarity for teaching at postgraduate level. Good use of headings and bullets, but otherwise not very visually appealing for a modern audience.