Basics of Social Research Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches

Helps you understand what research can and cannot do, become better consumers of research, and learn why properly conducted research is important.   This text teaches you to be a better consumer of research results, understand how the research enterprise works, and prepares you to conduct small research projects. Upon completing this text, you will be aware of what research can and cannot do, and why properly conducted research is important. Using clear, accessible language and examples from real research, this text discusses both qualitative and quantitative approaches to social research, emphasizing the benefits of combining various approaches.

W. Lawrence Neuman James is professor of sociology and Asian Studies coordinator at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. His M.A. and Ph.D. were earned at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  He has authored seven books and published 35 articles and book chapters, which have appeared in Social Problems, Sociological Inquiry, Social Science Quarterly, American Sociological Review, Critical Asian Studies, Teaching Sociology, The Journal of Contemporary Asia,  Sociological Quarterly, and other journals . He is a former president of the Wisconsin Sociological Association. Neuman has received his university’s highest award for research, the Chancellor's Award for service to students with disabilities, as well as the the Wisconsin Sociological Association's Outstanding Service Award, and the College of Letters and Sciences awards for outstanding teaching, excellence in research, and outstanding service.

IN THIS SECTION:

1.)    BRIEF

2.)    COMPREHENSIVE

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BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS:

 

Part I: Foundations

Chapter 1: Doing Social Research     

Chapter 2: Theory and Social Research     

Chapter 3: Ethics in Social Research     

Chapter 4: Reviewing the Scholarly Literature and Planning a Study     

Chapter 5: Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement     

Chapter 6: Qualitative and Quantitative Sampling     

  

Part II: Conducting Quantitative Research  

Chapter 7: Survey Research     

Chapter 8: Experimental Research     

Chapter 9: Nonreactive Research and Secondary Analysis   

Chapter 10: Analysis of Quantitative Data     

 

Part III: Conducting Qualitative Research

Chapter 11: Field Research and Focus Group Research    

Chapter 12: Historical-Comparative Research     
Chapter 13: Analysis of Qualitative Data     

 

Part IV: Research Reports

Chapter 14: Writing the Research Report     

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COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS:

 

Part I: Foundations

 

Chapter 1: Doing Social Research     

Introduction

Alternatives to Social Research

How Science Works

Steps in the Research Process

Dimensions of Research

 

Chapter 2: Theory and Social Research     

What Is Social Theory?

The Parts of Theory

The Aspects of Theory

The Three Major Approaches to Social Science

The Dynamic Duo

 

Chapter 3: Ethics in Social Research     

What are Research Ethics?

Why Be Ethical?

Power Relations

Ethical Issues Involving Research Participants

Ethics and the Scientific Community

Ethics and the Sponsors of Research

Politics of Research

Value-Free and Objective Research

 

Chapter 4: Reviewing the Scholarly Literature and Planning a Study     

Literature Review

Using the Internet for Social Research

Qualitative and Quantitative Orientations toward Research

Qualitative Design Issues

Quantitative Design Issues

 

Chapter 5: Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement     

Why Measure?

Quantitative and Qualitative Measurement

Parts of the Measurement Process

Reliability and Validity

A Guide to Quantitative Measurement

 

Chapter 6: Qualitative and Quantitative Sampling     

Nonprobability Sampling     

Probability Sampling     

  

Part II: Conducting Quantitative Research

 

Chapter 7: Survey Research     

When to use a Survey

The Logic of Survey Research

Constructing the Questionnaire

Types of Surveys: Advantages and Disadvantages

Interviewing

The Ethical Survey

 

Chapter 8: Experimental Research     

Research Questions Appropriate for an Experiment

Random Assignment

Experimental Design Logic

Internal and External Validity

Practical Considerations

Results of Experimental Research: Making Comparisons

A Word on Ethics

 

Chapter 9: Nonreactive Research and Secondary Analysis   

Nonreactive Measurement

Unobtrusive Observation

Content Analysis     

Existing Statistics/Documents and Secondary Analysis    

Issues of Inference and Theory Testing  

Ethical Concerns   

 

Chapter 10: Analysis of Quantitative Data     

Dealing with Data     

Results with One Variable     

Results with Two Variables   

More Than Two Variables    

Inferential Statistics    

 

Part III: Conducting Qualitative Research

 

Chapter 11: Field Research and Focus Group Research    

Introduction to Field Research

Conducting a Field Research Study

The Field Research Interview 

Data Quality

Ethical Dilemmas of Field Research

Focus Group Research

 

Chapter 12: Historical-Comparative Research     

The Logic of Historical-Comparative Research     

Steps in a Historical-Comparative Research Project     

Data and Evidence in Historical Context     

Comparative Research     

Equivalence in Historical-Comparative Research     

Ethics     

Chapter 13: Analysis of Qualitative Data     

Comparing Methods of Data Analysis   

Coding and Concept Formation     

Analytic Strategies for Qualitative Data     

Other Techniques     

Software for Qualitative Data     

 

Part IV: Research Reports

 

Chapter 14: Writing the Research Report     

Reasons for Writing

The Writing Process

Steps in Writing

The Quantitative Research Report  

The Qualitative Research Report

The Research Proposal