Provides a foundation for understanding research findings in social sciences.

Designed to help students acquire basic skills in the methods of social science research, the second edition of Research Methods and Society contains numerous excerpts from professional journal articles, scholarly books, and popular press. The text uses a straightforward writing style to present essential information, without eliminating key concepts, tools, and their applications. Concrete, everyday examples and “hands-on” practice activities reinforce fundamental concepts that will be useful to students in their future careers and life. Topics are illustrated in ways that are student-centered, yet instructor-friendly.

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Learning Goals

Upon completing this book, readers will be able to:

• Understand research findings in the social sciences.
• Conduct social research.
• Apply social research skills and principles to everyday situations.

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Dr. Linda Dorsten is Professor of Sociology at SUNY-Fredonia.  She has served as research consultant to six state and community agencies across several states, and as an evaluator for “Steps to a Healthier U.S.,” a 5-year initiative funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Dr. Dorsten has published articles in Demography, Population Research and Policy Review, Sociology of Education, Research in Sociology of Education and Socialization, and Sociological Focus.  She also has written two textbooks on research methods, including Research Methods and Society, 1/e (with L. Hotchkiss; Prentice-Hall 2005).