Using Secondary Data in Educational and Social Research

by Smith, Emma

• ISBN13: 9780335223572
• ISBN10: 0335223575
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-09-01
• Publisher: Open University Press

Summary

This is a book about using secondary data in social and educational research. It assumes no prior mathematical expertise and is intended as a practical resource for researchers who are new to the field of secondary data analysis.The book comprises two parts. The first considers the role of secondary data analysis as a research method in contemporary social research, before introducing the reader to a range of raw and aggregate data sources, as well as practical strategies for locating and assessing potential datasets. Part two of the book introduces worked examples which show the potential for using secondary sources to answer a varied range of research questions. This section provides guidance on accessing, managing and preparing large datasets for analysis. Throughout the book, the aim is to encourage researchers to consider the potential for using secondary data both as their primary research method but also as a useful strategy in mixed methods designs.

Author Biography

Emma Smith is a Reader in Education at the University of Birmingham. She is a former Chemistry teacher and Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator. She has held lectureships and research posts at the Universities of York and Cardiff.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Secondary data analysis: an introduction	p. 3
Pitfalls of secondary data analysis	p. 21
Promises of secondary data analysis	p. 39
Doing secondary analysis	p. 61
Sure Start and leisure habits: secondary analysis of aggregate data	p. 91
Traffic jams and gap years: secondary analysis of survey data	p. 117
From PISA to California: secondary analysis of international data	p. 147
Endpiece	p. 173
Sources of secondary data	p. 175
Effective data husbandry: managing secondary datasets	p. 204
Accessing the Economic and Social Data Service	p. 231
References	p. 233
Index	p. 247
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