Basics of Social Research : Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches

by Neuman, W. Lawrence

• ISBN13: 9780205484379
• ISBN10: 0205484379
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

Helps students understand what research can and cannot do, become better consumers of research, and learn why properly conducted research is important. This text teaches students to be a better consumer of research results, understand how the research enterprise works, and prepares them to conduct small research projects. Upon completing this text, students 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 discusses both qualitative and quantitative approaches to social research, emphasizing the benefits of combining various approaches. Briefer, paperback text, adapted from Neuman's Social Research Methods, Sixth Edition.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
PART ONE Foundations
Doing Social Research	1	(22)
Introduction	2	(1)
Alternatives to Social Research	3	(4)
How Science Works	7	(2)
Steps in the Research Process	9	(1)
Dimensions of Research	10	(11)
Conclusion	21	(2)
Theory and Social Research	23	(24)
Introduction	24	(1)
What Is Theory?	24	(2)
The Parts of Theory	26	(3)
The Aspects of Theory	29	(12)
The Three Major Approaches to Social Science	41	(3)
The Dynamic Duo	44	(1)
Conclusion	45	(2)
Ethics in Social Research	47	(21)
Introduction	48	(1)
Why Be Ethical?	48	(1)
Power Relations	49	(1)
Ethical Issues Involving Research Participants	50	(9)
Ethics and the Scientific Community	59	(2)
Ethics and the Sponsors of Research	61	(2)
Politics of Research	63	(1)
Value-Free and Objective Research	64	(2)
Conclusion	66	(2)
Reviewing the Scholarly Literature and Planning a Study	68	(40)
Introduction	69	(1)
Literature Review	69	(11)
Using the Internet for Social Research	80	(4)
Qualitative and Quantitative Orientations toward Research	84	(4)
Qualitative Design Issues	88	(3)
Quantitative Design Issues	91	(15)
Conclusion	106	(2)
Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement	108	(32)
Introduction	109	(1)
Why Measure?	109	(1)
Quantitative and Qualitative Measurement	110	(1)
Parts of the Measurement Process	111	(4)
Reliability and Validity	115	(6)
A Guide to Quantitative Measurement	121	(5)
Index Construction	126	(2)
Scales	128	(10)
Conclusion	138	(2)
Qualitative and Quantitative Sampling	140	(26)
Introduction	141	(1)
Nonprobability Sampling	141	(4)
Probability Sampling	145	(19)
Conclusion	164	(2)
PART TWO Conducting Quantitative Research
Survey Research	166	(34)
Introduction	167	(1)
The Logic of Survey Research	168	(1)
Constructing the Questionnaire	169	(17)
Types of Surveys: Advantages and Disadvantages	186	(4)
Interviewing	190	(6)
The Ethical Survey	196	(1)
Conclusion	197	(3)
Experimental Research	200	(24)
Introduction	201	(1)
Random Assignment	202	(2)
Experimental Design Logic	204	(8)
Internal and External Validity	212	(7)
Practical Considerations	219	(1)
Results of Experimental Research: Making Comparisons	219	(2)
A Word on Ethics	221	(1)
Conclusion	222	(2)
Nonreactive Research and Secondary Analysis	224	(23)
Introduction	225	(1)
Nonreactive Measurement	225	(2)
Content Analysis	227	(9)
Existing Statistics/Documents and Secondary Analysis	236	(8)
Issues of Inference and Theory Testing	244	(1)
Conclusion	245	(2)
Analysis of Quantitative Data	247	(28)
Introduction	248	(1)
Dealing with Data	248	(3)
Results with One Variable	251	(6)
Results with Two Variables	257	(6)
More Than Two Variables	263	(5)
Inferential Statistics	268	(4)
Conclusion	272	(3)
PART THREE Conducting Qualitative Research
Field Research	275	(29)
Introduction	275	(3)
The Logic of Field Research	278	(2)
Choosing a Site and Gaining Access	280	(5)
Relations in the Field	285	(2)
Observing and Collecting Data	287	(9)
The Field Research Interview	296	(3)
Leaving the Field	299	(1)
Focus Croups	300	(1)
Ethical Dilemmas of Field Research	301	(1)
Conclusion	302	(2)
Historical-Comparative Research	304	(23)
Introduction	304	(2)
The Logic of Historical-Comparative Research	306	(4)
Steps in a Historical-Comparative Research Project	310	(2)
Data and Evidence in Historical Context	312	(5)
Comparative Research	317	(5)
Equivalence in Historical-Comparative Research	322	(3)
Ethics	325	(1)
Conclusion	325	(2)
Analysis of Qualitative Data	327	(16)
Introduction	328	(1)
Comparing Methods of Data Analysis	328	(1)
Coding and Concept Formation	329	(6)
Analytic Strategies for Qualitative Data	335	(4)
Other Techniques	339	(1)
Software for Qualitative Data	340	(2)
Conclusion	342	(1)
PART FOUR Writing a Research Report
Writing the Research Report	343	(18)
Introduction	344	(1)
The Research Report	344	(15)
Conclusion	359	(2)
Glossary	361	(16)
Bibliography	377	(14)
Name Index	391	(2)
Subject Index	393