Research Methods in Social Relations

by Hoyle, Rick H.; Harris, Monica J.; Judd, Charles M.

• ISBN13: 9780155061392
• ISBN10: 0155061399
• Edition: 7th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-10-26
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

RESEARCH METHODS IN SOCIAL RELATIONS offers a compelling, problem-focused perspective on social science methods. The authors discuss the influence of personal and cultural values on which questions are asked, how they are asked, and how they are addressed in the opening chapter and use this perspective in discussions of specific methods throughout the book. This focus on the importance of conscience and conviction in research on social behavior is a unique and enduring feature of this new Seventh Edition. Ideal for advanced undergraduates and graduate students, this Seventh Edition covers all the major research methods used by social scientists, with special attention devoted to methods that are well-suited to the study of real world social problems. Most of the examples drawn from the published literature or developed specifically for the book concern a social problem for which social science research is relevant. Your students will see how social science research can be used to address questions such as: To what factors can the escalation of violence in schools be attributed? Why, in the midst of an AIDS epidemic to people engage in risky sexual behavior? Can ethnic prejudice be reduced? As in previous editions, the heart of the book is detailed coverage of a broad array of research methods, ranging from tightly controlled laboratory experimentation to nonintrusive observation of people in theier natural environments.

Author Biography

Rick H. Hoyle: University of Kentucky Monica J. Harris: University of Kentucky Charles M. Judd: University of Colorado

Table of Contents

PART I: INTRODUCTION

1. Ways of Knowing

The Place of Values in Social Science Research

Contestability in Social and Physical Sciences

Casual Observation

Toward a Science of Social Behavior

Summary

2. Evaluating Social Science Theories and Research

The Purposes of Research in the Social Sciences

Criteria for Evaluating Social Science Research

Maximizing Construct Validity

Maximizing Internal Validity

Maximizing External Validity

Summary

3. Ethical Principles

The Tuskegee Syphilis Study

The Belmont Report

Focus on Ethical Issues in Experimental Research: Deception

Focus on Ethical Issues in Quasi–Experimental Research: Confidentiality and Anonymity

Focus on Ethical Issues in Nonexperimental Research: Participant Observation

The Ethics of Not Doing a Study

Case Study of Ethical Review Process

Closing Thoughts

Summary

PART II: MEASUREMENT

4. Fundamentals of Measurement

From Abstract Concepts to Concrete Representations

Operational Definitions Are Necessary but Rarely Sufficient

Measurement Presupposes a Clearly Defined Construct

Components of an Observed Score Reliability

5. Modes of Measurement

Modes of Direct Questioning

Other Modes of Measurement

Summary

6. Single-Item Measure in Questionnaires

Outline of Procedures in Questionnaire Research

Question Content

Question Wording

Question Sequence

Special Techniques for Sensitive Content

Interviewing

Summary

7. Scaling and Multiple-Item Measures

Advantages of Multiple-Item Measures

Levels of Measurement

Rating Scales for Quantifying Individual Judgements

Developing Multiple- Items Scales

Three Types of Multiple-Items Scales

Scaling and Levels of Measurement

Summary

PART III: SAMPLING

8. Fundamentals of Sampling

Some Basic Definitions and Concepts

Nonprobabilty Sampling

Probability Sampling

Concluding Remarks About the Two Kinds of Sampling

Sampling Elements Other Than People

Summary

9. Probability Sampling Methods

Basic Probability Sampling Methods

Sampling Error

Two Examples of Sampling Plans for National Survey

Summary

10. Experience Sampling

Applications of the Experience Sampling Method

Sampling Strategies and Procedures

Measurement Strategies and Procedures

Summary

PART IV: SOCIAL RESEARCH STRATEGIES

11. Randomized Experiments

Controlling and Manipulating Variables

Random Assignment

Independent Variables that Vary Within and Between Participants

Threats to Internal Validity

Construct Validity of Independent Variables in a Randomized Experiment

Alternative Experimental Designs

Strengths and Weaknesses of Randomized Experiments

Summary

12. The Laboratory Setting

When Should The Laboratory Be Used? Types of Laboratory Study

Artifact and Artificiality

Elements of Laboratory Study

Summary

13. Nonrandomized Designs

Examples of Nonrandomized Designs

Alternative Nonrandomized Designs

Summary

14. Applied Research

Varieties of Applied Research

Evaluation Research

the Politics of Applied and Evaluation Research

Can We Afford Not to Do Applied Research? Summary

15. Observational Archival Research

Naturalness in Research

Observation

Archival Research

Summary

16. Qualitative Research

Narrative Analysis

Focus Groups

Oral History

Participant

Summary

PART V: ANALYSIS AND WRITING

17. Data Management and Exploration

The Data Matrix

The Codebook

Statistical Software

Exploring Data

Summary

18. Estimates and Tests of Association

Associations Between Dichotomous Variables

Inferring Associations in Populations from Sample Data

Associations Between Continuous Variables

Associations Between a Continuous Variable and a Dichotomous Variable

Interpreting Associations

Partial Associations

Summary

19. Reviewing Research Reports and Literatures

Reviewing Research Reports

Searching the Literature

Reviewing the Literature

Reviewing the Literature – “Traditionally” and Meta-Analytically

Basic Meta-Analytic Tests: combing and Comparing Studies

Summary

20. Writing the Research Report

Some Preliminary Considerations

Introduction

Method

Results

Discussion

Summary or Abstract

References

Appendix

Some Suggestions on Procedure and Style

Where to Find Additional Guidance

Summary

Bibliography

Author Index

Subject Index