Social Research Methods : Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches

by Neuman, W. Lawrence

• ISBN13: 9780205457939
• ISBN10: 0205457932
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

This highly regarded text presents a comprehensive and balanced introduction to both qualitative and quantitative approaches to social research, emphasizing the benefits of combining various approaches. Dozens of new examples from actual research studies help illustrate concepts and methods.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
PART ONE Foundations
Science and Research	1	(22)
Alternatives to Social Research	2	(4)
How Science Works	6	(7)
Quantitative and Qualitative Social Research	13	(1)
Steps in the Research Process	14	(6)
Why Conduct Social Research?	20	(1)
Conclusion	20	(3)
Dimensions of Research	23	(26)
Dimensions of Research	23	(24)
Conclusion	47	(2)
Theory and Research	49	(30)
What Is Theory?	50	(1)
Social Theory versus Ideology	50	(2)
The Parts of Social Theory	52	(6)
Aspects of Theory	58	(18)
The Dynamic Duo	76	(1)
Conclusion	77	(2)
The Meanings of Methodology	79	(31)
The Three Approaches	80	(1)
Positivist Social Science	81	(6)
Interpretive Social Science	87	(7)
Critical Social Science	94	(8)
Feminist and Postmodern Research	102	(2)
Conclusion	104	(6)
The Literature Review and Ethical Concerns	110	(39)
The Literature Review	110	(19)
Ethics in Social Research	129	(17)
Conclusion	146	(3)
PART TWO Planning and Preparation
Qualitative and Quantitative Research Designs	149	(30)
Triangulation	149	(2)
Qualitative and Quantitative Orientations toward Research	151	(6)
Qualitative Design Issues	157	(3)
Quantitative Design Issues	160	(14)
Conclusion	174	(5)
Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement	179	(40)
Why Measure?	180	(1)
Quantitative and Qualitative Measurement	181	(1)
Parts of the Measurement Process	181	(7)
Reliability and Validity	188	(10)
A Guide to Quantitative Measurement	198	(4)
Index Construction	202	(4)
Scales	206	(10)
Conclusion	216	(3)
Qualitative and Quantitative Sampling	219	(27)
Nonprobability Sampling	220	(4)
Probability Sampling	224	(20)
Conclusion	244	(2)
PART THREE Quantitative Data Collection and Analysis
Experimental Research	246	(26)
Research Questions Appropriate for an Experiment	247	(1)
A Short History of the Experiment in Social Research	248	(1)
Random Assignment	249	(3)
Experimental Design Logic	252	(7)
Internal and External Validity	259	(8)
Practical Considerations	267	(1)
Results of Experimental Research: Making Comparisons	267	(2)
A Word on Ethics	269	(1)
Conclusion	269	(3)
Survey Research	272	(48)
Research Questions Appropriate for a Survey	273	(1)
A History of Survey Research	273	(3)
The Logic of Survey Research	276	(1)
Constructing the Questionnaire	277	(22)
Types of Surveys: Advantages and Disadvantages	299	(5)
Interviewing	304	(9)
The Ethical Survey	313	(1)
Conclusion	314	(6)
Nonreactive Research and Secondary Analysis	320	(23)
Nonreactive Measurement	320	(2)
Content Analysis	322	(9)
Existing Statistics/Documents and Secondary Analysis	331	(8)
Issues of Inference and Theory Testing	339	(1)
Conclusion	340	(3)
Analysis of Quantitative Data	343	(35)
Dealing with Data	344	(2)
Results with One Variable	346	(7)
Results with Two Variables	353	(9)
More than Two Variables	362	(8)
Inferential Statistics	370	(4)
Conclusion	374	(4)
PART FOUR Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis
Field Research	378	(40)
Research Questions Appropriate for Field Research	379	(1)
A Short History of Field Research	379	(4)
The Logic of Field Research	383	(2)
Choosing a Site and Gaining Access	385	(7)
Relations in the Field	392	(4)
Observing and Collecting Data	396	(10)
The Field Research Interview	406	(5)
Leaving the Field	411	(1)
Ethical Dilemmas of Field Research	412	(2)
Conclusion	414	(4)
Historical-Comparative Research	418	(39)
A Short History of Historical-Comparative Research	419	(1)
Research Questions Appropriate for Historical-Comparative Research	419	(1)
The Logic of Historical-Comparative Research	420	(8)
Steps in a Historical-Comparative Research Project	428	(2)
Data and Evidence in Historical Context	430	(7)
Comparative Research	437	(12)
Equivalence in Historical-Comparative Research	449	(3)
Ethics	452	(1)
Conclusion	453	(4)
Analysis of Qualitative Data	457	(33)
Comparing Methods of Data Analysis	458	(1)
Coding and Concept Formation	459	(7)
Analytic Strategies for Qualitative Data	466	(14)
Other Techniques	480	(8)
Conclusion	488	(2)
PART FIVE Communicating With Others
Writing the Research Report and the Politics of Social Research	490	(58)
The Research Report	491	(13)
The Politics of Social Research	504	(12)
Objectivity and Value Freedom	516	(2)
Conclusion	518	(3)
Appendixs
Appendix A American Sociological Association Code of Ethics	521	(14)
Appendix B Table of Randomly Selected Five-Digit Numbers	535	(2)
Appendix C Sample of Data Archives and Resources for Secondary Analysis	537	(2)
Appendix D Measurement Theory and Specialized Techniques for Index and Scale Construction	539	(4)
Appendix E Evaluation Research	543	(5)
Bibliography	548	(36)
Name Index	584	(2)
Subject Index	586