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Methodological Thinking
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Methodological Thinking
Basic Principles of Social Research Design

Second Edition
January 2016 | 208 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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Focused on the underlying logic behind social research, Methodological Thinking: Basic Principles of Social Research Design encourages readers to understand research methods as a way of thinking. The book provides a concise overview of the basic principles of social research, including the characteristics of research questions, the importance of literature reviews, variations in data generation techniques, and sampling. The Second Edition includes a revised chapter on research foundations, with focus on the philosophy of science and ethics; an emphasis on critical thinking; additional attention to evaluating research; and a new selection of briefer, multidisciplinary journal articles designed to be accessible to a wide variety of readers.

 
1. Exploring the World of Social Research Design
Defining Social Research

 
The Study of Social Research Design

 
Evaluating Social Research

 
Methodological Thinking

 
Studying Research Design as Methodological Thinking

 
Methods in Theory and in Practice

 
 
2. Foundations
Foundation I: Data, Concepts, and Theory

 
Foundation II: The Logic of Relationships Between Data and Concepts/Theory

 
Foundation III: Philosophies of Science

 
The Qualitative Versus Quantitative Debate

 
Foundations and Research Design

 
 
3. Research Questions
Characteristics of Appropriate Research Questions

 
Identifying Research Questions in Published Research

 
Creating Research Questions

 
Thinking Ahead: Developing Questions That Will Be Ethical and Practical to Study

 
Revising Research Questions

 
Evaluating Research Questions

 
Research Questions and Research Design

 
 
4. Literature Reviews
Defining "The Literature"

 
Existing Knowledge as Tools for Research Design

 
Defining the Relevant Literature

 
Thinking About the Review Task

 
The Contents and Form of Literature Reviews

 
Evaluating Literature Reviews

 
Literature Reviews and Research Design

 
Examples of Social Research Article Databases

 
 
5. Measurement
Conceptualization and Conceptual Definitions

 
Operationalization and Operational Definitions

 
Conceptualization and Operationalization in Research Led by Inductive Reasoning

 
Measurement Problems in Social Research

 
Evaluating Measurement

 
Measurement and Research Design

 
 
6. Data Generation Techniques
Research Questions and Data

 
Data Generation Techniques

 
Planning Ahead

 
Data Generation Techniques and Research Design

 
 
7. Samples
Populations and Samples in Social Research

 
The Importance of Samples in Social Research

 
Probability Samples

 
Non-probability Samples

 
Evaluating Samples in Published Research

 
Samples and Research Design

 
 
8. Summary: Thinking About Social Research Design
Foundations of Research Design and Evaluation: Methodological Thinking

 
Evaluating Research Design: Variations

 
Assessing Research Quality

 
Characteristics of High-Quality Reports of Research Design

 
Ending and Beginnings

 
 
Appendix: Suggestions for Further Reading
 
Appendix: Articles Used as Examples
Key features

NEW TO THIS EDITION:

  • Discussion of the philosophy of science as the underlying foundation of methodological thinking includes naturalism and constructionism.
  • Expanded focus on research ethics and the importance of samples in social research helps researchers produce higher quality research that adheres to common standards.
  • Explicit attention is given to both designing research and evaluating the research of others.

 KEY FEATURES:

  • An interdisciplinary approach with examples in criminology/criminal justice, sociology, political science/international relations, and social work gives readers a range of ways to comprehend the material.
  • A balanced account of theoretical perspectives provides students with an unbiased and informed presentation of the material.
  • An emphasis on conveying the logic and general principles of social research design is reflected in minimal technical details for maximum clarity.

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1

Chapter 4

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