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Research Design
Creating Robust Approaches for the Social Sciences



March 2013 | 232 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
Research design is of critical importance in social research, despite its relative neglect in many methods resources. Early consideration of design in relation to research questions leads to the elimination or diminution of threats to eventual research claims, by encouraging internal validity and substantially reducing the number of alternative explanations for any finite number of research 'observations'.

This new book: discusses the nature of design; gives an introduction to design notation; offers a flexible approach to new designs; looks at a range of standard design models; and presents craft tips for real-life problems and compromises. Most importantly, it provides the rationale for preferring one design over another within any given context. Each section is illustrated with case studies of real work and concludes with suggested readings and topics for discussion in seminars and workshops, making it an ideal textbook for postgraduate research methods courses.

Based on the author's teaching on the ESRC Doctoral Training Centre "Masters in Research Methods" at the University of Birmingham, and his ongoing work for the ESRC Researcher Development Initiative, this is an essential text for postgraduate researchers and academics. There is no book like Research Design on the market that addresses all of these issues in an easy to comprehend style, for those who want to design research and make critical judgements about the designs of others.


 
PART ONE: INTRODUCTION - 'DESIGN' AS DISTINCT FROM METHODS
 
What Is Research Design?
 
Introducing Designs in the Cycle of Research
 
PART TWO: THE PRELIMINARIES OF RESEARCH DESIGN
 
Identifying Researchable Questions
 
Warranting Research Claims
 
The Nature of Causal Claims
 
PART THREE: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
 
Identifying the Sample or Cases
 
Comparing for Comparative Claims
 
Matters of Timing and Sequence
 
Evaluating Controlled Interventions
 
PART FOUR: MORE ADVANCED CONSIDERATIONS
 
Further Designs for Evaluation
 
Challenges for Validity
 
How Big Is a Difference?
 
A Second Principle of Ethics
 
PART FIVE: CONCLUSION
 
Revisiting the Need for Robust Design

An excellent resource which is presented in a clear, easy to understand language. Unlike other books on the market that claim to be about research design, this really is and does not divert into other aspects. Nonetheless, the areas it does cover are succinct and in depth. Although I would highly recommend it for Doctorial programmes (and believe me it addresses all aspects of that), it would be very useful too for those on degree programmes. Research Design by Stephen Gorard, is an essential buy.

Mr Shane Payne
Engineering, Leicester College
May 18, 2014

This is an excellent text on research design in the social sciences. I recommend it to PhD and Professional Doctorate students when they are embarking on developing their research proposals. Their feedback suggests it is pitched at the correct level for postgraduate home and international students, and for some this will be their first in depth experience of engaging with the issues examined.

Dr Margaret Smith
School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh
May 9, 2014

An interesting and innovative text that clearly explains various approaches and systematic steps involved in research design in simplistic manner.

Dr Alan Yates
Department of Psychology, University Campus Oldham
April 8, 2014

This book is an essential text for students at all levels but especially useful for those studying at Masters and Doctoral level. It is simple yet effective in its approach to research design - a very accessible read!

Professor Alison Kington
Institute of Education, Worcester Univ.
January 14, 2014

Excellent!

Professor Li Wei
Linguistics , Birkbeck College, University of London
January 13, 2014

Very useful book to both PG and PG levels

Dr Krishna Regmi
Clinical Education and Leadership, Faculty of Heath and Social Sciences
August 26, 2013

This is written in a manner that makes it feel a lot like a text book.

The case studies illustrate points well, and the topics for discussion are useful for class groups to further their understanding.

Lynette Morris
Internal Quality Assurance, Chiltern Training Group
August 15, 2013

Parts of this book are useful (Part 2 particularly) but I'd like this book to have been specifically about education with some examples of small scale education research going right and wrong.

Dr Andy Cramp
School of Education, Wolverhampton University
July 11, 2013

This book will be particulary useful for the postgraduate community in Initial Teacher Education research. The focus on rigour and design stage development will be particularly helpful for Masters level students.

Mr Eamonn Mitchell
AEPE, Univ of Limerick, Mary Immaculate Coll
June 17, 2013

This book reveals scientific grounds behind social realities and phenomenon

Mr Kerem Coskun
Primary Education, Artvin Coruh University
May 20, 2013

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1


This title is also available on SAGE Research Methods, the ultimate digital methods library. If your library doesn’t have access, ask your librarian to start a trial.