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Researching Social Life
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Researching Social Life

Fourth Edition
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January 2016 | 624 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

Paul Stoneman and Nigel Gilbert breathe new energy into this classic bestselling textbook providing clear, relevant advice and extensive coverage of all the research methods you need to understand today’s society.

Packed full of examples from across the social sciences, Researching Social Life sets out all of the challenges and opportunities of interpreting and conducting research with qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods.

The book follows the chronology of a typical research project, from initial conception through to the collection, management and analysis of data; it also includes material on how best to write up and disseminate your research. This pragmatic approach mirrors the reality of conducting research and allows the handpicked, internationally renowned contributors to embed real case studies from their own research in each chapter.

The student-oriented pedagogy is carefully woven throughout the book and further supported by a cutting-edge website. Key tools include:

  • In-depth worked examples
  • Case studies
  • Discussion questions
  • Checklists
  • Annotated further reading
  • Practical top tips for doing research.

With unparalleled breadth and depth this trusted and respected textbook is an essential guide for anyone engaging with social research.


 
FOUNDATIONS AND FIRST STEPS
Geoff Cooper and Robert Meadows
Conceptualising Social Life
Nigel Gilbert
Research, Theory and Method
Nicola Green and Paul Stoneman
Formulating and Refining a Research Question
Karen Bullock and Daniel McCarthy
Conducting Systematic Reviews in the Social Sciences
 
CHOOSING YOUR RESEARCH STRATEGY
Paul Stoneman and Ian Brunton-Smith
Quantitative Research
Paul Hodkinson
Grounded Theory and Inductive Research
Victoria D. Alexander, Hilary Thomas, Ann Cronin, Jane Fielding and Jo Moran-Ellis
Mixed Methods
Christina Silver
Participatory Approaches to Social Research
Mike McGuire
Evaluation Research
Linda Hantrais
International Comparative Research
Janet Boddy
The Ethics of Social Research
 
COLLECTING DATA
Patrick Sturgis
Designing and Collecting Survey Samples
Charles Leddy-Owen
Questionnaire Design
Thomas J. Scotto
Measuring Attitudes
Nigel Fielding and Hilary Thomas
Qualitative Interviewing
Ann Cronin
Focus Groups
Nigel Fielding
Ethnography
Christine Hine
The Internet and Research Methods
 
ANALYSING DATA
Jane Fielding
Coding and Managing Data
Paul Stoneman
Analysing Survey Data
Ann Lewins
Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis (CAQDAS)
Alexander Seal
Thematic Analysis
Sarah Earthy, Alexandra Cuncev and Ann Cronin
Narrative Analysis
Andrew King and Lorraine Locke
Applying Conversation Analysis and Membership Categorisation Analysis to Qualitative Data
Victoria D. Alexander
Analysing Visual Materials
Christine Hine
Digital Social Research
 
WRITING ABOUT SOCIAL RESEARCH AND ITS IMPACT
Nigel Gilbert
Writing about Social Research
Paul Stoneman and Nigel Gilbert
The Impact of Social Research

A useful addition to the range of methods texts recommended for our MA students doing our Qualitative Research methods module

Dr Merran Toerien
Department of Sociology, York University
June 8, 2016

Brilliantly written by all contributing authors, this wide-ranging book is one I recommend to all students writing BSc and MSc theses.

Mr David Ring
School of Health and Education, Middlesex University
June 7, 2016

Extensive but highly relevant coverage. An interesting style of mixing instruction with critical engagement

Dr gordon O ade-ojo
Dept of Professional Learning & Develo, Greenwich University
May 3, 2016

Extensive coverage of approaches to research with useful overviews of a lot of different research methods. The book is well structured so students can find relevant information easily.

Mr John Morrison
School of Computing, Edinburgh Napier University
April 25, 2016

A very rich and complete book focused on how to conduct research in social science through quantitative as well as qualitative designs, approaches, and techniques. On-line resources for students (papers, links, glossary, and checklists for revisions) and lecturers (PowerPoint slides) easily available. Extensive relevant bibliography at the end of each chapter.

Mr Francesco Screti
Education , Glion Institute of Higher Education
April 20, 2016

An excellent, approachable guide with sufficient depth to be a valuable resource at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Dr Simon Bishop
Dept of Health,Wellbeing & the family, Canterbury Christ Church University
May 4, 2016

It is a good book that is relevant for students to understand how social life can be the scrutiny of research to social sciences. It is recommended to students as a good tool in their social research.

Dr George Varvatsoulias
Counselling, Newham College of Further Education
April 25, 2016

Detailed and straightforward with good comprehensiveness. Very student and other user friendly. Excellent

Mr Sean McEntee
Department of Social Work, Ulster University
May 18, 2016

This is an updated edition of a staple text for PGR and PGT students undertaking qualitative research. Its comprehensive and introductory nature renders it relevant and useful.

Professor Elaine Louise Graham
Theology & Religious Studies, Chester University
March 9, 2016

A highly valuable stand-alone textbook, which has proved particularly useful for under-graduate students. Particularly valuable also for those students enrolled on social science programmes and as mature students can relate to some of the key sections of the book.

Mr Ian Manborde
Law and International Labour and Trade Union Studies, Ruskin College Oxford
March 8, 2016

Sample Materials & Chapters

Ch 1: Conceptualising Social Life