Research Design
Creating Robust Approaches for the Social Sciences
- Stephen Gorard - Durham University, UK, The University of Birmingham, UK
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.
An excellent and challenging book from Professor Gorard. Research design is a neglected area of education and this book challenges educators to reconsider its role within the research process.
This text gives a wide-ranging view of research design that can support students’ with their own projects. A recommended publication for students' studying their dissertation units.
Is a good resource fos students with different backgrounds and different research skills.
I cannot recommend this book to my students because it does not fit exactly the aims that we cover in our lessons. Nonetheless, I think It is a very useful text to go ahead on this topic and probably I suggest it as a complementary text to review.
An interesting lens on research design, would be of use for those undertaking a disseration project
Discusses a range of design and and the differences between them. Easy to read. Very good book
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.
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.
An interesting and innovative text that clearly explains various approaches and systematic steps involved in research design in simplistic manner.
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!
