Approaches to Social Research

• Main Authors: Singleton, Royce (Author), Straits, Bruce C (Author)
• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Published: New York Oxford University Pres, Inc. 1999
• Edition: THIRD EDITION
• Subjects: Social sciences > Methodology; Social sciences > Research
• Online Access: Click Here to View Status and Holdings.
• Physical Description: xix, 618 pages illustrations 24 cm
• Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references and index
• ISBN: 0195105257

Ideal for introductory methods courses as well as for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses, Approaches to Social Research strikes an important balance between specific techniques and the underlying logic of social inquiry - the how-to and wherefore of research. The authors provide a balanced treatment of the four major approaches to research - experimentation, survey research, field research, and the use of available data - bringing the material to life with numerous examples drawn from both classic and current research. While advocating a multiple-methods strategy that treats the approaches as complementary rather than as mutually exclusive, it furnishes a detailed account of the process as well as the advantages and disadvantages of carrying out research with each approach. Extensive substantive examples and a clear exposition make complex issues accessible to students with no background in social research.