Social Research Methods : Qualitative and

This highly regarded text presents a comprehensive and balanced introduction to both qualitative and quantitative approaches to social research, emphasizing the benefits of combining various approaches. Dozens of new examples from actual research studies help illustrate concepts and methods.

Preface

vii

PART ONE Foundations

Science and Research

1

(22)

Alternatives to Social Research

2

(4)

How Science Works

6

(7)

Quantitative and Qualitative Social Research

13

(1)

Steps in the Research Process

14

(6)

Why Conduct Social Research?

20

(1)

Conclusion

20

(3)

Dimensions of Research

23

(26)

Dimensions of Research

23

(24)

Conclusion

47

(2)

Theory and Research

49

(30)

What Is Theory?

50

(1)

Social Theory versus Ideology

50

(2)

The Parts of Social Theory

52

(6)

Aspects of Theory

58

(18)

The Dynamic Duo

76

(1)

Conclusion

77

(2)

The Meanings of Methodology

79

(31)

The Three Approaches

80

(1)

Positivist Social Science

81

(6)

Interpretive Social Science

87

(7)

Critical Social Science

94

(8)

Feminist and Postmodern Research

102

(2)

Conclusion

104

(6)

The Literature Review and Ethical Concerns

110

(39)

The Literature Review

110

(19)

Ethics in Social Research

129

(17)

Conclusion

146

(3)

PART TWO Planning and Preparation

Qualitative and Quantitative Research Designs

149

(30)

Triangulation

149

(2)

Qualitative and Quantitative Orientations toward Research

151

(6)

Qualitative Design Issues

157

(3)

Quantitative Design Issues

160

(14)

Conclusion

174

(5)

Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement

179

(40)

Why Measure?

180

(1)

Quantitative and Qualitative Measurement

181

(1)

Parts of the Measurement Process

181

(7)

Reliability and Validity

188

(10)

A Guide to Quantitative Measurement

198

(4)

Index Construction

202

(4)

Scales

206

(10)

Conclusion

216

(3)

Qualitative and Quantitative Sampling

219

(27)

Nonprobability Sampling

220

(4)

Probability Sampling

224

(20)

Conclusion

244

(2)

PART THREE Quantitative Data Collection and Analysis

Experimental Research

246

(26)

Research Questions Appropriate for an Experiment

247

(1)

A Short History of the Experiment in Social Research

248

(1)

Random Assignment

249

(3)

Experimental Design Logic

252

(7)

Internal and External Validity

259

(8)

Practical Considerations

267

(1)

Results of Experimental Research: Making Comparisons

267

(2)

A Word on Ethics

269

(1)

Conclusion

269

(3)

Survey Research

272

(48)

Research Questions Appropriate for a Survey

273

(1)

A History of Survey Research

273

(3)

The Logic of Survey Research

276

(1)

Constructing the Questionnaire

277

(22)

Types of Surveys: Advantages and Disadvantages

299

(5)

Interviewing

304

(9)

The Ethical Survey

313

(1)

Conclusion

314

(6)

Nonreactive Research and Secondary Analysis

320

(23)

Nonreactive Measurement

320

(2)

Content Analysis

322

(9)

Existing Statistics/Documents and Secondary Analysis

331

(8)

Issues of Inference and Theory Testing

339

(1)

Conclusion

340

(3)

Analysis of Quantitative Data

343

(35)

Dealing with Data

344

(2)

Results with One Variable

346

(7)

Results with Two Variables

353

(9)

More than Two Variables

362

(8)

Inferential Statistics

370

(4)

Conclusion

374

(4)

PART FOUR Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis

Field Research

378

(40)

Research Questions Appropriate for Field Research

379

(1)

A Short History of Field Research

379

(4)

The Logic of Field Research

383

(2)

Choosing a Site and Gaining Access

385

(7)

Relations in the Field

392

(4)

Observing and Collecting Data

396

(10)

The Field Research Interview

406

(5)

Leaving the Field

411

(1)

Ethical Dilemmas of Field Research

412

(2)

Conclusion

414

(4)

Historical-Comparative Research

418

(39)

A Short History of Historical-Comparative Research

419

(1)

Research Questions Appropriate for Historical-Comparative Research

419

(1)

The Logic of Historical-Comparative Research

420

(8)

Steps in a Historical-Comparative Research Project

428

(2)

Data and Evidence in Historical Context

430

(7)

Comparative Research

437

(12)

Equivalence in Historical-Comparative Research

449

(3)

Ethics

452

(1)

Conclusion

453

(4)

Analysis of Qualitative Data

457

(33)

Comparing Methods of Data Analysis

458

(1)

Coding and Concept Formation

459

(7)

Analytic Strategies for Qualitative Data

466

(14)

Other Techniques

480

(8)

Conclusion

488

(2)

PART FIVE Communicating With Others

Writing the Research Report and the Politics of Social Research

490

(58)

The Research Report

491

(13)

The Politics of Social Research

504

(12)

Objectivity and Value Freedom

516

(2)

Conclusion

518

(3)

Appendixs

Appendix A American Sociological Association Code of Ethics

521

(14)

Appendix B Table of Randomly Selected Five-Digit Numbers

535

(2)

Appendix C Sample of Data Archives and Resources for Secondary Analysis

537

(2)

Appendix D Measurement Theory and Specialized Techniques for Index and Scale Construction

539

(4)

Appendix E Evaluation Research

543

(5)

Bibliography

548

(36)

Name Index

584

(2)

Subject Index

586

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Social Research Methods : Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials