Using Documents in Social Research

Using Documents in Social Research offers a comprehensive, yet concise, introduction to the use of documents as tools within social science research. The books argues that documents stand in a dual-relation to human activity, and therefore by transmitting ideas and influencing the course and nature of human activity they are integral to the research process. Key features of the book include: Alerts students to the diversity of social scientific research documents. Outlines the various strategies and debates that need to be considered in order to integrate the study of documents into a research project. Offers a number of examples where documents have been used within a variety of research contexts. The book is written in an easy and engaging style which makes it accessible to undergraduates and postgraduate students. It will be essential reading for students and researchers across a range of social science disciplines.

Lindsay Prior is a Reader in Sociology at Cardiff University, and Director of the joint Cardiff University/University of Wales College of Medicine Health and Risk Program