The aim of this book is to provide an introductory but not simplistic guide to research in the social and behavioural sciences. The book sets out to tackle difficult issues and concepts in a scholarly but accessible manner, providing ample guidance and signposts to further reading. We explore a wide range of questions about research and research methods, including: * What counts as good research? * Research approaches, paradigms, methods and methodology: what are they and what is the difference? * What is the so-called qualitative/ quantitative? * When and where is quantitative research indispensable? * If one suggests that research should be scientific what does that mean? * What methods and methodologies are used in social research? * What is the role of statistics in social and behavioural research? How should statistical evidence be interpreted? * What are the ways in which research can, and should, be disseminated and presented? This book is aimed as much at the reflective, researching professional as for the professional researcher.
Part One Introduction to Research; 1. A broad introduction to social research; 2. Approaches to social research; 3. Considering the quality of research: methodology, theory and location; 4. The researcher's role and responsibility; Part Two Qualitative Methods - Their Value and Their Limits; 5. Some qualitative methods considered; 6. Dealing with qualitative data; Part Three The Quantitative Approach: value and limits; 7. Dealing with Quantitative Data; 8. Psychometrics: measuring traits and states; Part Four Presenting and Disseminating Research; 9. Presenting and reporting research; References and Further reading; Glossary of terms; Appendices 1, 2 and 3.
