Basics Of Social Research

With its enhanced design and increased Canadian content, Basics of Social Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches sets a new standard in social research methods. The improved layout makes a difficult subject easier to understand, with a new four-colour, visually enhanced presentation.¿Updated Canadian content focuses on real research examples from Canadian studies to make social research accessible to students and demonstrate how social research has applications in the real world. Themed boxes and new¿end-of-chapter questions increases student learning and provides a foundation for further learning about social research methods.

Choosing a research method can be bewildering. How can you be sure which methodology is appropriate, or whether your chosen combination of methods is consistent with the theoretical perspective you want to take? This book links methodology and theory with great clarity and precision, showing students and researchers how to navigate the maze of conflicting terminology. The major epistemological stances and theoretical perspectives that colour and shape current social research are detailed and the author reveals the philosophical origins of these schools of inquiry and shows how various disciplines contribute to the practice of social research as it is known today.

Earl Babbie, best-selling author in the field, is joined by Lucia Benaquisto, experienced researcher and teacher for The Basics of Social Research, First Canadian Edition. This outstanding author team makes abstract theory understandable with humour and down-to-earth examples. Canadian examples and Canadian social science research make the text even more relevant to students. This textbook is for a one semester course in research methods. The adaptation is unique because it took the American edition but added unique chapters and methods based on the reviewers? desire for comprehensive coverage. There is more material on ethics and qualitative research in the Canadian edition. There is also coverage of a more advanced topic, the elaboration model. This adaptation is also uniquein the Canadian market because of its rich ancillary package.

Used to train generations of social scientists, this thoroughly updated classic text covers the latest research techniques and designs. Applauded for its comprehensive coverage, the breadth and depth of content is unparalleled. Through a multi-methodology approach, the text guides readers toward the design and conduct of social research from the ground up. Explained with applied examples useful to the social, behavioral, educational, and organizational sciences, the methods described are intended to be relevant to contemporary researchers. The underlying logic and mechanics of experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental research strategies are discussed in detail. Introductory chapters covering topics such as validity and reliability furnish readers with a firm understanding of foundational concepts. Chapters dedicated to sampling, interviewing, questionnaire design, stimulus scaling, observational methods, content analysis, implicit measures, dyadic and group methods, and meta-analysis provide coverage of these essential methodologies. The book is noted for its: -Emphasis on understanding the principles that govern the use of a method to facilitate the researcher’s choice of the best technique for a given situation. - Use of the laboratory experiment as a touchstone to describe and evaluate field experiments, correlational designs, quasi experiments, evaluation studies, and survey designs. -Coverage of the ethics of social research including the power a researcher wields and tips on how to use it responsibly. The new edition features: -A new co-author, Andrew Lac, instrumental in fine tuning the book’s accessible approach and highlighting the most recent developments at the intersection of design and statistics. -More learning tools including more explanation of the basic concepts, more research examples, tables, and figures, and the addition of bold faced terms, chapter conclusions, discussion questions, and a glossary. -Extensive revision of chapter (3) on measurement reliability theory that examines test theory, latent factors, factor analysis, and item response theory. -Expanded coverage of cutting-edge methodologies including mediation and moderation, reliability and validity, missing data, and more physiological approaches such as neuroimaging and fMRIs. -A new web based resource package that features Power Points and discussion and exam questions for each chapter and for students chapter outlines and summaries, key terms, and suggested readings. Intended as a text for graduate or advanced undergraduate courses in research methods (design) in psychology, communication, sociology, education, public health, and marketing, an introductory undergraduate course on research methods is recommended.

Covers types of research, reasoning and data, basic logic of quantitative and qualitative inquiry, major data collection strategies, and identification of research limitations. This book describes procedures for identifying limitations of research and rival explanations for research findings.

Introduces social research in a manner that captures both the excitement and importance of doing “real” research. Examples using real research and Canadian data highlight both qualitative and quantitative approaches to social research and emphasize the benefits of combining various approaches for a distinct and complementary perspective to understanding the social world. Basics of Social Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Approacheswill show you how to look at the world from a new perspective, to question, and to understand the importance of social research today.

Bernard does an excellent job of not only showing how to practice research, but also provides a detailed discussion of broader historical and philosophical contexts that are important for understanding research.