Doing Social Science

F. Devine

ISBN 10: 0230537901 / ISBN 13: 9780230537903

Published by Springer, Berlin, Macmillan Education UK, Red Globe Press, 2009

About this Item

This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -What should you do when results don't match your expectations How is it possible to make the best of existing evidence Is it acceptable to adapt your research question in the middle of a project This book examines how experienced researchers have tackled these questions in their own projects. Moving beyond abstract discussions of method, it explores how social scientists collect and construct evidence in real-life practice.Looking critically at nine examples of recent research, Doing Social Science gives a thorough yet accessible examination of how research is planned, carried out, recorded and analysed in real-life situations. The book covers core and new areas of social science, with each chapter looking at a different contemporary study that taps into a key aspect of modern everyday life. Diverse and globally relevant, these studies include themes from online gaming and news interviews to post-colonial life and Goth subculture. The book relates the theory behind such social issues to the methods being used, as it gives critical evaluation alongside careful explanation and invaluable advice. Showing how the choice and use of particular methods and techniques can critically shape the findings of social science research, the authors also explain how to deal with complex research issues. Written and edited by experts in the field, this innovative book highlights the excitement as well as the challenge of conducting real-life research. After reading this, students throughout the social sciences will have the confidence and skills to evaluate the research of others and carry out their own research projects. 208 pp. Englisch.

Seller Inventory # 9780230537903

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Doing Social Science
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin, Macmillan Education UK, Red Globe Press
• Publication Date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0230537901
• ISBN 13: 9780230537903
• Binding: Taschenbuch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 233W x 155H x 14D millimeters 233 millimeters width by 155 millimeters height by 14 millimeters depth
• Weight: 361 grams

About this title

Synopsis

What should you do when results don't match your expectations? How is it possible to make the best of existing evidence? Is it acceptable to adapt your research question in the middle of a project? This book examines how experienced researchers have tackled these questions in their own projects. Moving beyond abstract discussions of method, it explores how social scientists collect and construct evidence in real-life practice.

Looking critically at nine examples of recent research, Doing Social Science gives a thorough yet accessible examination of how research is planned, carried out, recorded and analysed in real-life situations. The book covers core and new areas of social science, with each chapter looking at a different contemporary study that taps into a key aspect of modern everyday life. Diverse and globally relevant, these studies include themes from online gaming and news interviews to post-colonial life and Goth subculture. The book relates the theory behind such social issues to the methods being used, as it gives critical evaluation alongside careful explanation and invaluable advice. Showing how the choice and use of particular methods and techniques can critically shape the findings of social science research, the authors also explain how to deal with complex research issues.

Written and edited by experts in the field, this innovative book highlights the excitement as well as the challenge of conducting real-life research. After reading this, students throughout the social sciences will have the confidence and skills to evaluate the research of others and carry out their own research projects.

About the Author

Dr SUE HEATH is Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Southampton, UK.