Principles of Methodology

Perri

ISBN 10: 0857024744 / ISBN 13: 9780857024749

Published by SAGE Publications Ltd, 2011

About this Item

nach der Bestellung gedruckt Neuware - Printed after ordering - This book provides a comprehensive, accessible guide to social science methodology. In so doing, it establishes methodology as distinct from both methods and philosophy. Most existing textbooks deal with methods, or sound ways of collecting and analysing data to generate findings. In contrast, this innovative book shows how an understanding of methodology allows us to design research so that findings can be used to answer interesting research questions and to build and test theories. Most important things in social research (e.g., beliefs, institutions, interests, practices and social classes) cannot be observed directly. This book explains how empirical research can nevertheless be designed to make sound inferences about their nature, effects and significance. The authors examine what counts as good description, explanation and interpretation, and how they can be achieved by striking intelligent trade-offs between competing design virtues. Coverage includes: ¿ why methodology matters; ¿ what philosophical arguments show us about inference; ¿ competing virtues of good research design; ¿ purposes of theory, models and frameworks; ¿ forming researchable concepts and typologies; ¿ explaining and interpreting: inferring causation, meaning and significance; and ¿ combining explanation and interpretation. The book is essential reading for new researchers faced with the practical challenge of designing research. Extensive examples and exercises are provided, based on the authors¿ long experience of teaching methodology to multi-disciplinary groups. Perri 6 is Professor of Social Policy in the Graduate School in the College of Business, Law and Social Sciences at Nottingham Trent University. Chris Bellamy is Emeritus Professor of Public Administration in the Graduate School, Nottingham Trent University.

Seller Inventory # 9780857024749

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Principles of Methodology
• Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd
• Publication Date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0857024744
• ISBN 13: 9780857024749
• Binding: Taschenbuch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 244W x 170H x 18D millimeters 244 millimeters width by 170 millimeters height by 18 millimeters depth
• Weight: 581 grams

About this title

Synopsis

What is methodology? How should one design a research project? What is the relationship between theory and method in social research? What do students and new researchers need to know in order to plan and conduct high quality research for themselves?

In this intelligent and accessible book, Perri 6 and Chris Bellamy explore the relationship between the philosophical principles of the social sciences and the methods at our disposal to study the social world. They examine how we can design achievable and valid research projects by looking closely at the choices that all researchers and students face when designing a research project.

Much of the existing literature glosses over the often difficult inter-relationship between practical research design and the theoretical underpinnings of methodology. However, this text addresses such issues head on, and in the process helps the reader to better understand each stage of the research process.

Coverage includes:

" How do we ask valid research questions?

" How do we develop a research design to best answer our questions?

" What is the difference between ′methodology′ and ′methods′?

" How do we formulate research concepts?

" How do we select and access a sample?

" What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative approaches?

" How do we handle our data?

This book is essential reading for any student or new researcher on a research methods course and who is faced with the prospect of understanding the research process for themselves or designing their own research project.

Review

′This is not just another methods book – it is ground-breaking in its comprehensiveness about what methodology is and what it is not.′    

′I would recommend this book to any member of the SRA whether in academia, local government, central government or market research; in short anyone concerned with collecting data about the social world and trying to make sense of it.′

Author: Justin Gutmann Source: SRA Research Matters