Social Research: An Introduction

This is the perfect book for any student taking a research methods course for the first time.

The new edition of David and Sutton′s text provides those new to social research with a comprehensive introduction to the theory, logic and practical methods of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research. Covering all aspects of research design, data collection, data analysis and writing up, Social Research: An Introduction is the essential companion for all undergraduate and postgraduate students embarking on a methods course or social research project.

The second edition features:

• Brand new chapters on visual methods, case study methods, internet research, mixed methods and grounded theory
• Updated chapters on interviews, questionnaire design, surveys, and focus groups
• Improved coverage of qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis, including practical instruction on the latest versions of software packages NiVivo 8 and SPSS 18
• An attractive new layout which aids navigability and enhances the book′s student learning features
• Many more practical examples helping bring theory to life!

A password-protected Instructor Teaching Site and an open-access Student Study Site are available for this book.

Designed for social science students with no previous experience, this book provides a balanced foundation in the principles and practices of social research.

Matthew David is a Senior Lecturer in Applied Social Science at Durham University, and has undertaken research in the areas of new social movements, online data-services in higher education, online training in rural areas and forms of free online music sharing. He is author of Science in Society (Palgrave 2005) and Peer to Peer and the Music Industry (SAGE 2010), and co-author of Social Research (SAGE, latest edition 2011).