Social Research Methods: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches

Structured around one of the concepts students struggle with the most―the research question―this book begins with how to understand the role of good questions before demonstrating how questions underpin good research designs and how social research can be framed as asking and answering questions. Perfect for undergraduate students new to methods, it teaches students how qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research can be used to answer these questions.

"An incredibly resourceful book that contains a forensic insight into social research methods, offering the full range of contemporary approaches. Students will find particular value in the accessibility and detail of the text. Each chapter provides a set of learning outcomes, study questions and further reading." - Dr Ruth McAreavey, Newcastle University

Supported by a website that maps online resources to key stages of the learning process, it helps students:

-          Understand the scientific method

-          Learn the vocabulary of social science research

-          Plan and design research

-          Practice with and interpret data

-          Explore social science literature and improve assignments with good citations

-          Improve critical thinking.

Extensive visualizations, overviews, examples, exercises, and other learning features, make this the perfect introductory text to build confidence and best practice around research methods.

Sigmund Grønmo is Emeritus Professor of Sociology and former Rector (Vice-Chancellor) of the University of Bergen, Norway. He is affiliated with the Institute for Social Research, Oslo, Norway, and he is a Life Member of Clare Hall at the University of Cambridge, UK.

Previously, he was Professor at the Norwegian Business School, Adjunct Professor at the University of Oslo, and Sámi University of Applied Sciences, as well as Research Director and Executive Director at the Norwegian Fund for Market and Distribution Research.

He is an elected member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, and Academiae Europaea, as well as a Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science.

He has been a Visiting Professor at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada; Illinois State University, USA; University of California, Berkeley, USA; University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; James Cook University, Cairns, Australia; and University of Cambridge, UK. He has also been an Honorary University Professorial Fellow at Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia.

He has published numerous books and a large number of journal articles, book chapters and papers, especially within economic sociology, the sociology of time, social network analysis, and social science methodology. He has extensive experience in teaching social research methods at universities and colleges in Norway and several other countries.