The Research Companion : A Practical Guide for the Social and Health Sciences. This item is unavailable.The Research Companion : A Practical Guide for the Social and Health Sciences

Social science research has traditionally focused on the historical study of research methods, frequently overlooking the practical skills needed to undertake a research project. The Research Companion recognises this need for instruction in the practice of research and offers clear, honest advice to help avoid typical problems and improve the standards.

The whole research process is covered in detail, from setting up a study through to presenting findings, with sections on all the basic tasks central to any research project, including:

• planning research
• researcher and participant safety
• monitoring research in progress
• research ethics.

The structure of the book means it is useful for researchers at all levels of experience. The numerous examples and case histories make it ideal for students just beginning their first research project, whilst the breadth of coverage and wealth of practical tips will also be highly relevant to experienced researchers.

This book is invaluable to all students of the social sciences, whatever their level of experience, and should be instrumental in raising the general level of research competence, making research more accurate, ethical and productive.

A website - http://www.psypress.com/boynton - which includes a users' message board and other supplementary materials accompanies this book.

Petra Boynton is a lecturer in international primary care at University College London. She has previously been awarded Cosmopolitan magazine's 'woman of achievement' award for her educational work and was named one of Britain's 'women to watch' by The Guardian for being the UK's first evidence-based agony aunt.