A straightforward, comprehensive, and approachable guide to research as practiced by social scientists, the Fourteenth Edition of this “gold-standard” book gives readers the tools they need to apply research concepts practically, as both a researcher and a consumer. The author emphasizes the process by showing readers how to design and construct projects, introducing the various observation modes in use today, and answering critical questions about research methods-such as how to conduct online surveys and analyze both qualitative and quantitative data.
Part I: AN INTRODUCTION TO INQUIRY.
1. Human Inquiry and Science.
2. Paradigms, Theory, and Social Research.
3. The Ethics and Politics of Social Research.
Part II: THE STRUCTURING OF INQUIRY: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE.
4. Research Design.
5. Conceptualization, Operationalization, and Measurement.
6. Indexes, Scales, and Typologies.
7. The Logic of Sampling.
Part III: MODES OF OPERATION: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE.
8. Experiments.
9. Survey Research.
10. Qualitative Field Research.
11. Unobtrusive Research.
12. Evaluation Research.
Part IV: ANALYSIS OF DATA: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE.
13. Qualitative Data Analysis.
14. Quantitative Data Analysis.
15. The Logic of Multivariate Analysis.
16. Statistical Analyses.
17. Reading and Writing Social Research.
APPENDICES.
A. Using the Library.
B. GSS Household Enumeration Questionnaire.
C. Random Numbers.
D. Distribution of Chi Square.
E. Normal Curve Areas.
F. Estimated Sampling Error.
Preface.
Acknowledgments.
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Earl R. Babbie
Dr. Earl Babbie is the Campbell Professor Emeritus in Behavioral Sciences at Chapman University in Southern California. He taught sociology at the University of Hawaii from 1968 through 1979, took time off from teaching and research to write full time for eight years and then joined the Chapman University faculty in 1987. Credited with defining research methods for the social sciences, Dr. Babbie has written several texts -- including THE BASICS OF SOCIAL RESEARCH -- as well as numerous research articles and monographs. For 25 years he has been active in the American Sociological Association, where he served on the executive committee. He also is a past president of the Pacific Sociological Association and the California Sociological Association. Dr. Babbie received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.
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Chapter-beginning overviews explain chapter objectives and how the material fits into the overall scheme of social research.
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The text introduces students to the sensitivities around social research with a section on research ethics at the end of each chapter.
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Students prepare different sections of a proposal in each chapter while applying specific chapter concepts. Then, in Chapter 17, students review the reading and writing aspects of the work, including literature reviews, Internet research, and the organization and writing of the report.
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“Research in Real Life” boxes provide examples of how the principles in the chapters have been applied in actual studies, while “Tips and Tools” boxes give practical advice in formulating and carrying out research projects. Topics include identifying the unit of analysis, reading and evaluating documents, and establishing rapport.
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Numerous examples (both real-world and hypothetical), abundant figures and tables, sample research tools, and the author's renowned sense of humor and compassion combine to make THE PRACTICE OF SOCIAL RESEARCH the most accessible text on social research methods available.
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End-of-chapter study aids include point-by-point chapter summaries, a list of key terms, review questions and exercises, and research proposal exercises. The text's running glossary with in-chapter definitions simplifies chapter reviews and exam preparation.
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Chapter-beginning overviews explain chapter objectives and how the material fits into the overall scheme of social research.
-
The text introduces students to the sensitivities around social research with a section on research ethics at the end of each chapter.
-
Students prepare different sections of a proposal in each chapter while applying specific chapter concepts. Then, in Chapter 17, students review the reading and writing aspects of the work, including literature reviews, Internet research, and the organization and writing of the report.
-
“Research in Real Life” boxes provide examples of how the principles in the chapters have been applied in actual studies, while “Tips and Tools” boxes give practical advice in formulating and carrying out research projects. Topics include identifying the unit of analysis, reading and evaluating documents, and establishing rapport.
-
Numerous examples (both real-world and hypothetical), abundant figures and tables, sample research tools, and the author's renowned sense of humor and compassion combine to make THE PRACTICE OF SOCIAL RESEARCH the most accessible text on social research methods available.
-
End-of-chapter study aids include point-by-point chapter summaries, a list of key terms, review questions and exercises, and research proposal exercises. The text's running glossary with in-chapter definitions simplifies chapter reviews and exam preparation.