Theory and Methods in Social Research

Second Edition

Edited by:

Bridget Somekh - Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
Cathy Lewin

Other Titles in:
Educational Research Methods | Social Research Methods

January 2011 | 368 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

This new edition provides a scholarly and readable introduction to all the key qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and methods, enabling postgraduate and masters-level students and new researchers to reflect on which ones suit their needs and to receive guidance on how to find out more.

With chapters written by experienced research practitioners, this second edition has been extensively expanded and updated. There are seven completely new chapters, as well as:

- new material on literature reviews

- a new introduction to quantitative methods

- an expanded glossary

- Weblinks with free access to a wide range of peer-reviewed journal articles

- an annotated bibliography with conversational notes from authors in each chapter.

This book will act as your 'expert friend' throughout your research project, providing advice, explaining key concepts and the implications for your research design, and illustrating these with examples of real research studies.

PART ONE: READING, REVIEWING AND REFLECTING

Introduction

Bridget Somekh et al

Research in the Social Sciences

Barbara Kamler and Pat Thomson

Working with Literatures

Heather Piper and Helen Simons

Ethical Issues in Generating Public Knowledge

PART TWO: LISTENING, EXPLORING THE CASE AND THEORIZING

Introduction

Jo Frankham and Christina MacRae

Ethnography

Mary Louise Holly and Herbert Altrichter

Research Diaries

Charlotte Chadderton and Harry Torrance

Case Study

Rosaline SBarbour and John Schostak

Interviewing and Focus Groups

PART THREE: ADDRESSING ISSUES OF POWER AND RESEARCHING FOR IMPACT

Introduction

Diane Burns and Khatidja Chantler

Feminist Methodologies

Laurence Parker and Lorna Roberts

Critical Race Theory and Its Use in Social Science Research

Gloria Filax et al

Queer Theory / Lesbian and Gay Approaches

Susan Noffke and Bridget Somekh

Action Research

Tineke Abma and Thomas A Schwandt

The Purpose, Practice and Politics of Sponsored Evaluations

PART FOUR: OBSERVING, QUERYING, INTERPRETING

Introduction

Juliet Corbin and Nicholas L Holt

Grounded Theory

Angie Titchen and Dawn Hobson

Understanding Phenomenology through Reverse Perspectives

Liz Jones and Bridget Somekh

Observation

Alison Lee and Alan Petersen

Discourse Analysis

Colin Lankshear, Kevin M Leander and Michele Knobel

Researching Online Practices

PART FIVE: IDENTITY, COMMUNITY AND REPRESENTATION

Introduction

Scherto Gill and Ivor Goodson

Life History and Narrative Methods

Diane Mavers and Gunther Kress

Social Semiotics and Multimodal Texts

David Benzie and Bridget Somekh

Communities of Practice

Ines Langemeyer and Morten Nissen

Activity Theory

Jill Blackmore and Hugh Lauder

Researching Policy

PART SIX: QUANTITATIVE METHODS: THEORIES AND PERSPECTIVES

Introduction

Kelvyn Jones

The Practices of Quantitative Methods

Charles Crook and Dean Garratt

The Positivist Paradigm in Contemporary Social Research: The Interface of Psychology, Method and Sociocultural Theory

Cathy Lewin

Understanding and Describing Quantitative Data

Sally Barnes and Cathy Lewin

Differences and Relationships in Quantitative Data

Kelvyn Jones

An Introduction to Statistical Modelling

PART SEVEN: QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN ACTION

Introduction

Jennifer C Greene, Holly Kreider and Ellen Mayer

Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Social Inquiry

Kelvyn Jones

Random Reflections on Modelling, Geography and Voting

W J Pelgrum

Methodological Issues in International Comparative Assessments of Educational Progress

John Ainley

Evaluating Literacy Advance in the Early Years of School

Brian Doig

Working Backwards: The Road Less Travelled in Quantitative Methodology

PART EIGHT: RESEARCHING IN POSTMODERN CONTEXTS

Introduction

Erica Burman and Maggie Maclure

Deconstruction

Tony Brown and Daniel Heggs

From Hermeneutics to Post-Structuralism to Psychoanalysis

Lee Miller, Joanne 'Bob' Whalley and Ian Stronach

From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism

Bronwen Davies and Suzanne Gannon

Feminism/Post-Structuralism

detailed analysis of theory and methods

Mr Jeffrey Potter

Early Years, Park Lane College, Leeds

March 11, 2011

Report this review

I like the way the editors have woven practical advice with theoretical reflection. Great.

Dr Sophie Gilliat-Ray

Please select your department, Please select your institution

March 4, 2011

Report this review

Absolutely excellent book. I'll be recommending it also to all the students that I'm supervising both for their bachelors and their master thesis.

Professor Jeanette Lemmergaard

Marketing and Management, University of Southern Denmark

February 23, 2011

Report this review

This is more than a textbook on research methods. By discussing theory and method in social research, it brings the two together in order to explain and debate key issues in conducting and designing research. The second section within chapters considers the implications of research design and presents stories from the field, and these very helpfully illuminate some of the issues introduced in the opening descriptions and explanations of the theories. This is a thought provoking and important book for aspiring and active researchers. The annotated bibliographies, further references and website details are also extremely helpful for suggesting follow up reading.

Dr Alaster Douglas

School of Education, Roehampton University

February 14, 2011

Report this review

A fantastic book combining, the often hard to grasp, theory and research methods in an accessible way for all students.

Ms Sam Chenery-morris

Health , university campus suffolk

February 11, 2011

Report this review

The wide range of perspectives is really valuable. It's a lot to pack into one text, but its strength lies in the range of methods discussed.

Ms Louise Sturgeon-Adams

Criminology & Criminal Justice, Hull University

February 2, 2011

Report this review

New to the second edition:

Seven new chapters
New material on literature reviews
A new introduction to quantitative methods
An expanded glossary
Weblinks with free access to a wide range of peer-reviewed journal articles
An annotated bibliography with conversational notes from authors in each chapter