The Art and Science of Social Research
Second Edition
1 December 2020
DISCOVER HOW SOCIAL RESEARCH IS BOTH A SCIENCE AND AN ART
Conducting high-quality social research requires that students understand certain mechanics. But social research is also an art; human beings are not as predictable as molecules. Thoughtfully chosen contemporary research examples illuminate the most innovative and exciting work being done in the field, including research involving big data. The authors also bring in diverse voices with engaging “Conversations from the Front Lines” interviews. These short Q&As expose students to the real obstacles and accomplishments that researchers experience in their day-to-day work.
INNOVATIVE PEDAGOGY HELPS STUDENTS BECOME CRITICAL CONSUMERS OF RESEARCH
In-text pedagogy teaches students how to be critical consumers of research—a valuable skill for everyone, regardless of career path. “From the Field to the Front Page” features and accompanying activities in the Interactive Instructor’s Guide demonstrate how a knowledge of research methods can help readers discern whether findings reported in the mainstream media are the product of sound empirical research. These popular features, many of which are new to the Second Edition, also powerfully demonstrate the value of social research and how it can provide critical insight into hot-button issues like sexual assault on campus and the college admissions scandal.
NEW ACTIVITIES HELP STUDENTS MASTER THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF RESEARCH AND ENGAGE WITH COURSE MATERIAL
The Second Edition has more support for both students and instructors: New InQuizitive activities break down the building blocks of social research, including hard-to-teach concepts such as operationalisation and sampling. Additional activities in the book and online, including Interactive Instructor Guide activities tied to methods posts from the Everyday Sociology Blog, help instructors engage students with the course material.
NEW TOOLS PREPARE STUDENTS TO WRITE EFFECTIVELY ABOUT RESEARCH
The book and media for The Art and Science of Social Research support students working on research proposals and reports. In response to reviewer feedback about the need for more writing support, the authors substantively revised the final chapter on writing about research. In addition, new online Writing for Sociology Tutorials help students with the mechanics of writing a research proposal.
COMPREHENSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE COVERAGE OF BOTH QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE METHODS
The text brings together seven of the biggest names in sociology to deliver an authoritative and comprehensive introduction to the main methods used to study the social world. The authors deliver balanced coverage of both qualitative and quantitative methods, with separate chapters on ethnography and in-depth interviewing. The ebook also includes additional chapters on social network analysis as well as qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
Conducting high-quality social research requires that students understand certain mechanics. But social research is also an art; human beings are not as predictable as molecules. Thoughtfully chosen contemporary research examples illuminate the most innovative and exciting work being done in the field, including research involving big data. The authors also bring in diverse voices with engaging “Conversations from the Front Lines” interviews. These short Q&As expose students to the real obstacles and accomplishments that researchers experience in their day-to-day work.
INNOVATIVE PEDAGOGY HELPS STUDENTS BECOME CRITICAL CONSUMERS OF RESEARCH
In-text pedagogy teaches students how to be critical consumers of research—a valuable skill for everyone, regardless of career path. “From the Field to the Front Page” features and accompanying activities in the Interactive Instructor’s Guide demonstrate how a knowledge of research methods can help readers discern whether findings reported in the mainstream media are the product of sound empirical research. These popular features, many of which are new to the Second Edition, also powerfully demonstrate the value of social research and how it can provide critical insight into hot-button issues like sexual assault on campus and the college admissions scandal.
NEW ACTIVITIES HELP STUDENTS MASTER THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF RESEARCH AND ENGAGE WITH COURSE MATERIAL
The Second Edition has more support for both students and instructors: New InQuizitive activities break down the building blocks of social research, including hard-to-teach concepts such as operationalisation and sampling. Additional activities in the book and online, including Interactive Instructor Guide activities tied to methods posts from the Everyday Sociology Blog, help instructors engage students with the course material.
NEW TOOLS PREPARE STUDENTS TO WRITE EFFECTIVELY ABOUT RESEARCH
The book and media for The Art and Science of Social Research support students working on research proposals and reports. In response to reviewer feedback about the need for more writing support, the authors substantively revised the final chapter on writing about research. In addition, new online Writing for Sociology Tutorials help students with the mechanics of writing a research proposal.
COMPREHENSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE COVERAGE OF BOTH QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE METHODS
The text brings together seven of the biggest names in sociology to deliver an authoritative and comprehensive introduction to the main methods used to study the social world. The authors deliver balanced coverage of both qualitative and quantitative methods, with separate chapters on ethnography and in-depth interviewing. The ebook also includes additional chapters on social network analysis as well as qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
