Approaches to Social Research

Abstract

Chapters 2-17 end with a Summary CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION Why Study Research Methods? Methodological Approaches to the Social World Conclusions I. THE SCIENTIFIC AND ETHICAL CONTEXTS OF SOCIAL RESEARCH CHAPTER 2. THE NATURE OF SCIENCE The Aim of Science Science as Product Science as Process Science: Ideal versus Reality CHAPTER 3. RESEARCH ETHICS Data Collection and Analysis Treatment of Human Subjects Making Ethical Decisions The Uses of Research: Science and Society II. RESEARCH DESIGN CHAPTER 4. ELEMENTS OF RESEARCH DESIGN Origins of Research Topics Units of Analysis Variables Relationships Formulating Questions and Hypotheses Research Purposes and Research Design Stages of Social Research CHAPTER 5. MEASUREMENT The Measurement Process Levels of Measurement Reliability and Validity Reliability Assessment Validity Assessment A Final Note on Reliability and Validity CHAPTER 6. SAMPLING Why Sample? Population Definition Sampling Designs Probability Sampling Nonprobability Sampling Other Sampling Designs Factors Affecting Choice of Sampling Design Factors Determining Sample Size Final Notes on Sampling Errors and Generalizability III. METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION CHAPTER 7. EXPERIMENTATION The Logic of Experimentation Staging Experiments The Experiment as a Social Occasion Experimentation Outside the Laboratory CHAPTER 8. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS Threats to Internal Validity Pre-experimental Designs True Experimental Designs Factorial Experimental Designs Quasi-experimental Designs CHAPTER 9. SURVEY RESEARCH General Features of Survey Research The Uses and Limitations of Surveys Survey Research Designs Steps in Survey Research: Planning Face-to-Face and Telephone Interviewing Paper-and-Pencil Mailed Questionnaires Computer-Assisted Interviews Mixed-Mode Surveys Field Administration CHAPTER 10. SURVEY INSTRUMENTATION The Survey as a Social Occasion Materials Available to the Survey Designer Sketches or Preliminaries Filling in the Sketch: Writing the Items Pretesting CHAPTER 11. FIELD RESEARCH The Potentials and Limitations of Field Research Research Design and Sampling Field Observation Field Interviewing Stages of Field Research CHAPTER 12. RESEARCH USING AVAILABLE DATA Sources of Available Data Advantages of Research Using Available Data General Methodological Issues in Available-Data Research Historical Analysis Content Analysis CHAPTER 13. MULTIPLE METHODS Triangulation Multiple Measures of Concepts within the Same Study Multiple Tests of Hypotheses across Different Studies A Comparison of the Four Basic Approaches to Social Research Meta-Analysis CHAPTER 14. EVALUATION RESEARCH Framework and Sample Studies Types of Evaluation Research Methodological Issues in Evaluation Research The Social and Political Context of Evaluation Research IV. DATA PROCESSING, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION CHAPTER 15. DATA PROCESSING AND ELEMENTARY DATA ANALYSIS Preview of Analysis Steps Data Processing Data Matrices and Documentation The Functions of Statistics in Social Research Inspecting and Modifying the Data Preliminary Hypothesis Testing CHAPTER 16. MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS Modeling Relationships Elaboration: Tables and Beyond Multiple-Regression Analysis Other Modeling Techniques CHAPTER 17. WRITING RESEARCH REPORTS Searching the Literature Using the Internet Using the Library Outlining and Preparing to Write Major Headings Other Considerations Length