Principles and Methods of Social Research

Principles and Methods of Social Research, Fourth Edition, is a comprehensive guide to social research techniques and designs, covering experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental methods. It emphasizes understanding the principles behind each technique and provides updated examples and learning tools. The book is intended for graduate or advanced undergraduate courses in research methods and is relevant to researchers in various social research fields.

Format: Hardback
Length: 472 pages
Publication date: 11 July 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Principles and Methods of Social Research, Fourth Edition, is a comprehensive guide that covers the latest research techniques and designs, providing readers with a step-by-step approach to designing and conducting social research from scratch. With its extensive coverage, breadth, and depth of content, this edition is unparalleled in its comprehensive approach.

The book is explained with updated applied examples that are relevant to the social, behavioral, educational, and organizational sciences, making it accessible to contemporary researchers. The underlying logic and mechanics of experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental research strategies are discussed in detail, providing readers with a firm understanding of foundational concepts.

The book is organized into chapters dedicated to various methodologies, including sampling, interviewing, questionnaire design, stimulus scaling, observational methods, content analysis, implicit measures, dyadic and group methods, and meta-analysis. Each chapter covers the essential aspects of the methodology, providing readers with practical tips and techniques for implementing them effectively.

One notable feature of the book is its emphasis on understanding the principles that govern the use of different research methods. This helps researchers make informed choices about the best technique for a given situation, ensuring that their research is rigorous and reliable. The book also uses the laboratory experiment as a touchstone to describe and evaluate field experiments, correlational designs, quasi experiments, evaluation studies, and survey designs, providing readers with a clear understanding of how these different research designs operate.

In addition to its methodological coverage, the book also addresses the ethics of social research, including the power that researchers wield and the importance of using it responsibly. It provides tips on how to avoid ethical pitfalls and ensure that the research is conducted in an ethical and respectful manner.

The fourth edition of Principles and Methods of Social Research has been updated to include increased attention to the distinction between conceptual replication and exact replication and how each contributes to cumulative science. Updated research examples have also been included to clarify the operation of various research design operations, making the book even more useful for researchers.

Overall, Principles and Methods of Social Research, Fourth Edition, is a valuable resource for social scientists, researchers, and students looking to develop their skills in social research. Its comprehensive coverage, practical tips, and emphasis on ethical considerations make it an essential tool for anyone interested in conducting rigorous and effective social research.

Weight: 1060g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032222417
Edition number: 4 ed