Approaches to Social Research

Name: Approaches to Social Research
Price: 8.02 USD
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ISBN: 9780195372984

ISBN-10: 0195372980

ISBN-13: 9780195372984

Edition: 5th 2010

Authors: Royce A. Singleton, Bruce C. Straits

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Description:

Revised and updated in its fifth edition, Approaches to Social Research is a rigorous yet clear and engaging introduction to research methods. Covering all of the fundamentals in a straightforward, student-friendly manner, it is ideal for undergraduate- and graduate-level courses across the social sciences and also serves as an indispensable guide for researchers. Striking a balance between specific techniques and the underlying logic of scientific inquiry, this book provides a lucid treatment of the four major approaches to research: experimentation, survey research, field research, and the use of available data. Richly developed examples of empirical research and an emphasis on the…

Book details

List price: $115.95
Edition: 5th
Copyright year: 2010
Publisher: Oxford University Press, Incorporated
Publication date: 8/6/2009
Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 672
Size: 6.20" wide x 9.30" long x 1.60" tall
Weight: 2.552
Language: English

Royce A. Singleton, Jr. is a Professor of Sociology at the College of the Holy Cross. Currently, he serves on the editorial board of Sociological Perspectives, official journal of the Pacific Sociological Association, and on the Institutional Review Board at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. During the past year he has reviewed manuscripts for several journals and reviewed a film for Teaching Sociology. He is the author of numerous publications on research methods and race relations.




end with a Summary.


Preface



Introduction


Why Study Research Methods?


Consuming Research Evidence


Producing Research Evidence


Methodological Approaches to the Social World


Some Preliminary Research Questions


An Experimental Answer


An Answer from Survey Research


An Answer from Field Research


An Answer from Available Data


Conclusions


An Overview of the Book



The Scientific and Ethical Contexts of Social Research



The Nature of Science


The Aim of Science


Science as Product


Scientific versus Nonscientific Questions


Knowledge as Description


Knowledge as Explanation and Prediction


Knowledge as Understanding


Tentative Knowledge


Science as Process


Durkheim's Study of Suicide


Logical Reasoning


Empiricism


Objectivity


Control


Science: Ideal versus Reality



Research Ethics


Data Collection and Analysis


Treatment of Human Subjects


Harm


Informed Consent


Deception


Privacy


Making Ethical Decisions


The Uses of Research: Science and Society


The Issue of Value Neutrality


The Application of Research Findings



Research Design



Elements of Research Design


Origins of Research Topics


Units of Analysis


Aggregate Data


Ecological Fallacy


Variables


Types of Variables


Relationships


Relationships among Qualitative Variables


Relationships among Quantitative Variables


Relationships between a Qualitative and a Quantitative Variable


Statistically Significant Relationships


The Nature of Causal Relationships


Formulating Questions and Hypotheses


Research Purposes and Research Design


Stages of Social Research


Stage 1: Formulation of the Research Question


Stage 2: Preparation of the Research Design


Stage 3: Measurement


Stage 4: Sampling


Stage 5: Data Collection


Stage 6: Data Processing


Stage 7: Data Analysis and Interpretation



Measurement


The Measurement Process


Conceptualization


Operationalization


Operational Definitions in Social Research


Verbal Reports


Observation


Archival Records


Selection of Operational Definitions


Levels of Measurement


Nominal Measurement


Ordinal Measurement


Interval Measurement


Ratio Measurement


Discussion


Reliability and Validity


Sources of Error


Reliability Assessment


Test-Retest Reliability


Split-Half and Internal Consistency Reliability


Intercoder Reliability


Improving Reliability


Validity Assessment


Subjective Validation


Criterion-Related Validation


Construct Validation


A Final Note on Reliability and Validity



Sampling


Why Sample?


Population Definition


Sampling Designs


Probability Sampling


Random Selection


Simple Random Sampling


Stratified Random Sampling


Cluster Sampling


Systematic Sampling


Nonprobability Sampling


Convenience Sampling


Purposive Sampling


Quota Sampling


Other Sampling Designs


Combined Probability and Nonprobability Sampling


Referral Sampling


Factors Affecting Choice of Sampling Design


Stage of Research and Data Use


Available Resources


Method of Data Collection


Factors Determining Sample Size


Population Heterogeneity


Desired Precision


Sampling Design


Available Resources


Number of Breakdowns Planned


Final Notes on Sampling Errors and Generalizability



Methods of Data Collection



Experimentation


The Logic of Experimentation


Testing Causal Relationships


Matching and Random Assignment


Internal and External Validity


Sampling in Experiments


Staging Experiments


An Example: Who Will Intervene?


Subject Recruitment and Acquisition of Informed Consent


Introduction to the Experiment


The Experimental Manipulation


Manipulation Checks


Measurement of the Dependent Variable


Debriefing


Pretesting


Experimental and Mundane Realism


The Experiment as a Social Occasion


Demand Characteristics


Evaluation Apprehension


Other Motives of Experimental Subjects


Experimenter Effects


Minimizing Bias Due to the Social Nature of Experimentation


Experimentation Outside the Laboratory


Field Experiments


Experimental Designs in Survey Research


Units of Analysis Other than Individuals



Experimental Designs


Threats to Internal Validity


Pre-experimental Designs


Design 1: The One-Shot Case Study


Design 2: The One-Group Pretest-Posttest Design


Design 3: The Static-Group Comparison


True Experimental Designs


Design 4: The Pretest-Posttest Control Group Study


Design 5: The Posttest-Only Control Group Design


Design 6: The Solomon Four-Group Design


Within-Subjects Designs


Overview of True Experimental Designs


Factorial Experimental Designs


Interaction Effects


Quasi-experimental Designs


Example 1: Interracial Attitudes and Behavior at a Summer Camp


Example 2: The Connecticut Crackdown on Speeding



Survey Research


General Features of Survey Research


Large-Scale Probability Sampling


Systematic Procedures: Interviews and Questionnaires


Quantitative Data Analysis


Secondary Analysis of Surveys


The Uses and Limitations of Surveys


Survey Research Designs


Cross-Sectional Designs


Longitudinal Designs


Steps in Survey Research: Planning


Face-to-Face and Telephone Interviewing


Face-to-Face Interviewing


Telephone Interviewing


Paper-and-Pencil Mailed Questionnaires


Computer-Assisted Interviews


Mixed-Mode Surveys


Field Administration


Interviewer Selection


Interviewer Training


Pretesting


Gaining Access


Interviewing


Supervision and Quality Control


Follow-Up Efforts



Survey Instrumentation


The Survey as a Social Occasion


Materials Available to the Survey Designer


Open-Ended and Closed-Ended Questions


Direct and Indirect Questions


Response Formats


Visual and Media Aids


Existing Questions


""Sketches"" or Preliminaries


The Opening


The Placement of Sensitive and Routine Questions


Order, Flow, and Transition


Filling in the Sketch: Writing the Items


Using Language Effectively


The ""Frame of Reference"" Problem


Reason Analysis


Memory Problems


Response Bias Problems


Format Considerations


Mixed-Mode Instrument Designs


Pretesting


Cognitive Laboratory Interviews


Field Pretesting Summary



Field Research


The Potentials and Limitations of Field Research


Research Design and Sampling


Sampling in Field Research


Field Observation


Nonparticipant Observation


Participant Observation


Field Interviewing


Stages of Field Research


A Field Study of the Homeless


Selecting a Research Setting


Gaining Access


Presenting Oneself


Gathering Information


Analyzing the Data



Research Using Available Data


Sources of Available Data


Public Documents and Official Records


Private Documents


Mass Media


Physical, Nonverbal Evidence


Social Science Data Archives


Advantages of Research Using Available Data


Nonreactive Measurement


Analyzing Social Structure


Studying and Understanding the Past


Understanding Social Change


Studying Problems Cross-Culturally


Improving Knowledge through Replication and Increased Sample Size


Savings on Research Costs


General Methodological Issues in Available-Data Research


Searching for and Procuring Available Data


Measurement of Key Concepts


Evaluation and Adjustment of Data


Assessment of Data Completeness


Historical Analysis


Descriptive and Analytical History


Handling Documentary Evidence


Historical Interpretation


Content Analysis


Selecting and Defining Content Categories


Defining the Unit of Analysis


Deciding on a System of Enumeration


Carrying Out the Analysis



Multiple Methods


Triangulation


Multiple Measures of Concepts within the Same Study


Composite Measures: Indexes and Scales


Structural Equation Modeling


Multiple Tests of Hypotheses across Different Studies


Replications Using the Same Research Strategy: Social Exclusion and Helping


Replications Using Different Research Strategies I: Deterrent Effects of Arrest


Replications Using Different Research Strategies II: Effect of Abuse on Marriage and Cohabitation


A Comparison of the Four Basic Approaches to Social Research


Meta-Analysis


Problem Formulation


Data Collection


Data Evaluation


Analysis and Interpretation


Public Presentation



Evaluation Research


Framework and Sample Studies


Example 1: Feeding the Homeless


Example 2: Aid to Released Prisoners


Example 3: Curbing Drunk Driving


Types of Evaluation Research


Problem Identification: Conceptualization and Diagnosis


Policy Planning: Needs and Social Impact Assessments


Program Development: Formative Evaluation


Program Implementation: Program Monitoring


Program Evaluation: Effect and Efficiency Assessment


Methodological Issues in Evaluation Research


Theory as a Guide to Research


Research Design and Internal Validity


Measurement Validity


External Validity


The Social and Political Context of Evaluation Research



Data Processing, Analysis, and Interpretation



Data Processing and Elementary


Data Analysis


Preview of Analysis Steps


Data Processing


Editing


Coding


Entering the Data


Cleaning


Data Matrices and Documentation


The Functions of Statistics in Social Research


Inspecting and Modifying the Data


Nominal- and Ordinal-Scale Variables


Interval- and Ratio-Scale Variables


Preliminary Hypothesis Testing


Nominal- and Ordinal-Scale Variables


Interval- and Ratio-Scale Variables



Multivariate Analysis


Modeling Relationships


Arrow Diagrams


Stochastic and Systematic Components


The Process of Modeling


Elaboration: Tables and Beyond


Multiple-Regression Analysis


Example 1: The Moral Integration of American Cities


Example 2: Interscholastic Sports and Academic Achievement


Example 3: Textile Workers and Union Sentiment


Other Modeling Techniques



Writing Research Reports


Searching the Literature


Using the Internet


Using the Library


Outlining and Preparing to Write


Major Headings


The Abstract


Introduction


Literature Review


Methods


Findings


Discussion


References


Other Considerations


The Writing-Reading Interface


Avoiding Plagiarism


Revisions


Length


Glossary


References


Name Index


Subject Index