Investigating the Social World: The Process and Practice of Research, 7th Edition

A student-friendly textbook that introduces the most cutting-edge research methods applied to engaging social lssuesIn this new Seventh Edition of his perennially successful social research text, author Russell K. Schutt, an award-winning researcher and teacher, continues to make research come alive through research stories that illustrate the methods presented in each chapter. Through numerous examples and hands on exercises that allow students to learn by doing, Investigating the Social World, Seventh Edition helps readers understand research methods as an integrated whole. Readers will learn to appreciate the value of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies and understand the need to make ethical research decisions while also learning about contemporary social issues like homelessness, drug abuse, disasters, and the effects of social networking on interpersonal relations.NEW TO THIS EDITION• Enhanced coverage of research methods that incorporates recent developments in response to the spread of cell phones and the use of the Internet, including expanded coverage of web surveys• New coverage of qualitative techniques such as narrative analysis, conversation analysis, and visual methods• Updated coverage of qualitative research and mixed methods that includes more on visual research, participatory based research, netnography, online interviewing, and qualitative research reports• Expanded statistics coverage that now includes more discussion of inferential statistics and regression analysis, with new sections on calculating chi-square and interpreting multiple regression results• New and updated social research examples, including more international emphasis• Larger page size and new full color presentation allow for better display of pedagogical featuresKEY FEATURES• Demonstrates not only the value of research but also how technique and substance are intimately related• Treats ethical concerns and ethical decision making in tandem with each study of specific methods• Provides instructors with key supports for effective teaching, including guides for critiquing research articles, exercises for applying research skills, and examples of analyzing and reporting social data• Contains a variety of end-of-chapter assessments such as discussion questions and research proposal development exercises, as well as practice, web, and SPSS exercises• Offers thorough ancillaries to aid students and instructors, including a companion study site with journal articles, self-quizzes, electronic flashcards, interactive exercises, video clips, and much more.

A student-friendly textbook that introduces the most cutting-edge research methods applied to engaging social issues

In this new Seventh Edition of his perennially successful social research text, author Russell K. Schutt, an award-winning researcher and teacher, continues to make research come alive through research stories that illustrate the methods presented in each chapter. Through numerous examples and hands-on exercises that help students learn by doing, Investigating the Social World, Seventh Edition helps readers understand research methods as an integrated whole. Readers will learn to appreciate the value of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies and understand the need to make ethical research decisions, while also learning about contemporary social issues like homelessness, drug abuse, disasters, and the effects of social networking on interpersonal relations.

Cover Contents Detailed Contents About the Author Preface Acknowledgments Chapter 1 - Science, Society, and Social Research Chapter 2 - The Process and Problems of Social Research Chapter 3 - Research Ethics and Philosophies Chapter 4 - Conceptualization and Measurement Chapter 5 - Sampling Chapter 6 - Research Design and Causation Chapter 7 - Experiments Chapter 8 - Survey Research Chapter 9 - Qualitative Methods: Observing, Participating, Listening Chapter 10 - Qualitative Data Analysis Chapter 11 - Evaluation and Policy Research Chapter 12 - Historical and Comparative Research Chapter 13 - Secondary Data Analysis and Content Analysis Chapter 14 - Quantitative Data Analysis Chapter 15 - Summarizing and Reporting Research Glossary Appendix A: Questions to Ask About a Research Article Appendix B: How to Read a Research Article Appendix C: Table of Random Numbers Bibliography Credits Index "A comprehensive, balanced text text for Research Methods courses found in Sociology, Communication/Journalism, Political Science, Public Administration, and other social science disciplines. It is used in undergraduate through graduate level courses"--Provided by publisher. 'Investigating the Social World' offers guides for critiquing research articles, exercises for applying research skills and the examples of analyzing and reporting social data provide instructors with key supports for effective teaching