The Practice of Social Research (Available Titles CengageNOW)

This thorough revision of Babbie's standard-setting book for the course (known as the "Bible of social research methods") offers students a comprehensive, straightforward introduction to the field of research methods as practiced by sociologists and other social scientists. Emphasizing the importance of the research process, the book shows students how social scientists design research studies, introduces the variety of observation modes used by sociologists, and covers the "how-to's" and "whys" of social research methods. Students learn how to conduct various types of research, when it is appropriate to use each method, and how to analyze qualitative and quantitative data. The 11th edition provides students with the necessary tools for understanding social research methods and for applying these concepts both inside and outside the classroom--as researchers and as consumers of research. Contents......Page 4 Preface......Page 8 Acknowledgements......Page 12 Part 1: An Introduction to Inquiry......Page 14 Human Inquiry and Science......Page 15 Paradigms, Theory,and Social Research......Page 29 The Ethics and Politics of Social Research......Page 44 Part 2: The Structuring of Inquiry......Page 56 Research Design......Page 57 Conceptualization, Operationalization, and Measurement......Page 74 Indexes, Scales, and Typologies......Page 90 The Logic of Sampling......Page 103 Part 3: Modes of Observation......Page 123 Experiments......Page 124 Survey Research......Page 135 Qualitative Field Research......Page 156 Unobtrusive Research......Page 173 Evaluation Research......Page 188 Part 4: Analysis of Data......Page 201 Qualitative Data Analysis......Page 202 Quantitative Data Analysis......Page 216 The Elaboration Model......Page 229 Statistical Analyses......Page 238 Reading and Writing Social Research......Page 258 Appendixes......Page 270 Using the Library......Page 271 GSS Household Enumeration Questionnaire......Page 274 Random Numbers......Page 279 Distribution of Chi Square......Page 280 Estimated Sampling Error......Page 281 Twenty Questions a Journalist Should Ask about Poll Results......Page 282 Bibliography......Page 285 Glossary......Page 291 Index......Page 297 In this edition of the most comprehensive, authoritative research methods text on the market, Earl Babbie offers the most cutting-edge and thorough revision ever. The new edition retains the strengths that made it the best-selling text in the market while seamlessly integrating qualitative material throughout and adding an additional chapter on Qualitative Data Analysis (13). The book is known for being straightforward, with a broad set of topics. It has great illustrations, comprehensive overviews, detailed discussions, brief outlines, and a concrete, well-defined chapter structure. Its reputation for being very readable continues through its use of minimum jargon and math, along with use of humor throughout.

Content includes and emphasizes the important of problem-solving and decision-making, the links between statistics and research methods, and the use of computers in social research. Includes current research examples and illustrations from such recent topics as welfare and poverty, gender issues, affirmative action, the AIDS epidemic, and more.

"Although it was initially written for sociology courses, [this book can be] used in fields such as Psychology, Public Administration, Urban Studies, Education, Communications, Social Sciences, and Political Science ...-Pref. [In this book] you will learn the logic and skills necessary to do research effectively - and the step-by-step process for writing reports. You'll gain a real understanding of quantitative and qualitative methods and inductive and deductive distinctions. [The author] makes abstract theory understandable with humor, down-to-earth metaphors, and many contemporary examples ... [This] edition adds new information on doing online research and expanded coverage of statistical techniques"--Back cover This is a comprehensive, straightforward introduction to the field of research as practiced by social scientists. This best-selling book emphasizes the research process by demonstrating how to design research studies, introducing the various observation modes in use today, and answering questions about research methods--such as how to conduct online surveys, and analyze both qualitative and quantitative data. The practice of social research provides all the tools researchers and consumers need to apply social research.