The Process of Social Research - Softcover

Dixon, Jeffrey C.; Singleton, Royce A., Jr.; Straits, Bruce C.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199946752 ISBN 13: 9780199946754

Publisher: Oxford Univ Pr, 2015

Synopsis

The Process of Social Research successfully meets two major challenges of teaching social science methods: to make the material interesting and accessible to students, and to provide them with the tools necessary to understand, evaluate, and conduct research. Authors Jeffrey C. Dixon, Royce A. Singleton, Jr., and Bruce C. Straits employ a conversational writing style that is engaging and student-friendly. Using everyday examples to introduce chapters and clarify complex concepts, they provide current research examples on such cutting-edge topics as immigration, family composition, prosecutorial misconduct, organized racism, homelessness, social inequality and education, and alcohol consumption and grades. Placing a unique emphasis on the research process, the book helps students understand the logic and mechanics of social research, giving them the tools and the power to evaluate the research of others and to conduct their own research. Beginning with the introduction, every chapter contains flowcharts of research processes. As each diagram is presented, the authors relate the specific method to the overall research process. Then, over the course of the chapter or section, they flesh out each step. This way, they convey information about the "nuts and bolts" of research while ensuring that students do not lose sight of the logic of inquiry.

Comprehensive and up-to-date without attempting to be encyclopedic in its coverage, The Process of Social Research provides a balance between qualitative and quantitative research, taking a more integrated approach to describing the relationship between theory and research.

About this title

Review:

"The Process of Social Research presents the very best scholarship to show how quantitative and qualitative researchers answer important questions in various fields. This is an exceptional book for all teachers of research methods."--Bryan L. Sykes, University of California, Irvine

"The Process of Social Research presents the fundamentals of research methods to students in an accessible and engaging way while maintaining the necessary rigor and comprehensiveness. I never thought I would say this about a research methods text, but I think my students will enjoy reading this book!"--Steve Jacobs, Piedmont College

"The Process of Social Research is a great accomplishment: on target, comprehensive, and student-friendly. The authors speak from experience as writers and researchers. They also show a great command of the field, quoting studies from across subject domains and different methodologies."--Ernesto Castañeda, University of Texas, El Paso

About the Author:

Jeffrey C. Dixon is Associate Professor of Sociology at the College of the Holy Cross.

Royce A. Singleton, Jr., is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the College of the Holy Cross.

Bruce C. Straits is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford Univ Pr
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0199946752
• ISBN 13: 9780199946754
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 489