Introduction to research methods : a practical guide for anyone undertaking a research project

Contents......Page 6
Preface......Page 10
Asking questions......Page 12
Thinking about your project......Page 15
Understanding the five ‘Ws’......Page 16
Summarising your research......Page 19
Useful websites......Page 24
Recognising qualitative and quantitative research......Page 25
Understanding the methodological debate......Page 26
Choosing a methodology......Page 27
Further reading......Page 34
Using interviews......Page 38
Conducting focus groups......Page 40
Using questionnaires......Page 41
Undertaking participant observation......Page 43
Choosing your methods......Page 44
Summary......Page 48
Further reading......Page 49
Conducting primary and secondary research......Page 51
Using websites......Page 53
Keeping records......Page 55
Summary......Page 57
Further reading......Page 58
Understanding sampling techniques......Page 59
Choosing your sample size......Page 65
Summary......Page 66
Further reading......Page 67
Understanding the format......Page 68
The contents of a proposal......Page 69
What makes a good proposal?......Page 74
Reasons why research proposals fail......Page 75
Further reading......Page 76
Methods of recording......Page 77
Developing an interview schedule......Page 81
Establishing rapport......Page 84
Asking questions and probing for information......Page 85
Completing the interview......Page 87
Summary......Page 88
Further reading......Page 89
The role of the moderator......Page 90
Recording equipment......Page 92
Choosing a venue......Page 95
Recruiting your participants......Page 96
Summary......Page 98
Further reading......Page 99
Deciding which questionnaire to use......Page 100
Wording and structure of questions......Page 102
Length and ordering of questions......Page 107
Piloting the questionnaire......Page 109
Obtaining a high response......Page 111
Summary......Page 113
Further reading......Page 114
Places of study......Page 116
Gaining access......Page 117
Acting ethically......Page 118
Collecting and analysing information......Page 120
Withdrawing from the field......Page 122
Summary......Page 123
Further reading......Page 124
Deciding which approach to use......Page 125
Analysing qualitative data......Page 126
Analysing quantitative data......Page 136
Measuring data......Page 141
Summary......Page 143
Further reading......Page 144
Writing reports......Page 145
Structuring reports......Page 148
Writing journal articles......Page 154
Summary......Page 157
Further reading......Page 159
Treating participants with respect......Page 160
Recognising overt and covert research......Page 161
Producing a code of ethics......Page 164
Summary......Page 168
Further reading......Page 169
Useful addresses......Page 170
I......Page 176
W......Page 177