Understanding Social Research

Preface......Page 6
Annotated contents......Page 9
Part 1: Developing a conceptual model of social science......Page 15
1: Multiple worlds......Page 17
2: Kinds of knowledge......Page 21
3: Scientific knowledge......Page 27
4: The nature of scientific research......Page 31
5: Research as a journey......Page 38
6: Research as the pursuit of valid knowledge (the epistemological dimension......Page 42
7: Research as methodical and systematic inquiry (the methodological dimension)......Page 49
8: Researcgh as a social activity (the sociological dimension)......Page 55
9: The social world as an object of inquiry (the ontological dimension)......Page 60
10: An integrated model of social science......Page 66
Part 2: The logic of the research process......Page 75
11: The process of social research......Page 77
12: The logic of research......Page 83
13: Inductive and deductive reasoning......Page 88
14: Types of reasoning in social research......Page 94
Part 3: Stages in the research process......Page 102
15: Formulating the research problem (cases, variables and relationships)......Page 104
16: Formulating the research problem (research objectives)......Page 114
17: Research design......Page 120
18: Conceptualisation (defining key concepts)......Page 127
19: Conceptualisation (formulating research hypotheses)......Page 132
20: Operationalisation......Page 138
21: Sampling......Page 145
22: Data collection (data sources, reactivity and control)......Page 154
23: Data collection (sources of error)......Page 161
24: Data collection (ensuring reliability)......Page 169
25: Data analysis and interpretation......Page 174
26: Writing the research report......Page 183
Part 4: The building blocks of science......Page 192
27: Scientific concepts......Page 194
28: Definitions and empirical statements......Page 200
29: Typologies, models and theories......Page 208
30: Social science paradigms......Page 216
Appendix: Readings......Page 222
Reading 1: Religious involvement in a secularized society: an empirical confirmation of Martin's general theory of secularization......Page 224
Reading 2: Effort and reward in college: a replication of some puzzling findings......Page 240
Reading 3: Fear of crime among the South African public......Page 249
Reading 4: American TV and social stereotypes of Americans in Taiwan and Mexico......Page 264
Bibliography......Page 272
Index......Page 276