Synopsis
"Anyone who wants to learn how to do social research better read this book. Written for the new student and the seasoned researcher alike (one is never too old, after all), Seven Rules for Social Research hits that sweet but till-now-neglected spot between overly simplified methods texts and advanced statistical manuals. Stick with Firebaugh's seven rules and you won't go wrong."--Dalton Conley, New York University
"A valuable contribution. Firebaugh masterfully surveys a wide variety of key issues at the intersection of statistical theory, research design, and empirical analysis. His book can help improve the quality of social scientific research."--David Strang, Cornell University
"The audience for this book is great. Most graduate programs require second- or third-year students to write some type of research paper. This book is perfect for the task."--Christopher Winship, Harvard University
Noel Castree - Progress in Human Geography
This book is one of a kind and so excellent it will probably go into second and third editions. . . . Seven Rules of Social Research brings important issues of research design to life: this is not a dry or abstract book. . . . I think his book could be used to great advantage by three sorts of human geographers: those doing a thesis for their degree; those teaching introductory and more advanced courses on 'doing research'; and those seeking to refresh their own approach to research as full-time academics, research assistants or post-docs. . . . The book is supremely clear (even when discussing some knotty issues) and, even at almost 300 pages, does not feel long or turgid.