Books.org participates in affiliate programs including Bookshop.org and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
Synopsis
This critical introduction to the principles of social and educational research draws together a key set of readings which offers a comprehensive approach to the wide range of values and practice in social research. Issues explored include: the relationship between quantitative and qualitative methods; positivism and the role of the natural sciences as a model for social research; the purposes of research - knowledge or the transformation of the social world; issues of race, gender and power in social research; the politics and ethics of data collection; and the validity and relevance of social research.
Booknews
Presents diverse views, in both classic statements and more recent contributions, that touch on many current methodological debates about social research. The chapters are divided among the headings of philosophy, politics, and practice. The first part begins with an introductory outline of positivist philosophy by Leszek Kolakowski. Rodolfo Stavenhagen opens the section on the politics of research with a radical assessment of the theoretical assumptions he believes to be implicit in much applied social research, especially in the field of development studies in the Third World. The section on practice begins with Catherine Hakim's detailed discussion of the uses that can be made of administrative records for social research. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Editorials
From the Publisher
'An important guide to current issues and debates in social research. Martyn Hammersley has assembled a useful range of source material for the beginning student' - Robert Burgess, University of Warwick'All the readings are clear and incisive and have been well chosen as exemplars of a particular tradition or type of critique. Since they can be studied individually as well as collectively, this book will be invaluable for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate methods courses' - Journal of Social Policy
'Between them, the papers included in this book cover an impressive range of issues central to social research. The editor has succeeded in pulling together papers from a wide range of sources... and making them available in an easily-accessible form. The book could serve as a useful introduction to the field for undergraduate students, or as eye-opening background reading for research practitioners who have not had formal training in the philosophy of social investigation.' - ESRC Data Archive Bulletin
'The book accomplishes its purpose of illuminating the 'profound differences in approach' and should help the users of social research as well as practitioners.' - Educational Research