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Real Research: Research Methods Sociology Students Can Use by Liahna Gordon is an innovative text that takes a holistic approach to the subject by discussing each step in the research process within the context of a particular method. With no generalizations about concepts that apply to only some research methods but not others, students can jump into the first research method within the first two weeks of class. After an overview of data collection in the first chapter, subsequent chapters focus on eight specific quantitative and qualitative methods most frequently used in sociology. The
Second Edition includes a new chapter on focus groups, updated "Real Research" profiles of individuals using research methods in a wide range of careers, and examples of common student errors to streamline learning.
List of contents
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Introduction
What Is Empirical Social Research?
Why Is Research Important?
Methods of Data Collection
Quantitative and Qualitative Research
Basic and Applied Research
The Components of Research
Reading This Text
Summary Points
Chapter 2: Interviewing
Methodology
Theory
Research Questions
Literature Review
Ethics
Sampling
Preparing for Data Collection
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Conceptualizing and Operationalizing
Evaluating the Quality of Data and Analysis
Presenting the Results
Summary Points
Chapter 3: Observation and Ethnography
Methodology
Theory
Research Questions
Literature Review
Ethics
Sampling
Conceptualizing and Operationalizing
Preparing for Data Collection
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Evaluating the Quality of Data and Analysis
Presenting the Results
Summary Points
Chapter 4: Surveys
Methodology
Theory
Research Questions
Literature Review
Conceptualizing and Operationalizing
Sampling
Ethics
Preparing for Data Collection
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Evaluating the Quality of Data and Analysis
Presenting the Results
Summary Points
Chapter 5: Secondary Data Analysis
Methodology
Theory
Research Questions
Literature Review
Ethics
Preparing for Data Collection
Conceptualizing and Operationalizing
Sampling
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Evaluating the Quality of Data and Analysis
Presenting the Results
Summary Points
Chapter 6: Existing Statistics Research
Methodology
Theory
Research Questions
Ethics
Preparing for Data Collection
Conceptualizing and Operationalizing
Sampling
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Evaluating the Quality of Data and Analysis
Presenting the Results
Summary Points
Chapter 7: Content Analysis
Methodology
Theory
Research Questions
Literature Review
Sampling
Conceptualizing and Operationalizing
Ethics
Preparing for Data Collection
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Evaluating the Quality of Data and Analysis
Presenting the Results
Summary Points
Chapter 8: Experiments for Evaluation Research
Methodology
Theory
Research Questions
Literature Review
Choosing a Study Design
Conceptualizing and Operationalizing
Sampling
Ethics
Preparing for Data Collection
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Evaluating the Quality of Data and Analysis
Presenting the Results
Summary Points
Chapter 9: Focus Groups
Methodology
Theory
Research Questions
Literature Review
Sampling
Conceptualizing and Operationalizing
Ethics
Preparing for Data Collection
Data Collection
Analysis
Presenting the Results
Summary Points
Appendix A: Reviewing the Literature
Types of Sources
Searching the Literature
Reading Scholarly Articles
Writing a Literature Review
Plagiarism
Appendix B: Writing a Research Proposal
Title
Introduction and Literature Review
Research Question
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Implications
Timeline
Budget
Style
Guidelines and Formatting
A "Seamless Whole"
References
Index
About the Author
About the author
Liahna E. Gordon received her Ph.D. from Indiana University, Bloomington in 2000, and is an Associate Professor of Sociology at California State University, Chico and Affiliated Faculty for its Center on Multicultural and Gender Studies. Her research interests focus on issues of sexuality, deviance, gender, and social psychology.
