Observation Methods

Informationen zum Autor Barry Smart is Professor of sociology at the University of Portsmouth and a member of the Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR). His research interests include: critical social theory; the globalization of consumer culture and the transformation of economic life; and the cultural economy of modern sport. His most recent books are Economy! Culture & Society (OUP! 2003)! The Sport Star (SAGE! 2005) and Consumer Society (SAGE! 2010) Kay Peggs is Principal Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Portsmouth. In her position as a research methods specialist Kay has taught an extensive range of qualitative and quantitative methods to postgraduate and undergraduate students. Kay uses a range of methodological approaches in her research! including observational techniques! qualitative interviews! discourse analysis! surveys! and secondary analysis of large data sets. Her most recent book is Animals and Sociology (Palgrave 2012. Her previous book! Identity and Repartnering after Separation (with Richard Lampard)! was published by Palgrave in 2007. Her research interests are reflected in her teaching. In addition to her methods teaching Kay teaches animals in society! gender in society and the sociology of risk. Kay has gained substantial editorial experience through her membership of the editorial boards of journals such as Sociology and Sociological Research Online. Joseph Burridge is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Portsmouth. Joseph has considerable editorial experience having co-edited a special issue of the journal Social Semiotics (Vol 18! Issue 3! 2008)! which was re-published as an edited book Analysing Media Discourse (Routledge! 2011). He also organised and edited a special issue of the journal Food and Foodways (Vol 20! Issue 1! 2012). Joseph teaches research methods across the Portsmouth curriculum! as well as offering a final year module in his area of specialist interest: the sociology of food. While Joseph's main research interests lie in the areas of food and culture! he is also interested in the sociology of culture more generally! along with rhetoric! argumentation! discursive methods! and media representations. Klappentext Observation - as a deliberate, organized and systematic form of 'looking' or 'watching' - is integral to all scientific inquiry. It is a process that is guided by rational principles and assumptions, and motivated by an interest in obtaining data on occurrences, events, processes, reactions, forms of conduct and relationships. This collection, drawing together key contributions on observation methods in social research, provides comprehensive coverage of the historical development of observational methods and techniques and offers analytic reflection on the various issues involved in the scientific practice of observation. The volumes demonstrate the rich diversity of observational methods, techniques and associated innovations, as well as providing examples of results obtained by studies now considered to be social science classics. The volumes contain important material concerned with the development and refinement of observational methods, as well as the theoretical and philosophical understandings and assumptions integral to observation as a process. Sources that explore the practical matters involved in the stages of preparing for, engaging in, and analysing observations also feature, along with material from classic studies using observational methods. Finally, in addition to critiques of methods of observation, there are sources responding to recent developments within observational methods which utilise the possibilities afforded by contemporary digital and information technology in creative ways. Zusammenfassung This collection! drawing together key contributions on observation methods in social research! provides comprehensive coverage of the ...

Product details

• Authors: Barry Peggs Smart
• Assisted by: Joseph Burridge (Editor), Kay Peggs (Editor), Barry Smart (Editor)
• Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 28.02.2013
• EAN: 9781446208113
• ISBN: 978-1-4462-0811-3
• No. of pages: 1632
• Subject: Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > Sociological theories