The Good Research Guide: Research Methods for Small-Scale Social Research Projects, 8th Edition

Introduction


Part 1 - PREPARATION
1. Planning the project: Decisions and actions prior to data collection


Part 2 - RESEARCH STRATEGIES
2. Surveys: Looking at the general situation
3. Sampling: Selecting suitable people, items or events
4. Case studies: Focussing on particular examples 
5. Experiments: Controlling for variables
6. Ethnography: Describing cultures, customs and lifestyles
7. Phenomenology: Understanding people’s personal experiences
8. Life course:  Emphasizing the significance of age and stages of life
9. Grounded theory: Developing concepts and theories
10. Action research: Using research to change the situation
11. Secondary sources: Repurposing existing data
12. Systematic reviews: Helping evidence-based developments in policy and practice
13. Mixed methods: Combining quantitative and qualitative approaches


Part 3 - METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION
14. Questionnaires
15. Interviews
16. Observation
17. Documents and images


Part 4 - ANALYSIS OF THE DATA
18. Quantitative data
19. Qualitative data


Appendices
1. Literature review
2. Research paradigms
3. Research proposals
4. Research ethics
5. Research reports


References
Index

The Good Research Guide provides practical and straightforward guidance for those who need to conduct small-scale research projects as part of their undergraduate, postgraduate or professional studies. It covers topics in a clear, user-friendly style, outlining the key points and explaining why they are important. Now in its 8th edition, it will feature:


• An enhanced Part I on Preparation and Planning with an overview of elementary issues to guide newcomers about the key decisions they need to make at the outset of their project, including ethical and legal obligations surrounding research.
• An expanded chapter on Action Research with added emphasis on research as resistance, including new material on feminist and decolonial methods.
• Brand new content on online surveys, as well as the impact of social media and artificial intelligence on research practices embedded throughout the chapters. 
• New ‘Research Strategy’ introductory boxes to appear at the beginning of each chapter in Part II to briefly summarise their contents and allow readers to decide their relevance to their own research project.
  
Full of practical advice and valuable examples, this is the go-to book for students looking to improve their research skills.