Investigating the Social World: The Process and Practice of Research

by Russell K. Schutt

Congratulations to esteemed author Russell Schutt, 2007 recipient of University of Massachusetts, Boston's Chancellor's Award for Distinguished Service! This is NOT the SPSS version. To get the version with SPSS Student Version 14.0, order 978-14129-2737-6.The most successful social research text to have been published in a generation has been updated and revised in this new Fifth Edition ! This innovative, up-to-date, and popular text makes research come alive through research stories that illustrate the methods presented in each chapter, with hands-on exercises to help students learn by doing. Author Russell K. Schutt helps readers connect technique and substance, understand research methods as an integrated whole, appreciate the value of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and make ethical research decisions. New to the Fifth Updates and Research examples have been updated throughout the text, with many that have been added from international researchers. All end-of-chapter exercise sets have been updated. Techniques for searching and reviewing the literature and Web sites have been updated and more guidance is provided on writing the literature review. In addition, many chapters have been streamlined and reorganized for greater clarity, including those on measurement and causation and research design. Secondary Data Analysis and Content A new chapter introduces the logic and limitations of secondary data analysis, available data sources, procedures for using ICPSR datasets, the Human Relations Area Files, and more information on content analysis. Qualitative Data New sections have been added on conversation analysis, ethnomethodology, case-oriented understanding, and visual sociology. A special section on computer-assisted qualitative data analysis introduces the HyperRESEARCH software that accompanies the text. Theories and Philosophies for A revised and streamlined chapter uses international research on immigration and ethnic conflict to illustrate functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism and to contrast positivist and interpretivist research philosophies. Unique among methods texts, this chapter emphasizes the importance of social theory and research philosophy as a foundation for social research. Research Ethics : New sections have been added in some chapters and the discussion of the role of the IRB in the third chapter has been expanded. Accompanied by High-Quality Ancillaries! Instructors†Resource provides test questions, PowerPoint slides for lectures, suggested assignments, and a review of course organization options. Student Study Site at www.pineforge.com/ includes journal articles, flash cards for practicing terminology, online quizzes, and much more! Now with interactive exercises on the study site (from the student CD) - for easier access and use by students Student Resources bundled with the book, contains wide-ranging data sets and interactive exercises to help students master concepts and techniques. HyperRESEARCH includes software for qualitative data analysis. IRCDs are available for qualified instructors only. To request an IRCD for this book please contact Customer Care at 1.800.818.7243 (6 am – 5 pm Pacific Time) or by emailing info@sagepub.com with course name and enrollment and your university mailing address to expedite the process. Click on 'Sample Materials and Chapters' at left to access the GSS Mini Data Files . You need access to the Student SPSS program to use these data sets. These GSS Mini Data Files replaces the data set currently found on the Student Resource CD.Intended Written in a lively and personal style, this is an engaging, accessible introductory text for research methods courses in Sociology, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Communication and Journalism, Political Science, and Public Administration.

Genres: Sociology, Research, Nonfiction, Textbooks, College, Academic, School

622 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[April Lowrey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Zzzzzzz. Had to read it for school.

[Atınç Gürçay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for starters.

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is decent, but not great.

[Nik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad for a methods textbook!

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this for a class. Some of the material is admittedly interesting, but there's just too much fluff. Definitely can do without 40% of the pages. I think in the beginning of the book it tells you about searching through journals online and stuff -- that just is not necessary, not to mention that most readers are likely going to be more tech-savvy than the author himself.

Some people in the class complained that some things were too rigorous in the book or something, but I disagree. They say it's "obvious" or something, and shouldn't have to be tested -- well then why are you still getting a shit grade then? Anyway, every science has to be pedantic and rigorous for it to be taken seriously. If you came into sociology thinking it'd be a walk in the park compared to a harder science like physics, think again -- each domain has its own specific challenges that are, in fact, genuinely challenging. I might even say that the book doesn't reach that level, though it does have a lot of fluff.

That said, it's not dense. It's very readable even by textbook standards. I'd give it 2.5 for that, which would make me round to 3, but the statistician in me (relevant to sociology!) tells me I should round to even. So, 2/5.

It also has a lot of example research, so there's that.

[Paige · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first few chapters of this book were pretty promising and did a good job at engaging me, but by the end he's telling you how to use WinZip. Seriously dude? There's more filler material like that towards the end, information that's basically completely worthless. I would give the first couple to first several chapters 4 stars, and then the later ones like 1 or 0. I read the book cover to cover (well, except for the table of contents and the index) and it seemed to get progressively worse. He just tries to cover so much information. Sometimes he goes into way too much detail and sometimes there is not even close to enough specific information to be useful for actually learning about the concepts or how research is really conducted. Adding to my ire is the fact that the most I'll be able to sell it back for is like $5.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is as good as any for an introduction to sociological methods at the graduate level. The text is not too simple, and the concepts are well-presented. Overall a good entry into the methodologies of the field.

[Elyas Sobhan]

Investigating the Social World: The Process and Practice of Research

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to research methods.

[Debby Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was a bit unnecessarily redundant. Required reading for Research Methods.