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The Unobtrusive Researcher: A guide to methods
What does graffiti reveal about social behaviour?
Where can you find out about Australian social values without doing your own survey?
There is more to social research than surveys and in-depth interviews. The Unobtrusive Researcher looks beyond the limited accounts people provide of themselves to examine society at a deeper level.
Written in a clear, easy to read style, The Unobtrusive Researcher is a practical guide to a range of methods that can supplement and, at times, even replace conventional social research. It is essential reading for new and experienced researchers in the Social Sciences, Education, Communication Studies and Cultural Studies.
Methods discussed
library and archival work
audiovisual sources
observation techniques
material culture
the use of cameras and computers
'Witty, clear and concise.a remarkable overview of the field.' - Professor Bryan Turner, Deakin University
'One of the few guides to research methods which takes on board the implications of poststructuralist theory for research, The Unobtrusive Researcher will be useful both for practising researchers wanting to broaden and update their approaches, and those at the very beginning of learning how to do research.' - Professor Ann Curthoys, University of Technology, Sydney
Where can you find out about Australian social values without doing your own survey?
There is more to social research than surveys and in-depth interviews. The Unobtrusive Researcher looks beyond the limited accounts people provide of themselves to examine society at a deeper level.
Written in a clear, easy to read style, The Unobtrusive Researcher is a practical guide to a range of methods that can supplement and, at times, even replace conventional social research. It is essential reading for new and experienced researchers in the Social Sciences, Education, Communication Studies and Cultural Studies.
Methods discussed
library and archival work
audiovisual sources
observation techniques
material culture
the use of cameras and computers
'Witty, clear and concise.a remarkable overview of the field.' - Professor Bryan Turner, Deakin University
'One of the few guides to research methods which takes on board the implications of poststructuralist theory for research, The Unobtrusive Researcher will be useful both for practising researchers wanting to broaden and update their approaches, and those at the very beginning of learning how to do research.' - Professor Ann Curthoys, University of Technology, Sydney
190 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
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August 7, 2021
An absolutely tremendous and transformative book. Firstly published in 1993 and moving into a second edition for Routledge in 2020, this is the rarest of academic jewels: an entertaining and well written book about research methods.
Kellehear was a fascinating scholar. Of death. Yes. Really. Obviously, it is not possible to interview the dead, or survey them. Well, you can, but the answers would be unsatisfying.
So Kellehear offers a powerful and well written presentation of non reactive research methods. The strengths. The challenges.
How do we 'read' a graveyard? How can we determine popularity of a museum's exhibition by the wearing carpet? What do we learn about women and men through shoes and hair?
It is a magnificently written book. The ideas are punchy and provocative - and often moving.
Whenever I become depressed about academic life and the quality of research, I remember this book and the innovations of Kellehear's research. I feel a lot better. A great man. A great book.
Kellehear was a fascinating scholar. Of death. Yes. Really. Obviously, it is not possible to interview the dead, or survey them. Well, you can, but the answers would be unsatisfying.
So Kellehear offers a powerful and well written presentation of non reactive research methods. The strengths. The challenges.
How do we 'read' a graveyard? How can we determine popularity of a museum's exhibition by the wearing carpet? What do we learn about women and men through shoes and hair?
It is a magnificently written book. The ideas are punchy and provocative - and often moving.
Whenever I become depressed about academic life and the quality of research, I remember this book and the innovations of Kellehear's research. I feel a lot better. A great man. A great book.
Displaying 1 of 1 review