Recent Texts

Chapter 1

General texts

Introductory

Tengblad, S., Solli, R. and Czarniawska, B., eds. (2006) The Art of Science. Copenhagen: Copenhagen Business School. Accounts of the realities of the research process, typically the investigation of poorly known topics, calling for an ability to deal with surprising findings and unexpected events. Discuses the creativity and craftsmanship needed to do real world research.

Advanced

Van de Ven, A.H. (2007) Engaged Scholarship: A guide for organisational and social research. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Argues for research which is both rigorous and relevant to the contemporary world. From the perspective of management research but generally relevant. Recommended.

Texts challenging current practices and orthodoxies

Law, J. (2004) After Method: Mess in social science research. London: Routledge. Presents a stimulating and controversial argument about what went wrong with research methods. He claims that we shouldn’t be looking for clarity and precision as things in the real world are messy - fluid, elusive, or multiple. Proposals are presented to reinvent research practice and politics to deal with the mess. A disturbing but worthwhile read.

Toulmin, S. (2003) Return to Reason. Cambridge, MASS: Harvard University Press. Argues persuasively for a more open-minded, informal ‘reasonableness’, accepting uncertainty and complexity, in the approach to research – and against ideology, abstract theories and strict rationality.

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Chapter 2

General texts

Introductory

Boynton, P. (2005) The Research Companion: A practical guide for the social and health sciences. Hove, E. Sussex: Psychology Press. A highly engaging companion to have – discusses a wide range of practical issues. Breakwell, G., ed. (2003) Doing Social Psychology Research. Oxford: Blackwell. Covers a wide range of approaches. Proctor, R. and Capaldi, E.J. (2005) Why Science Matters: Understanding the methods of psychological research. Oxford: Blackwell. Presents an up-to-date view of contemporary psychological science as it is currently understood and practiced. Incorporates new investigatory procedures, methodologies, conflicts and issues, and the implications of the philosophy of science.

Shipman, M.D. (1997) Limitations of Social Research. 4th edn. Harlow, Essex:Longman. Revised version of a deservedly successful book, probing not only the technical stages of research, but also its assumptions, procedures and dissemination. Smith, R.A. and Davis, S.F. (2006) The Psychologist as Detective: An introduction to conducting research in psychology. 4th edn. Harlow, Essex: Prentice Hall. Very lively and interesting – makes you think!

Advanced

Blumenthal, D.S. and DiClemente, R.J. (2004) Community-based Health Research: Issues and methods. NewYork: Springer. Identifies key concepts of successful community-based research. Case studies on HIV/AIDS prevention and cardiovascular risk reduction illustrate the application of research methods with both positive and negative outcomes.

Hoefer, R., ed. (2006) Cutting-edge Social Policy Research. Binghamton, NY:Haworth Press Inc. Discusses research on a wide variety of crucial social policy issues. Focus on how to apply research results to today's social problems and programmes. Nazroo, J. (2006) Health and Social Research in Multiethnic Societies. 2nd edn. London: Routledge. Discusses core issues relevant to research with ethnic minority groups and uses a combination of critical analysis and case studies to illustrate the benefits and pitfalls of particular approaches.

Rhedding-Jones, J. (2005) What Is Research?: Methodological practices and new approaches. Oslo: Universitetsforlaget. Discusses the practices and experiences of doing contemporary research in the social sciences and in related professions. Written in a personal and accessible style, it is for new researchers or those wishing to change the ways they research and write. Issues covered include research and self, the professions and disciplines, theory, inquiry, methodology, ethics, gender, ethnic diversity and post-modernity. Simonton, D.K. (2004) Creativity in Science: Chance, logic, genius, and zeitgeist. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Argues that the chance, logic, genius, and zeitgeist perspectives on scientific creativity can be integrated into a single coherent theory. Discusses how this integration might come about.

Starbuck, W.H. (2006) The Production of Knowledge: The challenge of social science research. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Wide-ranging semi autobiographical review of the nature of social science research including discussion of the limits of rationality, the unreliability of many research findings, and the social shaping of research agendas, cultures and judgements. Well written, provocative and unusual.

Texts challenging current practices and orthodoxies

Law, J. (2005) After Method. London: Routledge. Argues that the type of research methods used helps to create social reality rather than simply describing it. Presents a radical controversial argument for a new approach. Ragin, C.C. (2000) Fuzzy-Set Social Science. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Influential text exploring the use of ‘fuzzy sets’ to bridge the divide between quantitative and qualitative methods. Ragin shows how fuzzy sets can sharpen quantitative tools with in-depth knowledge gained through qualitative, case-oriented inquiry. Smithson, M.J. and Verkuilen, J. (2006) Fuzzy Set Theory. London: Sage. Presents an introduction to fuzzy set theory, focusing on its applicability to the social sciences.

Texts on specific aspects covered in the chapter

Methods and Methodology

Introductory

Baranov, D. (2004) Conceptual Foundations of Social Research Methods. Boulder, CO: Paradigm Publishers. Covers a wide range of philosophical traditions showing how they affect decisions about research design and methodology. Accessible and free of jargon. Goertz, G. (2005) Social Science Concepts: A user's guide. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Timely text on the construction and use of concepts in social science. Relevant to both qualitative and quantitative approaches.

Gray, P.S., Williamson, J.B., Karp. D.A. and Dalphin, J. (2007) The Research Imagination: An introduction to qualitative and quantitative methods. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. A comprehensive explanation of research methodology, emphasising that research is a craft requiring judgment and creativity, not simply application of the rules of science. Swann, J. and Pratt, J., eds. (2003) Educational Research in Practice: Making sense of methodology. London: Continuum. Covers a good range of different approaches put forward by educational researchers plus dialogues between the authors and the editors which helps to bring out central issues. The editors follow a broadly realist approach.

Advanced

Brady, H.E. and Collier, D., eds. (2004) Rethinking Social Inquiry: Diverse tools, shared standards. Lanham MD: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers. Wide-ranging and challenging set of essays discussing the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative approaches. Argues for shared standards within a broadly based scientific enterprise. Moses, J.W. and Knutsen, T.L. (2007) Ways of Knowing: Competing methodologies and methods in social and political research. Basingstoke, Hants: Palgrave Macmillan.

Focuses on the debate between positivist and constructivist approaches. It introduces in a lively and accessible way a range of key issues, from the nature of knowledge to the strengths and weaknesses of the main research methods, showing how methodological pluralism can be combined with intellectual rigour. Stinchcombe, A.L. (2005) The Logic of Social Research. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Focus on the set of logical problems that all methods must address to study social causation. Shows how different approaches such as quantitative, historical, ethnographic, and experimental can be used to support theory building.

Gender

Jones, L. and Barron, I. (2007) Research and Gender. London: Continuum. Discusses the relationship between gender and research in the context of their own experiences from research projects in health care and education.

New Approaches/Postmodern

Alvesson, M. (2002) Postmodernism and Social Research. Maidenhead, Berks: Open University Press. Provides an overview of postmodern themes, evaluates the possibilities and dangers of postmodernist thinking and develops ideas on how a selective, sceptical incorporation of postmodernism can make social research more conscious about problems and pitfalls, and more creative in working with empirical material.

Hesse-Biber, S. and Leavy, P. (2006) Emergent Methods in Social Research: Theories, methods, and methodologies. London: Sage. Comprehensive review of new and cutting-edge research methods and methodologies. Schwartz-Shea, P. and Yanow, D., eds. (2006) Interpretation and Method: Empirical research methods and the interpretive turn. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe. Demonstrates the relevance, rigor, and creativity of interpretive research methodologies for the social and human sciences. The contributors offer an inside, applied perspective on how research topics, evidence, and methods intertwine to produce knowledge in the social sciences.

Realism

Cruickshank, J., ed. (2003) Critical Realism: The difference it makes. London: Routledge. Shows the difference that critical realism can make to theorising and methodological problems within the contemporary social sciences. Topics covered include ethics, the consequences of the 'linguistic turn', methodology and globalization.

Maxwell, J. (2007) A Realist Approach to Qualitative Design. London: Sage. Swann, J. and Pratt, J. (1999) Improving Education: Realist approaches to method and research. London: Cassell. Stimulated by the debate in the UK on the quality, effectiveness and usefulness of educational research this book gives suggestions on how to improve research, combining principles and practice.

Science

Haack, S. (2007) Defending Science, Within Reason: Between scientism and cynicism. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books. Tackles vital questions about science and its place in society. Explores the complexities of scientific evidence, and discusses the ways in which the social sciences are like the natural sciences, and the ways in which they are different. Witty, direct, and accessible, and seeking a balanced understanding of the value, and the limitations, of the scientific enterprise.

Leach, M. and Fairhead, J. (2007) Vaccine Anxieties: Global science, child health and society. London: Earthscan. The book suggests new terms of debate for thinking about science-society relations in a globalized world. It offers fresh insights from research in the UK and Africa that speak volumes about the key relationship between new technologies, scientific communication, government policy and public trust.

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Chapter 3

General Texts

Introductory

Goertz, G. (2006) Social Science Concepts: A user’s guide. Princeton NJ: Princeton University Press. Detailed and practical advice on the construction and use of social science concepts. Companion website with exercises.

Advanced

Starbuck, W.H. (2006) The Production of Knowledge: The challenge of social science research. Oxford: Oxford University Press. A quasi-autobiographical account by a leading management researcher covering a wide range of issues relevant to new and established researchers including both theoretical and practical challenges faced by researchers, the unreliability of research findings and the social shaping of research agendas.

Texts on specific aspects covered in the chapter

Emancipatory/Empowerment research

Brown, L. and Strega, S., eds. (2005) Research as Resistance: Critical, Indigenous and Anti-Oppressive Approaches. Toronto: Canadian Scholars’ Press Inc. Brings together the theory and practice of anti-oppressive approaches to social science research. Exemplars provided across a range of methodologies, including institutional ethnography, narrative autobiography, storytelling and indigenous research, and participatory action research.

Carroll, W.K., ed. (2004) Critical Strategies for Social Research. Toronto: Canadian Scholars’ Press Inc. Twenty seven readings exploring the ways in which a range of different research strategies can be used to bring an emancipatory dimension to social research.

Truman, C. and Humphries, B., eds. (1999) Research and Inequality. London: Routledge. Considers how issues such as ethnicity, sexual orientation and identity, disability, gender and ethnicity, and health and old age might be addressed through an emancipatory research paradigm. The book also examines the philosophical tenets and methodological implications of such an approach.

Exploratory research

Stebbins, R.A. (2001) Exploratory Research in the Social Sciences. London: Sage. A very empowering short book for anyone contemplating an exploratory study. Stebbins asserts the importance of exploration in the social sciences and the reader through the process of exploratory research in an easy-to-read style.

Feminist

Letherby, G. and Jackson, S. (2003) Feminist Research in Theory and Practice Maidenhead, Berks: Open University Press. Explores the theoretical, political and practical issues involved in doing feminist research. Practical emphasis on specific examples of feminist research.

Naples, N.A. (2003) Feminism and Method: Ethnography, discourse and activist research. London: Routledge. Provides an overview of different theories of feminist methodology, linked to the author’s experiences of activist research. The topics are explored through fieldwork examples and discussed in terms of the methods used.

Ramazanoglu, C. and Holland, J. (2002) Feminist Methodology: Challenges and choices. London: Sage. Readable discussion of the distinctive place of feminist methodology in social research. Covers both theory and practical issues of fieldwork. Sprague, J. (2005) Feminist Methodologies for Critical Researchers: Bridging differences. Lanham, MD: AltaMira. Shows how standard methods can be adapted toward critical ends by thinking about the links between epistemology and methodology, and how both qualitative and quantitative methods can be used effectively by progressive researchers.

Interdisciplinary

Atkinson, J. and Crowe, M., eds. (2006) Interdisciplinary Research: Diverse approaches in science,technology, health and society. Chichester:Whurr Publishers Ltd. Introduces widely varying approaches to inter-disciplinary and multi-centered investigation. Contributions (ranging from marine biology to spirituality!) are presented in an historical and theoretical context, identifying linking themes.

Literature research/review

Garvin, P. nd. Real World Research Skills: An introduction to factual, international, judicial, legislative, and regulatory research. Alexandria, VA: TheCapitol.Net, Inc. Very useful first chapter ‘Going beyond Google’ (available as a separate pdf) covers a wide range of uses of the internet when searching for information, including tools for evaluating web sites. Hart, C. (1998) Doing a Literature Review: Releasing the social science research imagination. London: Sage. Provides advice on searching out existing knowledge on a topic, analyzing arguments and ideas and producing a literature review.

Research questions

Andrews, R. (2003) Research Questions. London: Continuum. An informative short guide to designing and formulating research questions. Lewis, I. and Munn, P. (2004) So You Want to Do Research?: A guide for teachers on how to formulate research questions. Glasgow: SCRE Centre. A clear and helpful very short guide (34 pages!).

Ethical and Political Issues

Introductory

Gregory, I. (2003) Ethics and Research. Glasgow: Continuum. Shows how ethical concerns inform not only the conduct of research but also decision to engage in a piece of research, the interpretation of data and what is done with research findings. Short but raises many important issues.

Israel, M. and Hay, I. (2006) Research Ethics for Social Scientists. Thousand Oaks CA,: Sage. Provides an introduction to ethical theory and philosophy, practical guidance on what ethical theory means for research practice, and case studies of ethics in research action. Discusses current regulatory regimes have emerged and issues in the relationships between researchers and regulators. Kimmel, A. (2007) Ethical Issues in Behavioral Research: Basic and applied perspectives. 2nd edn. Oxford. Covers the ethical dimensions of behavioral research and the developments in ethical codification and the research review process. A new chapter details ethical issues in marketing and opinion research, including a contrast of market and academic research.

Sales, B.D. and Folkman, S., eds. (2000) Ethics in Research with Human Participants. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Seeks to lay the moral foundations of research with human participants. Extensive examples and analyses guide researchers in identifying conflicts of interest and solving ethical dilemmas, planning research, recruiting participants and maintaining trust. Addressed to psychologists but many issues are generally relevant.

Shamoo, A.E. and Resnik, D.B. (2002) Responsible Conduct of Research. Oxford:Oxford University Press. A comprehensive introduction to the ethical issues at stake in the conduct of biomedical research, with extensive use of case examples. It includes chapters on intellectual property, authorship, peer review, and conflicts of interest.

Smyth, M. and Williamson, E., eds. (2004) Researchers and Their Subjects: Ethics, power, knowledge and consent . Bristol: Policy Press. Examines the role of participants in research and how research ethics can be put into practice. Contrasts the very different forms of regulation and codes of practice in health, social, and journalistic research. Analyses case studies of innovative research projects where ethics have been central to the researcher-subject relationship and assesses the impact of ethics on research methods and approaches. Provides an insight into research participants' perspectives. Essential reading for all researchers.

Advanced

Resnick, D.B. (2007) The Price of Truth: How money affects the norms of science. Annandale, NSW: Oxford University Press Inc. Examines some of the important and difficult questions resulting from the financial and economic aspects of modern science. How does money affect scientific research? Have scientists become entrepreneurs bent on making money instead of investigators searching for the truth? How does the commercialization of research affect the public's perception of science? Can scientists prevent money from corrupting the research enterprise? etc.

Ethics in Qualitative Research

Birch, M. and Mauthner, M.L., eds. (2002) Ethics in Qualitative Research. London: Sage. Examines the theoretical and practical aspects of ethical dilemmas in qualitative research. Denzin, N.K. and Giardina., eds.(2007) Ethical Futures of Qualitative Research: Decolonizing the Politics of Knowledge. Walnut Creek, CA: Left Coast Press. Highlights the key ethical topics that face contemporary qualitative researchers including the emergence of human subjects regulations, the increased concern with indigenous communities, the globalization of research practices, and the breakdown of barriers between researcher and subject.

Ethics in Virtual Research

Buchanan, E.A., ed. (2003) Readings in Virtual Research Ethics: Issues and controversies. Hershey, PA: Idea Group, US. Discusses the ethical dilemmas associated with the emerging field of online research. Issues related to traditional research ethics such as autonomy or respect for persons, justice, and beneficence are extended into the virtual realm.

Ethics in Practitioner Research

Campbell, A. and Groundwater-Smith, S., eds. (2007) An Ethical Approach to Practitioner Research: Dealing with issues and dilemmas in action research. London: Routledge. Covers issues surrounding ethical practitioner research including tensions between practitioners and academics in setting the research agenda; the policy implications that may flow from it and the right to publish outcomes. Zeni, J. (2001) Ethical Issues in Practitioner Research. New York: Teachers College Press. Focus on the risks of action research in education and the problems endemic to insider enquiries.

Ethics in Educational Research

Mcnamee, M. and Bridges, D., eds. (2002) The Ethics of Educational Research. Oxford: Blackwell. Philosophers and social scientists shed light on the ethical issues confronted by educational researchers and offer insights into the conflicts and dilemmas emerging from educational research practices.

Ethics in Social Work Research

D’Cruz, H. and Jones, M. (2004) Social Work Research: Ethical and Political Contexts. London: Sage. Focus on the political and ethical contexts intrinsic to social work research and practice.

Ethics in Health and Social Care Research

Long, T. and Johnson, M. (2006) Research Ethics in the Real World: Issues and Solutions for Health and Social Care Professionals. Oxford: Churchill Livingstone. Takes a predominantly consequentialist (harms and benefits) approach using the analysis of cases and a reasoned approach to examine alternative arguments. Accessible with clear examples of good and less good practice to illustrate points.

Ethical Research with particular groups

Farrell, A., ed. (2005) Exploring Ethical Research with Children. Maidenhead, Berks: Open University Press. Covers a range of conceptual, methodological and procedural issues, and provides a framework for doing ethical research with children. Wide range of examples.

Pitts, M. and Smith, A., eds. (2007) Researching the Margins: Strategies for ethical and rigorous research with marginalised communities. Basingstoke, Hants: Palgrave Macmillan. Discusses the ethical obligations of social researchers engaging with marginalized communities to those with whom they research.

Fraud and deception

Altmann, E. and Hernon, P., eds. (1997) Research Misconduct: Issues, implications and strategies. Norwood, NJ: Ablex Publishing Corporation. Bell, R. (1992) Impure Science: Fraud, compromise and political influence in scientific research. London: Wiley. A withering indictment of scientific research conducted in the USA. Cases of influence peddling, doctored research and fraud are discussed. It claims to reveal how the twin forces of money and status have compromised and corrupted the pursuit of scientific truth.

Crewdson, J. (2002) Science Fictions: A scientific mystery, a massive coverup, and the dark legacy of Robert Gallo. London: Little, Brown and Company. An extraordinary piece of investigative journalism. Exposes malpractice by Gallo at his laboratory at the US National Institutes of Health, and s the cover-ups of this by the US Health Secretary and the directors of the US Department of Health and Human Services. Reveals the startling fact that publication in a scientific journal can involve personal prejudice, scientific wheeling-dealing and the promotion of vested interests.

Korn, J.H. (1997) Illusions of Reality: History of deception in social psychology. New York: State University of New York Press. Lock, S. and Wells, F., eds. (2002) Fraud and Misconduct in Medical Research. London: BMJ Books. Pallone, N.J. and Hennessey, J.J. (1996) Fraud and Fallible Judgement: Deception in the social and behavioural sciences. London: Transaction.

Salzano, F.M. and Hurtado, A.M., eds. (2004) Lost Paradises and the Ethics of Research and Publication. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Discusses the furious debate over the fieldwork performed by two prominent anthropologists among the Yanamamo tribe of South America (including accusations of not only misinterpreting but actually inciting some of the violence perceived among these "fierce people" and of their being theunwitting agent of a deadly measles outbreak. In the wake of what was widely construed as a major scientific scandal, this volume lays out in detail the principles and ground rules of anthropological and scientific fieldwork.

Political

Beals, R.L. and Woolfolk, A. (2005) Politics of Social Research 2nd edn.. Piscataway, NJ: Aldine Transaction. Reviews, and places in historical and ideological perspective, the kinds of problems people engaged in social research encounter (concealment and misrepresentation, nationalism and colonialism, protection of subjects, etc.) First published in 1969, and here reissued with a new introduction, this volume though placed in a US context remains importantl reading for all social researchers. D’Cruz, H. and Jones, M. (2004) Social Work Research: Ethical and political contexts. London: Sage. Discussion of the political and ethical contexts that are intrinsic to social work practice.

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Chapter 4

General

Introductory

Bishop, W. and Zemliansky, P., eds. (2001) The Subject Is Research: Processes and practices. Portsmouth, NH: Boynton/Cook. Provides insight, ideas, directions and insider's advice on designing research (and on continuing and completing a research project). Includes student contributions.

Cajal, S.R. (2004) Advice for a Young Investigator. Cambridge, MA: Bradford Books. A short, witty and inspirational guide for anyone starting out as a researcher. New edition of a classic first published early in the 20th century but still highly relevant. Read when you are feeling low.

Hakim, C. (2000) Research Design: Successful designs for social and economic research. 2nd edn. London: Routledge. Revised and expanded second edition of one of the best short texts on research design. Covers theoretical, applied and policy research and a range of different study types with stregies for choosing between on design and another.

Advanced

Brady, H.E. (2001) Rethinking Social Inquiry: Diverse tools, shared standards. Lanham MD: Rowan and Littlefield. Includes essays arguing forcefully that standards for research must be drawn from exemplary qualitative research as well as the best quantitative studies.

Priest, S.H., ed. (2005) Communication Impact: Designing research that matters.Lanham MD: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers Inc. Varied set of accounts of research projects driven by contemporary real world problems. Incorporates examples of community-based research, research on organisations and institutions, problem-focused research, cross-cultural research, and research on new technologies.

Texts on specific aspects covered in the chapter

Placebo effect

Guess, H., Kleinman, A., Kusek, J. and Engel, L., eds. (2002) Science of the Placebo: Toward an interdisciplinary research agenda. Oxford: Blackwell. Comprehensive review of all aspects of the placebo effect. Main focus on the medical context but of general relevance.

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Chapter 5

General Texts

Advanced

Singh, K. (2007) Quantitative Social Research Methods. London: Sage. Discusses all aspects of quantitative social research including methods and methodology. It also presents quantitative, univariate, bivariate and multivariate data analysis with the help of software packages such as SPSS and STATA. A final section examines the impact of social research on health and nutrition, poverty and rural development, education, water and sanitation, environment and natural resource management from an Indian perspective.

Large Handbooks

Roberts, M. and Ilardi, S.S., eds. (2005) Handbook of Research Methods in Clinical Psychology. Oxford: Blackwell. Presents a comprehensive and contemporary treatment of research methodologies used in clinical psychology. Topics discussed include experimental and quasi-experimental designs, statistical analysis, validity, ethics, cultural diversity, and the scientific process of publishing. Teti, D., ed. (2006) Handbook of Research Methods in Developmental Science. Oxford: Blackwell. A collection of newly written articles providing an overview of methods and approaches associated with the study of human development.

Texts on specific aspects covered in the chapter

Comparative studies

Caramani, D. (2007) The Comparative Method: An Introduction. London: Sage. A brief and accessible introduction to the comparative method which addresses the key methodological issues. Mahoney, J. and Rueschemeyer, D., eds. (2003) Comparative Historical Analysis in the Social Sciences. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Explores the accumulation of knowledge in the field over the past three decades, the analytic tools used to study temporal process and historical patterns, and the methodologies available for making inferences and for building theories. Introductory and concluding essays situate the field as a whole by comparing it to alternative approaches within the social sciences.

Perry, R.L. and Robertson, J.D. (2001) Applied Cross-national Analysis: An introduction to quantitative comparative inquiry. Boulder, CO: Westview Press. Comprehensive text stressing the logic behind basic techniques of quantitative comparative analysis and the analytical tools available. Addressed to students of politics but more generally relevant.

Evidence-based

Davies, H.T.O., Nutley,S. and Smith, P.C., eds. (2000) What Works? Evidence-based policy and practice in public services. Cambridge:Polity. Explores how knowledge gained from research can be used to improve the effectiveness of public policy formation and public service delivery. Covers health, education, criminal justice, social policy, transport, urban policy, housing and social care. Pawson, R. (2006) Evidence-based Policy: A realist perspective. London: Sage. Presents a swingeing critique of the standard model of systematic review and develops a ‘realist synthesis’ approach. A stimulating contribution of importance to all involved with evidence-based approaches.

Pearson. A., Field, J. and Jordan, Z. (2006) Evidence-based Clinical Practice in Nursing and Healthcare: A comprehensive approach to evidence-based practice in nursing and the health professions. Oxford: Blackwell. Uses the ‘Joanna Briggs Institute’ model which recognises research, theory and practice as sources of evidence. Provides practical guidance on the implementation of evidence-based practice and its evaluation using clinical audit.

Trinder, L. with Reynolds, S., eds. (2000) Evidence-Based Practice: A critical appraisal. Oxford: Blackwell Science Ltd. Considers the nature of evidence-based practice and the reasons for its widespread appeal. Presents a critical appraisal of its strengths and limitations and provides examples from a wide range of disciplines.

Experiments (general)

Bailey, J.S. and Burch, M.R. (2002) Research Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis. London: Sage. Practical introductory text covering the basics of applied behaviour analysis research methods including all the elements of single-subject research design. Bloom, H.S., ed. (2005) Learning More From Social Experiments: Evolving analytic approaches. New York: Russell Sage Foundation. Suggests a wide range of ways of improving randomized experimental studies so that they can address questions such as ‘What component of a social policy made it successful?’ or ‘Did a given program fail because it was designed poorly or because it suffered from low participation rates?’.

Field, A. and Hole, G.J. (2002) How to Design and Report Experiments. London: Sage. Very accessible and entertaining introductory text on experimental design. Shadish, W.R., Cook,T.D. and Campbell, D.T. (2001) Experimental and Quasi-experimental Designs for Generalised Causal Inference. 2nd edn. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin. New and substantially revised edition of the classic 1979 text. Required reading for researchers on experimental design.

Reliability/Validity

Bickman, L., ed. (2000) Validity and Social Experimentation: Donald Campbell's legacy. London: Sage. Thompson, B. (2002) Score Reliability: Contemporary thinking on reliability issues. London: Sage. Presents the basic concepts of test theory. Reviews reliability and validity issues in measurement.

Single case design

Barlow, D., Andrasik, F. and Hersen, M. (2007) Single Case Experimental Designs. 3rd edn. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. Welcome new edition of the bible for single case designs. O'Neil, R., McDonnell, J. Jenson, W.R. and Billingsly, F. (2008) Single Case Research Methods: Applications in Educational and Community Settings. Harlow, Essex: Prentice Hall.

Systematic reviews and meta-analysis

Mullen, B. (2006) Advanced Basic Meta-Analysis. Mahwah, NJ: Laurence Erlbaum Associates. Presents an accessible overview of the strategies, techniques, and procedures of meta-analysis. Petticrew, M. and Roberts, H. (2005) Systematic Reviews in the Social Sciences: A practical guide. Oxford: Blackwell. Describes the conceptual basis of sytematic reviews and explains clearly how to do one. Entertainingly written and strongly recommended.

Schulze, R., Holling, H. and Bohning, D., eds. (2003) Meta-analysis: New developments and applications in medical and social sciences. ?: Hogrefe and Huber Publishers. Presents new developments in, and applications of, meta-analysis. The first part of the book covers statistical and methodological advances. In the second part, applications of meta-analysis are presented, ranging from quality control in the pharmaceutical industry to attitudinal research in social psychology, illustrating the breadth of practical and scientific problems to which meta-analysis can be applied.

Schulze, R. (2004) Meta-analysis: A comparison of approache. sToronto: Hogrefe and Huber Publishers. Provides a comprehensive treatment of the statistical procedures for meta-analysis. The results of a comprehensive Monte-Carlo study are presented to evaluate the performance of the major approaches in a large set of possible situations showing when the procedures of commonly applied approaches work and when they fail to provide reliable results.

**RES Torgerson, C. (2003) Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. London: Continuum. Short introductory text describing the key steps to undertaking a systematic review and the process of undertaking a meta-analysis. Includes step-by-step examples of how to design data extraction forms, search strategies and to combine in a meta-analysis.

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Chapter 6

General on Flexible Designs (Qualitative Research)

Short introductions

Maxwell, J.A. (2004) Qualitative Research Design: An interactive approach. 2nd edn. London: Sage. Short and very clearly presented. Emphasis on design issues. Includes expanded discussions of research paradigms, defining a research problem, site and participant selection, relationships with research participants, data analysis, and validity, as well as more examples and exercises.

Introductory

Creswell, J.W. (2007) Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing among five traditions. 2nd edn. London: Sage. Explores the philosophical underpinnings, history, and key elements of each of five qualitative inquiry traditions: narrative research, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, and case study. Exceptionally clear and accessible. Strongly recommended. Liamputtong, P. and Ezzy, D. (2005) Qualitative Research Methods. 2nd edn. Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press (Australia and New Zealand). A practical and comprehensive guide to conducting qualitative research. It explains methodological issues and presents a step-by-step guide to techniques.

Lofland, J., Snow, J., Anderson, L. and Lofland, L.H. (2004) Analyzing Social Settings: A guide to qualitative observation and analysis. 4th edn. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Extremely clear, wise and readable. Marshall, F. and Rossman, G.B. (2006) Designing Qualitative Research. 4th edn. London: Sage. Latest edition of a deservedly popular text. Clear guidance for developing and successfully defending proposals for qualitative inquiry. Expanded coverage of ethics, analysis processes, and approaches.

O'Donoghue, T. (2006) Planning Your Qualitative Research Project London: Routledge. Focus on the planning stage. Pope, C . and Mays, N. (2006) eds. Qualitative Research in Health Care. 3rd edn. Oxford: Blackwell. Comprehensive well-established introductory level text extensively revised.

Rapport, F. ed. (2004) New Qualitative Methodologies in Health and Social Care Research. London: Routledge. Short text with contributions from health and social care professionals and research scientists who are interested in introducing new approaches to qualitative research.

Warren, C.A.B. and Karner, T.X. (2004) Discovering Qualitative Methods: Field research, interviews and analysis. Los Angeles, CA: Roxbury Publishing Company. Comprehensive and detailed student-oriented text. Weinberg, D., ed. (2001) Qualitative Research Methods. Oxford: Blackwell. Provides an overview covering qualitative Interviewing, life History, narrative analysis, observational fieldwork. conversation and discourse analysis, and research using artifacts as primary sources.

Advanced

Giardina, M.D. and Denzin, N.K., eds. (2006) Qualitative Inquiry And The Conservative Challenge: Confronting methodological fundamentalism. Walnut Creek, CA: Left Coast Press. Urges qualitative researchers to respond to the political and methodological conservativism of the new millennium. Wide range of papers discussing how qualitative inquiry can maintain its forward-looking agenda, its emphasis on ethical practice, and its stance in favour of social justice.

Hesse-Biber, S. and Leavy, P. (2005) The Practice of Qualitative Research. London: Sage. Covers all the key mainstream qualitative methods, as well as a number of more unconventional ones such as oral history, visual and unobtrusive methods with examples drawn from across the social sciences. Morse J., Morse, J.M., Swanson, J.M. and Kuzel, A.J. (2004) The Nature of Evidence in Qualitative Inquiry. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Provides urgently needed standards for qualitative inquiry and tackles the significant issue of what constitutes qualitative evidence.

Saldana, J. (2003) Longitudinal Qualitative Research: Analyzing change through time.Lanham, MD: AltaMira. Discusses the basic elements of longitudinal qualitative data, examines time and change in longitudinal qualitative studies, and then offers sixteen specific questions through which researchers may approach the analysis of longitudinal qualitative data. Seale, C. Silverman, D., Gubrium, J.F. and Gobo, G. (2006) Qualitative Research Practice. 2nd edn. London: Sage. New edition of an extensive compendium where researchers recount and reflect on their own research experiences as well as others, past and present, from whom they have learned.

Schwartz-Shea, P. and Yanow, D., eds. (2006) Interpretation and Method: Empirical research methods and the interpretive turn. Armonk, NY: M.E.Sharpe. Comprehensive set of chapters covering the relevance, rigour and creativity of interpretive research methodologies ranging from reflexive historical analysis to critical ethnography. Silverman, D., ed. (2004) Qualitative Research: Theory, method and practice. 2nd edn. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Set of chapters by experienced qualitative researchers discussing the theory and practice of qualitative research.

Large handbooks

Denzin, N.K. and Lincoln, Y.S. (2003) The Landscape of Qualitative Research: Theories and issues. 2nd edn. London: Sage. Handbook covering all aspects of qualitative research Silverman, D. (2004) Doing Qualitative Research: A practical handbook. 2nd edn. London: Sage. Comprehensive and very accessible. Covers all aspects of the process of doing a qualitative research project.

Texts on specific aspects covered in the chapter

Case study

Short introductions

Hancock, D.R. and Algozzine, B. (2005) Doing Case Study Research: A Practical Guide for Beginning Researchers. New York: Teachers College Press. Straightforward short introduction. Focus on educational projects but of general relevance.

Introductory

George, A.L. and Bennett, A. (2005) Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Explains how to design case study research that will produce results useful to policymakers and emphasises the importance of developing policy-related theories.

Gerring, J. (2007) Case Study Research: Principles and practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Provides a general understanding of the case study method as well as specific tools for its successful implementation. Covers strengths and weaknesses, strategies for choosing cases, and design issues. Advocates the use of multiple methods and of both qualitative and quantitative methods. Recommended for anyone considering using case study.

Yin, R.K. (2003) Case Study Research: Design and methods. 3rd edn. London: Sage. Yin, R.K. (2003) Applications of Case Study Research. 2nd edn. London: Sage. Most recent editions of deservedly popular texts by the author who established case stiudy as a serious research strategy.

Advanced

Stake, E.R. (2005) Multiple Case Study Analysis. 2nd? edn. New York: Guilford Press. Highly recommended for projects involving several linked cases. Useful case reports and reproducible woksheets.

Ethnography

Short introductions

Campbell, M. (2004) Mapping Social Relations: A Primer in Doing Institutional Ethnography, Lanham, MD: Altamira. Short text worth looking at if you are planning an institution-based ethnography. Crang, M. and Cook, I. (2006) Doing Ethnographies. 2nd edn. London: Sage. introductory and applied guide to ethnographic methods. Very practical.

Introductory

Fetterman, D.M. (2007) Ethnography: Step-by-step. 3rd edn. London: Sage. New edition of one of the best texts in this area. Includes an up-to-date discussion of technology in ethnography, covering a range of topics from technological tools to research with virtual communities.

Fife, W. (2005) Doing Fieldwork: Ethnographic methods for research in developing countries and beyond. Basingstoke, Hants: Palgrave Macmillan. Main focus on developing countries and studies of disadvantaged populations, but of general interest. Hammersley, M. and Atkinson, P. (2007) Ethnography: Principles in Practice. 3rd edn. London: Routledge. Substantially updated edition of popular relatively short text on ethnography. Highly recommended.

Advanced

McLean, A. and Leibing, A., eds. (2007) The Shadow Side of Fieldwork: Exploring the blurred borders between ethnography and life. Oxford: Blackwell. Draws attention to the typically hidden or unacknowledged aspects of ethnographic fieldwork encounters that nevertheless shape the resulting knowledge and texts. Considers personal and professional challenges (ethical, epistemological, and political) faced by researchers who examine the subjectivities inherent in their ethnographic insights.

Moeran, B. (2005) The Business of Ethnography: Strategic Exchanges, People and Organizations. Oxford: Berg Publishers. Entertaining discussion of the use of ethnography in the world of business based on creative industries in Japan. Of interest to researchers in business, management and cultural studies.

Pink, S. (2006) Doing Visual Ethnography. 2nd edn. London: Sage. Explores the use and potential of photography, video and hypermedia in ethnographic research and social research generally. Robben, A. and Sluka, J.A., eds. (2006) Ethnographic Fieldwork: An anthology. Oxford: Blackwell. Provides a comprehensive selection of classic and contemporary reflections, examining the tensions between self and other, the relationships between anthropologists and informants, conflicts and ethical challenges, various types of ethnographic research, and different styles of writing about fieldwork.

Large Handbooks

Atkinson, P., (Editor), Coffey, A., Delamont, S., Lofland, J. and Lofland, L.H., eds. (2007) Handbook of Ethnography. 2nd edn. London, Sage. Extremely comprehensive resource for anyone planning to follow the ethnographic path.

Ethnomethodology

Ten Have, P. (2003) Understanding Qualitative Research and Ethnomethodology. London: Sage. Readable introduction to qualitative research with an ethnomethodological focus.

Grounded theory

Introductory

Strauss, A. and Corbin, J.M. (2007) Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory. 3rd edn. London: Sage. New edition of an accessible text on doing grounded theory the Strauss way.

Advanced

Charmaz, K.C. (2006) Grounded Theory: Methods for the 21st century. London: Sage. Introduction to the use of grounded theory in social research, providing a clear, step-by-step guide and extensive worked examples. throughout, Charmaz presents an alternative vision of grounded theory to that put forward by its founding thinkers, Glaser and Strauss, incorporating methods and questions posed by constructivists to become a more nuanced and reflexive practice.

Clarke, A.E. (2005) Situational Analysis: Grounded theory after the postmodern turn. London: Sage. Clarke’s ‘situational analysis’ uses and extends grounded theory. It employs established coding and memoing strategies, but also includes new kinds of maps and analyses of the situation focused upon in one's research. Notable for the use of grounded theory with historical, visual, and discursive materials.

Hermeneutics

Gardner, P. (2006) Hermeneutics History and Memory. 2nd edn. Abingdon, Oxford: Taylor and Francis Ltd. This book's central concern is the problem of interpretation, both as meaning and as practice, in undertaking and using source-based research. It focuses on understanding the principles and practices through which documentary analysis and interview can be both conducted and utilised.

Realist qualitative design

Maxwell, J. (2007) A Realist Approach to Qualitative Design. London: Sage.

Reflexivity

Etherington, K. (2004) Becoming a Reflexive Researcher: Using our selves in research. London: Jessica Kingsley. The author uses a range of narratives, including her own research diary and conversations with students, to show the reader how reflexive research works in practice. Finlay, L. and Gough, B ., eds. (2003) Reflexivity: A practical guide for researchers in health and social sciences. Oxford: Blackwell Science. An accessible practical guide which examines reflexivity at different stages of the research process. Provides a wide range of strategies on how to do reflexivity in practice.

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Chapter 7

Action research

Introductory

Coghlan, D. and Brannick, T. (2004) Doing Action Research in Your Own Organization. 2nd edn. London: Sage. An accessible guide to all aspects of conducting an action research project in your own organization. Costello, P. (2003) Action Research. London: Continuum. Clear introductory text aimed at practioners. Greenwood, D.J. and Levi, M.L. (2006) Introduction to Action Research: Social research for social change. 2nd edn. London: Sage. Introductory level treatment of the history, philosophy, social change agenda, methodologies, ethical arguments for, and fieldwork tools of action research.

McNiff, J. and Whitehead, J. (2005) All You Need to Know About Action Research. London: Sage. Rather a grandiose claim but it is pretty comprehensive. Very useful for anyone considering an action research project. Reason, P. and Bradbury, H., eds. (2005) The Abridged Handbook of Action Research. London: Sage. Alternative to McNiff and Whitehead. Although ‘abridged’ it is substantially longer!

Advanced

Burns, D. (2007) Systemic Action Research: A strategy for whole system change. Bristol: Policy Press. Shows how systemic action research can be integrated to the process of social and organisational development and change. Campbell, A. and Groundwater-Smith, S., eds. (2007) An Ethical Approach to Practitioner Research: Dealing with issues and dilemmas in action research. London: Routledge. Covers issues surrounding ethical practitioner research including tensions between practitioners and academics in setting the research agenda; the policy implications that may flow from it and the right to publish outcomes.

Nielsen, K.A. and Svensson, L.G., eds. (2006) Action Research and Interactive Research: Beyond practice and theory. Maastricht, The Netherlands: Shaker Publishing B.V. Comprehesive set of contributions discussing the current state of action research. Reeb, R.N., ed. (2007) Community Action Research: Benefits to community members and service providers. Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press Inc. Explores models for community action research highlighting the advantages to community members, as well as the volunteers/paraprofessionals who implement the services.

Evaluation

Short introductions

Bennett, J. (2003) Evaluation Methods in Research. London: Continuum. Short, helpful guide focusing on the use of research to inform the planning and undertaking of multi-method evaluation studies of educational initiatives. Davidson, E.J. (2004) Evaluation Methodology Basics: The nuts and bolts of a sound evaluation. London: Sage. Short and straightforward introduction focussing on the methods needed to answer the evaluation questions.

Introductory

Bamberger, M., Rugh, J. and Mabry, L. (2006) RealWorld Evaluation: Working under budget, time, data, and political constraints. London: Sage. Presents ways of adapting evaluations to the situation where time and funding are short – but still delivering methodologically sound findings.

Hall, I.M. and Hall, D. (2004) Evaluation and Social Research. Basingstoke, Hants: Palgrave Macmillan. Explains the different perspectives and needs of researchers and practitioners at the local level and develops a model for small-scale evaluation. W.K. Kellogg Foundation Evaluation Handbook (1998) Berde Creek MI: W.K. Kellogg Foundation. A straightforward very clearly written introduction to planning, carrying out, and disseminating the findings of, an evaluation. Copies can be downloaded from www.wkkf.org.

Advanced

Bloom, H.S. , ed. (2006) Learning more from Social Experiments: Evolving analytic approaches. New York: Russell Sage Foundation. Seeks to advance and integrate theory and practice in the design and analysis of evaluation research. Looks at ways of combining randomized experimental and nonexperimental approaches. The discussion is grounded in a wide range of examples from real world evaluations. Donaldson, S.I. and Scriven, M., eds. (2002)Evaluating Social Programs and Problems: Visions for the new millennium. Mahwah, NJ: Laurence Erlbaum Associates. Wide-ranging review of current issues in the field of evaluation.

Donaldson, S.I. (2007) Program Theory-Driven Evaluation Science: Strategies and applications. Mahwah, NJ: Laurence Erlbaum Associates. Clear exposition of the theory-driven approach to evaluation science. Uses a three-step model of developing program impact theory, formulating and prioritizing evaluation questions and answering the questions.

Everitt, A. and Hardiker, P. (2004) Evaluating for Good Practice. Basingstoke, Hants: Palgrave Macmillan. Social work oriented. Argues that rational-technical and pluralist models of evaluation may collude with new managerialism to act as powerful processes of control. Alternative critical models of evaluation are explored to promote good practice.

Kane, M,. and Trochim, W.M.K. (2007) Concept Mapping for Planning and Evaluation. Thousand Oaks CA: Sage. A practical manual showing different ways of ‘concept mapping”. This is a technique useful in participatory and other approaches to evaluation enabling different stakeholders to contribute to the planning and carrying out evaluations through the production of maps and other diagrams. Could be more widely used whenever groups are involved in a research project.

Large Handbooks

Shaw, I., Green, J.C. and Mark, M.M., eds. (2006) The SAGE Handbook of Evaluation. London: Sage. An authoritative resource covering all aspects of evaluation theory and practice. Stufflebeam, D.L. and Shinkfield, A.J. (2007) Evaluation Theory, Models, and Applications. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley. Mammoth text covering all aspects in considerable detail.

Needs assessment

Altschuld, J.W. and Witkin, B.R. (2000) From Needs Assessment to Action: Transforming needs into solution strategies.London: Sage.

Participatory/ Collaborative approaches

Short introductions

Bennett, F. and, Roberts, M. (2004) From Input to Influence: Participatory approaches to research and inquiry into poverty. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Short review of the potential and pitfalls of participatory approaches to poverty research.

Introductory

Clough, R., Green, B., Hawkes, B., Raymond, G. and Bright, L. (2006) Older People as Researchers: Evaluating a participative project. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Review of a research project into older people's views on services, which involved older people themselves as researchers

Estrella, M. with Blauert,J., Campilan,D., Gaventa, J., Gonsalves, J., Guijt, I., Johnson, D. and Ricafort, R., eds. (2000) Learning from Change: Issues and experiences in participatory monitoring and evaluation. Ottawa, ON:IDRC/ITDG Publishing. Provides an overview of the common themes and experiences in participatory approaches to monitoring and evaluation across different institutions and sectors. It is a compilation of selected case studies and discussions between practitioners, academics, donors, and policymakers in participatory monitoring and evaluation.

Lowe, L. and Hulatt, I., eds. (2005) Involving Service Users in Health and Social Care Research. 2nd edn. London: Routledge. Provides examples of research methods with service users along a continuum of involvement as participants through to service user-led research. The chapters are written collaboratively with users themselves providing a range of voices and good practice case studies.

Advanced

Lassiter , L.E. (2005) The Chicago Guide to Collaborative Ethnography. 2nd edn. Chicago: Chicago University Press. Presents a historical, theoretical, and practice-oriented road map for the shift from incidental collaboration to a more conscious and explicit collaborative strategy in ethnography.

Practitioner research

Bartlett, S. and Burton, D. (2004) Practitioner Research for Teachers. London: Paul Chapman. Clear discussion of the practical issues in the design and carrying out of classroom-based research. Fox, M., Green, G. and Martin, P. (2007) Doing Practitioner Research. London: Sage. Focuses on helping practitioners conduct research in their own organisations, and the best methods for doing this effectively and sensitively. Discusses the theoretical, political and organisational context of doing research, as well as addressing the ethical and practical issues of undertaking research.

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Chapter 8

General

Short introductions

Fink, A. (2005) How to Conduct Surveys. 3rd edn. London: Sage. Practical text updated to reflect current practice in the description of the types of surveys conducted and their uses. Munn, P. and Drever, E. (2004) Using Questionnaires in Small-scale Research: A beginner's guide. Glasgow: SCRE. Very short but an excellent introduction for the novice. Punch, K.F. (2003) Survey Research: The basics. London: Sage. A short, practical 'how-to' book aimed at the beginning researcher. Provides a simple model of the survey, describes its elements and gives a set of steps and guidelines for implementing each element.

Introductory

Barnett, V. (2002) Sample Survey: Methods and principles. 3rd edn. London: Hodder Arnold. Sample surveys play a vital role in modern society in allowing us to collect and process data about particular groups. Sample Survey: Comprehensive coverage of survey sampling. Discusses new methods including email and internet surveys, and sampling methods for rare and sensitive events and for natural phenomena, with particular reference to contemporary biological, environmental and social issues.

Bradburn, N. (2004) Asking Questions: The definitive guide to questionnaire design - for market research, political polls, and social and health questionnaires. 2?nd edn. San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass. Comprehensive. Can be used to design questionnaires for any subject area, whether administered by telephone, online, mail, in groups, or face-to-face. Describes the design process from start to finish and includes extensive examples.

Colton, D. and Covert, R.W. (2007) Designing and Constructing Instruments for Social Research and Evaluation. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. A step-by-step approach to creating effective surveys, polls, questionnaires, customer satisfaction forms, ratings, checklists, and other instruments for social sciences research. Provides a thorough presentation of instrument construction, from conception to development and pre testing of items, formatting the instrument, administration, and, finally, data management and presentation of the findings. Emphasis on how to create an instrument that will produce trustworthy and accurate data. Czaja, R. and Blair, J. (2004) Designing Surveys: A guide to decisions and procedures. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge. Revised edition of one of the clearest introductions to designing and carrying out surveys.

Iarossi, I. (2006) The Power of Survey Design: A user's guide for managing surveys, interpreting results, and influencing respondents. Washington, DC: The World Bank. A how-to guide on all the steps involved with survey implementation, covering survey management, questionnaire design, sampling, respondent's psychology and survey participation, and data management. Nardi, P.M. (2005) Doing Survey Research. 2nd edn. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. Combines statistics and survey research methods in a single book. Covers how to conduct survey research, analyze data, and write up the results. Rea,?. (2005) Designing and Conducting Survey Research: A comprehensive guide. 3rd edn. San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass. A complete, practical guide to conducting sample survey research. Very clearly presented.

Sapsford, R.J. (2006) Survey Research. 2nd edn. London: Sage. Guides the reader through the main theoretical and practical aspects of the subject and illustrates the application of survey methods through examples. Saris, W.E. and Gallhofer, I.N. (2007) Design, Evaluation, and Analysis of Questionnaires for Survey Research. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley. Provides a state-of-the-art introduction to questionnaire design. Alerts designers of questionnaires to the many decisions they make that will affect the quality of the research outcome and presents a tool with which to measure the quality of questions at the outset.

Thomas, S.J. (2004) Using Web and Paper Questionnaires for Data-based Decision Making: From design to interpretation of the results. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Highly practical introdiuction to both types of questionnaire.

Advanced

Dorofeev, S. and Grant, P. (2006) Statistics for Real-Life Sample Surveys: Non-simple-random samples and weighted data. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Samples used in social and commercial surveys, especially of the general population, are usually less random (often by design) than many people using them realise. Unless it is understood, this 'non-randomness' can compromise the conclusions drawn from the data. This book introduces the challenges posed by less-than-perfect samples, giving background knowledge and practical guidance for those who have to deal with them.

Groves, R.M., Fowler, F.J., Couper, M.P., Lepkowski, J.M., Singer, E. and Tourangeau, R. (2004) Survey Methodology. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley. Covers the major considerations in designing and conducting a sample survey. Employing the "total survey error" paradigm as an organizing framework, it merges the science of surveys with state-of-the-art practices. Porter, S.R., ed. (2004) Overcoming Survey Research Problems. San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass. Examines a range of survey research problems and best practices, with the aim of providing ways to increase response rates while controlling costs. Umbach, J.B. (2005) Survey Research: Emerging issues. San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass. Examines these emerging issues in survey research and highlights lessons learned from past research on survey methods.

Weisberg, H.F. (2005) The Total Survey Error Approach: A guide to the new science of survey research. 2nd edn. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Presents a unified method for conducting good survey research centered on the various types of errors that can occur in surveys - from measurement and nonresponse error to coverage and sampling error.

Willis, G. (2004) Cognitive Interviewing: A tool for improving questionnaire design. London: Sage. Describes how to develop survey questions through investigations through probing the thought processes of individuals who are presented with those inquiries. Provides general guidance about questionnaire design, development, and pretesting sequence, with an emphasis on the cognitive interview.

Large Handbooks

Dillman, D.A. (2006) Mail and Internet Surveys: The tailored design method. 2nd edn. ?: Wiley. Lays out a complete, start-to-finish guide for determining the needs of a given survey, designing it, and effectively administering it. Covers both the principles behind and directions for how to conduct Web surveys, visually design questionnaires and use paper mailed surveys. Groves, R.M. (2004) Survey Errors and Survey Costs. 3rd edn. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley. Presents a comprehensive treatment of survey errors and the costs and benefits of alternative survey designs, integrating statistical and social science perspectives on survey design. Coverage error, nonresponse error, sampling error, and measurement error, including the effects of interviewers and respondents, the wording of the questionnaire, and mode of data collection are discussed.

Presser, S., ed. (2004) Methods for Testing and Evaluating Survey Questionnaires. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley. Provides an overview of current survey questionnaire issues, concerns, and responses. Covers cognitive interviewing, interaction analysis, response latency, respondent debriefings, vignette analysis, split-sample comparisons, statistical modeling, mode of administration, and special populations.

Texts on specific aspects covered in the chapter

Diaries

Alaszewski, A. (2005) Using Diaries for Social Reseach. London: Sage. Useful short text covering aspects of the topic in a clear and accessible format.

Sampling

Levy, P.S. and Lemeshow, S. (2003) Sampling of Populations: Methods and applications. 3rd edn. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley. Practical treatment using real-world sample surveys. Covers sampling designs, problems of missing data and nonresponse and estimation procedures. Discussion of telephone sampling and interviewing techniques.

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Chapter 9

General

Short introductions

Drever, E. (2003) Using Semi-structured Interviews in Small-scale Research: A teacher's guide. Glasgow: SCRE Centre. Short, very clear.

Introductory

Fontana, A. and Prokos, A.H., eds. (2007) The Interview: From formal to postmodern. ?: Left Coast Press Inc. Introduction to the history, types, and methods of interviewing in the social sciences. Gillham, B. (2005) Research Interviewing: The range of techniques. Maidenhead, Berks: Open University Press. A comprehensive text on methods in research interviewing. Covers distance and face-to-face interviewing, from the un-structured and naturalistic to the highly structured, focused and time-efficient.

Rubin, H.J. and Rubin, I. (2004) Qualitative Interviewing: The art of hearing data. London: Sage. Straightforward introduction including discussion how the choice of topic influences question wording and how the questions asked influence the analysis. Seidman, I. (2006) Interviewing as Qualitative Research: A guide for researchers in education and the social sciences. 3rd edn. New York: Teachers College Press. Focuses on a phenomenological approach to depth interviewing but the principles and methods can be adapted to a range of qualitative interviewing approaches.

Advanced

Gubrium, J.F. and Holstein, J.A., eds. (2003) Postmodern Interviewing. London: Sage. Explores the postmodern interview, a conversation with diverse purposes in which the communicative format is constructed as much within the interview conversation as it stems from predesignated research interests. Includes discussion of reflexivity, poetics, and power. Matarazzo, J.D. and Wiens, A.N. (2007) The Interview: Research on its anatomy and structure. Piscataway, NJ: Aldine Transaction. A concise presentation of research evidence on the structure of the interview process. Discussion of basic interview concepts: interviewer and interviewee difference in interview behavior, the stability of such behavior, and conditions, which may modify it (including evidence for the effect on the interviewee of specific and common interviewer tactics).

Large Handbooks

Gwartney, P. (2007) Telephone Interviewer Handbook: How to conduct standardized conversations. San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass. Covers all aspects of the telephone interviewing process and incorporates the latest knowledge about what makes effective interviewers.

Texts challenging current practices and orthodoxies

Houtkoop-Steenstra, H. (2000) Interaction and the Standardized Survey Interview: The living questionnaire. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Uses conversation analysis to investigate in detail the interaction between interviewers and respondents in standardised social survey interviews. Demonstrates that interview results can only be understood as products of the contingencies of the interview situation, and not, as is usually assumed, the unmediated expressions of respondents' real opinions.

Texts on specific aspects covered in the chapter

Delphi Technique

Wood, A. (2005) Delphi Technique : The Core of a Process for Examining an Industry. Henley: Henley Management College. Very short (40 pages) but useful how-to introduction.

Focus groups

Claudia, P. and Potter, J. (2003) Focus Group Practice. London: Sage. Short, clear and practical. Krueger, R.A. and Casey, M.A. (2000) Focus Groups: A practical guide for applied research. 3rd edn. London: Sage. Highly practical guide to practicalities of designing focus groups, running them successfully and analysing the results effectively. Based on sociological research but the techniques described are applicable to any type of focus group. Litosseliti, L. (2003) Using Focus Groups in Research. London: Continuum. Very short and highly practical. Recommended as a useful introduction. Stewart, D.W., Shamdasani, P.N. and Rook, D.W. (2006) Focus Groups: Theory and practice. 2nd edn. London: Sage. Provides a systematic treatment of focus group interviews within the context of social science research and theory.

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Chapter 10

General

Short introductions

Fishman, J.A. and Galguera, T. (2003) Introduction to Test Construction in the Social and Behavioral Sciences: A practical guide. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield. Offers beginning researchers a practical, hands-on guide to the preparation, assessment, and development of tests.

Introductory

DeVellis, R.F. (2003) Scale Development: Theory and applications. 2nd edn. London: Sage. Covers the steps needed to devise your own scale in a clear and accessible manner. Kline, T.J.B. (2005) Psychological Testing: A practical approach to design and evaluation. London: Sage. Covers the process of designing and evaluating a test. Topics include design of item stems and responses, sampling strategies, classical and modern test theory, reliability of tests and raters, validation using content, criterion-related, and factor analytic approaches, test and item bias, and professional and ethical issues in testing.

Netemeyer, R.G., Bearden, W.O. and Sharma, S. (2003) Scaling Procedures for Self-report Measures in the Social Sciences: Issues and applications. London: Sage. Provides the tools to develop appropriate assessment instruments for the measurement of latent social-psychological constructs. Salkind, N.J. (2005) Tests and Measurement for People Who (Think They) Hate Tests and Measurement. London: Sage. Introduction to the fundamentals of tests and measurement.

Large Handbooks

Goldman, B.A. and Mitchell, D.F. (2002) Directory of Unpublished Experimental Mental Measures: v. 8 Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Identifies and describes non-commercial experimental mental measures from the fields of psychology, sociology, and education that have been devised by researchers and published in thirty-six top journals in the 1996-2000 issues. Lester, P.E. and Bishop, L.K. (2000) Handbook of Tests and Measurements in Education and the Social Services. 2nd edn. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield. Revised edition of a popular 1993 anthology which includes 120 tests and surveys, bringing together psychometric information about instruments developed to measure constructs in education and social sciences.

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Chapter 11

General

Introductory

Simpson, M. and Tuson, J. (2003) Using Observations in Small-Scale Research: A beginner's guide. 2nd edn. Glasgow: SCRE Centre.

Structured Observation

Introductory

Bakeman, R. and Gottman, J.W. (1997) Observing Interaction: An introduction to sequential analysis. 2nd edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Second edition of the classic text on the topic. Strongly recommended. Provides a straightforward introduction to scientific methods for observing social behavior, emphasising sequential approaches to its analysis and understanding.

Participant Observation

Short introductions

Angrosino, M.V. (2007) Naturalistic Observation. Walnut Creek, CA: Left Coast Press. A brief how-to guide to conducting observations in naturalistic settings.

Introductory

DeWalt, K.M. and DeWalt, B.R. (2002) Participant Observation: A guide for fieldworkers. Lanham, MD: AltaMira. Provides a basic guide to the participant observation method of collecting systematic data in naturalistic settings, and from communities in many different cultures.

Advanced

Kerig, P.K. and Baucom, D.H. (2004) Couple Observational Coding Systems. Mahwah, NJ: Laurence Erlbaum Associates Inc. Kerig, P.K. and Lindahl, K.M. (2000) Family Observational Coding Systems: Resources for systemic research. Mahwah, NJ: Laurence Erlbaum Associates Inc. Discusses the coding systems that have been developed, as well as the conceptual and methodological issues involved in couple and family observational research.

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Chapter 12

Biographical/ Life story

Cole, A.L. and Knowles, J.G. (2001) Lives in Context: The art of life history research. Lanham, MD: AltaMira. An introduction to conducting life history research shows that the process is one of mutuality, empathy, sensitivity and caring. Moore, M. (2004) Researching Life Stories: Method, theory and analyses in a biographical age. 2nd edn. Abingdon, Oxford: Routledge Falmer. Covers four different practical approaches to life story research and analysis. Roberts, B. (2001) Biographical Research. Maidenhead, Berks:: Open University Press. Covers an increasingly popular set of approaches, including life story, oral history, narrative, autobiography, as well as biography. Comprehensive and detailed coverage.

Internet/online research

Short introductions

Best, S.J. and Krueger, B.S. (2004) Internet Data Collection. London: Sage. Short introduction to data collection via the internet, including sampling, instrument design, and administration. Covers potential dangers and problems.

Introductions

Batinic, B., Reips, U-D. and Bosnjak, M., eds. (2002) Online Social Sciences. Toronto, Ontario: Hogrefe and Huber. Detailed information about online research methods (mainly quantitative), technical approaches to data collection and the quality and limitations of data collected online.

Chen, S-L., ed. (2003) Online Social Research. Beern, Switzerland: Peter Lang AG. Covers online research based on such as discussion groups and chat rooms, and the methodological and ethical issues raised. Dillman, D.A. (2006) Mail and Internet Surveys: The tailored design method: with new internet, visual, and mixed-mode guid., 2nd edn. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley Revised edition of a definitive guide for creating and conducting successful surveys using both traditional and new media channels. Covers both the principles behind and directions for how to conduct Web surveys; visually design questionnaires; as well as the use of paper mailed surveys.

Hewson, C., Yule, P. et al. (2002) Internet Research Methods. London: Sage. A guide to conducting research on the Internet. Distinguishes between primary research (using the Internet to recruit participants, to administer the research process and to collect results) and secondary research (using the Internet to access available material online).

Hine, C., ed. (2005) Virtual Methods: Issues in social research on the internet. Oxford: Berg Publishers Ltd. Explores the problems and opportunities surrounding Internet-based research. A very useful guide to anyone planning a research project involving the Internet.

Miller, T.W. and Walkowski, J., eds. (2004) Qualitative Research Online. Madison, WI: Research Publishers. Provides a balanced and critical review of online qualitative research, placing it within the broader context of traditional qualitative research. Schonlau, M,. Fricker, R.D., Elliott, M.N. and Fricker, R.D. Jr. (2002) Conducting Research Surveys Via E-mail and the Web. Santa Monica, CA: RAND. Short readable text covering what the title indicates. Sue, V.M. and Ritter, L.A. (2007) Conducting Online Surveys. 2nd edn. London: Sage. A more comprehensive text focusing on online surveys.

Advanced

Thelwall, M. (2004) Link Analysis: An information science approach. Burlington, MA: Academic Press Inc. Links between web sites can be used as a valuable source of evidence about online phenomena, and about online components of offline phenomena. Provides methods, guidelines and examples to guide researchers through a link analysis project.

Narrative

Short introductions

Czarniawska, B. (2004) Narratives in Social Science Research. London: Sage. Short, clear introduction to the use of narrative methodology as a research tool.

Introductions

Elliott, J. (2005) Using Narrative in Social Research: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. London: Sage. Lucid introduction to the practice of narrative analysis. Welcome coverage of both qualitative and quantitative approaches and of the advantages of qualitative researchers considering the inclusion of some quantitative material - and vice versa.

Emerson, P. and Frosh, S. (2004) Critical Narrative Analysis in Psychology. Basingstoke, Hants: Palgrave Macmillan. Presents an approach to narrative analysis from a critical social perspective. Focus on narrative texts from a boy labelled as 'sexually abusive', demonstrating the power of narrative analytic procedures and the different effects produced by different levels of analysis. Webster, L. and Martova, P. (2007) Using Narrative Inquiry as a Research Method: An introduction to using critical event narrative analysis in research on learning and teaching. London: Routledge. Useful introduction. Chapters on background, methodology and case studies to illustrate the application of narrative inquiry as a research method.

Content Analysis

Neuendorf, K.A. (2002) The Content Analysis Guidebook. London: Sage. Accessible and comprehensive coverage with examples from across the social sciences. Includes several different content analysis projects. Richardson, J.E. (2006) Analysing Newspapers: An approach from critical discourse analysis. Oxford: Blackwell. Drawing on critical discourse analysis, the text provides students with a practical framework from which to analyze the theory and practice of researching newspaper reporting.

Riffe, D., Lacy, S. and Fico, F.G. (2005) Analyzing Media Messages: Using Quantitative Content Analysis in Research. 2nd edn. Mahwah, NJ:: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc. A comprehensive guide to content analysis research. Practical examples of current and classic applications. Focus on the media but generally relevant.

Discourse Analysis

Short introductions

Locke, T. (2004) Critical Discourse Analysis. London: Continuum. Helpful, short introductory text.

Introductions

Fairclough, N. (2003) Analysing Discourse: Textual analysis for social research. London: Routledge. Good introduction to text and discourse analysis. The approach is illustrated by and investigated through a range of real texts, from political speeches and TV news reports to management consultancy reports and texts concerning globalization.

Johnstone, B. (2007) Discourse Analysis. 2nd edn. Oxford: Blackwell. Combines breadth of coverage with a wide range of practical examples. A variety of approaches are covered including critical discourse analysis, conversation analysis, interactional and variationist sociolinguistics, ethnography, corpus linguistics, and other qualitative and quantitative methods.

Maclure, M. (2003) Discourse in Educational and Social Research. Maidenhead, Berks: Open University Press. Strongly recommended, with a rare combination of practicality and intellectual stimulus. Draws from a wide range of disciplines, including interaction sociology, feminist ethnography, literary theory, critical discourse analysis and art history. Also deals with research itself as discursive practice and seeks to develop a critical awareness of the researcher's role as writer and reader of texts. Phillips, N. and Hardy, C. (2002) Discourse Analysis: Investigating processes of social construction. London: Sage. Concise, straightforward guide to understanding and using discourse analysis.

Wetherell, M., Taylor, S. and Yates, S., eds. (2001) Discourse as Data: A Guide for Analysis. London: Sage. Contributions from experts in several methods in discourse analysis. Broad coverage combined with practical guidance. Woods, N. (2006) Describing Discourse: A practical guide to discourse analysis. London: HodderArnold. Introduces discourse studies through the hands-on analysis of linguistic data. Relevant theoretical approaches (including Conversation Analysis, Ethnology, Relevance Theory and Audience-Design) are introduced in relation to the data analysed.

Discursive research

Hepburn, A. and Wiggins, S., eds. (2007) Discursive Research in Practice: New approaches to psychology and interaction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Promotes a distinctive new approach to social action combining conversation analysis with a fresh treatment of epistemology, mind, cognition and personality.

Documentary analysis

Short introductions

Prior, L. (2002) Using Documents in Social Research. London: Sage. A short but reasonably comprehensive introduction to the use of documents as tools within social science research.

Introductions

Biagioli, M. and Riles, A., eds. (2006) Documents: Artifacts of modern knowledge. Michigan: University of Michigan Press. McCulloch, G. (2004) Documentary Research: In education, history and the social sciences.2nd edn. Abingdon, Oxford:Routledge Falmer. Explores the wide range of documentary source material available for researchers in the social sciencesincluding policy reports, autobiographies, diaries, committee papers, correspondence, school magazines, textbooks, log books, newspapers, local registers and visual sources such as photographs and paintings. Emphasises new approaches to the study of such sources, and on ways in which they may be studied in combination either with each other or with different research strategies such as interviews, surveys and questionnaires. Strongly recommended.

Plummer, K. (2000) Documents of Life 2: An Invitation to Critical Humanism. London: Sage. New edition of a very influential text which championed the use of life stories and other personal documents in research, now widely used. Passionate and unashamedly partisan, this text sees the research process as social, moral, and political at every stage. Recommended as a highly stimulating read.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Steinberg, S.J. and Steinberg, S.L. (2005) Geographic Information Systems for the Social Sciences: Investigating space and place. London: Sage. Focuses upon the including a technology called GIS, (Geographic Information Systems) in social science analysis, providing a means to effectively incorporate space and place in the study of social issues.

Simulation

Gilbert, N. and Troitzsch, K.G. (2005) Simulation for the Social Scientist. 2nd edn. Maidenhead, Berks: Open University Press. Examines the techniques of building computer simulations to assist understanding of social and economic issues and problems. A field of growing interest following ideas of complexity, evolution, adaptation, and chaos in the social sciences.

Visual

Banks, M. (2001) Visual Methods in Social Research. London: Sage. Clear and interesting with many useful examples. Thoughtful discussion of both the problems and possibilties in using visual material and methods. Noble, A. and Bestley, R. (2005) Visual Research: An introduction to research methodologies in graphic design. Worthing, West Sussex:AVA Academia. Clear presentation of research methods used in visual communication. Strong on theory but with many practical examples.

Pink, S. (2006) Doing Visual Ethnography. 2nd edn. London: Sage. Explores the use and potential of photography, video and hypermedia in ethnographic and social research. New chapter on digital technology.

Prosser, J., ed. (1998) Image-based Research: A sourcebook for qualitative researchers. Abingdon, Oxford: Routledge Falmer. Covers an image-based approach to qualitative research theory, and the research process and provides practical examples of how image-based research is applied in the field. Discusses the application of various image-based techniques including photography, film-making, video and cartoon. Stanczak, G.C. (2007) Visual Research Methods: Image, society, and representation. London: Sage. A substantial text organized around the issues of methodology, epistemological reflection, and theoretical and conceptual exploration.

Mixed Methods Research

Short introductions

Bergman, M.M. (2007) Mixed Methods Research. London: Sage. Short introduction to the theory and method of using mixed methods in social research.

Introductory

Axinn, W.G., Pearce, L.D., Kertzer, D.I., Hogan, D.P., Caldwell, J., Cherlin, A., Fricke, T., Goldscheider, F., Greenhalgh, S. and Smith, R., eds. (2006) Mixed Method Data Collection Strategies. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Draws on a broad range of available social data collection methods to formulate a new set of data collection approaches combining elements of those existing methods. Detailed instructions and concrete examples for those who wish to apply the methods to their own research. Cresswell, J.W. (2006) Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research . London: Sage. Provides clear practical guidance about how to design a mixed method study. Examples from mixed methods studies drawn across the social, behavioral, health, and education disciplines.

Greene, J. (2007) Evaluation and Social Research: Mixing methods. San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass. Seeks to expand understanding of mixed method research design, its history, applications, and unique strengths. Todd, Z. et al. (2004) Mixing Methods in Psychology: The integration of qualitative and quantitative methods in theory and practice. Hove, East Sussex: Psychology Press. Reviews the problems involved in attempting to reconcile qualitative and quantitative methods both within and across studies, and illustrates the theoretical issues with applied examples covering areas including health, education, social, clinical and economic psychology.

Large Handbooks

Creswell, J.W. and Plano Clark, V.L., eds. (2007) The Mixed Methods Reader. London: Sage.

Arranging the Practicalities

Boynton, P.M. (2005) The Research Companion: A practical guide for the social and health sciences. Hove, East Sussex: Psychology Press. Concentrates on the practical skills needed to undertake a research project – including planning, researcher and participant safety, monitoring progress and ethics. Lively and highly readable. The author has the distinction of being the UK’s first evidence-based agony aunt!

Finer, C.J. and and Hundt, G.L., eds. (2001) The Business of Research: Issues of policy and practice. Oxford: Blackwell. A wide ranging introduction to the realities and pitfalls of undertaking funded research. Hallowell, N., Lawton, J. and Gregory, S., eds. (2004) Reflections on Research: The realities of doing research in the social sciences. Maidenhead, Berks: Open University Press. Focus on the issues involved in setting up research projects (mainly health related), including negotiating access, collecting and analysing data, and disseminating findings. Highlights the practical and ethical complexities involved in the conduct of empirically based research.

Phelps, R., Ellis, A. and Fisher, K. (2007) Organizing and Managing Your Research Project: A practical guide for postgraduates. London: Sage. Provides practical advice and tips on organisational strategies and management tools. Aims to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of day-to-day research practice.

Stablein, R.E. and Frost, P.J., eds. (2004) Renewing Research Practice. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. Set of chapters with commentaries on issues in carrying out projects including overcoming obstacles, working with collaborators and balancing professional and personal life demands. Stories of triumph and frustration! Written by researchers in organisation studies but generally applicable.

Tarling, R. (2006) Managing Social Research: A practical guide. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Covers a wide range of topics relevant to the conduct of a project including preparing a tender or grant application, risk analyses, planning and scheduling, managing fieldwork and data analysis, disseminating results, ethics, confidentiality, copyright and data protection. Useful for those commissioning or managing research as well as those carrying it out.

Access

Feldman, M.S., Bell, J. and Berger, M.T., eds. (2003) Gaining Access: A practical and theoretical guide for qualitative researchers. Lanham, MD: AltaMira Press. A textbook on gaining access to field settings for qualitative researchers in the social sciences. Detailed advice and a series of vignettes from research projects.

Research involving children

Farrell, A., ed.(2005) Exploring Ethical Research with Children. Maidenhead, Berks: Open University Press. Covers a range of conceptual, methodological and procedural issues, and provides a framework for doing ethical research with children. Provides strategies for planning, conducting and evaluating research in an ethical way; and, explores theoretical approaches to children and childhood that are relevant to ethical research. Essential reading for anyone planning a project involving children.

Fraser, S., Lewis, V, Ding, M., Kellett, M and Robinson,C,, eds. (2003) Doing Research with Children and Young People. London: Sage. Introduces key considerations involved in carrying out research with children and young people. Contributors in a range of disciplines discuss issues which arise at different stages in the research process.

Greig, A.D., Taylor, J. and MacKay, T. (2007) Doing Research with Children. 2nd edn. London: Sage. Provides detailed guidance on research ethics, attention to the views of children as active research participants and details of changes in relevant laws. Hungerland, B., Liebel, M., Milne, B. and Wihstutz, A., eds. (2007) Working to Be Someone: Child focused research and practice with working children. London: Jessica Kingsley. Presents an overview of worldwide research on working children that considers children's own views of employment in favour of adult-constructed arguments about child work. Brings together contributions by researchers committed to a 'subject-orientated' approach as well as views and observations of activists from organizations that either work with child labour or support working children's movements.

Kirby, P. (1999) Involving Young Researchers: How to involve young people in designing and conducting research. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation. A short report based on an evaluation of work undertaken by the Save the Children Fund, exploring previous experience of involving young people in research. It is a "how to" guide looking at when to do this kind of research work, the limitations, and how to train young people to conduct research.

Researcher risk/ Safety

Linkogle, S. and Lee-Treweek, G., eds. (2000) Danger in the Field: Ethics and risk in social research. London: Routledge. Presents an analysis of different forms of danger in various qualitative research settings. Covers not just physical danger, but emotional, ethical and professional danger too. Special attention is paid to the gendered forms of danger implicit in the research process.

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Chapter 13

General texts covering both quantitative and qualitative analyses

Introductory

Langdridge, D. (2003) Introduction to Research Methods and Data Analysis in Psychology. Harlow, Essex: Prentice Hall. Provides coverage of both quantitative and qualitative methods, including detail of the statistical analysis of data (by hand and using SPSS for Windows version 11.0) and the analysis of qualitative data with all the major approaches in use today. Clearly and interestingly written. Sapsford, R.J. and Jupp, V. (2006) Data Collection and Analysis. 2nd edn. London: Sage. Expanded edition of this comprehensive text covering a wide range of quantitative and qualitative approaches to data collection and analysis in social research.

Analysis of Quantitative Data

General

Introductory

Antonius, R. (2002) Interpreting Quantitative Data with SPSS. London: Sage. Focus on the use of SPSS as a tool to doing social research. Provides a range of tools to help interpret data and to be appropriately selective in the choice of methods for handling data.

Blaikie, N. (2003) Analyzing Quantitative Data: From description to explanation. London: Sage. Thorough and lucid. Covers the ‘why’ as well as the ‘how’. The focus is on the use of quantitative data to answer research questions. Highly recommended. Gorard, S. (2003) Quantitative Methods in Social Science Research. London: Continuum. Strongly recommended for all but especially for those wary of, or frightened by, the quantitative.

Greenfield, T. and Metcalfe, A. (2007) Design and Analyse Your Experiment with Minitab. London: Hodder Arnold. Covers commonly used designs of experiments using case studies of practical significance. Based on the widely available and easy to use MINITAB software. Kanji, G.K. (2006) 100 Statistical Tests. 3rd edn. London: Sage. Covers all the most commonly used tests, with information on how to calculate and interpret results with simple datasets.

Maxwell, S.E. and Delaney, H.D. (2003) Designing Experiments and Analyzing Data: A model comparison perspective. Mahwah, NJ: Laurence Erlbaum Associates Inc. Promotes a model comparison perspective rather than the more traditional variance partitioning approach. This approach, frees the reader to spend more time on the conceptual understanding versus number crunching and allows for the introduction of more complex topics, generally omitted from other introductory books.

Advanced

Bloom, H.S., ed. (2005) Learning More from Social Experiments: Evolving analytic approaches. New York: Russell Sage Foundation. A range of examples showing how careful research design and novel statistical methodology can improve the explanatory power of experimental field studies. Strongly recommended.

Cramer, D. (2003) Advanced Quantitative Data Analysis. Maidenhead: Open University Press. Concise and accessible introduction to calculating and interpreting several advanced statistical techniques (includingfactor and cluster analyses, multiple regression, path analysis, binary and logistic regression, analyses of variance and covariance, discriminant analysis and log-linear analysis). Instructions given for the use of SPSS and LISREL.

McCartney, K., Burchinal, M. and Bub, K., eds. (2006) Best Practices in Quantitative Methods for Developmentalists. Oxford: Blackwell. Provides overviews on common data-analytic issues of particular interest to researchers in child development but with more general applicability. Includes chapters on data management and measurement, missing data, growth modeling and selection bias in non-experimental designs.

Texts challenging current practices and orthodoxies

Bird, K.D. (2003) Analysis of Variance Via Confidence Intervals. London: Sage. Adopts a pioneering approach to ANOVA with an emphasis on confidence intervals rather than tests of significance.

Byrne, D. (2002) Interpreting Quantitative Data. London: Sage. Refreshingly heretical challenge to orthodox positions in quantitative social research. Influenced by exploratory data analysis, complexity theory, and the view of social research as critical practice rather than neutral observation. Written from a realist perspective. Good, P.I. and Hardin, J.W. (2003) Common Errors in Statistics (and how to avoid them). London: Wiley, 2003. This highly readable text is based on the premise that relying on statistical software to do your thinking for you is a sure recipe for disaster. Strongly recommended for anyone who needs to analyse quantitative data.

Gorard, S. (2006) Using Everyday Numbers Effectively in Research. London: Continuum. Should be required reading for the many researchers who use complex statistical analyses inappropriately. Argues convincingly that much can be achieved by using numbers in social research in the same way that we do in everyday life.

Analysis software

Antonius, R. (2002) Interpreting Quantitative Data with SPSS. London: Sage. Focus on the use of SPSS as a tool to doing social research. Provides a range of tools to help interpret data and to be appropriately selective in the choice of methods for handling data.

Brogan, D.J. (2007) Survey Data Analysis Using Software: SUDAAN, SAS, STATA, and SPSS. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley. Presents an introduction to basic and intermediate techniques for survey data analysis, focusing on the implementation of these methods in a range of specialized software packages. It is illustrated throughout by examples using public release datasets, and describes how to write input programs for these methods, and how the output should be interpreted. Colman, A. and Pulford, B. (2006) A Crash Course in SPSS for Windows Updated For Versions 10, 11, 12, and 13. 3rd edn. Oxford: Blackwell.

User-friendly introduction to SPSS for Windows describing widely used statistical techniques and graphic facilities in SPSS. Cramer, D. and Howitt, D. (2005) Introduction to SPSS 12 in Psychology.3rd edn. Harlow, Essex: Prentice Hall. Covers the important statistical concepts clearly and concisely, explaining the different analyses that are then illustrated through examples. Greenfield, T. and Metcalfe, A. (2007) Design and Analyse Your Experiment with Minitab. London: Hodder Arnold. Covers commonly used designs of experiments using case studies of practical significance. Based on the widely available and easy to use MINITAB software. Kinnear, P. and Gray, C.D. (2004) SPSS Made Simple: Release 12.0. 2nd edn. Hove, East Sussex: Psychology Press. Steers the reader through every aspect of data analysis with SPSS including choosing the right statistical test and interpreting the results, with simple instructions.

Svend, J. (2006) An Introduction to Stata for Health Researchers. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Inc. Explains how to use program for data management, statistical analysis, and graphics for research. Covers a wide range of including the analysis of stratified data via epitab and regression models; linear, logistic, and Poisson regression; survival analysis including Cox regression, standardized rates, and correlation/ROC analysis of measurements.

Categorical data

Simonoff , J. (2003) Analyzing Categorical Data. New York: Springer-Verlag Inc. An up-to-date introduction to the wide field of analysing categorical data. Recommended for anyone making serious use of this type of data, giving a necessary insight into the methods of analysis as well as practical guidelines for solving problems.

Causal Inference

Morgan, S.L. and Winship, C. (2007) Counterfactuals and Causal Inference: Methods and principles for social research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Presents a model and set of methods for causal effect estimation that can be used to address causal questions.

Cluster analysis

Kaufmann, L. and Rousseeuw, P.J. (2005) Finding Groups in Data: An introduction to cluster analysis. London: Wiley. Clear and accessible introduction. Covers a selection of different methods suitable for most applications with numerous examples. Romesburg, C. (2004) Cluster Analysis for Researchers. Lulu.com. A very clear 'how to' book providing an excellent introduction to cluster analysis. Now available via the webpublisher lulu.

Cohort analysis

Glenn, N.D. (2005) Cohort Analysis. 2nd edn. London: Sage. Covers the basics of the cohort approach to studying aging, social, and cultural change, and also critiques several commonly used (but flawed) methods of cohort analysis.

Data display

Tufte, E.R. (2001) The Visual Display of Quantitative Information. 2nd edn. Cheshire, CONN: The Graphics Press USA. New edition of the classic text on visual display. Wide ranging and fascinating. Should be read by all researchers thinking seriously about the display of their quantitative data.

Data mining

Luan, J. and Zhao, C-M. (2006) Data Mining in Action: Case studies of enrollment management. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Short introduction to data mining through case studies of enrollment management. Case studies employed data mining for solving real-life issues in enrollment yield, retention, transfer-outs, utilization of advanced-placement scores, and predicting graduation rates, among others, demonstrating that data mining bears great potential to enhance institutional research.

Ecological inference

King, G., Rosen, O. and Tanner, M., eds. (2004) Ecological Inference: New methodological strategies. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Surveys the latest strategies for solving ecological inference problems (the process of trying to infer individual behavior from aggregate data).

Effect sizes and confidence intervals

Bird, K.D. (2003) Analysis of Variance Via Confidence Intervals. London: Sage. Adopts a pioneering approach to ANOVA with an emphasis on confidence intervals rather than tests of significance. Grissom, R.J. and Kim, J.J. (2005) Effect Sizes for Research: A broad practical approach. Mahwah, NJ:: Laurence Erlbaum Associates. Provides information about a variety of measures and estimators of effect sizes for research, their proper applications and interpretations, and their limitations. Clear and authoritative. Kline, R.B. (2004) Beyond Significance Testing: Reforming data analysis methods in behavioral research. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Clear presentations about the limitations of statistical tests and reviews of alternative methods of data analysis including effect size and confidence interval. Smithson, M.J. (2003) Confidence Intervals. London: Sage. Brief introduction but wide-ranging with examples from different disciplines.

Exploratory Data Analysis

Hoaglin, D.C., Mosteller, F., Tukey, and J.W.Tukey (2000) Understanding Robust and Exploratory Data Analysis. Indianapolis, IN: Wiley Inc. New edition of the classic text explaining why and how to use exploratory data analysis and robust and resistant methods in statistical practice.

Factor analysis

Brown , T.A. (2006) Confirmatory Factor Analysis for Applied Research. 2nd edn. New York: Guilford Publications. Emphasis on practical and conceptual aspects of confirmatory factor analysis. Wide range of examples and much useful advice. Also shows how to conduct exploratory factor analysis. Kline, P. (2004) An Easy Guide to Factor Analysis. London: Routledge. Explains the basis of factor analysis, how it can be used, and what its problems and difficulties are, including a simple introduction to principal components analysis, rotation, confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis. Very accessible.

Longitudinal and panel data analysis

Frees, E.W. (2004) Longitudinal and Panel Data: Analysis and applications in the social sciences. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Introduces the foundations of longitudinal and panel data analysis with an emphasis mathematical and statistical fundamentals but also describes substantive applications from across the social sciences. Menard, S.W. (2002) Longitudinal Research. 2nd edn. London: Sage. Short text updated with the latest advice on major issues involved in longitudinal research.

Ruspini, E. (2002) An Introduction to Longitudinal Research. Abingdon, Oxford: Taylor and Francis. A concise but comprehensive introduction to the issues involved in longitudinal research, with particular focus on recent computerised panel surveys in Europe and the US which make longitudinal data widely available.

Singer, J.D. and Willett, J.B. (2003) Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis: Modeling change and event occurrence. New York: Oxford University Press US. Comprehensive review of the new methodologies now available to make the best use of longitudinal data, including both individual growth modelling and survival analysis. Provides many cases and examples from a variety of disciplines, covering multilevel models, curvilinear and discontinuous change, in addition to discrete-time hazard models, continuous-time event occurrence and Cox regression models.

Missing data

Mcknight, K. Sidani, S. and Figueredo, A.J. (2007) Missing Data: A gentle introduction. New York: Guilford Press.

Multivariate data analysis

Spicer, J. (2003) Making Sense of Multivariate Data Analysis. London: Sage. A short introduction to multivariate data analysis providing a conceptual overview of its foundations and of a range of specific techniques including multiple regression, logistic regression, discriminant analysis, multivariate analysis of variance, factor analysis, and long-linear analysis.

Randomized controlled trials

Matthews, J.N.S. (2006) Introduction to Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials. 2nd edn. Boca Raton, FL: Chapman and Hall/CRC. Readable introduction covering the main aspects of designing and running RCTs.

Regression analysis

Berk, R.A. (2003) Regression Analysis: A constructive critique. London: Sage. Identifies a wide variety of problems with regression analysis as it is commonly used and then provides a number of ways in which practice could be improved. Bickel, R. (2007) Multilevel Analysis for Applied Research: It's just regression! New York: Guilford Publications. Provides an accessible introduction to multilevel modeling, a powerful tool for analyzing relationships between an individual-level dependent variable and contextual explanatory factor. Bickel emphasizes the parallels with more familiar regression models, shows how to do multilevel modeling using SPSS, and demonstrates how to interpret the results.

Gelman, A., Hill, J., Alvarez, R.M., Beck, N.L. and Wu, L.L. (2006) Data Analysis Using Regression and Multilevel/Hierarchical Models. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. A comprehensive manual for the applied researcher who wants to perform data analysis using linear and nonlinear regression and multilevel models. The book introduces a wide variety of models, whilst at the same time instructing the reader in how to fit these models using available software packages.

Keith , T. (2002) Multiple Regression and Beyond. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. Detailed coverage of multiple regression (MR) analysis, along with more complex methods that flow naturally from multiple regression: path analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling.

Significance testing

Kline, R.B. (2004) Beyond Significance Testing: Reforming data analysis methods in behavioral research. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Clear presentations about the limitations of statistical tests and reviews of alternative methods of data analysis including effect size and confidence interval. Morrison, D.E. and Henkel, R.E., eds. (2006) The Significance Test Controversy: A Reader. Piscataway, NJ:: Aldine. The widespread and uncritical use of tests of significance has recently led to a rising volume of controversy about their usefulness. This book gathers the central papers in this continuing debate, brings the issues into clear focus, points out practical problems and philosophical pitfalls involved in using the tests.

Hoyle, R.H. (1999) Statistical Strategies for Small Sample Research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Social Network Analysis

Carrington, P., Scott, J., Wasserman, S. and Granovetter, M., eds. (2005) Models and Methods in Social Network Analysis. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Presents developments in quantitative models and methods for analyzing social network data.

Spatial Analysis

Fotheringham, A.S. and Rogerson, P.A., eds. (2007) Handbook of Spatial Analysis. London: Sage. A comprehensive and authoritative discussion of issues and techniques in the field of Spatial Data Analysis which has attracted interest following the widespread use of Geographical Information Systems.

Kline, R.B. (2004) Principles and Practice of Structural Equation Modelling. 2nd edn. New York: Guilford Press. Provides a guide to the principles, assumptions, strengths, limitations, and application of structural equation modelling (SEM). Does not call for an extensive quantitative background. Schumacker, R.E. and Lomax, R.G. (2004) A Beginner's Guide to Structural Equation Modeling. Mahwah, NJ:: Laurence Erlbaum Associates Inc. Very comprehensive introduction to structural equation modeling focusing on the conceptual steps taken to analyse theoretical models.

Survey data analysis

Lee, E.S. and Forthofer, R.N. (2005) Analyzing Complex Survey Data. 2nd edn. London: Sage. Examines ways to analyze complex surveys, and focuses on the problems of weights and design effects. Introduces the new analytic approach for categorical data analysis (logistic regression), reviews new software and provides an introduction to the model-based analysis that can be useful analyzing well-designed, relatively small-scale social surveys.

Time Series Analysis

Yaffee, R. and McGee, M. (2000) An Introduction to Time Series Analysis and Forecasting: With applications of SAS and SPSS. Burlington, MA: Academic Press Inc. Weighty text which couples theory with applications of two popular statistical packages. Examines moving average, exponential smoothing, ARIMA, autoregressive error and other models.

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Chapter 14

General

Short introductions

Richards, L. (2005) Handling Qualitative Data: A practical guide. London: Sage. Aimed at novice researchers. Practical and ‘slimline’.

Introductory

Boyatzis, R.E. (1998) Thematic Analysis: Coding as a process for transforming qualitative information. Thousand Oaks,CA: Sage. Straightforward account of the process of thematic analysis common to many qualitative methods. Provides guidance to researchers on learning the techniques and applying them to their own research. Ezzy, D. (2002) Qualitative Analysis. London: Routledge. Very readable introduction with wide coverage of approaches to data analysis in established research traditions including ethnography, phenomenology and symbolic interactionism, alongside the newer approaches informed by cultural studies and feminism.

Grbich, C. (2006) Qualitative Data Analysis: An introduction. 2nd edn. London: Sage. Addresses current issues in the analysis of qualitative data covering different approaches including content, narrative, conversation and discourse analysis; visual interpretation; semiotic, structural and poststructural analyses; and a guide to qualitative computing programs Lewins, A. and Silver, C. (2007) Using Software in Qualitative Research: A step-by-step guide. 2nd edn. London: Sage. Focus on choice of the most appropriate package for specific needs and getting the most out of the software. Considers tasks and processes, bringing them together to demystify qualitative software and encourage flexible and critical choices and uses of software.

Lyons, E. and Coyle, A., eds. Analysing Qualitative Data in Psychology. 2nd edn. London: Sage. Clearly presented with focus on four major methods (grounded theory, interpretative phenomenological analysis, discourse analysis and narrative analysis). Silverman, D. (2006) Interpreting Qualitative Data: Methods for analyzing talk, text and interaction. 3rd edn. London: Sage. New edition of deservedly popular text. Covers all aspects of gathering and analysing qualitative data in an accessible manner.

Large Handbooks

Denzin, N.K. and Lincoln, Y.S., eds. (2003) Collecting and Interpreting Qualitative Materials. 2nd edn. London: Sage. Covers basic methods of gathering, analyzing and interpreting qualitative empirical materials with much practical detail. The analysis methods include computer-assisted methodologies, as well as strategies for analyzing talk, and text.

Texts on specific aspects covered in the chapter

Secondary analysis of qualitative data

Heaton, J. (2004) Reworking Qualitative Data.London: Sage. Useful short guide to the main types of qualitative secondary analysis.

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Chapter 15

General

Introductory

Ballenger, B. (2003) The Curious Researcher: A Guide to Writing Research Papers. 4th edn. Harlow, Essex: Longman. Not specific to social science type research (main focus is on library research) but some generally useful suggestions on how to write well. Barker, A. and Manji, F. (2000) Writing for Change: An interactive guide to effective writing, writing for science, and writing for advocacy. Ottawa, ON: IDRC/fahamu. Covers the core skills of effective writing, how to write for scientific publication, and how to write for advocacy. Focus on enhancing the capacity to write in ways that promote action from your target audience. It is full of practical exercises and examples from the field of international development.

Heppner, P.P. and Heppner, M.J. (2003) Writing and Publishing Your Thesis, Dissertation and Research: A guide for students in the helping professions. Florence, KY: Brooks Cole. Comprehensive text covering all aspects of the process. Lewin, B.A. (2006) Writing Readable Research: A guide for students of social science. London: Equinox Publishing Ltd. Tries to help users create texts that are easy to read, interesting, and dynamic, yet conform to expectations in sociual science research. Particularly useful if English is your second language.

Rudestam, K.E. and Newton, R.R. (2007) Surviving Your Dissertation: A comprehensive guide to content and process. 3rd? edn. London: Sage. Provides advice on the entire dissertation process including conducting a literature review, managing data overload, building an argument, and presenting the material, data, and results.

Texts on specific aspects covered in the chapter

Display and presentation

Nicol, A.A.M. and Pexman, P.M. (2003) Displaying Your Findings: A practical guide for creating figures, posters and presentations. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. An invaluable resource for creating effective visual materials including line graphs, drawings, scatter plots, photographs and charts. It also includes chapters on how to present conference posters and presentations.

Nicol, A.A.M. and Pexman, P.M. (1999) Presenting Your Findings: A practical guide for creating tables. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Useful guide to the proper table format for a variety of statistical analyses, each chapter is devoted to a different statistic and provides a variety of examples of how the information could best be displayed. Included for each statistic is a "Play it Safe" table that illustrates the most comprehensive formatting options possible, with alternatives for formats acceptable across disciplines.

Reporting on action research

Herr, K. (2005) The Action Research Dissertation: A guide for students and faculty. London: Sage. Covers the differences between action research dissertations and traditional ones. Prepares students for potential problems when defending the thesis including validity, design and ethics.

Reporting on a qualitative project

Wolcott, H.F. (2001) Writing Up Qualitative Research. 2nd edn. London: Sage. Provides readers with thoughtful guidelines on how and where to use theory, how much needs to be said about method, and some thoughts about the 'traditional' literature review. Gives lively examples and friendly tips. Woods, P. (2005) Successful Writing for Qualitative Researchers. 2nd edn. London: Routledge. Discusses aspects of translating research into writing, including getting started and keeping going, ways of organizing your work, coping with problems, editing your writing, writing alone and writing in a team, and getting published.

Morgan, S.E., Reichert, T. and Harrison, T.R. (2002) From Numbers to Words: Reporting statistical results for the social sciences. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. Guides readers through drafting the results of quantitative experiments and investigations in text or visual format.

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Appendix A

Krathwohl, D.R. and Smith, N.L. (2005) How to Prepare a Dissertatation Proposal: Suggestions for students in education and the social and behavioral science. Syracuse NY: Syracuse University Press. Very comprehensive manual for all aspects of writing project proposals. Covers a wide range of study types including both fixed and flexible designs. Punch, K.F. (2006) Developing Effective Research Proposals. London: Sage. Clear guide to the issues involved in proposal development and in presenting a well-considere