Social Research Methods

W. Lawrence Neuman James is professor of sociology and Asian Studies coordinator at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. His M.A. and Ph.D. were earned at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  He has authored seven books and published 35 articles and book chapters, which have appeared in Social Problems, Sociological Inquiry, Social Science Quarterly, American Sociological Review, Critical Asian Studies, Teaching Sociology, The Journal of Contemporary Asia,  Sociological Quarterly, and other journals . He is a former president of the Wisconsin Sociological Association. Neuman has received his university’s highest award for research, the Chancellor's Award for service to students with disabilities, as well as the the Wisconsin Sociological Association's Outstanding Service Award, and the College of Letters and Sciences awards for outstanding teaching, excellence in research, and outstanding service.

IN THIS SECTION:



1.) BRIEF

2.) COMPREHENSIVE







 

BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS


 

Part I Foundations


Chapter 1 Why Do Research?

Chapter 2 What Are the Major Types of Social Research?

Chapter 3 Theory and Research
Chapter 4 The Meanings of Methodology
Chapter 5 How to Review the Literature and Conduct Ethical Studies






Part II Planning and Preparation

Chapter 6 Strategies of Research Design

Chapter 7 Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement
Chapter 8 Qualitative and Quantitative Sampling


 

Part III Quantitative Data Collection and Analysis



Chapter 9 Experimental Research

Chapter 10 Survey Research

Chapter 11 Nonreactive Research and Secondary Analysis

Chapter 12 Analysis of Quantitative Data







Part IV Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis

Chapter 13 Field Research and Focus Group Research
Chapter 14 Historical-Comparative Research
Chapter 15 Analysis of Qualitative Data




Part V Communicating with Others
Chapter 16 Writing the Research Report and the Politics of Social Research



COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS


Part I  Foundations




Chapter 1 Why Do Research?


Alternatives to Social Science Research

What Research Involves: A Scientific Approach

Varieties of Social Research

Steps in the Research Process

Why Learn How to Conduct Social Research


 

Chapter 2 What Are the Major Types of Social Research?

Use and Audience of Research

Purpose of Research

Within or Across Case

Single or Multiple Points in Time

Data Collection Techniques




Chapter 3 Theory and Research


What Is Theory?

Social Theory versus Ideology

The Parts of Theory




Chapter 4 The Meanings of Methodology


Philosophical Foundations

The Three Approaches

Positivist Social Science

Interpretative Social Science

Critical Social Science

Feminist and Postmodern Research




Chapter 5 How to Review the Literature and Conduct Ethical Studies

The Literature Review

Ethics in Social Research




Part II  Planning and Preparation




Chapter 6 Strategies of Research Design

Triangulation

Qualitative and Quantitative Orientations Toward Research

Qualitative Design Issues

Quantitative Design Issues




Chapter 7 Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement


The Need for Measurement

Quanitative and Qualtitative Measurement

The Measurement Process

Reliability and Validity

A Guide to Quantitative Measurement

Scales and Indexes




Chapter 8 Qualitative and Quantitative Sampling


Reasons for Sampling



Sampling Strategies


Part III Quantitative Data Collection and Analysis






Chapter 9 Experimental Research


Appropriate Technique

A Short History of the Experiment

Random Assignment

Experimental Design Logic

Internal and External Validity

Practical Considerations

Results of Experimental Research: Making Comparisons

A Word on Ethics




Chapter 10 Survey Research


A History of Survey Research

The Logic of Survey Research

Construction of the Questionnaire

Types of Surveys: Advantages and Disadvantages

Survey Interviewing

The Ethical Survey




Chapter 11 Nonreactive Research and Secondary Analysis


Nonreactive Measurement

Content Analysis

Existing Statistics/Documents and Secondary Analysis

Secondary Analysis of Survey Data

Issues of Inference and Theory Testing

Ethical Concerns




Chapter 12 Analysis of Quantitative Data


Dealing with Data

Results with One Variable

Results with Two Variables

More than Two Variables

Inferential Statistics




Part IV  Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis




Chapter 13 Field Research and Focus Group Research


Understanding Field Research

The Field Research Interview

Data Quality

Ethical Dilemmas of Field Research

Focus Group Research

 

Chapter 14 Historical-Comparative Research


A Short History of  Historical-Comparative Research

Research Questions Appropriate for Historical-Comparative Research

The Logic of Historical-Comparative Research

Steps in Conducting a Historical-Comparative Research Project

Data and Evidence in Historical Context

Comparative Research

Equivalence in Historical-Comparative Research

Ethics


 

Chapter 15 Analysis of Qualitative Data


Comparison of Methods of Data Analysis

Coding and Concept Formation

Analytic Strategies for Qualitative Data



Other Techniques


Part V  Communicating with Others






Chapter 16 Writing the Research Report and the Politics of Social Research


The Research Report

The Politics of Social Research

Objectivity and Value Freedom

 

Appendix: Table of Randomly Selected Five Digit Numbers

Bibliography

Name Index

Subject Index