Approaches to social research / Royce A. Singleton Jr. and Bruce C. Straits

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part I. the scientific and ethical contexts of social research -- Part II. research design -- Part III. methods of data collection -- Part IV. data processing, analysis, and interpretation.

Revised and updated in its fifth edition, Approaches to Social Research is a rigorous yet clear and engaging introduction to research methods. Covering all of the fundamentals in a straightforward, student-friendly manner, it is ideal for undergraduate- and graduate-level courses across the social sciences and also serves as an indispensable guide for researchers. Striking a balance between specific techniques and the underlying logic of scientific inquiry, this book provides a lucid treatment of the four major approaches to research: experimentation, survey research, field research, and the use of available data. Richly developed examples of empirical research and an emphasis on the research process enable students to better understand the real-world application of research methods. The authors also offer a unique chapter advocating a multiple-methods strategy.