Basics of Social Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (2nd Edition) [Paperback]

W. Lawrence Neuman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0205484379 | ISBN-13: 978-0205484379 | Publication Date: April 30, 2006 | Edition: 2

Briefer, paperback text, adapted from Neuman's Social Research Methods, Sixth Edition.

 

Using clear, accessible language and examples from real research, this discusses both qualitative and quantitative approaches to social research, emphasizing the benefits of combining various approaches.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

“People conduct social research to learn something new about the social world; or to carefully document guesses, hunches, or beliefs about it; or to refine their understanding of how the social world works. . . .

 

“Social research is a process in which people combine a set of principles, outlooks, and ideas (i.e. methodology) with a collection of specific practices, techniques, and strategies (i.e., a method of inquiry) to produce knowledge. It is an exciting process of discovery, but it requires persistence, personal integrity, tolerance for ambiguity, interaction with others, and pride in doing quality work.

 

“Reading this book cannot transform you into an expert researcher, but it can teach you to be a better consumer of research results, help you to understand how the research enterprise works, and prepare you to conduct small research projects. . . . you will be aware of what research can and cannot do, and why properly conducted research is important.”

 

–From Chapter 1

About the Author

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon; 2 edition (April 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0205484379
• ISBN-13: 978-0205484379
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,684 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book reasonable price, November 13, 2006

By 

Michael R. Perkins (Planet Earth) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Basics of Social Research: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches (Paperback)

This is a very good undergraduate research text. I use it in a Human Services class with criminal justice majors as well as Human Services majors and have had good results. I teach from this book in regular land based classes and online. It is a book that I reccomend students keep on their shelf - particularly if they are going to graduate school. The examples in the text are clear and the organization is easy to work with.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Used for Political Inquiry Class, September 23, 2010

By 

Sylricka (Charleston, SC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Basics of Social Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

This book is very clear-cut and easy to read (which is a nice breath of fresh air b/c most of my readings in college are really dense). The author gives a lot of examples about the concepts that he talks about which makes it sooo much easier to remember and to be able to apply to your own research. I'm not usually a big fan of standardized textbooks such as these, but I have learned so much about the right and wrong way to do research and the controversies that would come about while conducting a research. I found the section on ethics to be particularly useful--for now on, every research project I do I can just flip to this chapter and run down the list of possible ethic problems that I could encounter and easily plan accordingly. Overall, great description and distinction between qualitative and quantitative research techniques...I am not a big math person, but this book gave me the confidence to try quantitative styles of research!

5.0 out of 5 stars Late, September 26, 2011

By 

Miguel Mateo "LUL" (Bronx, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Basics of Social Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

I had received this book last year for school. I did not have and still do not have any complaints