Review
Firebaugh has produced a lively and insightful contribution. He discusses thought-provoking examples and has created some truly excellent and innovative end-of-chapter exercises. Firebaugh maintains a refreshingly reassuring conversational style with the reader and communicates difficult concepts in a straightforward manner. [T]his is a book to be studied, rather than just read. -- David Shemmings, Times Higher Education
This book is one of a kind and so excellent it will probably go into second and third editions. . . .
Seven Rules of Social Research brings important issues of research design to life: this is not a dry or abstract book. . . . I think his book could be used to great advantage by three sorts of human geographers: those doing a thesis for their degree; those teaching introductory and more advanced courses on 'doing research'; and those seeking to refresh their own approach to research as full-time academics, research assistants or post-docs. . . . The book is supremely clear (even when discussing some knotty issues) and, even at almost 300 pages, does not feel long or turgid. -- Noel Castree, Progress in Human Geography
Seven Rules for Social Research is an excellent choice as a supplement for an undergraduate methods course as well as a complete text for the basic graduate methods course. Firebaugh's book would also serve as an invaluable supplement for undergraduate senior seminar students and graduate students alike who are looking for a straightforward reference for conducting both course based and independent research projects. This will be a book that students keep on their shelf throughout their academic career. I intend to keep it on mine. -- Allison L. Vetter, Teaching Sociology
This . . . book provides an interesting set of rules and thoughtful reflections on issues relevant to conducting social research. It also has useful reviews of newer statistical developments. Overall, this is an insightful book that should be of interest to graduate students and researchers in the social sciences. -- Debra L. Oswald, PsycCRITIQUES
[T]his book is insightful and clearly written. . . . Simply put, this is an excellent book that I highly recommend for graduate courses I methods and methods comprehensive exam reading lists. All of our graduate students would benefit from reading it. -- Robert Andersen, Canadian Journal of Sociology
The book, and especially its chapter exercises, is most suitable for graduate students with an intermediate quantitative background. The author states that the book is 'to serve as a second methods textbook' the social sciences. This is a modest statement. As long as students pursue the types of research that Firebaugh discusses, this should be among the first books introduced in the course of research design. -- Yasuyuki Motoyama, Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare
From the Inside Flap
"Anyone who wants to learn how to do social research better read this book. Written for the new student and the seasoned researcher alike (one is never too old, after all), Seven Rules for Social Research hits that sweet but till-now-neglected spot between overly simplified methods texts and advanced statistical manuals. Stick with Firebaugh's seven rules and you won't go wrong."--Dalton Conley, New York University
"A valuable contribution. Firebaugh masterfully surveys a wide variety of key issues at the intersection of statistical theory, research design, and empirical analysis. His book can help improve the quality of social scientific research."--David Strang, Cornell University
"The audience for this book is great. Most graduate programs require second- or third-year students to write some type of research paper. This book is perfect for the task."--Christopher Winship, Harvard University
