This book provides an overview of ninety key concepts which often
trouble those who are new to researching within the social sciences. It
covers theories of knowledge, methodologies and methods. Each entry
offers a definition of a concept, shows how researchers have used that
concept in their research and discusses difficulties that the concept
presents. The book supports those undertaking their own social research
projects by providing detailed critical commentary on key concepts in a
particularly accessible way.
In exploring these concepts, a wide range of research reports across
many different fields are described. These include not only classic
accounts, but also a broad selection of recent studies, some written by
new researchers. The book will be useful for higher-education students
carrying out projects within social science faculties at the end of
their first degree or during a master's programme, though it will also
be helpful for those undertaking doctoral research, and some entries
have been written with the production of a thesis in mind.
This second edition of Research Methods: The Key Concepts provides a
more comprehensive and up-to-date coverage, as old entries have been
updated and 19 new entries added. It helps new researchers to navigate
the changing landscape of social research by recognising a) the changes
in the ways researchers are thinking about knowledge and acquiring
knowledge, b) the increasing use of digital tools to collect data, and
c) the desire many contemporary researchers feel to promote social
justice through their research.
