Introduction to Social Research: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches / Edition 3

by Keith F Punch

Overview

In the new edition of Introduction to Social Research, Keith Punch takes a fresh look at the entire research process, from formulating a research question to writing up your research. Covering qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods, the book focuses on matching research questions to appropriate methods. Offering concise, balanced coverage, this book clearly explains the underlying principles of social research and shows you how to put this understanding into practice.

The third edition includes:

• A new chapter on literature searching and reviewing
• Expanded coverage of ethics
• A new section on using the internet in research
• A range of additional student learning features
• A brand new companion website including full-text journal articles, additional case studies and video tutorials.

Using a range of examples from student research and published work, the book is an ideal introduction for any social science student taking a research methods course or embarking on their own undergraduate or postgraduate research project.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781446240922
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	02/04/2014
Edition description:	Third Edition
Pages:	408
Product dimensions:	7.32(w) x 9.13(h) x (d)

About the Author

Keith F. Punch is a social research expert and was Winthrop Professor in the Graduate School of Education, the University of Western Australia, and is now Professor Emeritus in the University of Western Australia.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Theory and Method in Social Research
Ethics in Social Research - Alis Oancea
Research Questions
From Research Questions to Data
Literature Searching and Reviewing - with Alis Oancea
Qualitative Research Design
Collecting Qualitative Data
The Analysis of Qualitative Data
Quantitative Research Design
Collecting Quantitative Data
The Analysis of Quantitative Data
The Internet and Research - Wayne Mc Gowan
Mixed Methods and Evaluation
Research Writing

Editorial Reviews

All in all, this book is incredibly well structured and free from jargon and over complication. It is a joy to read, and it guides the reader step-by-step towards understanding what social research is all about.

LSE Book Reviews Website - Dr Sophie Lecheler

This 3^rd edition provides an accessible yet comprehensive and detailed framework for understanding social research. The clear layout with chapter objectives and summary questions offers a robust and practical learning structure for students which guides them through both theoretical and methodological approaches to contemporary research. No research methods course should be without it!!

Dr. Emma Bond

Comprehensive, thoroughgoing and well organised, Punch's book has a deservedly high reputation among social science researchers. This third edition, with new material on literature searching, ethics, theory and the Internet makes it a must-have for students and professional researchers alike.

Gary Thomas

This is a beautifully understated and highly accessible book. It focuses on the issues and practicalities of doing social scientific research, introducing a wide range of methods and approaches to get students thinking and a project underway. This new edition has been thoroughly updated, and there are welcome new chapters on theory, literature searching, research ethics and the internet. The book is authoritative and will be well used by students and teachers of social science research methods.

Amanda Coffey

In this work, Keith Punch covers all the essentials of social science research with clarity and an obvious command of the subject matter. His coverage of quantitative and qualitative methods from design through to collection and analysis offers breadth and depth perfect for any undergraduate attempting to navigate the research world. I look forward to putting a copy of this latest edition on my shelf and recommending it students.

Dr Zina O'Leary

‘This is a book which teachers of research methods will love as a reference text. Beginning as well as established researchers will benefit from the informative overview of the basic concepts and latest issues in mixed methods' - British Journal of Educational Psychology

‘Valuable advice to the beginning (and the not so experienced) social researcher. It represents a valuable resource for those who are writing research proposals, for those at the start of their research projects, and also for those who are further along the research line' - Sociological Research Online

‘A wonderful addition to research literature on methods in the social sciences. I will use it with my students. I especially appreciate how Punch combines quantitative and qualitative and provides frameworks for comparing and thinking across research methodologies. He is to be congratulated on an especially fine text' - John Creswell, University of Nebraska

‘This is an important contribution to the literature on social science research methods. I will use this book as an excellent starting point in research training' - John Hattie, University of North Carolina and University of Auckland

‘Comprehensive, covers all the essentials for the beginning researcher. It has a good mix of methods, is very easy to read, and written in a clear user-friendly tone. The illustrations are great. I would recommend it to any research student' - Anne Mc Murray, Griffith University and Chair, Royal College of Nursing Research Society, Australia

‘This book covers the essentials of both quantitative and qualitative research in a logical, balanced and accessible way, using many examples and an easy-to-understand view of research. It is a great book for graduate students in all areas of social science and it should be on the shelf of all researchers' - Ken Blanchard, co-author of The One Minute Manager

From the Publisher