Designing Social Research

This is a detailed text which approaches many important areas of social research. The writing is informal and accessible with many practical pieces of advice for the novice researcher. The five things to remember at the end of each chapter pull the chapter′s content together and more easily enables students to dip into the text. -- Dr Alaster Douglas * drupal *
This is a detailed text which approaches many important areas of social research. The writing is informal and accessible with many practical pieces of advice for the novice researcher. The five things to remember at the end of each chapter pull the chapter′s content together and more easily enables students to dip into the text. -- Dr Alaster Douglas * drupal *
The book can be better in terms of defining (explaining) main concepts and giving more examples. These are essential for teaching Research Methods at undergraduate level.
However, the book can be used as a supplementary book. -- Dr Ali Bilgic * drupal *
This is a good book which I would have liked to have at the beginning of my academic career. It is easy to understand and provides a good idea of what social research may look like and how this ′business′ works. However, if one has been around in academia and the world of journal publications for a while, this book will be too superficial.
-- Dr Carsten Reuter * drupal *
I really appreciated the concise nature of the this book′s chapters and the helpful ′Things to Remember′ at the end of each chapter. However, I found the philosophical schools used by the author as a framing device (e.g. in discussing what ′realists′ versus ′idealists′ look for in a review of the literature) to be unhelpful and potentially confusing for students in my field.

I also must note that this text is rife with typos - I counted 4 or 5 just in the first chapter. It is almost as though the text was not copy edited. -- Dr Christopher Pallas * drupal *
An ideal text for undergraduate student dissertation preparation. The key points at the end of each chapter appearing as ′Five things to remember about this chapter′ will definitely prove to be a good source of a recap task to use by asking students to elaborate in-depth using any of the five points what they understood about the topic after reading the chapter. -- Dr Davies Banda * drupal *
the text book is consider for a new Masters programme planned to start in 2015 -- Dr Erik Bohemia * drupal *
This book is a most welcomed addition to the wide array of books on research methods. It is very user friendly and should be an encouraging read for ′bewildered′ students on undergraduate and post graduate courses who are learning about research for the first time. Students should fine the book particularly easy to read because it manages to provide complex information in accessible and easy to understand language which is concise, yet precise. I have therefore included this book on the reading list for students embarking on their social research course in the autumn. for -- Dr Jean Clarke * drupal *
Greener deals with some of the concepts that students struggle with in Research Methods in a clear and comprehensible manner. This is a useful book as a general introduction to Research Methods. -- Dr Mairin Hennebry * drupal *
The lay out of this book is different as it uses a more discursive approach. This makes reading the book quite tiring as there is no pictures or many breaks in the text . However the content is excellent and if the reader can overcome to need to read in bit sized chunks then this is a book that teaches as well as making you think. A rare feat in a research methods text book! -- Dr Margaret Hanson * drupal *
A highly accessible book, that covers a lot of material and also provides the reader with guidance on how and where to find out more. -- Dr Mary Stewart * drupal *
I wanted to find a text that did not overwhelm students with its weight, price and jargon, and this text seems to be the right one; I will use it next semester and know better if my hypothesis is confirmed. I also appreciate any academic text on Methods that includes the word "bewildered" as I believe it will help overcome the trepidation many students face when enrolling in the course." -- Dr Michelle Ronda * drupal *
A good supplementary reading for Social Research Students both at undergraduate and graduate levels. Recommend this book for teachers and students alike. -- Dr Nadeem Khan * drupal *
very good - very popular with our students who like the clear ′no-nonsense′ writing style. -- Dr Pete Allison * drupal *
Excellent for its clarity and simplicity of explanation and engaging style. This will be a highly recommended text on my course rather than essential because the students are from various social and health care programmes and the relevance of the exemplar methods to students from these backgrounds is variable. -- Dr Sally Richards * drupal *
An invaluable resource for advanced undergraduate and graduate students planning their own research. -- Miss Frances Jackson * drupal *
This is a well structured book that flows in a logical sequence providing an expansive summary into the different aspects of conducting research. The language is clear and easy to follow which would make this guide best for novice researchers and undergraduates. -- Miss Katie Davies * drupal *
A good solid foundation to the issues -- Mr Brian Boag * drupal *
Although not the simplest text for students i thought this book was a really useful resource with a depth of discussion missing in some other titles i have seen, can really see the use of this book and will be recomending to students. -- Mr David Corry-Bass * drupal *
This book is not only well written but is valuable reading for any UG or PG students trying to make sense out of the myriad permutations of social research. -- Mr Russell Delderfield * drupal *
What this text does, it does very well. It is an excellent introduction to research practice covering a great deal of ground in a rather short space. Its pace stops the text from dragging, which can be a danger of books on method in particular, and the fact that it covers both complex philosophical issues as well as very practical matters like writing grant applications and literature reviews means that it has something to offer any student, from UG through to doctoral.

In some places, the book necessarily lacks detail that one might have preferred and in order to convey complex ideas simply some violence is sometimes done to them (I am not, for example, convinced of all the claims Ian makes about Actor-Network Theory). However, this is to be expected in such a brief text and I think to have made adjustments to accomodate these concerns would likely have undermined the value of the book.

In summary, very good introductory text, hence essential reading. -- Mr William Craige * drupal *
The title is appropriate - this is very much a ′down to earth′ text which endeavours to bridge the gap between ′theory′ and ′potential reality′. -- Mrs Hazel Beadle * drupal *
A useful and inofrmative text for students recently introduced to research within health and social care.

(Comments not for publication) -- Mrs J Mitchell * drupal *
An excellent text for the "bewildered" suitable for the undergraduate and new post graduate to give a very readable overview of research" -- Mrs Joanne Atkinson * drupal *
This book was very helpful in explaining a great deal of the terminology used in research. For the first time researcher having this to hand helps other texts to become accessible. In addition it provides thoughtful insights into different methodologies and procedures allowing readers to make informed choices. -- Mrs Marion Hobbs * drupal *
A very useful book for my students who are beginning to study the basics of social research methods -- Mrs Megan Bruce * drupal *
A good starter book for those new to research. Useful glossary at the end. Found the pages on mixed methods useful as a resource. Overall, a good book to reach for when first trying to frame ideas and approach. Will give students confidence. -- Mrs Nicola Sowe * drupal *
A well structured, well written book that guides the reader and follows a logical sequence for what for many is a confusing area. This book provides a comprehensive introduction into all aspects of conducting research and would be particulary useful to the novice researcher. Unlike so many similar research guides the language is clear and plain whilst still getting the key issues across. The summing up of each chapter \5 things to remember" is particularly useful for summing up and quick reference. The text being broken up under headings into small bite size chunks makes the book particulary accessible and quick and easy to use. A long over due publication which should become very popular with research students." -- Ms Eklaine Vatandoust * drupal *
This text provides a useful starting point for researchers of all levels. It provides clear uncomplicated explanations for key concepts and takes the reader through the processes involved when undertaking research, with care and understanding. -- Ms Ingrid Richter * drupal *
I often find that books aimed at social research students are equally applicable to business students and this one is no exception. -- Ms Rita Walsh * drupal *
An excellent and invaluable text for both those embarking on studying research methodology and research academics. -- Ms Therese Lewis * drupal *