Narratives in Social Science Research introduces students to the use of narrative methodology as a research tool. It offers a rigorous framework for the application of these devices within qualitative research. The book provides:

• An historical overview of the development of the narrative approach within the social sciences
• A guide to how narrative methods can be applied in fieldwork
• An explanation of how to incorporate a narrative approach within a research project
• Guidelines for interpreting collected or produced narratives
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Qualitative Research in Sociology offers a hands-on guide to doing qualitative research in sociology. It provides an introductory survey of the methodological and theoretical dimensions of qualitative research as practiced by those interested in the study of social life. Through a detailed yet concise explanation, the reader is shown how these methods work and how their outcomes may be interpreted. Practically focused throughout, the book also offers constructive advice for students analyzing and writing their research projects.

The book has a flowing narrative...

Qualitative Research in Sociology offers a hands-on guide to doing qualitative research in sociology. It provides an introductory survey of the methodological and theoretical dimensions of qualitative research as practiced by those interested in the study of social life. Through a detailed yet concise explanation, the reader is shown how these methods work and how their outcomes may be interpreted. Practically focused throughout, the book also offers constructive advice for students analyzing and writing their research projects.

The book has a flowing narrative...

"Apart from its inherent readability, I found three other attractive features about the book: First is the use of exemplars based on case studies from qualitative studies, including Whyte's Street Corner Society; second, is the quotes from key methodological texts reflecting on a range of qualitative research traditions; and third, is the use of philosophical argument and reference in the book which provided an added depth to the debate, often lacking in more practically oriented books. These deliberations take readers to a higher plane, whilst still allowing the novice to philosophy to gain...

Ian Shaw shows how evaluation practice can utilize qualitative approaches to gain an understanding that more traditional quantitative approaches may fail to do. Three broad sections include discussions of: the foundations of evaluation and recent trends; evaluation and action programmes and policies; and the practice of evaluation.

'At last, a student-friendly guide that answers the question: Yes, but how do you do Foucault? Kendall and Wickham address the thorny question of how-to-Foucault in a clear, distinctive manner that stands out in the secondary literature on this important thinker' - Toby Miller, New York University

'At last, a student-friendly guide that answers the question: Yes, but how do you do Foucault? Kendall and Wickham address the thorny question of how-to-Foucault in a clear, distinctive manner that stands out in the secondary literature on this important thinker' - Toby Miller, New York University

The authors use a wealth of illustration, drawn from their own experience, and provide exercises for further study. They address composition, conduct and analysis and give guidance regarding the use of the Internet.

There is an increasing divergence of focus group practice between social researchers and commercial market researchers. This book addresses the key issues and practical requirements of the social researcher, namely: the kinds of social research issues for which focus groups are most and least suitable; optimum group size and composition; and the designing of focusing exercises, facilitation and appropriate analysis.

The authors use examples, drawn from their own focus groups research experience, and provide exercises for further study. They address the three main components of...

Using Documents in Social Research offers a comprehensive, yet concise, introduction to the use of documents as tools within social science research. The books argues that documents stand in a dual-relation to human activity, and therefore by transmitting ideas and influencing the course and nature of human activity they are integral to the research process.

Key features of the book include:

• Alerts students to the diversity of social scientific research documents.
• Outlines the various strategies and debates that need to be considered in order to...