Written in non-technical language, this popular and practical volume has been completely updated to bring readers the latest advice on major issues involved in longitudinal research. It covers: research design strategies; methods of data collection; and how longitudinal and cross-sectional research compares in terms of consistency and accuracy of results.

This provocative volume deals with one of the chief criticisms of ethnographic studies, a criticism which centres on their particularism or their insistence on context -- the question is asked: How can these studies be generalized beyond the individual case? Noblit and Hare propose a method -- meta-ethnography -- for synthesizing from qualitative, interpretive studies. They show that ethnographies themselves are interpretive acts, and demonstrate that by translating metaphors and key concepts between ethnographic studies, it is possible to develop a broader interpretive synthesis. Using...

The answers to questions on a wide variety of social and political issues from more than 25,000 respondents are contained in the General Social Survey (GSS) data base. The authors, who have directed the GSS since its inception, have set out to enable social scientists to exploit this large data set more effectively.

Training modules prepared and extensively tested by distinguished professionals in cross-cultural training and research make up this valuable resource for consultants, counselling psychologists and personnel officers. The modules encourage productive and effective intercultural interactions in a variety of settings - business, education and the social and health services. Each module combines experiential exercises, self-assessment instruments, traditional written teaching material, case studies and//or critical incidents, and addresses: awareness of culture and cultural differences;...

With the trend of deinstitutionalization, family members are finding themselves increasingly in the position of primary caregivers to mentally ill adults - a role for which they are often untrained and unprepared. This volume explores the experiences of these caregivers. The author: discusses the characteristics and conceptual models related to mental illness; surveys the experience of mental illness in the context of the family life cycle and developmental stages of the illness; appraises the burdens on the family including social stigma, refusal of treatment, stress and the relationship...

Theoretical analysis and empirical research from a number of social sciences on what it means to be a father in times of changing families and gender roles at work and in society at large. The topics of the 13 essays include finding models, life-course patterns, a comparison between perceptions towa