Since its first edition in 1985, Patrick McNeill's Research Methods has become a classic introductory text for students of sociology at A level and in undergraduate courses as well as for a range of specialists in education, business, social care and medicine who need a brief but authoritative account of how sociologists set about conducting research.

After a brief overview of the history of sociological research which introduces key concepts, this new edition, co-authored with Steve Chapman, describes the main sociological research methods, and includes sections on...