Reader friendly and clear, Rubin and Babbie's concise and social work-specific research methods book provides readers with the tools they need to understand the subject matter. Illustrations and examples throughout show readers how they can apply research to practice. Outlines, introductions, boxed features, chapter endings with main points, and review questions and exercises provide the information and practice readers need to learn the essentials. As part of the Cengage Empowerment Series, ESSENTIAL RESEARCH METHODS FOR SOCIAL WORK, 4th Edition, thoroughly integrates the core competencies...

This thorough revision of Babbie's standard-setting text presents a succinct, straightforward introduction to the field of research methods as practiced by social scientists. Contemporary examples, such as terrorism, Alzheimer's disease, anti-gay prejudice and education, and the legalization of marijuana, introduce students to the "how-tos" and "whys" of social research methods. Updated with new data, expanded coverage of online research and other topics, and new Learning Objectives for each chapter to focus students' attention on important concepts, this edition continues to be authoritative...