Researching Society and Culture

by Clive Seale (Editor), Clive Seale (Editor)

• Used

  Paperback
  1998

  $3.77

  Comprehensive and well-illustrated, this is the definitive introductory textbook on methods and methodology for students in the social sciences and cultural studies. It is structured around three key objectives: to provide a full overview of, and introduction to, the research methods used in social science and cultural studies; to provide undergraduate and postgraduate students with the skills needed to begin research with working examples from actual research; and to examine the methodological and theoretical issues involved in doing research.

  Researching Society and Culture is divided into four parts: the first discusses the philosophy of social science, developments in social theory, methodology and the use of historical perspectives in research. Part Two explores considerations of importance at the beginning of a research project and discusses the writing of research proposals. The third part covers a full range of the methods in use by social and cultural researchers, including the use of social surveys; statistical data analysis; coding of qualitative and quantitative data; use of official statistics; interviewing; ethnography; content and semiotic analysis of visual images; discourse analysis; conversation analysis; and the use of literary texts in research, ending with a chapter on reading and writing research. The book concludes with a series of workshop and discussion exercises, tailored to each chapter, and designed to give students practical experience in using these methods.

• Used

  Paperback
  2004

  $3.27

  'This new edition enhances the value of an already well established student text by widening the range of methods included for discussion and by adding further supportive learning exercises and readings...It combines critical up-to-date theoretical debate on the value and relationship between quantitative and qualitative research approaches with practical guidance on the complex art of researching as a craft' - Eva Stina, London South Bank University. This is the second and comprehensively revised and greatly expanded edition of the best selling book on methods and methodology written by members or associates of the Department of Sociology, Goldsmiths College, University of London. All of the acknowledged strengths of the first edition have been retained and improved.There are completely new chapters covering audio recordings, the Internet, visual materials, focus groups, grounded theory, combining qualitative and quantitative methods, using data archives for statistical analysis, doing a dissertation, ethics, doing a literature review and more. A brand new section 3 provides case studies. In addition, this volume comes with: comprehensive bullet points and text boxes to facilitate study; a glossary of key terms; Web pointers in most chapters, to indicate relevant internet resources; a guide to further reading; a list of Key Terms at the end of each chapter; and an associated web site with regularly updated live links to pointers, workshop and discussion exercises.