Introducing Social Research Methods: Essentials for Getting the Edge

Introducing Social Research Methods: Essentials for Getting the Edge offers a concise, student–friendly introduction to research methods that represents a refreshing alternative to the dense tomes too focused on the minutiae of methodologies to appeal to novices or outsiders. Janet Ruane, a respected author with more than 25 years of experience teaching social science research methods, provides detailed explanations of methodologically complex concepts written in straightforward and engaging prose. Each chapter features specific everyday examples from around the world that demonstrate the relevance and informative potential of social science methods. The text includes a range of pedagogic features, from lists of key points to boxes highlighting the relevance of social science research in interpreting current events, while the companion website offers further tools for instructors and students, including a glossary of key terms, a test bank, Power Point presentations, a comprehensive list of web resources, and more.

Specifically designed for students who are new to or skeptical of social science, Introducing Social Research Methods: Essentials for Getting the Edge persuasively argues for the real–world value of understanding social research methods and the benefits of the broader perspective gained from understanding this fundamental field.

1. How Do We Know What We Know? Science as a Superior Way of Knowing

2. The Language of Science and Research: Learning to Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk

3. Ethics:  It s the Right Thing To Do

4. Designing Ideas: What Do We Want to Know and How Can We Get There? 

5. Measure by Measure:  Developing Measures Making the Abstract Concrete

6. All That Glitters Is Not Gold:  Assessing the Validity and Reliability of Measures

7. One Thing Leads to Another. . . or Does it? Tackling Causal Analysis

8. The Questionnaire: Would You Mind Taking the Time to Answer a Few Questions?

9. Having the Talk:  Person to Person Information Exchanges

10. Field Research: Welcome to My World

11. Sample This! How Can So Few Tell Us About So Many?

12. Show Me the Numbers:  Descriptive Statistics and Inferential Statistics

13. Pulling it Together: A Final Synthesis

Janet M. Ruane is a professor of sociology at Montclair State University. She is the author of Second Thoughts: Sociology Challenges Conventional Wisdom (with Karen Cerulo, 6 th edition, 2014) and has published articles in an array of prestigious, peer–reviewed journals, including Social Psychology Quarterly, Sociological Forum, Sociological Inquiry, Law and Policy, Communication Research, Sociological Focus, and Science as Culture. With over 25 years of experience teaching research methods to undergraduates, Professor Ruane is an ardent supporter of education as a tool of empowerment.