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Analyzing Quantitative Data
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Analyzing Quantitative Data
From Description to Explanation

First Edition


February 2003 | 352 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
What basic knowledge and skills do novice researchers in social science require? How can students be helped to over-come `symbol phobia' or `figure blindness'?

This generous and constantly insightful book is designed for social researchers who need to know what procedures to use under what circumstances, in practical research projects. It accomplishes this without requiring an in-depth understanding of statistical theory, but also avoids both trivializing procedures or resorting to `cookbook' techniques. Among the key features of the book are:

- Accessibility

- Organization of the wide, often bewildering array of methods of data analysis into a coherent and user-friendly scheme of classification: types of analysis and levels of measurement

- Demystification - the first chapter unpacks commonly taken-for-granted concepts such as `analysis', `data' and `quantitative'

- Location of methods in real research problems

The book is a triumphant introduction to the theory and practice of quantitative methods. It will quickly establish itself as essential reading for students doing social research throughout the social sciences.

`With this book Norman Blaikie retains his reputation as the leading rapporteur and raconteur of social research methodology. With many other introductory texts, data analysis becomes just an exercise unto itself, and students (sometimes) learn to go through the motions without really knowing why. After working with Blaikie's text, novice researchers will know why quantitative inquiry is important' - Ray Pawson, University of Leeds

 
Introduction
About the Book

 
 
Social Research and Data Analysis
Demystifying Basic Concepts

 
 
Data Analysis in Context
Working with Two Data Sets

 
 
Descriptive Analysis - Univariate
Looking for Characteristics

 
 
Descriptive Analysis - Bivariate
Looking for Patterns

 
 
Explanatory Analysis
Looking for Influences

 
 
Inferential Analysis
From Sample to Population

 
 
Data Reduction
Preparing to Answer Research Questions

 
 
Real Data Analysis
Answering Research Questions

 

`With this book Norman Blaikie retains his reputation as the leading rapporteur and raconteur of social research methodology. With many other introductory texts, data analysis becomes just an exercise unto itself, and students (sometimes) learn to go through the motions without really knowing why. After working with Blaikie's text, novice researchers will know why quantitative inquiry is important' - Ray Pawson, University of Leeds


Clear descriptions of technical terms, very useful for the beginner.

Ms Cath Wright
occupational therapy, University of Teesside
September 29, 2014

Very good read, with lots of key elements we are looking to involve within the course

Mr Stuart Priestley
Sport, Myerscough College
February 5, 2014

This book is ideal for novice researchers and students. The detailed chapter content is extremely helpful in that concepts/ideas are clearly identified so that students can find specific topics quickly and easily.
The whole text is well written with ideas and concepts explained in a very readable style.

Mrs Yvette Winnard
Allied Health and Medicine, Anglia Ruskin University
February 4, 2014

It helped a lot students that were asking for a book that explains theoretical, as well as empirical issues on empirical analysis. They found it easy to understand and helpful in their dissertations.

Mr Iordanis Kalaitzoglou
Coventry Business School, Coventry University
November 25, 2011

This book takes the reader through basic concepts as well the various quantitative data analysis methods, from the descriptive to inferential analysis. A good book that will help novice researchers settle into quantitative data analysis.

Ms Emma Etuk
St Bart's Schl of Nursing & Midwifery, City University
July 21, 2011

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