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Social Science Research
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Social Science Research
From Field to Desk

First Edition


May 2014 | 192 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

This clear, straightforward textbook embraces the practical reality of actually doing fieldwork. It tackles the common problems faced by new researchers head on, offering sensible advice and instructive case studies from the author’s own experience.

Barbara Czarniawska takes us on a master class through the research process, encouraging us to revisit the various facets of the fieldwork research and helping us to reframe our own experiences. Combining a conversational style of writing with an impressive range of empirical examples she takes the reader from planning and designing research to collecting and analyzing data all the way to writing up and disseminating findings.  

This is a sophisticated introduction to a broad range of research methods and methodologies; it will be of great interest to anyone keen to revisit social research in the company of an expert guide.

 
What, why, and how?
 
Reviewing literature
 
Designing the study
 
Interviewing
 
Observation on the move: Shadowing
 
Following objects and quasi-objects
 
Tools for fieldwork
 
Surviving in the field: Practicalities and personalities
 
Excursions into the cyberspace
 
Analysing field material
 
Text analyses
 
Writing it up
 
Good academic writing: Beauty & credibility
 
When to stop, and what to do next

A very clear and reflective introduction to ethnographic fieldwork and research - I am sure it will be useful for researchers in social science and in health care.

Mrs Birgitte Toerring
Accounting , University College Northern Denmark, act2learn HEALTH
November 15, 2016

A very practical book that provides helpful insights into the world of research for the novice researcher

Mrs Lana Burroughs
Applied Social Studies, Bedfordshire University
June 10, 2015

The book is interesting and works well as a preliminary introduction, but I find it too general as a textbook for the course.

Dr Morten Kyed
Sociology, Social Work & Organisation, Aalborg University
June 9, 2015

very informative textbook, ideal for research required within the psychology field

Mrs Diane Julie Forrester
Community Studies, Truro College
July 23, 2015

Good book, explains essential concepts used in social sciences research clearly.

Dr Anshuman Sharma
International Business Administration, College of Applied Sciences, Ministry of Higher Education
April 6, 2015

A very well written and comprehensive text.

Professor Andreas Duer
Political Science Department, University of Salzburg
March 23, 2015

This book allows students to gain a thorough understanding of some very important steps in the research process. It contains several practical examples which makes it even more interesting.

Dr Joseph Vella
Corporate communication, University of Malta
March 10, 2015

An excellent texts for students embarking on their final dissertation research

Miss Ann Browning
Business, Law & Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University
March 2, 2015

THE BOOK IS GOOD AND I WILL USE IT AS A SUPPLIMENTAL BOOK IN THE RESEARCH METHODS COURSE

Dr HAMZA OMAR MOKIWA
Dept of Further Teacher Education, University of South Africa
February 23, 2015

A useful, beautifully written book - good for postgraduate level. I have used it to inform my teaching at undergraduate level, but feel my undergraduate students would find it a little inaccessible.

Ms Isobelle Madden
Healthcare, Bedfordshire University
February 3, 2015

For instructors

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ISBN: 9781446293942
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SAGE Research Methods is a research methods tool created to help researchers, faculty and students with their research projects. SAGE Research Methods links over 175,000 pages of SAGE’s renowned book, journal and reference content with truly advanced search and discovery tools. Researchers can explore methods concepts to help them design research projects, understand particular methods or identify a new method, conduct their research, and write up their findings. Since SAGE Research Methods focuses on methodology rather than disciplines, it can be used across the social sciences, health sciences, and more.

With SAGE Research Methods, researchers can explore their chosen method across the depth and breadth of content, expanding or refining their search as needed; read online, print, or email full-text content; utilize suggested related methods and links to related authors from SAGE Research Methods' robust library and unique features; and even share their own collections of content through Methods Lists. SAGE Research Methods contains content from over 720 books, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and handbooks, the entire “Little Green Book,” and "Little Blue Book” series, two Major Works collating a selection of journal articles, and specially commissioned videos.