With its focus on critical thinking and applied learning, Doing Social Research provides a unique approach to conducting social research. The book is organised according to the broad chronology of developing and conducting a typical student research project and provides coverage of key theories alongside exercises, case studies and scenarios. Written specifically for students in South Africa and the developing world and drawing on examples from a range of fields in the social sciences, the book brings research methods to life. Contributors: Anja Botha, Bagele Chilisa, Rebecca K. Frels, Mark Garner, Laurel Holland, Barbara B. Kawulich, Sumaya Laher, Melody Mentz, Craig A. Mertler, Jan Nieuwenhuis, Tamra Ogletree, Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie, Charles Potter, Anne Ryen, Adilia S.F. Silva, Brigitte Smit and Claire Wagner
Section 1: Getting started in social research1. Introducing social research in a global context - Claire Wagner
2. Developing a research topic and planning the research project - Claire Wagner, Anja Botha and Melody Mentz
3. Writing a literature review - Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie and Rebecca K. Frels
4. Selecting a research approach: paradigm, methodology and methods - Bagele Chilisa and Barbara B. Kawulich
5. Ethical considerations in conducting research - Tamra Ogletree and Barbara B. Kawulich
Section 2: Identifying a useful methodology and methods
6. Measurement - Melody Mentz and Anja Botha
7. Methods of sampling - Sumaya Laher and Anja Botha
8. Survey research - Melody Mentz
9. Experimental research - Craig A. Mertler
10. Qualitative research - Jan Nieuwenhuis and Brigitte Smit
11. Document analysis - Adilia S.F. Silva
12. Collecting data through observation - Barbara B. Kawulich
13. Multi-method research - Charles Potter
Section 3: Analysing and presenting data: Exercises in analysis and interpreting your research
14. Descriptive statistics - Melody Mentz and Anja Botha
15. Inferential statistics - Melody Mentz and Anja Botha
16. Qualitative data analysis - Barbara B. Kawulich and Laurel Holland
17. Writing up your research - Mark Garner and Anne Ryen
