Constructing Social Research

Preface Acknowledgments PART I: ELEMENTS OF SOCIAL RESEARCH CHAPTER 1: What Is (and Is Not) Social Research? Introduction Some Conventional Views of Social Research Social Research and Other Ways of Representing Social Life How Social Research Differs Conclusion CHAPTER 2: The Goals of Social Research Introduction Seven Main Goals The Link Between Goals and Strategies The Social Nature of Social Research CHAPTER 3: The Process of Social Research: Ideas and Evidence Introduction The Interpretive Model of Social Research Processes and Strategies of Social Research The Challenge of Social Research CHAPTER 4: The Ethics of Social Research Introduction Ethical Dilemmas and Failures The Troubled History of Ethical Research The Current Ethical Standards and Institutional Oversight Ethical and Professional Dilemmas Facing Social Researchers The Problem of Representation Conclusion PART II: STRATEGIES OF SOCIAL RESEARCH CHAPTER 5: Using Qualitative Methods to Study Commonalities Introduction The Goals of Qualitative Research The Process of Qualitative Research Using Qualitative Methods The Study of a Single Case Conclusion CHAPTER 6: Using Comparative Methods to Study Diversity Introduction Contrasts With Other Research Strategies The Goals of Comparative Research The Process of Comparative Research Using Comparative Methods Conclusion CHAPTER 7: Using Quantitative Methods to Study Covariation Introduction The Goals of Quantitative Research Contrasts With Other Research Strategies The Process of Quantitative Research Using Quantitative Methods Conclusion Afterword: The Promise of Social Research With Mary Driscoll Appendix: Computing Correlation Coefficients References Glossary/Index About the Authors