Investigative Social Research


Book Description

How 'dirty' is field research? How close can it come to the social researcher's goal of 'learning the truth'? This book is part of a growing movement which strongly argues that field research has a great deal to offer both the discipline of sociology and the general study of human behaviour as well.







Case Study Methods


Book Description

In this introduction to understanding, researching and doing case studies in the social sciences, Hamel outlines several differing traditions of case study research including the Chicago School of Sociology, the anthropological case studies of Malinowski, and the French La Play school tradition. He shows how each developed, changed and has been practiced over time. Suggestions for the practice of case studies are made for the novice reader and an additional feature is the extensive bibliography on case study methods in social science to allow for further exploration of the topic.




Qualitative Media Analysis


Book Description

Qualitative Media Analysis




Data Collection and Analysis


Book Description

In simple and non-technical terms, the Second Edition of Data Collection and Analysis illustrates a wide range of techniques and approaches used in social research projects. Always accessible and engaging, this comprehensive text covers both quantitative and qualitative approaches to data collection and analysis in social research, considering both the structure and logic of research projects and the ethics and politics of research. A wide range of examples illustrate the text and a set of exercises runs throughout the book to aid the reader in understanding and planning research projects. Building on the strengths of the First Edition, this new and expanded version includes: - The addition of chapter introductions, summaries and key terms to guide the reader through the text - Three brand new chapters focusing on: research and information on the Net; discourse research; ethnographic and discursive qualitative analysis - Up-to-date examples of research in action - New material on questionnaire design, composite measurement and techniques of quantitative and qualitative interviewing An invaluable guide for students from across the social sciences, this wide-ranging volume is also a key resource for practitioners in a variety of applied areas including nursing, social work, the criminal justice system, teaching and education.




Routledge International Handbook of Police Ethnography


Book Description

Ethnography has a long history in the humanities and social sciences and has provided the base line in the field of police studies for over 60 years. We have recently witnessed a resurgence in ethnographic practice among police scholars, and this Handbook is a response to that revival. Students and academics are returning to the ethnography arena and the study of police in situ to explain the evocative worlds of the police. The list of ethnographic sites is vast and all have fed the rejuvenation of ethnographic endeavour. Together they suggest innovation, theoretical depth, broad geographical boundaries, multi-site experiments, and multi-disciplinarity, all of which are central to the exploration of police and policing in the twenty-first century. This Handbook encapsulates the revival of police ethnography by exploring its multidisciplinary field and cataloguing the ongoing ethnographic work. It offers an original and international contribution to the field of police studies and research methods, providing a comprehensive and overarching guide to police ethnography. We see the previous classics in every page and still note the influence of the early ethnographers. At the same time, we see the innovative breadth and diversity of these narratives. The aim of this Handbook is to highlight the mosaic that is police ethnography at a point in time and note with pleasure its contribution to the field once more. Ethnography may be messy, difficult, and at times uncooperative, but its results offer a unique insight into the perspectives of people and organisations that can hide in plain sight. An accessible and compelling read, this Handbook will provide a sound and essential reference source for academics, researchers, students, and practitioners engaged in police and criminal justice studies.




Key Issues in Health and Social Care


Book Description

Key Themes in Health and Social Care is a learning resource for students in health and social care. It provides an overview of foundational issues and core themes in the field and introduces key areas of debate, moving from an introductory level to in-depth discussion as the book progresses. Divided into three parts: the first part sets the scene, addressing introductory psychology and sociology, social policy, equality and diversity, skills for practice, and working with people the second part considers key themes such as the contribution of philosophy and politics; criminal justice; management of services; the relationship between place and wellbeing; research in health and social care; theories of counselling; housing and the built environment the third part looks at discrete areas of practice such as mental health; substance abuse, protection work; health promotion; disability studies; working with men; child welfare and public responsibility. Each chapter begins with an outline of the content and learning outcomes and includes reflective exercises to allow students to reflect on what they have read, review their learning and consolidate their understanding. Time-pressed readers wanting to ‘dip into’ the book for relevant areas can do so but, read from cover to cover, the book provides a comprehensive introduction to the key areas of contemporary health and social care practice. It will be particularly helpful for students undertaking health and social care undergraduate and foundation degrees.




From Hire to Liar


Book Description

"There are always clients to please, rules to subvert, difficult tasks to perform, work to shirk, and upward mobility to seek.... Most people with work experience have encountered at least some version of exaggerated resumes, exploitative bosses, self-interested shirking, collusion against disliked colleagues, lying to clients, and countless other variants of lies on the job. This book tells the tale of such lies in the workplace and examines their impact on ethics, administrating work, and productivity."—from the IntroductionAccording to David Shulman, deception is a pervasive element of daily working life. Sometimes it is an official part of one's work-as in the case study he offers of private detectives, who lie for a living-but more often it is simply part of the fabric of life on the job. Shulman argues that workplace cultures socialize individuals into using deception as a tool in performing their everyday work. To make his point he focuses not on extreme cases but rather on less obvious forms of deception, such as pretending to show deference, shirking one's work, crafting misleading accounting reports, making false claims to customers and coworkers, and covering up business transgressions. Shulman analyzes the motives, tactics, rationalizations, and ethical ramifications of acting deceptively in the workplace. From Hire to Liar offers readers both detailed accounts of workplace lies and new ways to think about the important effects of everyday workplace deceptions.




Business Research Methods 3e


Book Description

Each chapter is filled with examples that provide context for the theories and concepts being discussed.




Successful Writing for Qualitative Researchers


Book Description

It is always difficult to know how to write up research, and as academics and postgraduates alike come under increasing pressure to improve rates of publication a text like this one is essential reading for all researchers. The book discusses all aspects of translating research into writing, including: * getting started and keeping going * putting into words what you want to say * ways of organizing your work * coping with problems, blockages and sustaining morale *style and format *editing your writing *writing alone and writing in a team *approaching problems and getting published. This book will be of use to students, researchers and writers concerned with getting their research written and having it published.