Cross-national Research Methodology & Practice


Book Description

Aiming to contribute to the theoretical basis of research that crosses national boundaries and to offer guidance for relative newcomers to cross-national research by analysing and evaluating the research process, this work also includes practical examples from cross-national research projects.




Cross-National Research Methodology and Practice


Book Description

Cross-National Research Methodology and Practice offers practical guidance for relative newcomers to cross-national research by analysing and evaluating the research process by focusing strongly on best practice in terms of methods and management. It raises a number of important issues for cross-national research which have been given insufficient attention in discussions of methods and practice. The volume contains reflexive and theoretically based pieces on the development of contextualization as an approach to cross-national comparative research, on qualitative and quantitative methods, extending to the integration of different methodological approaches. The volume includes practical examples of cross-national research projects which illustrate different methods ranging from: biographical and documentary approaches the collection and analysis of socio-demographic and attitudinal survey data either carried out by lone researchers or teams of researchers the exploration of internet sources and application of computer analysis to quantitative and qualitative data. This collection provides a firm emphasis on methodological issues relating to context, values and discourse.




Cross National Research Methods


Book Description

This is a resource book for social scientists engaged in cross-national comparative research. It critically examines the methodological and managerial issues which arise from such work, with a particular focus on the economic and social policy agenda of the European Union. Experts from across Europe and from different disciplinary backgrounds draw upon their own experience of conducting cross-national comparisons to offer well-informed guidance on how to overcome the pitfalls and problems they have encountered.




International Comparative Research


Book Description

This authoritative book examines the what, why and how of international comparative research. It offers a comprehensive topic-based overview of the theory and practice of comparative research and addresses the possible concerns of those both funding the research and using the findings. Drawing on illustrations from the extensive international literature as well as real-life comparative studies, the chapters guide readers through the many stages in the research process, from research design and data collection to the analysis and interpretation of findings. In a book that crosses national, societal, cultural and disciplinary boundaries, the author: - Pinpoints practical problems and directs readers to tried and tested solutions, including multiple method strategies. - Draws on examples of policy transfer to examine how comparative research can inform policy making - Provides guidance on the management of international research teams and projects This resource is the ultimate reference tool for students, researchers and practitioners undertaking comparative research projects in international settings across the social sciences and humanities.







Cross-National Comparative Survey Research


Book Description

Cross-National Comparative Survey Research: Theory and Practice contains the proceedings of the Roundtable Conference on Cross-National Comparative Survey Research held in Budapest, Hungary, on July 25-29, 1972. The papers focus on the theory and practice of cross-national comparative survey research. The organization and execution of cross-national survey research products are discussed, along with analysis and interpretation in cross-national survey research and the role of theory in the research process. This book is comprised of 12 chapters and begins with a discussion on the strategy of cross-national survey research for the development of social theory. The objectives and implications of cross-national surveys are also considered. Subsequent chapters explore cross-national comparative survey research in areas such as juvenile delinquency and development; time-budget and industrialization; and values in politics. The process of cross-national survey research is outlined, together with analysis and inference in such studies and the role of theory in the research process. The final chapter looks at ways of extending the global reach of survey research. This monograph will be of interest to social scientists, sociologists, and social science researchers.




Qualitative Research Practice


Book Description

'An excellent introduction to the theoretical, methodological and practical issues of qualitative research... they deal with issues at all stages in a very direct, clear, systematic and practical manner and thus make the processes involved in qualitative research more transparent' - Nyhedsbrev 'This is a "how to" book on qualitative methods written by people who do qualitative research for a living.... It is likely to become the standard manual on all graduate and undergraduate courses on qualitative methods' - Professor Robert Walker, School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Nottingham What exactly is qualitative research? What are the processes involved and what can it deliver as a mode of inquiry? Qualitative research is an exciting blend of scientific investigation and creative discovery. When properly executed, it can bring a unique understanding of people's lives which in turn can be used to deepen our understanding of society. It as a skilled craft used by practitioners and researchers in the 'real world'; this textbook illuminates the possibilities of qualitative research and presents a sequential overview of the process written by those active in the field. Qualitative Research Practice: - Leads the student or researcher through the entire process of qualitative research from beginning to end - moving through design, sampling, data collection, analysis and reporting. - Is written by practising researchers with extensive experience of conducting qualitative research in the arena of social and public policy - contains numerous case studies. - Contains plenty of pedagogical material including chapter summaries, explanation of key concepts, reflective points for seminar discussion and further reading in each chapter - Is structured and applicable for all courses in qualitative research, irrespective of field. Drawn heavily on courses run by the Qualitative Unit at the National Centre for Social Research, this textbook should be recommended reading for students new to qualitative research across the social sciences.




Comparative Cross-national Case Study Research


Book Description

Cross-national and multi-language research is likely to become more popular, with the increasingly international agenda many Higher Education institutions are focusing on. However, methodological considerations given to this has been scarce, both in research methodology literature and research methods training in Higher Education. This case presents the methodological journey I took during my PhD research, which consisted of comparative cross-national case studies involving three countries, three languages, and six cases. The paper draws together methodological considerations on issues arising from conducting comparative cross-national research (especially via multiple case studies) includinǵbut not limited tólanguage issues. The case highlights that more consideration needs to be given to the issues discussed, and the learning points provided in the case can be used as guidance for issues that are likely to arise and how they can be overcome. This case concludes that five key issues need to be considered carefully when thinking of doing cross-national research: having enough funds, being flexible with time, having contacts or being able to get them, knowing the country and its systems really well, and knowing the appropriate terminology used in the country.




Cognitive Interviewing Practice


Book Description

The use of the cognitive interviewing method for survey question testing has proliferated and evolved over the past 30 years. In more recent years the method has been applied to the evaluation of information letters and leaflets and to research consent forms. This book provides a practical handbook for implementing cognitive interviewing methods in the context of applied social policy research, based on the approach used by the authors at the NatCen Social Research (NatCen) where cognitive interviewing methods have been used for well over a decade. The book provides a justification for the importance of question testing and evaluation and discusses the position of cognitive interviewing in relation to other questionnaire development and evaluation techniques. Throughout the book, the focus is on providing practical and hands-on guidance around elements such as sampling and recruitment, designing probes, interviewing skills, data management and analysis and how to interpret the findings and use them to improve survey questions and other documents. The book also covers cognitive interviewing in different survey modes, in cross national, cross cultural and multilingual settings and discusses some other potential uses of the method.




Doing Educational Research


Book Description

Every educational research project has challenges and obstacles that need to be managed and overcome. This book uses real case studies employing a wide range of research methodologies and drawn from educational contexts across Europe to explore these challenges offering flexible and universal guidance that you can apply to your own research. Published in partnership with EERA, this book is: · Realistic and informed: It explores a range of perspectives on educational research, from planning to data collection to international collaboration · Challenging: It integrates a holistic and critical view on the process of educational research · Culturally aware: It covers a variety of research projects from different countries and encourages you to challenge dominant perspectives in education This is the first major English language textbook for postgraduate and postdoctoral education researchers that represents and explores the range of research traditions that exist throughout Europe and what they mean in practice.