Doing Real Research

'I am very impressed by the format of the book and the learning features. The practical step-by-step approach is better than any of the texts we currently use, and the book contains a valuable chapter on risk evaluation in the field, so often absent in research textbooks’

'This textbook enables the student-researcher to learn very practical skills to prepare for the research journey. Providing a clear 'how to' guide from research design, ethics, data collection and analysis through to presenting research data, much of what you need to know is here. Accessible and informative, this textbook will inspire students to get into the field and become researchers'

‘This book provides such an extensive overview of how to plan, execute and write-up a research project that it will be invaluable for post-graduate students across the humanities. It is rich in detail, comprehensive in coverage and the addition of many real-life examples makes this book extremely accessible for students, teachers and researchers alike’ 

‘A well-written, easy to read and very practical handbook to guide taught Masters students through all the key stages of their dissertation work’

‘A well-written book that highlights the different kinds of challenges and risks experienced by researchers and provides practical solutions. It includes valuable tools, strategies and tactics for doing research and overcoming the taken-for-granted difficulties that may potentially affect the viability of any research project’ 

‘This is an easy to follow, practical guide to entering the field of social research.  Students will love this introduction, which covers key themes of research without getting bogged down in academic jargon’

‘This research book succinctly presents research in a logical and tangible way that would enable students to engage with the practical application of the research process in an informed way. It is written in a facilitative way that endears the reader to its style, making it an invaluable resource to undergraduate students.’

Eric Jensen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Warwick. He has two main research specialisms: Public engagement, and media. He also contributes to the development of impact evaluation methodology and social change theory. His research on the impacts of public engagement cuts across a wide range of settings, from zoos to conservation training programmes to museums.

PART ONE: LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: How to Review Existing Evidence and Ideas: Laying the Foundations Chapter 3: Research Design - Planning for the Unknowable, the Unexpected and the Undesirable Chapter 4: Being an Ethical Social Researcher PART TWO: IN THE FIELD Chapter 5: Managing Threats to the Researcher and Participant Chapter 6: Identifying a Representative Sample and Making Research Claims Chapter 7: Gaining Research Participation PART THREE: DATA COLLECTION METHODS Chapter 8: How to do Survey Research with Limited Resources Chapter 9: How to do Qualitative Interviews and Focus Groups Chapter 10: How to do Ethnographic Research Chapter 11: Using Existing Data: Challenges and Opportunities PART FOUR: MANAGING AND ANALYZING DATA Chapter 12: Managing Data Chapter 13: Analyzing Qualitative Data Chapter 14: Analyzing Quantitative Data PART FIVE: PRESENTING YOUR RESEARCH Chapter 15: Writing Up Chapter 16: Collaboration and Engagement in the Information Age Chapter 17: Conclusion