Research Design & Method Selection

Making Good Choices in the Social Sciences

AvDiana Panke

Häftad, Engelska, 2018

1 464 kr

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Beskrivning

Heavily grounded in helping students make the best choices for their projects, this book explores how to develop and work with theory, research questions, and method selection to build solid, logical proposals and move from research concepts to fully realized designs.

Rather than rushing initial planning stages or reverse engineering questions from preferred methods, it encourages students to challenge unconscious biases around method selection and analysis and provides step-by-step guidance on choosing a method that is in-line with the question being explored. Focused on the role of the researcher within research design, it stresses the need to consider the theoretical underpinnings of research and not just practical issues when designing a project.

It provides a sophisticated toolkit to understand:

- The critical issues associated with both qualitative and quantitative methods

- The approach that works best for specific research questions

- How design choices can affect practice.

Perfect for upper undergraduate and postgraduate students, this book will instil confidence and good decision making to ensure constructively informed design and practice.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2018-10-03
Mått:170 x 242 x 20 mm
Vikt:640 g
Format:Häftad
Språk:Engelska
Antal sidor:368
Upplaga:1
Förlag:SAGE Publications
ISBN:9781526438638

Utforska kategorier

Sociologi inom Samhälle och politik

Mer om författaren

Since 2012 Diana Panke is Professor of Political Science and holds the Chair in ‘Multi-Level Governance’ at the University of Freiburg. Previously she worked at the University College Dublin, the Free University Berlin and the University of Heidelberg. She specialized in International Relations, Comparative Regionalism, and Social Science Research Methods. Her research interests include international negotiations, small states in international affairs, multilateral diplomacy, international norms, the design of international institutions, European Union politics as well as compliance and legalization. In these fields, she has published journal articles in a variety of outlets such as Review of International Organizations, International Political Science Review, European Journal of International Relations, British Journal of Politics and International Relations, Comparative Political Studies, Cooperation and Conflict, Journal of Common Market Studies, Journal of European Public Policy, Journal of European Integration, International Relations, or International Politics. Her books have appeared with Palgrave, ECPR Press, Manchester University Press, and Ashgate.

Recensioner i media

This text provides user friendly illustrations, exercises and practical research tips. It consolidates understanding by simplifying what can, at times, be deemed as complex methodological issues.

Innehållsförteckning

Chapter 1: Introduction: the Basics of Social Science Research DesignsDeductive and inductive researchExplanatory and interpretative research designsDeductive, explanatory research designs and their core componentsResearch design choices: x-centered and y-centered projectsQuality criteria for social science researchChapter 2: Detecting Puzzles and Selecting Good Research QuestionsResearch questions’ essentialsHow to find empirical puzzles and select a good explanatory research questionFeasibilityHow to make choices: selecting good research questionsChapter 3: Working with TheoriesWhy do we need theories for explanatory social science projects?Selecting theories: how many and which ones do we need?Working with theories: how to develop and select hypotheses?Making choices: which and how many theories and hypotheses to use?Chapter 4: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed-Method Projects—How to Make the ChoiceAdvantages and disadvantages of quantitative and qualitative projectsMixed-method combinations: Advantages and challengesQualitative, quantitative and mixed-method projects – How to make a choice?Chapter 5: How to Select CasesWhat is a case?Case selection: An essential task for comparative researchHow many and which cases should be selected?Making choices: How to select cases?Chapter 6: Making Choices between Methods of Data CollectionThe measurement of variablesOverview of data sources and methods of data collectionDatabases and compendiumsPrimary Sources: DocumentsInterviewsSurveys and questionnairesFocus groupsParticipant observationThe importance of triangulationThe importance of data managementSummary – Choices on data collectionChapter 7: Making Choices between Qualitative Methods of Data AnalysisTypes of Comparisons in Qualitative Case StudiesProcess-tracingSummary: Choosing between methods of qualitative analysisChapter 8: Making Choices between Quantitative Methods of Data AnalysisDetecting variable types and describing variablesChoosing between linear and logistic regression analysisChoosing between advanced methods of quantitative data analysisChapter 9: Making Choices in Writing and Sharing ResearchWriting techniquesDisseminating research outputs