How to Study Social Life

Russell Hitchings was a Professor of Human Geography at University College London. His research focused on everyday practice, energy consumption and nature experience and he had been lucky to study these themes in a variety of contexts all around the world. He was particularly interested in how we use talk to examine these topics, having done a lot interviewing about them. He also used focus groups, solicited diaries, observation, and survey methods when that seemed like a good idea. Originally from South Wales, he spent many years at UCL, London. Alan Latham is a Professor of Human Geography at University College London. His research focuses on sociality, social infrastructure, and the public life of cities more generally. He has undertaken research in Germany, America, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Sweden on cities as diverse as Auckland, London, New York, Eugene (OR), Malmo, Berlin, and Champaign-Urbana. Before moving to UCL he held academic positions at the University of Southampton, and the University of Auckland.

Finally—a social research methods book that will make you eager to dive into fieldwork! With humour, wisdom, and a healthy dose of curiosity, Russell and Alan are the ultimate companions for your research adventure. From the first spark of an idea to the final write-up, this book is jam-packed with practical tips, surprising insights, and real-world examples that break down every barrier—including the ones no one else talks about! Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned pro, this is the game-changing methods guide you′ve been waiting for!

• Chapter 1. Introduction: What is the point of this book and how to use itChapter 2. Warrants: Starting with what you want your study to achieveChapter 3. Observing: On learning to learn from different social scenesChapter 4. Taking part: Considering the benefits of getting involved ourselvesChapter 5. Staging talk: How to do and imagine interviewsChapter 6. Engaging people: Seeing social research as a relationshipChapter 7. Asking questions: Exploring a basic act that features in many methodsChapter 8. Playing with words: Strategies for seeing and exploring patternsChapter 9. Looking at pictures: Ways of getting drawn into social worldsChapter 10. Choosing: How thinking about cases and samples can make for innovative projectsChapter 11. Writing: How to present the material we’ve collected