Understanding the Social World

Research Methods for the 21st Century

• New discussions show the diverse practices of contemporary research at work: searching the web, conducting systematic literature reviews, using unobtrusive measures and combining measurement methods, sampling on the internet, building online panels, designing community-engaged research, and presenting research results.
  
  
• Timely and engaging examples show the connection between research and contemporary social issues, such as the impact of the internet on social relations, responses to domestic violence, the causes of crime, and the consequences of inequality.  
  
  
• The latest research techniques from current social science literature are discussed, demonstrating how researchers are responding to important social changes.
  
  
• Coverage of current controversies, such as including citizenship question in 2020 census and the concept of a "living wage," stimulate student engagement with national policy questions.
  
  
• Expanded explanations of the basic methods provide a stronger foundation for understanding the logic and process of social research. 
  
  
• New tools to aid student research include connections to sources of questions from General Social Survey, guidance on research presentations, steps added to guide qualitative data analysis, instruction son conducting community engaged qualitative research. 

KEY FEATURES:

• Designed for instructors seeking much more streamlined coverage of research essentials.
  
  
• Engaging writing, clear descriptions, and contemporary examples speak directly to students about how research is done and reported, and its relevance to their own lives.
  
  
• The book reflects the most current research practices such as the increased use of visual methods, web surveys, smartphones, and social media.
  
  
• Strong coverage of research ethics, with an early chapter devoted to the topic, as well as a section on ethics in each research design chapter. 
  
  
• "Careers and Research" and "Research in the News" show students career prospects and the relevance of the research methods course to their lives, both personal and professional.