Book Description
This thorough revision of Babbie's standard-setting book for the course offers students a comprehensive, straightforward introduction to the field of research methods as practiced by sociologists and other social scientists. Emphasizing the importance of the research process, the book shows students how social scientists design research studies, introduces the variety of observation modes used by sociologists, and covers the "how-tos" and "whys" of social research methods. Students learn how to conduct various types of research, when it is appropriate to use each method, and how to analyze qualitative and quantitative data using the Elaboration Model. The 10th edition provides students with the necessary tools for understanding social research methods and for applying these concepts both inside and outside the classroom--as researchers and as consumers of research. Retaining the authoritative coverage of the research process that has made the book a best-seller, the new edition is more student-friendly than ever. The new edition features a completely new chapter on reading and writing social research, a streamlined organization, a new running glossary, and a new Research Writing and Chapter Tutorial CD-ROM that not only helps students every step of the way in writing research papers, but also links to chapter by chapter online tutorials that will help them master the concepts and techniques of the course.


Book Info
Text presents the logic and skills necessary to perform effective research and write reports. Covers quantitative and qualitative methods and inductive and deductive distinctions. Includes updated and expanded material and new graphics. Includes a companion Research Writer CD-ROM, which complements a new chapter: 'Reading and Writing Social Research.' Includes passcode to Infotrac.


About the Author
A native of New England, Earl Babbie graduated from Harvard University before enlisting in the United States Marine Corp. He received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley and began teaching shortly thereafter. Earl Babbie has written several texts for Wadsworth, including the best-selling THE PRACTICE OF SOCIAL RESEARCH.

ANNOTATION

Content includes and emphasizes the important of problem-solving and decision-making, the links between statistics and research methods, and the use of computers in social research. Includes current research examples and illustrations from such recent topics as welfare and poverty, gender issues, affirmative action, the AIDS epidemic, and more.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In this edition of the most comprehensive, authoritative research methods text on the market, Earl Babbie offers the most cutting-edge and thorough revision ever. The new edition retains the strengths that made it the best-selling text in the market while seamlessly integrating qualitative material throughout and adding an additional chapter on Qualitative Data Analysis (13). The book is known for being straightforward, with a broad set of topics. It has great illustrations, comprehensive overviews, detailed discussions, brief outlines, and a concrete, well-defined chapter structure. Its reputation for being very readable continues through its use of minimum jargon and math, along with use of humor throughout.

SYNOPSIS