Introducing Research Methodology
A Beginner's Guide to Doing a Research Project
- Uwe Flick - Freie Universtität Berlin, Germany
- Introductions to the basics of qualitative and quantitative research methods
- A beginner’s guide to issues of theory and methodology
- Advice on searching, reading and reviewing the literature
- A guide to research design
- Core guidance on the basics of data analysis
- Help with writing up
- Coverage of research ethics
As well as practical research techniques, Flick provides a basic explanation of methodological issues such as research planning, the quantitative/qualitative debate and the wider social role of research, linking these to real world issues and examples and the actual task of researching and writing a project.
This book provides an extremely useful guide to the basics of research, such as the fundamental characteristics of quantitative and qualitative research and their associated research questions. It is written in an accessible style without the complicated use of terms and details that often shroud research methods books. It is orientated toward the beginner who may not be familiar with the language of quantitative and qualitative research and who may be an undergraduate in the social sciences. It balances nicely attention to both quantitative and qualitative research, providing legitimacy for both approaches
John W Creswell
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
What makes this guide special is the way in which it is structured and the style used for explanations and clarifications... The book enjoys the benefits of Flick's personal research experience, but also his personal experience in teaching research methodology and supervising students' research projects. The book is addressed to young researchers at the beginning of their career. It represents a clear overview of the main approaches used in social research. Even though research methodology specific to social sciences can be seen as overwhelming in the eyes of the beginners, this book manages to overcome this drawback and create positive orientation for readers to learn. It offers logical and clear guidance, revealing the route that any high quality research needs to follow.
Sorana Saveanu
Journal of Social Research and Policy
This book's main strengths are its range of topics and issues, firstly it brings the reader up to date with recent research methods such as e-research, online interviewing and virtual ethnography. Secondly, it is brief enough to understand the issues and challenges in research projects, but detailed enough to help one make key decisions. Thirdly, its use of real-life examples helps to contextualise issues in conducting research projects. Fourthly, there are many references at the end of each chapter to direct the reader to further resources.
Chloe Sharp
SRA News
This book provides an extremely useful guide to the basics of research, such as the fundamental characteristics of quantitative and qualitative research and their associated research questions. It is written in an accessible style without the complicated use of terms and details that often shroud research methods books. It is orientated toward the beginner who may not be familiar with the language of quantitative and qualitative research and who may be an undergraduate in the social sciences. It balances nicely attention to both quantitative and qualitative research, providing legitimacy for both approaches.