You are here

Disable VAT on Taiwan

Unfortunately, as of 1 January 2020 SAGE Ltd is no longer able to support sales of electronically supplied services to Taiwan customers that are not Taiwan VAT registered. We apologise for any inconvenience. For more information or to place a print-only order, please contact uk.customerservices@sagepub.co.uk.

Principles of Methodology
Share
Share

Principles of Methodology
Research Design in Social Science


Other Titles in:
Research Design

October 2011 | 336 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
This book provides a comprehensive, accessible guide to social science methodology. In so doing, it establishes methodology as distinct from both methods and philosophy.

Most existing textbooks deal with methods, or sound ways of collecting and analysing data to generate findings. In contrast, this innovative book shows how an understanding of methodology allows us to design research so that findings can be used to answer interesting research questions and to build and test theories.

Most important things in social research (e.g., beliefs, institutions, interests, practices and social classes) cannot be observed directly. This book explains how empirical research can nevertheless be designed to make sound inferences about their nature, effects and significance.

The authors examine what counts as good description, explanation and interpretation, and how they can be achieved by striking intelligent trade-offs between competing design virtues.

Coverage includes:

• why methodology matters;

• what philosophical arguments show us about inference;

• competing virtues of good research design;

• purposes of theory, models and frameworks;

• forming researchable concepts and typologies;

• explaining and interpreting: inferring causation, meaning and significance; and

• combining explanation and interpretation.

The book is essential reading for new researchers faced with the practical challenge of designing research. Extensive examples and exercises are provided, based on the authors' long experience of teaching methodology to multi-disciplinary groups.

Perri 6 is Professor of Social Policy in the Graduate School in the College of Business, Law and Social Sciences at Nottingham Trent University.

Chris Bellamy is Emeritus Professor of Public Administration in the Graduate School, Nottingham Trent University.

 
PART ONE: FOUNDATIONS: WHAT METHODOLOGY IS AND DOES
 
Inference and Warrant in Designing Research
 
Methodology and Social Science Knowledge
 
Testing, Confirming and Falsifying
 
Perspectives on Findings from Social Research
 
PART TWO: DESIGNS: THE MAIN TYPES OF RESEARCH DESIGN
 
Types of Research Design
 
Variable-Oriented Research Designs
 
Case-Based Research Designs
 
Comparative and Case-Oriented Research Designs
 
Concept Formation
 
PART THREE: ACHIEVEMENTS: WHAT RESEARCH MAKES INFERENCES TO
 
Why Ideas about Explanation Matter for Methodology
 
Basic Forms of Explanation
 
Mechanisms, Contexts and Trajectories
 
Warranting Explanations
 
Between-Case and within-Case Strategies
 
Interpretation
 
Warranting Interpretations
 
PART FOUR: SYNTHESIS: COMBINATIONS AND TRADE-OFFS
 
Combining Research Designs
 
Trade-offs in Research Design

this is a very good reference book, informative and written in an accessible style. Recommended for any student wishing to develop a general grounding in the principles of methodology to inform their own research

Ms Christine Smith
Social Science , university college of mark st and st john
April 3, 2013

The author of this book writes in a clear and concise way. Making distinct terminology used within research methodology understandable to students or researchers at all levels. The book also helpfully guides the reader through each stage of the research process from choosing the most appropriate design, data collection and on to interpreting data. It also includes a number of useful exercises, that help the reader to consider appropriate methods to use in real research situations.

Mrs Kathryn Nethercott
Department of Education, Bedfordshire University
December 11, 2012

A good supplementary text for research students, to ensure a good understanding of the methodologies used in their research programmes. I like the two levels of reading list - basic and advanced, providing guidance to a range of readers.

Mrs Victoria Haines
Design School, Loughborough University
December 11, 2012

This is a readable, detailed methodology text with useful examples and supporting literature at both basic and advanced levels, which is helpful. Itsa probably too detailed for most of my undergraduate dissertation students, but provides a good background to some of the more inquisitive students.

Mrs Victoria Haines
Design School, Loughborough University
December 11, 2012

This book is more advanced than I had hoped for

Dr Val Mitchell
Loughborough Design School, Loughborough University
November 11, 2012

A very useful text which clearly explains the principles of research methodology.

Mrs Karen Hatch
SCHOOL OF HEALTH, Northampton University
October 31, 2012

Friendly and no-nonsense approach to methodology, I think student will really benefit from it.

Dr Mirjam Brady-Van den Bos
School of Psychology, Aberdeen University
October 9, 2012

A good book on a central subject

Mr Jean-Charles Languilaire
Department of Urban Studies, Malmo University
September 16, 2012

Probably one of the best available texts that combines an introduction to research methods with a presentation of several research designs. Highly recommended book to anybody willing to conduct a research in social sciences.

Mrs Beata Kviatek - Simanska
School of Communication & Media, Hanze University
August 15, 2012

This was a very useful book for first year students ont the level 8 course and it describes reserach design in an assessible easy to grasp way.

Ms Colletta Dalikeni
Humanities, Dundalk
January 8, 2012

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter One


For instructors

Please select a format:

Select a Purchasing Option


Paperback
ISBN: 9780857024749
£48.99

Hardcover
ISBN: 9780857024732
£141.00

SAGE Research Methods is a research methods tool created to help researchers, faculty and students with their research projects. SAGE Research Methods links over 175,000 pages of SAGE’s renowned book, journal and reference content with truly advanced search and discovery tools. Researchers can explore methods concepts to help them design research projects, understand particular methods or identify a new method, conduct their research, and write up their findings. Since SAGE Research Methods focuses on methodology rather than disciplines, it can be used across the social sciences, health sciences, and more.

With SAGE Research Methods, researchers can explore their chosen method across the depth and breadth of content, expanding or refining their search as needed; read online, print, or email full-text content; utilize suggested related methods and links to related authors from SAGE Research Methods' robust library and unique features; and even share their own collections of content through Methods Lists. SAGE Research Methods contains content from over 720 books, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and handbooks, the entire “Little Green Book,” and "Little Blue Book” series, two Major Works collating a selection of journal articles, and specially commissioned videos.