Product Description

This successful text on carrying out research in ′real world′ situations has been thoroughly revised and updated in order to make it as useful as possible to teachers and students from a range of behavioral and social science disciplines.

• Includes new examples from applied psychology, applied social science, health studies, social work and education.
  
• Provides more coverage of qualitative methods.
  
• Pedagogical material has been updated to include a glossary and detailed cross–referencing across chapters.
  
• Bases the quantitative analysis section around version 10 of SPSS and the section on qualitative analysis around the NUD∗IST software.
  
• Situates material more clearly within theoretical conceptualizations of the nature of social science research, pointing to the advantages of a critical realist approach.

For sample chapters please visit www.blackwellpublishing.com/robson

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6604 in Books
• Published on: 2002-01-18
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 624 pages

Review
"Second editions, like movie sequels, rarely surpass the originals. Real World Research is a stunning exception. Robson has brilliantly expanded and revised what was already the best book on how to actually do research in applied settings." Joseph A. Maxwell, George Mason University

"Even the most anxious and resistant novice will surely feel they have a new insight (and hopefully, confidence) into the various approaches to social research. Robson manages to combine cool objectivity with both enthusiasm and passion. One can see why the first edition was successful." Anthony Gale, University of Portsmouth

"This handbook will be very useful as an overview of various strategies, methods and research designs in social research, combining quantitative and qualitative research in a critical realist paradigm ... Robson′s great strengths are his writing style, overall breadth of coverage and organization—huge elements needed for any book to be judged a success. This is an expert who does not intimidate or pontificate to the reader." Maximilian C. Forte, Forum: Qualitative Sozialforschung, Volume 3, No. 4, November 2002

"Colin Robson′s excellent first edition of Real World Research....succeeded because it spoke to the reader with a clear and authoritative voice that was never afraid of highlighting the problems and difficulties with conducting research in dynamic social situations ... The new edition has greatly expanded the content of the early book, but has largely managed to hold onto the clear voice and a direct relevance for the anthropological field worker ... One of the qualities of the book I find very appealing is the strength of Robson′s voice thoroughout the text; the style is almost conversational talking rather than writing, and as a result is quite inspiring." Lindsey Poole, Performance and Innovation Unit, Cabinet Office, London, Anthropological Theory, 3 (3), 393–394.

From the Back Cover
This successful text furnishes students with the skills necessary to conduct research outside the laboratory, in real world situations.

For the second edition, the text has been thoroughly revised and updated to make it as useful as possible for teachers and students from a range of behavioral and social science disciplines.

Features of this new edition include:

• Updated examples and references, and new examples drawn in from the fields of applied psychology, applied social science, health studies, social work and education.
  
• Greater emphasis on flexible designs using largely qualitative methods, including additional coverage of ethnographic and grounded theory approaches.
  
• Critical discussion of the place of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and statistical significance testing in fixed, quantitative design research
  
• The quantitative analysis section is based around version 10 of SPSS, while the section on qualitative analysis is based around the NUD∗IST software.
  
• Additional material on combining quantitative and qualitative approaches.
  
• Material more clearly situated within theoretical conceptualizations of the nature of social science research, pointing to the advantages of a critical realist approach.
  
• More incorporation of tests and test theory.
  
• Improvements to the pedagogical material such as the addition of a glossary and detailed cross–referencing across chapters.

For sample chapters please visit www.blackwellpublishing.com/robson

About the Author
Colin Robson is a Professor in the Centres for Applied Childhood Studies and Evaluation Studies at Huddersfield University. He is chief consultant to an international project on special educational needs, statistics and indicators, at the Centre for Educational Research and Innovation, OECD, Paris.

Customer Reviews

One of the best social science research texts
This is an outstanding book and the new editition is simply excellent. The style is practical and accessible and is likely to be attractive to a wide range of researchers. This is a book that should be at the side of any student tackling serious research projects. A must for anyone studying researhc methods.

a fantastic resource that you will refer to time after time.
Im currently in my third year of a degree in sociology and this book is the one that I couldnt do without. It is infinitely helpful and i would recommend it to anyone either studying or considering studying sociology or psychology.

Beautifully easy tor read (What a relief)
Briefly... the book examines challenges and methods for studying in the real world (as opposed to an experimental setting) taking in such topics as qualitative approaches, mixed-methods, and action research.

What was so welcome about the book is that it reads like a conversation with someone who is in a place to advise you without lecturing - and is as surprisingly pleasant read. Very useful and very readable.