The Research Process

1. How We Know What We Know and How We Know We Know
- Research as a Way of Life
- Answering Our Questions
- Consulting an Authority as a Way of Knowing
- Research as a Way of Knowing
Summary
Questions for Review
Source
Suggestions for Further Reading
Suggested Web Resources
2. Research as a Way of Knowing
- Research as a Process
- Research as a Discipline
- Theory and Data
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Sources
Suggestions for Further Reading
Suggested Web Resources
PHASE 1: ESSENTIAL FIRST STEPS
3. Selecting a Problem
- Starting Points
- The Literature Review
- Identifying a Theoretical Framework for your Study [New]
- Narrowing and Clarifying the Problem
- Stating the Problem
Summary
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Sources
Suggestions for Further Reading
Suggested Web Resources
4. Qualitative or Quantitative Research? Where Do I Begin?
- What is Qualitative Research?
- When to Use Qualitative Research
- What is Quantitative Research?
- Understanding Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
- When to Use Quantitative Research [New]
- Which Is Better: Qualitative or Quantitative?
- Mixed Methods Research
Summary
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Suggestions for Further Reading
Suggested Web Resources
5. Selecting Variables and Concepts
- Concepts and Variables
- Finding Variables for Concepts: Hypotheses
- Finding Variables for Concepts: Research Objectives
- The Question of Validity
- An Overview of the Research Process
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Suggestions for Further Reading
Suggested Web Resources
6. Finding a Variable's and Concept's Measurements
- The Logic of Measurement
- Variable and Concept Measurement in the Social and Behavioural Sciences
- Using Observation to Measure Variables and Concepts
- Using Interview Guides and Questionnaires to Measure Variables and Concepts
- Examining Records and Publications to Measure Variables and Concepts
- Validity
- Reliability
Summary
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Suggestions for Further Reading
Suggested Web Resources
7. Selecting a Research Design
- Qualitative or Quantitative? Which Approach Should You Use?
- How Do You Choose a Research Design?
1. The Case Study
2. The Longitudinal Study
3. The Comparison Study
4. The Longitudinal Comparison Study
5. The Experiment
- Controlling the Influence of Other Variables
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Sources
Suggestions for Further Reading
Suggested Web Resources
8. Selecting a Sample and Participants
- How to Select a Sample and Participants
- Types of Sampling and Selection Procedures
- Determining Sample Size
- A Warning about Internet Sampling Strategies
Summary
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Sources
Suggestions for Further Reading
Suggested Web Resources
9. Ethics in Human Research
- The Ethics of Research
- Formal Ethical Review of Research
- Special Ethical Issues in Qualitative and Secondary Data Research
- Ending the Research Project
Summary
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Sources
Suggestions for Further Reading
Suggested Web Resources
PHASE 2: DATA COLLECTION
10. Making Notes, Organizing Data, and Constructing Bibliographies
- Attention to Detail
- Keeping a Research Journal
- Maintaining a Bibliography
- Recording Notes
- Data Collection Sheets
Questions for Review
Suggestions for Further Reading
Suggested Web Resources
11. Summarizing and Presenting Data in Quantitative Research
- Including and Excluding Data
- Categories
- Tables
- Graphs
- Means
Summary
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Suggestions for Further Reading
Suggested Web Resources
12. Presenting Results Using Qualitative Research
- The Qualitative Research Process
- Phase 1: Essential First Steps
- Phase 2: Collecting, Summarizing, and Organizing Data
- Phase 3: Analyzing Data
Key Terms
Questions for Review
Sources
Suggestions for Further Reading
Suggested Web Resources
PHASE 3: ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
13. Drawing Conclusions
- What Did You Ask?
- What Did You Find?
- What Exactly Do You Conclude?
- To Whom Do Your Conclusions Apply?
Questions for Review
Suggestions for Further Reading
Suggested Web Resources
14. Reporting Your Research
- What Is Worth Reporting?
- A General Outline
- Conclusion
Questions for Review
Suggestions for Further Reading
Suggested Web Resources
Appendix: Final Report: The Job Search Experiences of Immigrant and New Generation Youth in Winnipeg
Glossary
Index

Instructor's Manual:
For each chapter:
- Chapter summary
- 4-5 suggested class activities
- Learning challenges
- List of additional resources
- 1-2 Canadian examples for discussion
- NEW! 1-2 annotated video links
Test Bank:
For each chapter:
- 10-15 short-answer questions (at least 5 new per chapter)
- 25-30 true-or-false questions (at least 5 new per chapter)
- 25-30 multiple choice questions (at least 5 new per chapter)
- Answer key with page references
Student Study Guide:
For each chapter:
- Chapter summary
- Key terms with definitions
- 10-15 short answer questions (at least 5 new per chapter)
- 15-20 multiple choice questions (at least 5 new per chapter)
E-Book ISBN 9780199029839
Loose Leaf ISBN 9780199034611

Lori Wilkinson is an associate professor in the Sociology Department at the University of Manitoba, where she teaches courses in ethnic relations, Canadian society and culture, and survey research methods. She is an internationally recognized expert on immigration and refugee studies, in particular on immigrant youths' adaptation to the Canadian economic and educational experience. Her commitment to her department, faculty, university, students, and community was recognized in 2008, when she was the recipient of the Faculty of Arts Professor of the Year award. Lori is also involved with the Canadian Sociological Association (CSA) and is currently working on updating the organization's ethics guidelines. She was the adaptor of the first two Canadian editions of The Research Process and is the co-author of the OUP title Understanding Social Statistics, published in 2015.

Gary D. Bouma is an emeritus professor of sociology at Monash University.

Susan Carland is a senior lecturer in the faculty of arts at Monash University

Making Sense in the Social Sciences - Margot Northey, Lorne Tepperman and Patrizia Albanese

Special Features

• Accessible and concise - assumes no prior knowledge of the subject and uses clear language and straightforward explanations, offering students a unique and practical introduction to methods.
• Practical, step-by-step approach guides students through every step of the research process.
• Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches are balanced throughout, explaining how students can use each approach to gather evidence for understanding the social world.
• Non-statistical, non-mathematical explanations of the essential logic of research enables novice students to effectively prepare proposals and conduct research.
• Canadian case studies, examples, and data ensure this is an essential resource for students in this country.
• A stand-alone chapter on research ethics outlines major ethical issues faced by Canadian social science researchers.
• Interdisciplinary - with examples and content applicable to a variety of social science disciplines - this text is suitable for courses in sociology, political science, geography, health sciences, and nursing.
• In Focus boxes help students make connections between theoretical concepts and real-world applications.
• Case Study boxes help students see the research process in action.

New to this Edition

• Expanded coverage on topics students often struggle with, such as inductive and deductive reasoning, and differentiating between concepts and variables.
• Fully revised and updated with new and expanded Canadian content, examples, data, and research tips to provide current, relevant, and engaging material for Canadian students.
• Additional In Focus boxes explore key topics such as the difference between educated guesses and theories (Ch. 2), applying Critical Race Theory to the context of health care (Ch. 4), and falsifying data (Ch. 9).
• Increased discussion of current research issues, including the influence of technology, the internet, and social media on research and less traditional approaches to qualitative research.