Research methods in the social sciences / Chava Frankfort-Nachmias, David Nachmias.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Foundations of empirical research: the scientific approach; conceptual foundations of research; ethics in social science research. Design and structure of research: research designs - experiments; research designs - correlational and quasi-experimental designs; measurement; sampling and sample design. Data collection: observational methods; survey research; questionnaire construction; qualitative research; secondary data analysis. Data processing and analysis: data preparation and analysis; the univariate distribution; bivariate analysis; control, elaboration and multivariate analysis; index construction and scaling methods; inferences. Appendices: introduction to SPSS; the summation sign; random digits; areas under normal curve; distribution of t; critical values of F; critical values of U in the Mann-Whitney test; distribution of X2; research reports.

The 5th edition of this successful book provides a comprehensive, non-technical introduction to the principal research methods employed in social science. It offers a carefully integrated treatment of its components; research theory, design, data collection and data analysis; and explores theprogression from the conceptual and theoretical building blocks of the research process to data analysis and computer applications. Throughout, the authors draw on examples from both classic social science research studies and current social issues to provide students with an historical basis forappreciating how social science research applies to today's concerns.This new edition has been thoroughly revised to include current research study examples on contemporary social science issues, new computer exercises on data processing and analysis, an appendix on writing research reports, and a fully updated appendix on SPSS with coverage of SPSS/PC+ and SPSS forWindows.

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